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Podcasting · head to head

Pocketcasts vs Spreaker

Pocketcasts logo

Pocketcasts

Podcasting

The powerful podcast player for serious listeners

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite
Spreaker logo

Spreaker

Podcasting

Podcast hosting with social network features

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite

The short version

  • Each has a real cost: Pocketcasts specific pricing for Pocket Casts Plus and Patron tiers not published on website; Spreaker free plan allows only one podcast and retains statistics for 6 months
  • They diverge on capability: Pocketcasts covers Podcast discovery, Spreaker covers Podcast hosting.
  • Prices and features above were last checked on 30 August 2026.

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which Pocketcasts and Spreaker actually diverge.

Attributes where Pocketcasts and Spreaker differ
AttributePocketcastsSpreaker
PlatformsIos, Android, Web, Windows, MacosWeb, Ios, Android
Founded20102011

Identical on both: starting price (Free), pricing model (freemium), free tier (Yes), user rating (Not yet rated), category (Podcasting).

What each one covers

Drawn from each product's published feature list. An absence here means we hold no record of it - not that the product lacks it.

Only in Pocketcasts

  • Podcast discovery
  • Variable speed playback
  • Silence trimming
  • Cross-device sync
  • Custom filters
  • Apple Watch
  • Wear OS
  • Sonos

Only in Spreaker

  • Podcast hosting
  • Live streaming
  • Social network
  • Distribution
  • Analytics
  • Audio editing
  • All podcast platforms
  • Social media

Both cover

  • Ios support
  • Android support
  • Web support

What people use each for

The jobs each tool is most often brought in to do.

Pocketcasts

  • Podcast listeningnot Spreaker
  • Audio content consumptionnot Spreaker
  • Learning on the gonot Spreaker

Spreaker

  • Hosting and distributing podcasts to Spotify, Apple Podcasts and iHeartRadionot Pocketcasts
  • Monetising a show through programmatic ads, listener subscriptions or a supporters clubnot Pocketcasts
  • Running a multi-show podcast network with collaboratorsnot Pocketcasts

Where each one falls short

Documented limitations, not opinions. Every one is a constraint you would hit in normal use.

Pocketcasts

  • Specific pricing for Pocket Casts Plus and Patron tiers not published on website
  • Free tier features not clearly delineated

Spreaker

  • Free plan allows only one podcast and retains statistics for 6 months
  • Spreaker takes a 20 percent fee on Supporters Club listener payments on the free plan, dropping to 0 percent only on the $20 per month Broadcaster plan
  • Subscription monetisation and Apple Podcasts subscriptions require the $20 per month Broadcaster plan
  • Player colour customisation and collaborators require the $50 per month Anchorman plan
  • Selling and managing your own ad campaigns requires the $250 per month Publisher plan
  • Statistics retention is capped at 12 months below the Publisher plan, which extends it to 24 months

Pricing, plan by plan

Pocketcasts

Free
  • FreeFree
    • Unlimited podcasts
    • Cross-device sync
    • Playback effects
  • Plus$39.99/year
    • Desktop apps
    • Cloud storage 10GB
    • Extra themes

Spreaker

Free
  • FreeFree
    • 2 hours storage
    • Basic hosting
    • Social network access
  • Plus$5/month
    • 50 hours storage
    • Full distribution
    • Live streaming

Which should you pick?

Choose Pocketcasts if

  • You need podcast discovery.
  • You want to start without paying.
  • You work on Ios, Android, Web, Windows, Macos.
  • You also want variable speed playback.
Pocketcasts review

Choose Spreaker if

  • You need podcast hosting.
  • You want to start without paying.
  • You work on Web, Ios, Android.
  • You also want live streaming.
Spreaker review

Questions people ask

Is Pocketcasts or Spreaker better?
Neither clearly leads. Pocketcasts starts at Free and Spreaker at Free, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, Pocketcasts or Spreaker?
Pocketcasts starts at Free and Spreaker at Free.
Does Pocketcasts or Spreaker run on more platforms?
Pocketcasts runs on Ios, Android, Web, Windows, Macos. Spreaker runs on Web, Ios, Android.
Can I use Pocketcasts for free?
Both have a free tier, so you can try either at no cost before committing.
What is Pocketcasts best used for?
Pocketcasts is most often used for podcast listening, audio content consumption, learning on the go. Of those, podcast listening and audio content consumption are not what Spreaker is typically brought in for.
What can Pocketcasts do that Spreaker cannot?
Pocketcasts covers Podcast discovery, Variable speed playback, Silence trimming, Cross-device sync. Spreaker covers Podcast hosting, Live streaming, Social network, Distribution. Both handle Ios support, Android support, Web support.

Answered from the vendors’ own pages

Pocketcasts: How much does Pocket Casts cost?

Pocket Casts offers a free version described as 'the world's most powerful podcast platform, now available for free.' Premium tiers like Pocket Casts Plus and Pocket Casts Patron are available, but specific pricing is not disclosed on the main website.

Source
Spreaker: Does Spreaker offer free podcast hosting?

Yes, Spreaker offers free podcast hosting. The homepage explicitly states 'Your Podcasts Free' and includes a call-to-action to 'Start Free Today' for Spreaker Create for Web.

Source
Pocketcasts: Is there a free version of Pocket Casts?

Yes, Pocket Casts offers a free tier with 'next-level listening, search and discovery tools' and access to curated podcast recommendations. Premium features require upgrading to Plus or Patron plans.

Source
Spreaker: What premium features does Spreaker offer beyond the free tier?

Spreaker provides additional features beyond free hosting, including monetization features through the Prime Network. However, specific premium plan names, prices, and feature details are not disclosed on the main homepage and require visiting additional pages or contacting Spreaker.

Source
Pocketcasts: What premium features does Pocket Casts Plus include?

Pocket Casts Plus includes wearable app access, folders for podcast organization, Up Next Shuffle, bookmarks, cloud storage, and themes with custom icons. Specific pricing for this tier is not published on the website.

Source
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