What is Apple Podcasts used for?

Apple Podcasts is Apple's podcast app and directory for listening, watching and reading shows, with subscriptions and sync across Apple devices. It is a good fit for finding and following podcasts on iPhone, and reading transcripts while listening.

Is Apple Podcasts free?

Yes. Apple Podcasts is free to use.

Is Apple Podcasts open source?

No. Apple Podcasts is proprietary (closed-source) software and can't be self-hosted. Open-source alternatives to Apple Podcasts include Audiobookshelf and AntennaPod.

What are some alternatives to Apple Podcasts?

Apple Podcasts competes with Spotify, Overcast and YouTube Music. For open-source options, see Enlisted's ranked list of open-source Apple Podcasts alternatives.

Apple Podcasts: features, pricing and alternatives

About Apple Podcasts

Apple Podcasts is the podcast app and directory from Apple. It is built just for podcasts and lets people listen to, watch or read shows, with personalized recommendations, premium content through show subscriptions and playback controls such as Enhance Dialogue.

Editors curate collections and channels, and top charts show what is popular worldwide. Video podcasts can be watched full screen or in picture in picture, with quality adapting to the connection, and transcripts let people read along, search for moments and jump by chapter. Everything syncs across a user's Apple devices.

Apple Podcasts is proprietary software, but the directory uses public RSS feeds, so creators submit shows once and listeners can play them in Apple's app or in other apps. Subscriptions for premium shows are set by individual creators.

Key features

Podcast directory with editorial curation
Video podcasts with picture in picture
Transcripts with search and chapters
Show subscriptions for premium content
Playback controls such as Enhance Dialogue
Sync across Apple devices

Good fit for

→Finding and following podcasts on iPhone
→Reading transcripts while listening

Tags: podcasts; podcast-directory; apple; video-podcasts; transcripts; subscriptions; audio

Apple Podcasts: questions and answers

What is Apple Podcasts used for?: Apple Podcasts is Apple's podcast app and directory for listening, watching and reading shows, with subscriptions and sync across Apple devices. It is a good fit for finding and following podcasts on iPhone, and reading transcripts while listening.
Is Apple Podcasts free?: Yes. Apple Podcasts is free to use.
Is Apple Podcasts open source?: No. Apple Podcasts is proprietary (closed-source) software and can't be self-hosted. Open-source alternatives to Apple Podcasts include Audiobookshelf and AntennaPod.
What are some alternatives to Apple Podcasts?: Apple Podcasts competes with Spotify, Overcast and YouTube Music. For open-source options, see Enlisted's ranked list of open-source Apple Podcasts alternatives.