Our verdict: Pocket Casts is a polished podcast player that keeps your subscriptions, queue and playback position in sync between your PC, browser and phone. The Windows app is free for everyone now. Some organizing features and cloud storage are reserved for the paid Plus plan, and you need an account to sync.
About Pocket Casts
Pocket Casts is owned by Automattic, the company behind WordPress.com. The current Windows and Mac desktop apps were rebuilt in Electron with version 2.0 and include a mini player. They are downloaded from the Pocket Casts website and update themselves; the Microsoft Store version is temporarily unavailable.
The web and desktop apps are available on the free plan. A free account syncs subscriptions, the Up Next queue and playback progress across devices. Folders, bookmarks and cloud storage for your own audio files require a Plus or Patron subscription.
What it does well
- Podcast discovery. Hand-curated recommendations, charts and search for finding new shows.
- Up Next queue. Builds a queue of episodes to play next, synced across your devices.
- Cross-device sync. Keeps subscriptions and playback position in sync with the phone and web apps.
- Mini player. Pops out a small draggable player so you can control playback while working.
- Plus features. Folders, bookmarks and cloud storage for your own files with a paid subscription.
Who it is for
Good fit
Podcast listeners who switch between their phone and a Windows PC and want one synced queue.
Look elsewhere
People who want every feature without a subscription, or prefer a player that works fully offline without an account.
Pros and cons
Pros
- Free on Windows, web and phones
- Reliable sync of queue and progress
- Clean interface with good discovery
- Auto-updating desktop app
Cons
- Folders and bookmarks need a Plus subscription
- Account required for sync
- Not currently available in the Microsoft Store
How to install Pocket Casts
Download the Windows installer from the official Pocket Casts download page; the app checks for updates itself. Sign in with a free account to sync your subscriptions and queue. Press Alt in the Windows app to show the menu with Check for Updates.
Questions about Pocket Casts
Is Pocket Casts free?
Yes. The Windows, Mac and web apps are available on the free plan. Folders, bookmarks and cloud storage require a paid Plus or Patron subscription.
Does Pocket Casts sync with my phone?
Yes. With a free Pocket Casts account, subscriptions, the Up Next queue and playback progress sync between the desktop, web and mobile apps.
Is Pocket Casts in the Microsoft Store?
Pocket Casts says the Microsoft Store version is temporarily unavailable and recommends installing from its own download page.
