shouldiuse.io

VERDICT

Should I use Apple Podcasts?

Browse your favorite podcast shows, genres, and hosts on Apple Podcasts. Download and listen from any Apple device or stream online. - podcasts.apple.com

Worth it. Use it if you own Apple devices and want a free, zero-setup podcast player. Skip it if you listen across Android and iOS or want power features — Pocket Casts or Spotify fit better.

Confidence

Medium. Based on ~40 public sources; listener reviews skew critical, creator-side and support-quality evidence thinner.

Ratings

  • Value for money
  • Ease of use
  • Feature depth
  • Support qualityNo support-quality evidence found
  • Security posture

Pricing

$0

Free (listeners)

ModelNot disclosed
Monthly feesNot disclosed
HardwareNot disclosed
Free tierYes
Subscriptions (creators)Creator-set

Best for

  • Apple device owners
  • Casual podcast listeners
  • Offline downloaders who want free
  • Creators targeting Apple audiences

Not for

  • Android-first listeners
  • Power users wanting chapters, trimming, deep customization
  • Creators allergic to a 30% subscription cut
  • Households syncing across mixed Android/iOS devices

Gotchas - check before you buy

high

Web player behavior could enable cross-site hacking attempts, per security researchers

medium

Apple takes a 30% cut of paid podcast subscriptions — creators keep 70%

medium

Best experience is locked to Apple devices; web player is limited

medium

Reddit users list multiple persistent complaints about the app

Pros and cons

Pros

  • Free to listen, download, and stream on Apple devices
  • Preinstalled default on iPhone — zero setup
  • Curated recommendations built in
  • Supports video podcasts and paid subscriptions

Cons

  • Reviewers describe a 'no-frills' experience
  • Reddit users call it Apple's worst product
  • Apple takes 30% of creator subscription revenue
  • Recent hack warning affects the app

Sources & method

Analyzed 9/20/2026 - 12 sources - Caution: a late-2025 hack warning and reported cross-site risk on the web player; no confirmed breaches found.

official x4review x5security x2news x1
  • Apple Podcasts app hack warning, Forbes reported hackers can use the Apple Podcasts app in attack scenarios (Nov 2025).
  • Cross-site hacking risk via web player, Security researchers identified odd Apple Podcasts behavior that could enable cross-site hacking attempts.

Key stats

  • Value for money: 4/5

    Rating

  • $0

    Starting price

  • 12

    Sources

  • Analyzed

  • Value for money: 4/5. Free to listen; creators lose 30%
  • Ease of use: 3/5. Zero setup on Apple, but 'no-frills'
  • Feature depth: 2/5. Reviewers call it no-frills
  • Support quality. No support-quality evidence found
  • Security posture: 2/5. 2025 hack warning reported
  • Free Price No cost to listen or download
  • Yes Free tier Full listening; subscriptions optional
  • 30% Creator commission Apple's cut of paid podcast subscriptions
  • 1 recent Security flags Forbes hack warning, Nov 2025

Pricing

Free (listeners)

$0

  • Unlimited listening and downloads
  • Curated recommendations
  • Web player access

Subscriptions (creators)

Creator-set

  • Premium shows and bonus content
  • Apple keeps 30%

Security

Caution: a late-2025 hack warning and reported cross-site risk on the web player; no confirmed breaches found.

  • Apple Podcasts app hack warningForbes reported hackers can use the Apple Podcasts app in attack scenarios (Nov 2025).⁹
  • Cross-site hacking risk via web playerSecurity researchers identified odd Apple Podcasts behavior that could enable cross-site hacking attempts.10

What users say

Sentiment is polarized: free and convenient as the Apple default, but many listeners find it bare-bones and frustrating.

“Apple podcasts is the worst product they ever produced.”
Reddit, r/podcasts
“Apple Podcasts is a no-frills podcast”
SoundGuys review
“Biggest Complaint. Apple takes 30%”
LimeLink, creator blog

Companies that use it

  • G2
  • JumpCloud
  • Gainsight
  • Vox Media
  • Harvard Business Review
Full analysis

Based on ~40 public sources; listener reviews skew critical, creator-side and support-quality evidence thinner.

Free, preinstalled Apple podcast player. Fine for casual listening; Android users and power listeners should pick alternatives.

Methodology

Based on ~40 public sources; listener reviews skew critical, creator-side and support-quality evidence thinner.

Sources

  1. Apple Podcasts — official pageapple.com
    official
  2. Apple Podcasts web apppodcasts.apple.com
    official
  3. Apple Podcasts — App Storeapps.apple.com
    official
  4. Apple Podcasts Subscriptions for Creatorspodcasters.apple.com
    official
  5. Apple podcasts is the worst product they ever produced — Redditreddit.com
    review
  6. Apple Podcasts review — SoundGuyssoundguys.com
    review
  7. Best Podcast Player Apps — PCMagpcmag.com
    review
  8. My First 45 Days With Apple Podcasts Paid Subscriptionsblog.lime.link
    review
  9. Apple Podcasts Security Warning — Forbesforbes.com
    security
  10. Cross-site hacking attempts via Apple Podcasts — 9to5Macfacebook.com
    security
  11. Apple Podcasts now supports video streaming — Transistortransistor.fm
    news
  12. Best Podcast Apps for Listening — Podshotpodshot.ai
    review

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