Alternatives to gPodder
Simple desktop podcast client that downloads episodes to disk. The listings below can replace it for an important use case. Each note says what changes if you switch.
The original
gPodder
Simple desktop podcast client that downloads episodes to disk.
Replacements
Listings that take over the same core job as gPodder.
Pocket Casts
Cross-platform podcast player with cloud sync and trim silence.
Pocket Casts has Windows and macOS apps with a built-in player and cross-platform sync, but desktop use needs the paid Plus tier and an account.
Downcast
Apple-platform podcast player with fine-grained per-podcast rules.
Downcast offers a macOS app with iCloud sync and per-podcast rules, but it is paid, Apple only, and has no Windows or Linux version.
Podverse
Open-source podcast app with Podcasting 2.0 support.
Podverse replaces a desktop app with web, Android and iOS clients, stays open source under AGPL-3.0, and adds clips and Podcasting 2.0 support.
Player FM
Podcast app with offline playback and topic-based discovery.
Player FM works through web, Android and iOS with offline playback and topic discovery, but it is closed source and the free tier is advertising supported.
Castbox
Cross-platform podcast app with in-audio search.
Castbox works on web, Android and iOS with in-audio search inside episodes, but it is closed source with an advertising heavy free tier.
Fountain
Podcast app with Lightning value-for-value payments to creators.
Fountain runs on web, Android and iOS with Lightning payments to creators and Podcasting 2.0, but it is closed source and has no desktop app.
Also worth comparing
These listings name gPodder as their own alternative, so the relationship runs both ways.
Podcast Addict
Android podcast manager with very deep customisation.
gPodder moves podcasts to Windows, macOS or Linux desktops, downloading episodes to plain files and relying on external players, free and open source.
Similar software
Related functionality, not a direct replacement.
Overcast
Podcast app that shortens silences and normalizes volume across shows.
VLC media player
A free player that opens almost any video or audio file, disc or stream without installing a codec pack.
mpv
A minimal, scriptable media player with high quality video output and no real interface to get in the way.
