Downcast
What Downcast is
Downcast is a paid podcast player for iPhone, iPad, Apple Watch, Mac, CarPlay, and related Apple playback integrations. It searches for podcasts, handles subscriptions by search or feed URL, and downloads audio or video episodes for offline listening. Private feeds, password-protected podcasts, smart playlists, show notes, chapter support, and OPML import and export support library management. Automatic and background downloads are available on iOS, although continued background downloading depends on iOS restrictions. Playback can stream without downloading and offers speeds from 0.5x to 3x. iCloud syncs subscriptions, playlists, settings, and episode information across iOS devices and Macs. The iOS purchase is $2.99, paid once, while Downcast for Mac costs $4.99, paid once. The Mac app is a separate purchase for syncing with Macs.
Who it suits
Downcast suits listeners using Apple devices who want audio and video podcasts, offline downloads, private feeds, and iCloud synchronization. It fits people who need detailed playlist and episode organization.
What it does well
- Audio and video podcast support
- Offline and automatic downloads
- Private feed support
- iCloud synchronization
- Smart playlists and OPML tools
What to know first
- Paid with no free plan
- Separate iOS and Mac purchases
- Background downloads follow iOS restrictions
- Apple-device platform coverage
Plans
| Plan | Billed and limits | Price |
|---|---|---|
| iOS | Podcast search and subscriptions · Audio and video podcast downloads · Automatic downloads · Smart playlists · iCloud syncing | On request |
| Mac | Podcast search and subscriptions · Audio and video podcast downloads · Automatic downloads · Smart playlists · iCloud syncing with iOS and Mac | On request |
| Downcast for iOS | iPhone, iPad, Apple Watch · CarPlay support · iCloud syncing with Macs requires a separate Mac purchase | $2.99, paid once |
| Downcast for Mac | Mac app · iOS app required to sync with iOS devices via iCloud | $4.99, paid once |
As downcastapp.com lists them, read 20 Sept 2026. The maker's own page has the final word.
Verdict
Downcast combines podcast discovery, downloads, playback controls, and cross-device iCloud syncing for Apple users. Buyers should account for the separate 2.99 USD iOS and 4.99 USD Mac purchases.
Facts from Downcast's own pages
- Background download limit
- The iOS listing qualifies continued background podcast downloads as subject to iOS restrictions. · apps.apple.com, 11 Oct 2026
- Cross-device sync
- Yes · downcastapp.com, 20 Sept 2026
- Downloads
- The iOS app supports automatic downloads, background downloads subject to iOS restrictions, older episode downloads, and feed auto-refresh. · apps.apple.com, 11 Oct 2026
- Free plan
- No · downcastapp.com, 20 Sept 2026
- Mac playback
- The Mac app supports streaming, chapters, and playback speeds from 0.5x to 3x, including 2.75x. · apps.apple.com, 11 Oct 2026
- Offline downloads
- Yes · downcastapp.com, 20 Sept 2026
- Organization
- Features include OPML import and export, password-protected podcasts, smart playlists, episode details, show notes, and podcast title renaming. · apps.apple.com, 11 Oct 2026
- Playback
- Playback features include streaming without downloading, chapter support, and speeds from 0.5x to 3x on iOS. · apps.apple.com, 11 Oct 2026
- Playback integrations
- The iOS listing states support for AirPlay, Bluetooth, external playback controls, CarPlay, and Google Cast. · apps.apple.com, 11 Oct 2026
- Podcast discovery
- The apps can search for, subscribe to, and download audio and video podcasts, including manual subscriptions by URL. · apps.apple.com, 11 Oct 2026
- Privacy reporting
- The App Store listing says the developer reports that identifiers, usage data, and diagnostics may be collected but are not linked to the user. · apps.apple.com, 11 Oct 2026
- Private feed support
- Yes · downcastapp.com, 20 Sept 2026
- Product
- Downcast is a podcast player for iOS and Mac; its official site also names Apple Watch and CarPlay. · downcastapp.com, 11 Oct 2026
- Separate purchase
- The iOS listing says Downcast for Mac is a separate purchase required for iCloud syncing with Macs. · apps.apple.com, 11 Oct 2026
- Support
- The iOS listing directs users to the support site or [email protected]; the Mac listing provides [email protected]. · apps.apple.com, 11 Oct 2026
- Supported platforms
- iPhone, iPad, Apple Watch, Mac · downcastapp.com, 20 Sept 2026
- Sync
- Downcast can sync podcast subscriptions, playlists, settings, and episode information via iCloud across iOS devices and Macs. · apps.apple.com, 11 Oct 2026
- Video podcasts
- Yes · downcastapp.com, 20 Sept 2026
Where Downcast stands on Freedom251
- Podcast apps#53 of 55