Escapepod
What Escapepod is
Escapepod is a free Android app for listening to podcasts, released under the MIT License by y20k. It has a two-screen design: one screen lists podcasts, and another lists episodes for a selected podcast. A simple search uses Podcast Index by default, with gpodder.net available as an alternative in Settings. There is no podcast discovery feature. Users can import and export podcast lists in OPML format. An up-next option plays another episode after the current one. Escapepod supports offline downloads and runs on Android 7.1 or newer. By default, it keeps the latest two episodes, plus episodes started or downloaded manually. Episodes not listened to for more than two weeks are removed. Automatic updates do not download files over cellular networks by default. Version 1.6.6 hardened feed parsing, downloads, and playback against malformed or hostile data, while version 1.6.7 identifies requests as Escapepod instead of revealing Android version, device model, and build ID. The listed plan is free.
Who it suits
Escapepod suits Android users who want a simple podcast player with offline downloads, OPML support, and basic search. It is also suited to listeners who prefer automatic cellular downloads to be disabled by default.
What it does well
- Free plan with free
- Offline downloads supported
- OPML import and export
- Up-next playback feature
- Android 7.1 and newer support
What to know first
- No podcast discovery feature
- Keeps latest two episodes by default
- Episodes untouched for two weeks are removed
- Android only
Plans
| Plan | Billed and limits | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Escapepod | Android podcast player · MIT License | Free |
As codeberg.org lists them, read 11 Oct 2026. The maker's own page has the final word.
Verdict
Escapepod focuses on straightforward podcast listening rather than discovery features. Its free Android app combines offline playback, OPML management, and automatic storage cleanup in a small interface.
Facts from Escapepod's own pages
- Android requirement
- The listed version 1.6.7 requires Android 7.1 or newer. · f-droid.org, 11 Oct 2026
- Data requests
- Version 1.6.7 identifies requests as Escapepod instead of disclosing the Android version, device model, and build ID. · f-droid.org, 11 Oct 2026
- Free plan
- Yes · f-droid.org, 22 Sept 2026
- License and author
- The app is listed under the MIT License, with y20k as its author. · f-droid.org, 11 Oct 2026
- Minimal interface
- The app has two screens: a list of podcasts and a list of episodes for one podcast. · f-droid.org, 11 Oct 2026
- Network behavior
- Auto-update does not download files over a cellular network by default. · f-droid.org, 11 Oct 2026
- Offline downloads
- Yes · f-droid.org, 22 Sept 2026
- OPML
- Users can import and export podcast lists in OPML format through Settings. · f-droid.org, 11 Oct 2026
- Playback
- Escapepod has a simple up-next feature for playing another episode after the current one. · f-droid.org, 11 Oct 2026
- Podcast discovery
- It has a simple search option but no podcast discovery feature. · f-droid.org, 11 Oct 2026
- Purpose
- Escapepod is a simple, lightweight app for listening to podcasts. · f-droid.org, 11 Oct 2026
- Search sources
- Search uses Podcast Index by default, with gpodder.net available as an alternative in settings. · f-droid.org, 11 Oct 2026
- Security update
- Version 1.6.6 hardened feed parsing, downloads, and playback against malformed or hostile data. · f-droid.org, 11 Oct 2026
- Storage limit
- By default, the app keeps the latest two episodes, along with episodes started or downloaded manually; episodes not listened to in more than two weeks are removed. · f-droid.org, 11 Oct 2026
- Supported platforms
- Android 7.1 and newer · f-droid.org, 22 Sept 2026
Where Escapepod stands on Freedom251
- Podcast apps#45 of 55