PinePods

What PinePods is

PinePods is a free, self-hosted podcast server with clients for web, desktop, and mobile devices. Users can subscribe to shows and search through Podcast Index and iTunes, or follow YouTube channels and receive audio-only downloads as podcast episodes. Listening position, settings, themes, and subscriptions sync across devices. Playback includes offline downloads, video podcasts, transcripts, custom RSS feeds, speed controls, and per-podcast start and end cutoffs; OPML import and export are also supported. PinePods includes its own gpodder server and can sync with external gpodder servers or Nextcloud gpodder sync. Multiple users can keep separate libraries. Security options listed include multi-factor authentication and OpenID Connect. The maker documents Docker Compose and Kubernetes with Helm deployment, and says user settings, podcasts, and episodes are stored in MySQL or Postgres. A public demo is offered, but accounts may be deleted and are not intended for ongoing use. Supported platforms include web, Windows, macOS, Linux, iOS, Android, API, and self-hosted server.

Who it suits

PinePods suits podcast listeners who want a self-hosted service with synchronized clients across devices. Its multi-user libraries and deployment options may also suit people managing a server for more than one listener.

Limits

The listed PinePods plan is free for self-hosted use, with all features at zero cost. The public demo is not intended as a permanent way to use PinePods because demo accounts may be deleted.

Getting started

1. Visit the PinePods website.
2. Choose a deployment route documented by the maker: Docker Compose or Kubernetes with Helm.
3. Set up MySQL or Postgres for user settings, podcasts, and episodes.
4. Connect web, desktop, or mobile clients through the database API using API keys.
5. Use the public demo to try PinePods, keeping in mind demo accounts may be deleted.

Verdict

PinePods combines podcast discovery and playback across devices with server-side deployment options. The free listing is for self-hosted use, and the public demo is not intended as a permanent way to use the service.