Side by side
Fountain vs PinePods
Both stand on podcast apps. Which one you can start free with, which one lets you read the code, and what each costs once you pay.
Choose Fountain if you want creator tools that can work with an existing feed, including indexed transcripts, clips, distribution and analytics. It also offers a free listener app on iOS and Android. Look elsewhere if you need livestreaming without Fountain hosting or require more seats than the listed Lite and Pro allowances.
Visit FountainPinePods 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.
Visit PinePodsThe facts
| Fountain | PinePods | |
|---|---|---|
| Free plan | Yes | Yes |
| Open source | Not published | Not published |
| Runs on | Android, API, iPhone, Web | Android, API, iPhone, Linux, Mac, Self-hosted, Web, Windows |
| Lowest paid plan | Lite (artists): $1 a month | Free or on request |
| Plans published | 9 | 1 |
| Maker | Not published | Not published |
| Website | fountain.fm | pinepods.online |
| On podcast apps | #3 of 55 | #7 of 55 |
Fountain: what it does well
- Use archive search without moving an existing show.
- Connect MCP clients including Claude, ChatGPT and Cursor.
- Distribute shows to Apple Podcasts, Spotify and YouTube Music.
- Review social posts before publishing or scheduling them.
- Track downloads by episode, app, country and device.
What to know first
- Livestreams require hosting with Fountain.
- Lite provides one seat; Pro provides four.
- Transcripts and published posts each consume monthly credits.
PinePods: what it does well
- Available across web, desktop, mobile, and self-hosted server.
- Listening position and subscriptions sync across devices.
- Supports offline downloads, video, and transcripts.
- Multiple users can have separate libraries.
- Listed at zero cost for self-hosted use.
What to know first
- Ongoing use requires self-hosting.
- Demo accounts may be deleted.
- The maker directs support requests to Discord and GitHub.
Alternatives to Fountain Alternatives to PinePods The whole list