One library. Your sources.
Local files, iCloud Drive and RSS podcasts. Ultra adds SMB/NAS, Navidrome, Jellyfin, Audiobookshelf, WebDAV, SFTP and DLNA.
SourcesCLAUDIO or Downcast: which fits your listening?
Looking for an Apple-device podcast player while also listening to your own music server? Compare Downcast with CLAUDIO.
THE COMMON GROUND
Downcast presents itself as a podcast player for iOS, Mac, Apple Watch and CarPlay.
CLAUDIO offers RSS, search and streaming for two podcast subscriptions free. A one-time Pro purchase adds further subscriptions, downloads, OPML, speed, silence trimming and sleep timer.
Source: Downcast · Website / Docs| Feature | CLAUDIO | Downcast |
|---|---|---|
| Devices | iPhone, iPad and Mac | iOS, Mac and Apple Watch |
| CarPlay | Ultra / Pro+; eligible local and deliberately offline content | CarPlay per provider |
What CLAUDIO adds
to your listening.
CLAUDIO connects podcasts with music and audiobook sources such as NAS, Navidrome, Jellyfin and Audiobookshelf. EQ and AutoEq, chapters and read-along complement the player; Pro+ provides supported features as a one-time purchase.
PodcastsSelected listening scenarios, not a comprehensive product review. Other apps are described using official sources, checked on 9 November 2026. Trademarks belong to their respective owners; no affiliation or endorsement is implied.
PricingTHE CLAUDIO DIFFERENCE.More of your collection.
More of your collection.
In one player.
Keep your place in the story.
M4B and MP3 chapters, smart rewind, speed and silence trimming. Chapter-end sleep timer, Knock to Resume on iPhone/iPad and ten background sounds.
AudiobooksYour headphones. Your sound.
10-band EQ and AutoEq for more than 6,000 headphones, ReplayGain, gapless and crossfade. Plus LP Mode, Album Wall, lyrics and scrobbling.
MusicListen and read along.
Transcripts are created on-device. For fully downloaded audiobooks and podcasts in supported languages; unverified on Mac.
FeaturesReady before the signal drops.
Podcast downloads with Pro. Server and iCloud pinning, CarPlay and casting with Ultra. CarPlay and casting use eligible local or downloaded content.
FeaturesNo ads. No required subscription.
No CLAUDIO account. Usage data only with consent. Pro and Pro+ are one-time purchases; Pro+ permanently includes Pro and Ultra and supports Family Sharing.
Pricing44 FEATURES / CLAUDIO
Here is what you get.
CLAUDIO’s feature set by listening situation, with the required plan. Each feature links to its explanation.
Audiobooks
Music
Podcasts
Library & everyday listening
- Local files & iCloud DriveFree
- AirPlay & Lock ScreenFree
- Siri & ShortcutsFree
- A shared playback queueFree
- Audio formats from MP3 to FLACFree
- Lists, favourites & Smart ListsFree
- Themes & high contrastFree
- VoiceOver, Dynamic Type & Bold TextFree
- Continue a scan in the backgroundFree
- Folder view & title displayFree
- iCloud Sync & backupPro
- Widgets & Control CenterPro
- Player controls, app icon & tintPro
- M3U and M3U8 importPro
- Offline cache & pinningUltra
- Keep lists offlineUltra
- CarPlayUltra
- Server favourites & playback positionsUltra
- Listening statisticsUltra
Sources
Ultra includes Pro. Pro+ permanently includes Pro and Ultra. Read-along requires fully downloaded files and a supported language; unverified on Mac. CarPlay and casting require eligible local or downloaded content. Availability depends on format, source and playback path.
Explore all the featuresPRESS PLAY.You already have
Start for free You already have
plenty to listen to.
Start with your own files. For free.