One library. Your sources.
Local files, iCloud Drive and RSS podcasts. Ultra adds SMB/NAS, Navidrome, Jellyfin, Audiobookshelf, WebDAV, SFTP and DLNA.
SourcesCLAUDIO or VLC: which fits your listening?
VLC plays audio and video from many sources. CLAUDIO focuses on your everyday audio library.
THE COMMON GROUND
VLC for iOS supports audio and video, network sources such as SMB, SFTP and DLNA, cloud imports, speed controls and Chromecast. VideoLAN describes it as free and open source.
CLAUDIO plays local files and iCloud Drive for free. Pro adds sound controls. Ultra and Pro+ connect every supported server and include Pro.
Source: VLC · Website / Docs| Feature | CLAUDIO | VLC |
|---|---|---|
| Sources for your collection | Local and iCloud free; seven server connections with Ultra / Pro+ | SMB, SFTP, DLNA and other sources documented |
| Speed and silence | Speed, pitch correction and silence trimming with Pro | Playback speed documented |
| Cost and media | Audio; Free, Pro and Ultra / Pro+ | Audio and video; free and open source |
What CLAUDIO adds
to your listening.
CLAUDIO organizes albums, audiobooks and podcast subscriptions as an audio library. Smart rewind, chapter timers, read-along, AutoEq and direct Audiobookshelf/Navidrome connections suit long listening sessions and music servers.
MusicSelected 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.