As of 12 October 2026 Pocket Casts is free with advertising and sells Plus at 3.99 US dollars a month or 39.99 a year, with Patron above that; transcripts and AI chapters are Plus features and sync needs an account. Macdio is 14.99 US dollars once: transcripts for any episode are made on the device, highlights go to six notes apps, favorites and progress sync through your own iCloud with no account, and 60,000+ radio stations live in the same app.
What people usually want when they search for this
Three things come up. Transcripts without a monthly fee. A way to get a moment out of the app and into notes. And an app that does not need an account to remember where you were. Macdio answers all three, and adds live radio next to the episodes.
Transcripts, included
Every episode becomes text on your iPhone, iPad or Mac, in the episode's language where the device supports it. Nothing uploaded, nothing to subscribe to. How it works
Highlights to your notes
Mark a moment by button, Siri or watch; the sentence goes to Apple Notes, Notion, Obsidian, Bear, Craft or Readwise. How it works
Radio and podcasts together
Up Next plays an episode, then a live station for the time you give it, then the next episode. One app for both.
What Pocket Casts does that Macdio does not
Android, the web player and Windows: Pocket Casts runs almost everywhere, Macdio runs on Apple devices only. Audio effects: Pocket Casts has trim silence and volume boost; Macdio has playback speed and nothing else. Folders and filters: Pocket Casts has deep organization tools; Macdio keeps shows, episodes, Up Next and Highlights. If those matter to you, Pocket Casts is the better fit and I would rather say so here than in a refund.
Feature by feature
| Feature | Macdio | Pocket Casts |
|---|---|---|
| Transcripts | Any episode, made on your device | With Plus |
| Highlights sent to a notes app | Apple Notes, Notion, Obsidian, Bear, Craft, Readwise | Bookmarks inside the app |
| Live radio in the same app | Yes | No |
| Native Mac app | Yes | Yes |
| Apple TV app | Yes | Yes |
| Apple Watch | Plays on its own | Controls playback |
| CarPlay | Yes | Yes |
| Episode downloads | Yes | Yes |
| Trim silence, volume boost | No | Yes |
| Android, web | No | Yes |
| Account needed | No, iCloud | For sync |
| Ads | No | In the free tier |
| Price | 14.99 USD once | Free with ads; Plus 3.99 USD a month or 39.99 a year; Patron 9.99 a month or 99.99 a year |
Based on Pocket Casts' own site and US App Store listing and on Macdio's code, read on 12 October 2026. "Not stated" means the page did not say, not that the feature is missing. Features and prices change; check the App Store for current details.
Moving over
Export an OPML file from Pocket Casts (Settings, Export Podcasts) and open it in Macdio. Every show comes across; episode progress and your bookmarks do not, since no app exports those. Transcripts are made fresh on your device as you play.
One thing to know before you switch
Macdio is built for Apple devices only. iPhone, iPad, Mac, Apple TV, Apple Watch and CarPlay are covered by one purchase, and there is no Android or web version. If part of your listening happens somewhere else, this is not the app for you.
Common questions
Do I need a subscription for transcripts in Macdio?
Can I import my Pocket Casts subscriptions?
Does Macdio have Trim Silence or Volume Boost?
Is there an Android or web version of Macdio?
How much does Macdio cost?
Try it
Macdio is on the App Store as a one-time purchase. The podcasts page has the full podcast side, and the pricing page the single price.