Podcast apps that skip ads, compared
A new kind of podcast app skips the ads for you, so you never reach for the +30 button again. Here are the ones people ask about most, side by side, with what each does best.
Written by the team that makes Sophon. Every other app's details come from its own App Store listing or website, last checked October 24, 2026. Prices are in US dollars and can change.
| App | Platforms | Free option | Paid | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sophon | iPhone | The whole player, plus ads skipped on 5 episodes a month | $9.99/month or $79.99/year, with a one-week free trial | Switching from a full podcast app without giving anything up |
| Herd | iPhone | Free download | In-app purchases | Listeners who want transcripts and episode discussion |
| Skipper | iPhone, iPad, Mac, Apple Watch | Unlimited episodes from up to two podcasts | One-time purchase for unlimited podcasts | Anyone who would rather pay once than subscribe |
| drea | iPhone | Free, no subscription | None | A simple, free player for English-language shows |
| opencast | iPhone, iPad (iOS 27 or later) | Free | In-app purchases | People who want open-source software |
| STFUAI Podcasts | Android, iPhone | A free allowance | Paid tiers (see their pricing page) | Android listeners |
| Adblock Podcast | iPhone, iPad | Free download | $3.99/month for 50 ad skips | Light listeners who want per-skip pricing |
| ZeroAds | Works inside the podcast app you already use | First 5 episodes | $5.99/month | Keeping your current podcast app |
Which one should you pick?
- A complete podcast app that also skips the ads: Sophon
- Free, with nothing to sign up for: drea or opencast
- Pay once, never subscribe: Skipper
- You use Android: STFUAI Podcasts
- You want to keep the app you have: ZeroAds
- Open-source software: opencast
The apps, one by one
Sophon
iPhone · $9.99/month or $79.99/year, with a one-week free trial
A complete podcast player with ad skipping built in: automatic or one tap, your choice, with every break marked on the timeline. One-tap import from Overcast, Apple Podcasts and Pocket Casts, transcripts, chapters, per-show settings and sync across your devices. Part of every Premium subscription goes to creators.
Herd
iPhone · In-app purchases
An ad-free podcast player with transcripts, a queue, autoplay, listening progress across devices, and comments on episodes.
Skipper
iPhone, iPad, Mac, Apple Watch · One-time purchase for unlimited podcasts
Turns skipped sponsor reads into Sponsor Cards, so you still see the brand and promo code. Voice Boost, silence skipping and OPML import. No account needed.
drea
iPhone · None
A clean, simple player with downloads, bookmarks and top charts. No account needed. Ad skipping currently works on English-language podcasts only.
opencast
iPhone, iPad (iOS 27 or later) · In-app purchases
Open source under the MIT license, with no account and syncing through your own iCloud. Transcripts with search, generated chapters and summaries, and Voice Boost.
STFUAI Podcasts
Android, iPhone · Paid tiers (see their pricing page)
A full podcast player that can also skip intros, outros, self-promotion and closing credits, set for every show or one at a time.
Adblock Podcast
iPhone, iPad · $3.99/month for 50 ad skips
Sets aside 4 cents of every purchased skip to donate to podcast creators.
ZeroAds
Works inside the podcast app you already use · $5.99/month
Not an app: a service that gives you ad-free versions of your shows as feeds, to add to Apple Podcasts, Overcast, Pocket Casts and most other apps. It does not work with Spotify.
Try Sophon free
The whole player is free, with ads skipped on 5 episodes every month. Bring your shows over in one tap.
On your laptop?
Scan with your iPhone camera to download Sophon.