Comparison

Downcast vs TheWkly

Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.

Head to head
About

Downcast

Manage and listen to podcasts with a powerful, feature-rich player. Offers extensive download and playback options, including variable speed and CarPlay support. Syncs across devices via iCloud.

Highlights
  • Search, subscribe, and download podcasts
  • Manual subscription via URL
  • Automatic downloads and background downloading
  • Variable playback speed
  • AirPlay and Google Cast support
  • iCloud syncing for subscriptions and settings
  • Smart playlist creation
Features
Currently charting
Read full description

A powerful, complete, and easy to use podcast player that will help you manage and listen to podcasts the way you want to. Now with CarPlay support! "Downcast: Probably The Best Podcast Downloader for iPad and iPhone" - Wired Gadget Lab Subscription Features • Search, subscribe to and download audio and video podcasts of any size • Manually subscribe to podcasts via URL • Download podcasts automatically • Continue podcast downloads in the background* • Browse and download older podcast episodes • Auto-refresh podcast feeds • Settings for auto-download and episode retention • Import and export podcast feeds via OPML • Import supported audio/video media files • Support for password-protected podcasts • Create and edit "smart" playlists • View podcast details and episode show notes • Rename podcast titles iCloud Syncing with other iOS devices or Macs** • Podcast subscriptions • Playlists • Settings • Episode information Playback Features • Video and audio AirPlay support • .5x, 1x, 1.25x, 1.5x, 2x, 2.25x, 2.5x and 3x speed playback • Chapters support for enhanced podcasts • Stream episodes without downloading • Playback control from external devices • Bluetooth devices • Headphone remote controls • Devices connected via Lightning/dock connector • View embedded images in podcast episodes • Gesture support • Sleep timer • Google Cast™ Ready ----------------------------------------- For support, please search our support site at http://support.downcastapp.com or email us at support@downcastapp.com! For the latest information about Downcast, please follow @downcastapp on Twitter! * Per iOS restrictions ** iCloud syncing with Macs requires Downcast for Mac, which is a separate purchase from the Mac App Store

About

TheWkly

This news app decodes headlines with personalized insights, explaining how stories impact your life and wallet. It features AI-driven investigations, misinformation analysis, and stock predictions, offering multiple perspectives on current events.

Highlights
  • Personalized news digest
  • AI investigative journalism
  • Misinformation analysis
  • AI stock predictions
  • Political spectrum indicators
  • Mood-based filtering
  • Gamified reading experience
Features
Read full description

TheWkly - Your Daily News, Decoded Tired of biased headlines and information overload? TheWkly delivers expert-explained news with personalized insights that show you exactly why each story matters to your life—including how it could affect your wallet. PERSONALIZED NEWS THAT FITS YOUR LIFE Tell us about your lifestyle—investor, parent, student, entrepreneur, or retiree—and we'll show you how every story impacts you personally. No more guessing why the news matters. NEW: THE PAPER TRAIL - AI INVESTIGATIVE JOURNALISM Go deeper with transparent, evidence-based investigative reporting. Every investigation shows you: • Which AI models discovered and verified the story • Complete evidence chains with verification status • Entity tracking for companies, people, and organizations • Topic-based filtering across investigation categories NEW: THE RABBIT HOLE - MISINFORMATION ANALYSIS Navigate today's information landscape with our dedicated analysis hub. Explore claims across four categories: • Propaganda - Coordinated messaging campaigns • Rumor - Unverified claims spreading online • Deepfake - AI-generated or manipulated media • Influence Operations - Foreign and domestic campaigns Each claim features Evidence and Mystery meters, plus Reality Check analysis showing how misinformation spreads and why it hooks people. NEXUS-Q7 STOCK PREDICTIONS See AI-powered market analysis on financially impactful stories. Get ticker symbols, bullish/bearish predictions, confidence levels, and clear reasoning. For nuanced predictions, GROK-X9 provides counter-analysis so you see both sides. SEE EVERY PERSPECTIVE Every story shows the political spectrum—Left, Center, and Right—clearly labeled. Understand all sides before forming your opinion. MOOD-BASED FILTERING Filter stories by Positive, Neutral, or Negative to match how you want to consume news today. EXPERT EXPLANATIONS & DEEP DIVES Complex topics explained in plain language. Go beyond headlines with in-depth analysis and comprehensive context. GAMIFICATION & REWARDS • Earn points for reading and staying informed • Build streaks and unlock achievements • Compete on community leaderboards • Track progress with weekly and monthly recaps 14 NEWS CATEGORIES Money, Tech, World, Health, Entertainment, Science, Sports, Politics, Climate, Social Issues, Local News, Travel, and more. PREMIUM FEATURES • NEXUS-Q7 stock predictions • AI Future Snapshots • Deep Dive analysis • Learning Roadmaps • Unlimited articles • All 14 categories Original purchasers: Restore your purchase for lifetime premium access. ALL FEATURES: • Personalized news digest • The Paper Trail investigative journalism • The Rabbit Hole misinformation analysis • NEXUS-Q7 AI stock predictions • GROK-X9 counter-analysis • Market Stories feed • 14 news categories • Political perspective indicators • Mood-based filtering • Bookmarks • Regional news • Expert explanations • Reading streaks & achievements • Community leaderboard • Future trend predictions • Learning roadmaps • Dark and light mode Download TheWkly today and transform how you consume news. Understanding the world shouldn't be overwhelming—it should be empowering. Today's News. Why It Matters to You. Terms of Use: https://www.thewkly.com/terms

Screenshots

Downcast4 screens
TheWkly4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is price: TheWkly at Free against Downcast's $2.99. TheWkly also leads on rating (5.0 vs 4.3) and update cadence (every 3 days vs monthly). Downcast's advantage is ratings volume (2.7K vs 4) and chart position (#3 vs unranked). On ads, in-app purchases, monetization model and iOS requirement there is nothing between them.

Scored on Price · Rating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings · Update frequency · Ads · In-app purchases · Monetization · Best chart rank · Devices · Requires iOS

CostPrice · In-app purchases · Ads · Monetization

TheWkly is free to download; Downcast costs $2.99 up front. Downcast sells 4 one-off in-app purchases and TheWkly sells 2 in-app purchases, starting at $9.99 per month. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

TheWkly holds the better App Store score, 5.0 against 4.3. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Downcast has 2.7K ratings behind it against 4, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews point the same way: 71% of Downcast's written reviews are positive against 100% of TheWkly's.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Downcast ships an update monthly, TheWkly every 3 days. Both last shipped on October 23, 2026.

Scorecard7 real differences · 4 level
Downcast versus TheWkly: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterDowncastTheWkly
Price$2.99Free — better
Rating4.3 (2.7K ratings)5.0 (4 ratings) — better
Positive reviews70.8% of reviews100.0% of reviews — better
Number of ratings2.7K — better4
Update frequencyMonthlyEvery 3 days — better
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesYesYes
MonetizationFree with in-app purchasesFree with in-app purchases
Best chart rank#3 — better—
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPod, Apple Watch — betteriPhone, iPod
Requires iOS14.7 — better15.1
Further details — not scored
Size45 MB54 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperJamawkinaw Enterprises LLCDAVIT AVAGYAN

Customer experience

Downcast

All ratings2,663 ratings
Positive80.7%
Neutral5.3%
Negative14.0%
Written reviews890 reviews
Positive70.8%
Neutral9.2%
Negative20.0%

TheWkly

All ratings4 ratings
Positive100.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative0.0%
Written reviews2 reviews
Positive100.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative0.0%

Bugs and requests

Downcast

Reported bugs

5 issues
  • Podcast downloads failing
  • Playback position not saved correctly
  • Podcast artwork and information mix-ups
  • Continuous play issues
  • Crashing on startup

Requested features

5 requests
  • Bookmark feature
  • Playback speed of 1.75x
  • Podcast triage/management tools
  • Improved CarPlay integration
  • Apple Watch app with volume control

TheWkly

Not enough reviews yet to summarise bugs or requests.

In-app purchases

4 purchases

Downcast

One-time4
  • Encouraging Tip$2.99
  • Motivating Tip$5.99
  • Galvanizing Tip$8.99
Show 1 more
  • Inspiring Tip$11.99
2 purchases

TheWkly

Subscriptions2
  • TheWkly Premium7 Days trial$9.991 Month
  • TheWkly Premium7 Days trial$79.991 Year

Questions

Is Downcast free?
Downcast costs $2.99, and also offers in-app purchases.
Is TheWkly free?
TheWkly is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Which has better reviews, Downcast or TheWkly?
TheWkly is rated higher. Downcast averages 4.3 out of 5 from 2.7K ratings, while TheWkly averages 5.0 from 4 ratings.
Do Downcast or TheWkly have ads?
Neither Downcast nor TheWkly shows ads.
Which is updated more often, Downcast or TheWkly?
Downcast ships an update monthly, and TheWkly every 3 days. Most recently, Downcast was updated on October 23, 2026 and TheWkly on October 23, 2026.

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