Comparison

iCatcher! Podcast App vs Network

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

Head to head
About

iCatcher! Podcast App

This app allows you to download, listen to, and manage your favorite podcasts. It offers robust playback controls, background downloading, and cross-device syncing. Discover new podcasts or manually add your own with various import options.

Highlights
  • Download episodes over WiFi or Cellular
  • Background refresh and download
  • iCloud sync for subscriptions and playback
  • Variable playback speed with per-podcast memory
  • Sleep timer and gesture controls
  • Search and browse for new podcasts
  • Import subscriptions via OPML
Features
Currently charting
Read full description

Download, listen, watch, and relish your favorite podcasts. FEATURES - Subscribe to your preferred podcasts within the app and manage them conveniently. - Download episodes over WiFi or Cellular (available on devices with cellular capabilities). - Support for password-protected feeds. - Background refresh and download in the background. - Sync subscriptions, episode playback positions, and playlists between your devices using iCloud. - Universal App (compatible with iPhone and iPad). - Search across all views to locate the podcast or episode you’re seeking. - Customize playlists with filtering options based on podcasts, episodes, and more. - Support for continuous playback (toggle it on the now playing screen just below the time elapsed). - Portrait and landscape orientation supporter, with a configurable option in the settings. - Unfollow podcasts and still keep them on your device. This feature is particularly useful for podcasts that don’t meet your expectations. PLAYBACK - Variable playback speed. - Remembered playback speed per podcast. - Support for podcasts with chapters and chapter images (MP3 and M4A formats). - Utilize your headset controls, including Bluetooth car controls (when paired), to play/pause, jump forward or backward 30 seconds. - Sleep timer. - Beautifully rendered show notes. - Onscreen controls for skipping ahead and skipping back. - Gesture support on the now playing screen (when the podcast logo is visible) to facilitate hands-free use. - Double-tap to play/pause. - Swipe up to adjust playback speed. - Swipe left or right to rewind or fast-forward. - Home to the L gesture for the 2-minute Leo jump. - Refer to Settings and Gestures for more information and customization options for rewind/fast-forward gestures. - AirPlay support allows you to watch or listen to podcasts on your large screen. - External display support for videos is available for devices that support an external display (use the Apple HDMI adapter). - Enjoy your favorite podcasts with a familiar layout. FIND NEW PODCASTS QUICKLY - Search for your podcasts by title, keyword, or author. - Browse the top podcasts categorized by different genres. • Manually add podcasts by entering their URLs. • Support for password-protected feeds. • Option to download a single episode. • Import podcast subscriptions for episodes already on your device from iTunes. • Import your OPML file from iTunes or other iOS podcast app. • Import media using the iTunes File Sharing feature. • Add your existing audiobooks (non-password-protected ones) using the iTunes File Sharing feature. • Add previously downloaded podcasts from your computer using the iTunes file sharing feature (see Settings and Import Media for details). SHORTCUT ACTIONS • Search your podcasts and episodes using shortcut actions. • Easily create an export from other apps into iCatcher using the subscribe action. • Control playback. • View podcast action including currently playing. • Import media directly into the app (like audiobooks). • Transfer your media to the watch via shortcut actions. • Pull chapter images. • Many more actions available. MORE • Completely customizable to suit your podcast preferences. • Swipe across a podcast or episode to access additional options. • Podcast settings allow you to set the days the podcast typically releases or the number of days between. • Specify the number of episodes to download when new ones are available. • Share podcast information via email with your friends. CONTACT Email: Tap the settings tab and select Send Questions or Feedback. Twitter/X: @Joeisanerd. PLEASE NOTE: The app doesn’t sync with iTunes. Like other podcast apps, it’s a standalone app designed for subscribing and downloading on the device. * If a feed doesn’t work, please let me know so I can investigate it. Requires iOS 18.5

About

Network

A minimalist podcast player designed for simplicity and efficiency. It offers automatic volume leveling, offline episode downloads, and smart storage management. Enjoy features like variable playback speeds, a sleep timer, and easy podcast importing.

Highlights
  • Sound Check for consistent volume
  • Automatic offline episode downloads
  • Smart storage management
  • Variable playback and skip rates
  • Sleep Timer
  • OPML import and URL subscription
Features
Currently charting
Read full description

A simple, clean and efficient podcast app. - Sound Check: Automatically ensures episodes play at a more consistent volume, boosting quieter podcasts. - Offline: Automatically downloads new episodes as they become available. (the app will wait for opportunities to download when connected over Wi-Fi, user initiated downloads within the app can use both cellular/Wi-Fi). - Storage: Automatically deletes episodes from the device when played. - Other Features: Stream older episodes without downloading (cellular/Wi-Fi). Import podcasts from OPML files. Subscribe to podcasts from URL's copied to the clipboard. Variable playback rates. Variable skip rates. Sleep Timer.

Screenshots

iCatcher! Podcast App4 screens
Network3 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is rating: iCatcher! Podcast App at 4.7 against Network's 4.2. iCatcher! Podcast App also leads on ratings volume (1.9K vs 11) and update cadence (weekly vs monthly). Network's advantage is in-app purchases (none vs 4) and price ($2.99 vs $4.99). On ads, monetization model, chart position and device support 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

iCatcher! Podcast App costs $4.99 and Network $2.99 up front. iCatcher! Podcast App sells 4 one-off in-app purchases. Network asks for nothing beyond the download.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

iCatcher! Podcast App holds the better App Store score, 4.7 against 4.2. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: iCatcher! Podcast App has 1.9K ratings behind it against 11, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews point the same way: 89% of iCatcher! Podcast App's written reviews are positive against 72% of Network's.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

iCatcher! Podcast App ships an update weekly, Network monthly. Both last shipped on November 1, 2026.

Scorecard7 real differences · 4 level
iCatcher! Podcast App versus Network: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameteriCatcher! Podcast AppNetwork
Price$4.99$2.99 — better
Rating4.7 (1.9K ratings) — better4.2 (11 ratings)
Positive reviews88.8% of reviews — better72.1% of reviews
Number of ratings1.9K — better11
Update frequencyWeekly — betterMonthly
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesYesNo — better
MonetizationPaidPaid
Best chart rank#13 — better#31
DevicesiPhone, iPad, Apple Watch — betteriPhone, iPod
Requires iOS18.513.0 — better
Further details — not scored
Size74 MB1 MB
Age rating12+12+
DeveloperJoeisanerd.comAndrew Conlan

Customer experience

iCatcher! Podcast App

All ratings1,882 ratings
Positive92.6%
Neutral2.7%
Negative4.7%
Written reviews680 reviews
Positive88.8%
Neutral5.1%
Negative6.0%

Network

All ratings11 ratings
Positive81.8%
Neutral0.0%
Negative18.2%
Written reviews86 reviews
Positive72.1%
Neutral9.3%
Negative18.6%

Bugs and requests

iCatcher! Podcast App

Reported bugs

3 issues
  • Unreliable episode downloads
  • Inconsistent playlist sorting
  • Playback issues on Apple Watch

Requested features

4 requests
  • Dark mode option
  • Improved CarPlay support
  • Sleep timer for Apple Watch
  • Bookmark playback from specific points

Network

Not enough reviews yet to summarise bugs or requests.

In-app purchases

4 purchases

iCatcher! Podcast App

One-time4
  • Thank You Tip$0.99
  • Big Thank You Tip$2.99
  • Really Big Thank You Tip$4.99
Show 1 more
  • Enormous Tip$9.99
None

Network

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is iCatcher! Podcast App free?
iCatcher! Podcast App costs $4.99, and also offers in-app purchases.
Is Network free?
Network costs $2.99, with no in-app purchases.
Which has better reviews, iCatcher! Podcast App or Network?
iCatcher! Podcast App is rated higher. iCatcher! Podcast App averages 4.7 out of 5 from 1.9K ratings, while Network averages 4.2 from 11 ratings.
Do iCatcher! Podcast App or Network have ads?
Neither iCatcher! Podcast App nor Network shows ads.
Which is updated more often, iCatcher! Podcast App or Network?
iCatcher! Podcast App ships an update weekly, and Network monthly. Most recently, iCatcher! Podcast App was updated on November 1, 2026 and Network on November 1, 2026.
Which is more popular, iCatcher! Podcast App or Network?
iCatcher! Podcast App currently peaks at #13 in the App Store charts, and Network at #31. Chart position reflects recent download velocity rather than total install base.

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