Comparison

Up Next vs Podwaves

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

Head to head
About

Up Next

Features
Read full description

Up Next is local-first and built around open podcast standards, so your listening stays in your control. What makes Up Next different: Smart chapter skipping with keyword rules, including per-podcast customization Private on-device transcription processing (no cloud upload required) Powerful Up Next queue management with manual reordering Chapter-aware playback, bookmarks, playback speed, and sleep timer Offline downloads with automatic refresh and cleanup OPML import/export, feed URL support, CarPlay, and Siri Shortcuts Up Next is 100% free to use, with no locked features. No data is collected. No tracking. No account required. No central server involved. No ads, subscriptions, in-app purchases, or paywalls.

About

Podwaves

Features
Read full description

Podwaves – Discover & Share Podcasts You’ll Actually Love Podwaves is a smarter way to discover podcasts—powered by real people, not just algorithms. Explore trending shows, save your favorites, and open any podcast instantly in your preferred app like Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or YouTube. Discover Better Podcasts Tired of endless scrolling? Podwaves helps you find podcasts that actually matter: * Browse New, Most Recommended, and Most Opened podcasts * Discover curated content shared by real users * Explore podcasts across multiple languages * Clean, fast, and distraction-free experience Filter by Language Find podcasts in the languages you care about: * Select one or multiple languages (English, Romanian, Spanish, French, and more) * Personalized feed based on your preferences * Switch instantly—no reload needed Save & Build Your Library Keep track of what you love: * Save podcasts as Favorites * Automatically track Recently Opened shows * Everything stored locally for speed and privacy * No account required Open in Your Favorite App No need to switch players: * Open podcasts directly in Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or YouTube * Works with any valid podcast link * Seamless experience across platforms Recommend Podcasts in Seconds Know a great podcast? Share it: * Paste a link from Spotify, YouTube, Apple Podcasts, or any website * Podwaves automatically detects and adds it * Help others discover great content Simple Podcast Search Quickly find what you’re looking for: * Search podcasts by title * Fast, responsive results * Integrated with your language filters Private & Simple * No signup required (anonymous access) * No tracking, no clutter * Lightweight and fast Why Podwaves? Most podcast apps focus on playback. Podwaves focuses on discovery. Find what’s worth listening to—faster.

Screenshots

Up Next4 screens
Podwaves4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is iOS requirement: Podwaves at 18.0 against Up Next's 26.0. On price, ads, in-app purchases 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

Both are free to download. Neither carries in-app purchases, so what you see is what you pay.

Scorecard1 real difference · 5 level
Up Next versus Podwaves: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterUp NextPodwaves
PriceFreeFree
Update frequencyEvery 4 days—
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesNoNo
DevicesiPhone, Apple Watch — betteriPhone
Requires iOS26.018.0 — better
Further details — not scored
Size132 MB28 MB
Age rating+44+
DeveloperHolger KruppLazar Sidor

In-app purchases

None

Up Next

No in-app purchases

None

Podwaves

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is Up Next free?
Up Next is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Is Podwaves free?
Podwaves is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Do Up Next or Podwaves have ads?
Neither Up Next nor Podwaves shows ads.

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