Review Insights · Google Play
Podkicker - Podcast App Player
Maple Media · 6,249 ratings · ★ 1.6
1.6
★★★★★
6,249 ratings
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Top complaints - extracted from 80 negative reviews
Recurring phrases mined from 1-2★ reviews. The bigger the percentage, the more users have the same problem. Fix the top 2-3 in your version and you have product-market fit on day one.
1
"paid"
55 negative reviews mention this · 69% of all complaints
★★★★★ "I used this app for many years. I liked it enough to pay for it but it's current state of enshittificaion finally broke me. Pestering for a subscription every login, showing adverts in a paid app and pushing unwanted podcasts into my subscr…" - Mel Dennett
2
"version"
37 negative reviews mention this · 46% of all complaints
★★★★★ "I used to have the paid version of this app. For some reason my phone now again uses the free version. But that one is so intrusive and irritating pushy with the ads, horrible. Uninstalling after years. Sad." - Tommy
3
"subscription"
26 negative reviews mention this · 33% of all complaints
★★★★★ "I used this app for many years. I liked it enough to pay for it but it's current state of enshittificaion finally broke me. Pestering for a subscription every login, showing adverts in a paid app and pushing unwanted podcasts into my subscr…" - Mel Dennett
4
"years"
23 negative reviews mention this · 29% of all complaints
★★★★★ "I used this app for many years. I liked it enough to pay for it but it's current state of enshittificaion finally broke me. Pestering for a subscription every login, showing adverts in a paid app and pushing unwanted podcasts into my subscr…" - Mel Dennett
5
"paid version"
17 negative reviews mention this · 21% of all complaints
★★★★★ "I used to have the paid version of this app. For some reason my phone now again uses the free version. But that one is so intrusive and irritating pushy with the ads, horrible. Uninstalling after years. Sad." - Tommy
6
"podkicker"
16 negative reviews mention this · 20% of all complaints
★★★★★ "RIP Podkicker. You used to be an amazing app, but are just garbage now." - Molly Everett
7
"free"
16 negative reviews mention this · 20% of all complaints
★★★★★ "I paid for this app and I am now presented with a subscription screen for ad-free podcasts. This appears to be the new scam scheme of many app developers. Stay away and don't pay for apps. You will get robbed and scammed in the end. Disgust…" - Andreas Oehlke
8
"podcast"
15 negative reviews mention this · 19% of all complaints
★★★★★ "I used this app for many years. I liked it enough to pay for it but it's current state of enshittificaion finally broke me. Pestering for a subscription every login, showing adverts in a paid app and pushing unwanted podcasts into my subscr…" - Mel Dennett
9
"been"
13 negative reviews mention this · 16% of all complaints
★★★★★ "I used this app for many years. I liked it enough to pay for it but it's current state of enshittificaion finally broke me. Pestering for a subscription every login, showing adverts in a paid app and pushing unwanted podcasts into my subscr…" - Mel Dennett
10
"money"
12 negative reviews mention this · 15% of all complaints
★★★★★ "i paid for the pro version. now they want more money and you have to subscribe for $10 a year. That's ridiculous and I'm never using this app again. No need. I fixed it. I use a different app now." - Douglas Barnes
11
"podcasts"
11 negative reviews mention this · 14% of all complaints
★★★★★ "I used this app for many years. I liked it enough to pay for it but it's current state of enshittificaion finally broke me. Pestering for a subscription every login, showing adverts in a paid app and pushing unwanted podcasts into my subscr…" - Mel Dennett
12
"update"
11 negative reviews mention this · 14% of all complaints
★★★★★ "Latest update lost more than half my opml file, it just won't import it, though other podcast players can. Quality down to almost zero. Support non existent (all chat, no action) This has been run into the ground 😔 Now you've added ads to …" - Ian L
📋 All 80 negative reviews
Every 1-2★ review we fetched. Use the copy button to grab them all for your own analysis (paste into ChatGPT/Claude with a prompt like "summarize core user problems, group by theme, ignore bugs, focus on missing features").
RIP Podkicker. You used to be an amazing app, but are just garbage now.
I paid for this app and I am now presented with a subscription screen for ad-free podcasts. This appears to be the new scam scheme of many app developers. Stay away and don't pay for apps. You will get robbed and scammed in the end. Disgusting!
So I paid for pro years ago, then they went to a subscription model, and uneven paid for that, because it was still my favorite podcast app and still did what I needed, including downloads and working fine with no Internet connection. Now all I get is "Forbidden" when I try to download from my Patreon feeds! I don't want to deal with a new podcast app, but it's getting to be a problem.
Just like everyone else here, I paid for PRO in 2014 and now I get ads. I see here that the bots are responding with contact through the app. So I did. They responded to me with this "Hello, Thanks for taking the time to share your feedback. We shared your comments with our development team for further review." I still get ads.
Removed Pro support despite my paying what was advertised as a one-time fee for it, making the user experience worse on purpose. Base rent-seeking; emblem of enshittification.
Latest update lost more than half my opml file, it just won't import it, though other podcast players can. Quality down to almost zero. Support non existent (all chat, no action) This has been run into the ground 😔 Now you've added ads to the paid for version! You expect me to pay again! This app gets worse with every update! Can't import the opml file I just saved (or any older ones) Can't easily add to stream queue in latest version. RH scroll handle has gone. Another awful update 😔
Used to be a great app. Now it brings obnoxious screen on top of your app trying to get me to subscribe to a Podkicker Play subscription service. No matter how many times you close out without subscribing the screen comes back (and you can't do anything in the app without clicking the X to close it).
added a bunch of ads and annoying pop-ups. And the app doesn't even work correctly anymore after listening to a podcast it doesn't auto delete and replace it from cached version
Loved this app, for years. Even got prokicker Pro. But now it's ruined, full of pop ups and ads, and the pro version I paid for seems to no longer exist, now it's just a new subscription system ( overpriced too) basically done with this app.
Update: July23. Ads remain. Now more unexplained, apparently unrelated, permissions requests. I'm out. After some searching: Antennacast. This, no ads, no bullsh**. Feb23: The addition of ads to the paid 'pro' app really isn't great. Excellent podcast app that is simple but has full features. Stream or download. Set up a playlist. Was happy enough with it that paying for the full 'pro' version wasn't a hard call.
Uninstalled the paid version due to ad inclusion
I am uninstalling this app,because I am getting ads even though I paid for pro version. I am using Spotify anyway. I wish I can give a 0 star.
Just got a scam pop up while using the app! and the overwhelming ads from someone who is a paid pro user! I'm out.
I have paid for pro, not paying for add free now
For a brief moment I was tempted to return to this app just to find out that the Pro version I paid for is gone and the app completely flooded with ads. I don't remember why I switched away from this app the first time but I can assure you this second time will be permanent
i paid for the pro version. now they want more money and you have to subscribe for $10 a year. That's ridiculous and I'm never using this app again. No need. I fixed it. I use a different app now.
0 stars. Used the pro version of this app for 9 years. update in January 2023 brought sponsored podcasts in the podcast view with no option to turn off. I can no longer recommend this app. March 2025 added banner ads back. offer to remove with subscription, great for those of us who bought this permanent removal pre 2023. To bad the new owner crapified this app. should have grandfathered the old users. The developer contacted me but I'm too sour from this experience. I recommend Antenna Pod
Bought the Pro version specifically to remove ads. Ads started to appear anyway a few months ago, which is just utterly infuriating, and completely ruins the app, which was once pretty decent. A rather pointless dev response nearly *two years* later - I uninstalled the app long ago and don't even have the same phone any more!
Abandonware
Google is profiting from these scummy private equity business practices like what Maple Media has pulled off on us "suckers". I really hope a class action lawsuit is in the works because what they've done is so unethical.
Bought the pro version a while back to support this clean and simple podcast player, which also came with ad removal. In the latest update the author has added ads back in along with a subscription to remove them - no thank you... Update: dev asked me to "restore purchases" - in the end the app i paid for (Podkicker Pro) was removed and replaced by the non-Pro version when the app changed owners. Now with ads and subscription model. No thanks - AntennaPod ftw
I paid for pro and I still have annoying, irrelevant ads placed in the most inconvenient place on the screen. RESPONSE TO MAPLE MEDIA: this was over a year ago. I moved on a long time ago. I found AntennaPod, which is much better.
Get rid of the ads in the paid version. Update: Only took two years to get a response. /s
Response to devs: a bit late, already found AntennaPod, 1000x better and they don't force ads. After probably 10 years of using this podcast app exclusively (it's been with me across so many phones, recommended it to do many people) I finally have to say goodbye. Despite paying for the pro version, the devs have decided to introduce advertising. Not only "recommended" podcasts which show up IN YOUR PODCAST list, but intrusive popup ads on entry. I cannot recommend paying for this app anymore.
Edit: 8/26/25: Great news, the developer has reached out to say I shouldn't see ads if I have pro. I paid for Pro years ago, so I loaded it up to see. Now they want a monthly subscription for "Podkicker Play" to be ad-free. Can I get my money back? Was 5 stars when I bought it years ago, but it has started inserting ads. That was the reason I paid for it in the first place. Reducing to 1 star. App appears to have been abandoned. Features have stopped working, such as search.
Bye Bye podkicker, good stuff is bound to come to an end, I might have been able to tolerate the ads (even though I paid for podkicker pro) but the intrusive pop up on start is a no from me, shame. So the Devs have replied after 5 months haha, I'll never go back after moving to Antennapod, they could well be offering legacy pro users ad-free now, I don't know, but if I were a new user, I'd steer well clear.
Paid for the app now they want me to pay again for a simple app and now they blast me with advertising I want my money back
DO NOT PURCHASE! Forced ads have been added and it will constantly subscribe you to random podcasts do not download or purchase. update/edit: they have updated their app and mass re-replied to reviewers but dont seem to understand the userbase is gone. whoops maybe dont intoduce ads into paid to remove them software. buh bye
This app is awful now. I paid for this app a long time ago and now that doesn't even stop me getting intrusive ads to push a subscription with recurring payments. That's extremely disappointing so I am moving to another app. I've had this app for many many years and originally gave it glowing reviews so it's very sad to see its demise. I have just found a great open, free podcasting app and improved the list I had with Podkicker. And I'm a few minutes I will be deleting Podkicker.
I'm out. Been using the paid pro version for years (and recommending to others) and suddenly that's not enough to prevent ads from popping up. That combined with artwork not populating occasionally and this isn't the best option anymore. edit 8/26/25: Replying to let me know that i can upgrade to a monthly subscription is not fixing my problem. Removing a star. If it were a reasonably yearly charge sure, but at 10/month, I know year 2 is gonna jack the annual rate up.
This was a 5 star review. I paid for the full version for a reason, I despise ads and it is a good product. Even with the pro version, I'm getting "suggested podcasts". They said it's standard on both paid and unpaid. Edit: Now there are constantly ads on all the main pages and a pop up ad while listening to things. This is a very untrustworthy company to take my money and then give ads. EDIT: AntennaPod is WAY BETTER, happy now.
Nothing deserves 1 star more than paying for no ads, only to start including ads anyway. Edit to respond dev: There is no such setting to "restore purchase". You have changed this into a subscription model, nice attempt to make it look like I'm at fault.
Bought pro, but now am inundated by ads and prompts to start a subscription. What a scam. the settings and restore purchases option isn't there. the only option is to upgrade to podkicker play for more money.
podkicker play should not replace the application I paid for just because you sold out. changed from 5 to one star. subscriptions are not an acceptable way to reward long served patrons. shame on you. And no. I don't have access to ad free. There is no restore purchase option, and when the subscription service came into effect, I started getting ads when previously I had none. Pull the other one mate, it has bells.
I paid for this app when it first came out. And slowly it started forcing podcast suggestions... Then auto added podcasts (I'm sure to the developers financial gain)... Then advertisements started appearing... And now theres a subscription.... Why did I pay money to only have to pay money again. Nothing has changed in the app. Maybe the developers should support the paying users that helped support them. I paid to have no ads.. now I have ads. and the reply below doesn't work!!!! disappointing
Chromecast support is now missing. Why? This is another example of a development team taking over a perfectly working product and making it worse! I will be uninstalling this app and looking for another podcast aggregator that supports Chromecast..
paid for the pro and now it's gone to a monthly subscription. f no.
I paid for pro. I should not be seeing ads. Why am I now seeing ads and being asked to subscribe to "Play" version? The trust is gone. UPDATE: You asked me to contact support to fix this. NO! FIX THE APP! The reason your current rating is 1.2 is because the app is broken! Fix the app!
Same as everyone else. I paid for the premium version many years ago and loved the app. They added subtle ads at first a couple of years ago, then went full in on ads in this premium version with constant pop-ups to subscribe to their yearly plan. Dropped it for AntennaPod at the start of the year and will not look back. I didn't realize how many features I was missing on this stagnant and bloated app. Great while it lasted.
I paid for no ads and now there are ads. I want my money back.
The ads have become WAY too nagging and annoying in the latest versions. I'm going to look for an alternative.
You get the paid version hoping for an ad-free version for life. A few years later, you can't open the app without clicking away a few ads every time. Moved to AntennaPod.
Was a fantastic app, I bought the pro version, but then they made the pro features subscription based.
From Pro to No! I'm joining the other former Podkicker Pro purchasers, and removing this app in favor of a different one. I purchased the ad-free app, and now it has ads. Who's to say that a year from now, the developer won't start showing ads to paying users, asking for even more money each month to hide all the ads?
I've been a very casual and occasional podcast enjoyer, but decided to buy Pro version of this app to support the dev and get an ad free experience. Now there's been a bit of a rug pull, as the app wants an annual subscription on top of the once agreed upon transaction. Having thus shown itself unreliable, I'll be looking for alternatives elsewhere. Thanks for the few good years.
Used to be great. Paid for the app years ago. Now constant popup screens and adverts. Considering moving to a different app.
The paid pro version of an app should not contain ads.
wAS GREAT now comercials even though it is the pro and PAID FOR TO HAVE NOOO COMMERCIALS.......
It WAS great! I paid for this app years ago and now greed has ruined a great app. As a user who paid for the pro version, I supported and recommended this app, I am disappointed they chose the subscription model. I may have even paid an additional fee to extend my ad-free experience. I hope everyone decides to delete this app and this company goes bankrupt.
Now it crashes daily. I just got a tracking permission request. Serves advetising, nag screens. I paid for pro version to use it without adds. Kicking myself for not exporting apk. I will have to find and side load one of previous version. I will likely change podcast players before this one gets worse.
+ 30 more in the clipboard copy
Sentiment summary
12%
Positive (4-5★)
3%
Neutral (3★)
85%
Negative (1-2★)