Cross-platform podcast player with synchronization

Here are the best podcast players that seamlessly sync your playback position, subscriptions, and queue across your phone and desktop:

• Pocket Casts — Widely considered the gold standard for cross-platform syncing. It offers native mobile apps (iOS and Android) alongside a robust web player and desktop apps for Windows and Mac. It instantly syncs your playback position, listening history, and "Up Next" queue. The core sync and listening experience is free, though desktop/web app access or extra cloud storage requires the Plus tier.pcmag.com+2
• Apple Podcasts — If you are in the Apple ecosystem or use a mix of an iPhone and a Windows/non-Apple desktop, Apple now features a full Apple Podcasts on the web portal [thepodcastsetup.com]. Logging in with your Apple Account syncs your subscriptions, station queues, and exact playback progress seamlessly between your phone and browser [thepodcastsetup.com].
• Spotify — While it mixes music and talk shows, Spotify's cross-device Connect and state-syncing infrastructure is bulletproof. If you start a podcast episode on your phone app, you can pull up Spotify on your desktop or web browser and immediately pick up right where you left off.support.pocketcasts.com+1
• Overcast — Famous for its incredible audio-enhancement tools on iOS, Overcast includes a web app that allows you to log in and stream your subscribed episodes with synced playback positions from any computer. Note that it is mobile-native to iOS, so your primary device will need to be an iPhone or iPad.podshot.ai

To help you pick the right one, let me know:

• What phone OS do you use (iOS or Android)?
• Do you prefer a free tier or are you open to a subscription for extra features?

Finding a podcast app that checks all four boxes —supports private/authenticated RSS feeds, allows OPML import/export, offers cross-device syncing, and doesn't force a locked-in or costly subscription just to use core features—narrows down the options significantly.

The top recommendations that fit these criteria are organized below:

• Pocket Casts
  • Private RSS: Fully supports pasting custom private/secret RSS feed URLs (from Patreon, Substack, member feeds) directly into the search/subscribe bar.
  • OPML: Full import and export capabilities across mobile and web/desktop apps.
  • Cross-Device Sync: Syncs subscriptions, playback position, and history across iOS, Android, and desktop via a free Pocket Casts account.
  • Subscription Lock-in: Free tier handles basic sync and custom feeds completely fine; optional "Pocket Casts Plus" adds cosmetic/advanced perks (like file uploads and extra themes) but is not required for core sync or private feeds.support.pocketcasts.com+1
• AntennaPod (Android)
  • Private RSS: Supports adding password-protected or custom URL RSS feeds natively.
  • OPML: Robust, local OPML import and export features.
  • Cross-Device Sync: Achieved via gPodder sync (using free services like gpodder.net or a self-hosted Nextcloud server with the gPodder app).
  • Subscription Lock-in: 100% free and open-source (FOSS) with zero ads, subscriptions, or paywalls. (Note: Android only).antennapod.org+1
• Player FM
  • Private RSS: Allows adding private feeds via their web/app interface.
  • OPML: Supports seamless OPML import and export.
  • Cross-Device Sync: Syncs your library and history across devices via a free Player FM account.
  • Subscription Lock-in: Offers a freemium model; core syncing, OPML management, and RSS additions work without a mandatory subscription, though advanced playlist features are paywalled.support.pocketcasts.com+1

Would you like to narrow this down based on your primary operating systems (e.g., mixing Android and iOS or sticking to desktop/mobile)? I can also provide a step-by-step setup for gPodder syncing if you choose AntennaPod.