PodFetch

Set up your own server · Instructions checked 2026-10-14

1. Install Docker with Compose on a machine you control and read the official SQLite installation example.
2. Prepare its Compose file with image samuel19982/podfetch:latest, persistent podcast and database volumes, and the documented SQLite DATABASE_URL. Set the container UID/GID and writable volume ownership correctly.
3. Bind the web port to localhost for the first test, then start the prepared file with docker compose up -d. Open the local address matching your host-port mapping.
4. Add an authorized podcast feed and test one episode. Back up the database and downloaded files. Configure authentication and HTTPS before remote access.
5. Use published transcripts where available. Add a separate compatible transcription provider only after checking its privacy and API pricing.

Steps reviewed against provider documentation, not a claim of installation or execution testing. The Apache-2.0 podcast manager is free to self-host. You provide server resources, storage and internet access. Published Podcasting 2.0 transcripts can be indexed; generating missing transcripts requires an OpenAI-compatible Whisper service whose compute or API fees are separate. It follows your authorized RSS feeds and does not unlock paid podcast episodes or Spotify Premium. Pocket Casts itself also has a free plan; this comparison concerns managing your own podcast storage and transcript workflow.