Learn a language with real podcasts

Polycast puts subtitles on the shows people actually listen to, with your own language underneath. Your guide steps in at the natural pauses, so you keep up without stopping the story.

A podcast in SwedishReal host, real conversation

Grundidén var ju egentligen enkel.

The basic idea was really simple.

Mia steps in at the next pause

The host is real. Your guide only speaks in the pauses.

Mia or Leo pick their moments: a word from the host’s own sentence, the story behind a reference, a quick question to check you’re following.

Mia's word spotlight on the Swedish word 'verktyg' (tools), quoting the host's sentence — **A word, in context**The word as the host used it, what it means, and one more example.

Leo's culture note explaining the German 'Ampel' coalition — **The bit you’d miss**Culture notes for the references locals take for granted.

Leo asks a quick multiple-choice question about the episode — **A quick check**One question at a natural break, so you know you’re keeping up.

From a show you love to words that stick

Every episode is prepared once, before you listen, so nothing interrupts the host.

Discover: tell Mia what you're in the mood for, plus For you and Top charts shelves — 1Find a showTell Mia what you’re in the mood for, or browse the charts in your new language.

Episode primer: the gist of the episode in simple Swedish — 2Get the gistA short primer in simple language, before you press play.

Words to listen for, and a map of what comes up when — 3Know what’s comingWords to listen for and a map of the episode.

The player with Swedish subtitles, English underneath and Mia's next moment marked on the scrubber — 4ListenSubtitles line by line, your language underneath, phone in your pocket.

Choosing Hands-on, Standard or Light guidance

As much help as you want, and no more

Choose how often your guide steps in. Change it whenever you like, episode to episode.

Hands-onMore moments and more words. For when the language is new.
StandardA steady rhythm of words and recaps through the episode.
LightThe occasional nudge. Mostly just you and the host.
Guide offPlain subtitles, for when you’re nearly there.

Free to start

Every episode that’s already prepared is yours to listen to with subtitles, free.

Free

€0

Subtitles on every prepared episode
Your guide on one episode a week
Save words as you listen

Plus

€4.99 a month, or €49 a year

Your guide on every episode
Up to 5 hours of brand-new episodes a month, from any show
Your whole word bank, with spaced reviews

Made in Salzburg, built in the open

Polycast is made by Finlay Panting, who learnt his languages by clipping lines from the podcasts he loved. It’s built for learning for fun, not homework: pick a show you’d enjoy anyway, put your headphones in, and let the language wash over you.

The whole app is open on GitHub, if you’d like to see how it works.

See the code on GitHub hello@polycast.app

Make podcasts?

Every listen downloads your episode from your own feed, adverts and all, so it counts in your stats. Polycast never re-hosts your audio.

How Polycast treats your show