I was so disheartened by crappy podcast apps that when I discovered pocket casts, I looked for a premium membership within 5 minutes. Imagine my dismay when I only saw a recurring subscription model.
I am still not a plus member. Lifetime membership would be great.
It was originally a one off $4 for iOS, $4 for Android, and $10 for the web service + electron apps.
Following acquisition by NPR et al, they announced that the base mobile apps would go free, and the web apps would be part of a $10/yr Pocket casts plus subscription, along with some extra functionality.
Following some backlash, they gave web-app buyers a lifetime Pocket Casts Plus subscription.
You could never actually buy the lifetime PocketCasts Plus membership.