A mixed ionic and electronic conductor, BaPr0.8In0.2O3 − δ (BPI), was synthesized and examined as a cathode material for proton-conducting solid oxide fuel cells (H-SOFCs). X-ray diffraction analysis revealed that BPI had a perovskite structure and showed satisfactory tolerance to CO2 and H2O and good chemical compatibility with BaZr0.1Ce0.7Y0.1 Yb0.1O3 − δ (BZCYYb) electrolyte. Test cells with a single-phase BPI cathode exhibited excellent electrochemical performances, demonstrating a peak power density of ~ 688 mW cm− 2 at 750 °C. Furthermore, the cells with a BPI cathode showed very stable power output at a cell voltage of 0.7 V at 600 °C over 100 h, suggesting that BPI is a promising alternative cathode for H-SOFCs.