With its tons of entertainment, inspiration, and education on nearly every topic, podcasts have formed an important part of our lives. And its growing popularity has intensified the need for feature-packed, high-quality podcast apps. A podcast app or player gives you access to find, subscribe to, and enjoy your favorite shows on your iPhone/iOS or Android.
However, with the sheer number of podcast directories available, picking the right option can be overwhelming. As you may know, every app has a listening experience, user interface, and features peculiar to it. That’s why it’s important you choose the one that’s suitable for your needs and device.
Whether you’re using an Android or iPhone/iOS device, there’s a podcast app available for you. In this guide, we’ll show you a few of the best podcast players available today. You’ll also learn about their features, pros, cons, and why we picked them.
From playlist creation to personalized playback speeds, we’ll explore the essentials that make these players outshine their competitors.
Table of Contents
What Are Podcast Apps And How Do They Work?
A podcast app (otherwise called a podcast player or podcast directory) is an application that allows you to find, subscribe to, listen to, and download podcasts on your mobile device or computer.
These apps serve as a platform through which podcasters distribute their podcasts and give listeners access to find, listen to, and download them. After creating or recording a podcast, podcasters publish it on a podcast hosting platform.
Next, they submit their show’s unique RSS feed link to podcast directories such as Google Podcasts, Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or Stitcher.
Upon doing that, the new episodes of the show will be added to these podcast directories automatically. Once the podcast host publishes a new episode, subscribers will see it in their podcast player.
Beside that, the best podcast app (for Android and iPhone) will help you with the following:
- Manage subscriptions
- Personalize your feed
- Know about current updates and breaking news
- Enjoy an efficient playback experience
- Sort and organize your playlist
- Listen to famous guests being interviewed
- Hear about a new industry or subject
- Enjoy an audio narrative storytelling
The Best Podcast Player Apps
With the sheer number of podcast players, you may find it difficult to choose a suitable one for your needs and device. So we’re making things easy for you by compiling the best podcast apps for Android and iPhone/iOS devices.
1. Spotify
Spotify has long been among the most frequently used music streaming apps and it houses tons of podcasts. This podcast app for iPhone/iOS and Android has amassed more than 500 million active users monthly, from which 200 million are premium subscribers.
Further, its premium subscribers can access Spotify’s expansive library of audio-based content, including podcasts. In addition, you can conveniently switch from music to podcast without leaving the platform.
Features
- Premium subscribers can download offline music and podcast episodes.
- Has a huge library of podcasts, including breaking news, tech news, comedy, inspiration, religion, etc.
- Sleep timer
- Voice translation
- Customizable podcast show pages
- Personalized playlist
Pros
- This podcast app has a free version
- Many podcast categories
- Podcasts are authentic and you may not find them elsewhere
- You can effortlessly switch between music, podcasts, and audiobooks in-app
Cons
- Ad-free and offline listening are only available for premium subscribers.
- Costly premium plans compared to other platforms.
2. Google podcasts
As you may know, Apple podcasts are synonymous to iOS as Google podcasts are synonymous to Android. With a 4.2 star rating and over 700K reviews on Play Store, Google podcasts is undoubtedly the best podcast app for Android devices.
This platform provides different audio shows across many genres. We love that the platform lets you download audio and enjoy offline playback. Additionally, it features in-app casting, playback speed control, and a sleep timer.
Features
- Private support for RSS feed.
- Downloads for offline listening.
- Recommends episodes and shows.
- Compatible with various smart and mobile devices.
- Users can access podcasts with voice assistants.
- Skip intervals and volume boost features.
- Google search and Google assistant integration.
Pros
- Intuitive and clear interface
- Free to use
- Personalized suggestions based on user interests and preferences
- Large podcast library
- Voice command support
Cons
- The podcast app does not support video
- Lacks advanced features like personalized playlists, advanced playback controls, and episode navigation options
- Doesn’t support desktop downloads
3. Apple Podcasts
Apple Podcasts is a podcast app that’s exclusively for iOS devices and iPhone users. Unlike other iPhone podcast players, it has an excellent intuitive user interface.
Furthermore, you will enjoy this podcast player because it delivers podcasts in local languages. So, you can say goodbye to language barriers. Apple Podcasts also features exclusive shows that you can only access with a paid plan.
What stands out for us is that this player supports Apple CarPlay, even with a free plan. It works well with HomePod, Apple TV, Apple Watch, and Siri. Therefore, you can pick up from where you left off in another device.
Features
- Works well with Alexa-enabled devices.
- Curated playlists
- Sleep timer
- Exclusive recommendations
Pros
- Users can download podcasts on mobile and desktop devices.
- Massive podcast library
- Compatible with all Apple devices
Cons
- Lacks the capability to skip silences
- Doesn’t work on Android
- The podcast app has no voice boost
4. Castbox
Castbox is another common podcast app you can use, whether you’re using an Android or iOS/iPhone device. It has a 4.7 star rating on App Store and 4.6 star rating on Google Play Store.
In addition to hosting more than a million podcasts, Castbox supports 70 languages. Another striking thing we love about this podcast player is that it features an active community section, which allows users to interact with one another via texts.
Furthermore, its Discover section enables you to peruse the library and select the titles you like. And chances are that you’ll find your desired show.
Features
- Expansive selection of audiobooks, radio stations, and podcasts across various subjects and categories.
- Allows users to engage with fellow listeners and content creators.
- Subscribers are notified and automatically updated about new episodes.
Pros
- You can download episodes for offline listening.
- The free version features Trim Silence, Android Auto, Playback Speed, Volume Boost, and Apple CarPlay support.
- Allows you to share feedback with creators by commenting on their episodes.
Cons
- Too many ads
- The app limits the total storage space or maximum number of episodes that you can use for offline content.
Check Out: Best News Podcasts for 2024| Updated
5. Audible
Audible is your go-to player for audiobooks and podcasts. Since it is compatible with Android and iOS/iPhone devices, it boasts more than 1.4 million reviews and a 4.2 star rating on Google Play Store and 4.8 stars with over 26K ratings on App Store.
Furthermore, it prides itself as a host of over 500,000 titles covering fiction and nonfiction audiobooks and podcasts across various genres. However, Audible does not offer as many free titles like other players discussed in this article.
So, wanting more titles translates to subscribing to the paid plan.
Features
- Listening history
- Sleep timer
- Car mode
- Original audio
Pros
- Huge audio library
- Excellent audio quality
- Integrates audiobooks and podcasts in one app
- Free trial
Cons
- Credit-based system
- Requires an Amazon account
- No free trial
Bottom Line
We’ve come to the end of this read, and we expect that you now understand the ins and outs of a podcast app. It doesn’t matter if you’re an Android or iPhone/iOS user, there’s an app just for you.
Remember, the best podcast directory is the one that matches your listening style and unique needs. Or, maybe you’re more about something simple and minimalistic that does the job without any hassle. Either way, there’s no harm in trying out different options.
Meanwhile, most of these podcast players provide free versions, so you can test their features first before committing to a paid subscription. Over time, these apps will keep improving. So, watch out for updates with new features that’ll improve your listening experience.