Is your current podcast app not cutting it? If you’re a busy person who relies on multi-tasking to get things done, you probably take your tech choices very seriously.
Do you listen to podcasts to catch up on the latest business updates while driving or hitting the treadmill? Or maybe you listen to podcasts to make good use of your time while doing mundane tasks? If so, this guide has been designed just for you.
Whether you listen to marketing masterclasses or productivity power-ups, read on to discover the best app for accessing the content you love most.
What is a Podcast App?
A podcast app is an application that you can download onto your mobile device, PC, or smart device. The app can then be used to store and play your chosen podcasts. The features, pricing structures, and user experience for podcast apps vary greatly, so it is worth doing your research to find the best one for your specific needs.
Savvy entrepreneurs listen to business podcasts to discover tips and techniques for building passive incomes. Podcasts can also be monetized by content creators who want to make money by sharing their expertise.
Our Top 20 Picks for Podcast Apps
Finding the best podcast for what you need can be a challenge. Firstly, you’ll need to find one that works for the devices on which you want to play podcasts. You should also consider which features will be most useful to you.
We’ve reviewed the podcast app options based on features, pricing, and usability. These are our top 20 picks:
1. Podcast Addict
Podcast Addict is the top-rated podcast app on Android and is a good option if you don’t want a large subscription fee. You can download Podcast Addict for free or the premium version is $0.99 per month or $9.99 per year.
With Podcast Addict, you can access over 1 million podcasts including YouTube channels and audiobooks. One of the main complaints with Podcast Addict is that you can’t create a playlist that repopulates each morning.
Pros 👍
- Pricing is low
- Access over 1 million podcasts
- Automatic episode download
- Playback speed adjustment options
Cons 👎
- Less features than some alternative podcast apps
- No daily repopulation for playlists
- Data isn’t encrypted
Price:💲Premium version is $0.99 per month or $9.99 per year; free version available
Google Play rating:⭐4.6 from 582k reviews
2. Castro
If you are looking for a podcast app that is simple to use, Castro has a very user-friendly interface. Available to download from the Apple App Store, there is a free version and premium version called Castro Plus.
Features such as custom playback speeds, silence trimming, chapter skipping, and custom start positions allow you to get straight to the content you want. Want to listen to podcasts in the car? Castro’s CarPlay support lets you listen to your favorite podcasts while on the road.
Pros 👍
- Easy to use
- Includes a sideloading feature in the premium version
- Voice booster settings
- Customizable settings for each show
Cons 👎
- Premium version costs $29.99 per year
- Less features than some alternatives
Price:💲Premium version is $3.99 per month, $9.99 quarterly, or $29.99 per year
- Free version available
Google Play rating:⭐4.4 from 6.18k reviews
3. Downcast
Ideal for podcast lovers who like to use Apple Watches and CarPlay to access their podcast, Downcast is one of the top-rated podcast apps for iOS. The Downcast app has been going for over 14 years and has a one-off payment rather than annual or monthly subscriptions.
Downcast offers a larger set of features than the more basic podcast apps, with advanced playlist creation tools. The rewind and fast-forward buttons are also very handy. You can subscribe to podcasts manually or automatically, with several choices on which episodes to auto download.
Pros 👍
- Just one initial price to pay
- Advanced clean-up options
- Excellent playlist creation tools
- Easy-to-use interface
Cons 👎
- No option to browse for podcasts by network
- No feature for starting episodes at a set time to skip intros
Price:💲$2.99 for iPhone and $4.99 for macOS
App Store rating:⭐4.3 from 2.5k reviews
4. Overcast
We love the Smart Playlist feature in Overcast which downloads the latest episodes of podcasts into your queue, ready to access straight away. It has a simple user interface and a host of useful features such as Smart Speed and Voice Boost.
Available for iPhone, iPad and Apple Watches, Overcast offers a free version or the ad-free premium version for $9.99 per year. The custom timer feature is another plus, and the clip-sharing feature is great if you want to quickly share a specific section of a podcast.
Pros 👍
- Smart Playlist downloads new episodes
- Clip sharing tool
- Simple, sleek interface
- Reasonable price at $9.99 per year
Cons 👎
- Free version is ad-heavy
- Some feature limitations compared to alternatives
Price:💲$9.99 per year or free version available with ads
App Store rating:⭐4.6 from 39.7k reviews
5. Pocket Casts
Pocket Casts is another app choice that is built around simplicity. Tools such as Split View, Picture in Picture and Slide Over make this app easy to use and the search function performs better than most other podcast apps.
One of the features we really liked about Pocket Casts is the recommendations provided based on your listening history. This app includes all the standard features you need from a podcast app such as variable speed controls, voice boost and playlist creation. Unlike many podcast apps, Pocket Casts is available for both Android and iOS.
Pros 👍
- Simple interface design
- Recommendations feature provides highly relevant podcasts
- Works across iOS and Android devices
- Excellent search function
Cons 👎
- Premium version costs more than most apps at $39.99 per year
- Have to pay $99.99 per year for more cloud storage (to upgrade from 20GB to 100GB)
Price:💲$39.99 per year (20GB storage) or $99.99 per year (100GB storage)
- Free version available
Google Play rating:⭐4.5 from 80.7k reviews
6. Spotify
The most downloaded podcast app, Spotify is better known for music streaming, but you can also use the app for listening to podcasts. If you are a regular user of Spotify, you might find it convenient to access your podcasts here too. However, you won’t find all the useful features you normally get with dedicated podcast apps.
We don’t rate Spotify in the top spots for usability, and you will have to spend some time scrolling through categories to find the podcast content you want. If you want a huge library of podcasts, Spotify is the leading app, with over 4.7 million podcasts.
Pros 👍
- Can download podcast episodes for offline listening
- No complicated features
- Easy to build a playlist of your favorite podcasts
- You can try Premium for free for 3 months
- Extensive podcast library
Cons 👎
- Very limited features
- Lots of ad disruption in the free version
- Premium version is expensive ($10.99 per month)
- User ratings are lower than many alternative apps
Price:💲$10.99 per month or $5.99 per month for students; free version available
Google Play rating:⭐4.2 from 31.7M reviews
7. Apple Podcasts
If you are an Apple fan, you’ll probably be tempted to see what their podcast app has to offer. After Spotify, Apple Podcasts is the second most popular podcast app and it is free with Apple devices. It also has one of the biggest podcast libraries, with over 2.5 million podcasts to choose from.
The tidy interface is a big pull, and the discovery feature based on your listening habits provides highly relevant podcast recommendations. However, Apple Podcasts is not as feature-rich as some of the alternative podcast apps.
Pros 👍
- Free with Apple devices
- Ratings widget helps you to find the best podcasts
- Large podcast library
- Syncs across Apple devices
- Highly rated by users
Cons 👎
- Very limited features. Doesn’t include silence trim, for example
- No premium version to remove ads (have to subscribe to podcast publishers to remove ads)
Price:💲Free with Apple devices
App Store rating:⭐4.9 from 1.8M reviews
8. Castbox
For Android users, Castbox is one of the top-rated podcast apps with plenty of user-friendly features. The Castbox features include automatic episode downloads, playback speed adjustment and personalized recommendations.
Available for both iOS and Android, the interface design is easy to navigate, and the attractive icons are a bonus.
Pros 👍
- Easy navigation with user-friendly interface
- Advanced features including playback speed adjustment
- Personalized recommendations
- Cross-device syncing on Apple device, including CarPlay
- High user ratings
Cons 👎
- Free version is limited to subscription to 100 channels
- Invasive ads in free version
Price:💲Free; premium version for $24.99 per year
Google Play rating:⭐4.8 from 304k reviews
9. DoggCatcher
While there is no free version of DoggCatcher, the app costs just $2.99 to download with no monthly subscription costs. DoggCatcher is only available on Android and although the user interface may not be as sleek as other apps, the features are good value for money.
You can enjoy ad-free podcasts for the $2.99 fee, as well as features such as offline playback, personalized recommendations and variable speed playback.
Pros 👍
- Low cost, ad-free price of just $2.99
- Advanced features including automation of downloads
- Personalized recommendations
- Widget for simple playback controls
Cons 👎
- Not available for iOS
- Some users have reported technical issues
- Basic interface design
Price:💲$2.99
CNET rating:⭐4 from unknown number of reviews
10. PodBean
Available on both Android and iOS, PodBean has a contemporary interface and plenty of useful features. The app has over 6 million downloads and it is free and easy to use. However, some recent reviews on Google Play highlight some issues with podcasts stopping playing and difficulty using the app for offline listening.
If you are thinking about creating your own podcasts, PodBean is a great platform for monetizing your content and you can start on the basic podcast creator tier for free before upgrading to higher tiers for monetization features such as Ads Marketplace.
Pros 👍
- Free to download
- Easy navigation
- Sleek interface design
- Customizable listening preferences
- Playback speed adjustment and sleep timer features
Cons 👎
- Some recent negative user reviews on Google Play
- No premium option for ad-free listening
Price:💲Free
Google Play rating:⭐4.6 from 203k reviews
11. Podcast Guru
If you are looking for a free podcast app with no banner ads, Podcast Guru ticks both boxes and has some good features which are not usually included with free podcast apps. These include variable speed playback and sleep timer, with a clean, easy-to-use interface.
Available on both Android and iOS mobile devices, they recently launched a web app too. The podcast library isn’t as big as the likes of Spotify or Apple Podcasts but there are plenty of reasons to download Podcast Guru, such as compatibility with on CarPlay and Android Auto.
Pros 👍
- Free to download
- CarPlay and Android Auto compatibility
- Variable speed playback and sleep timer
- Banner ad free
Cons 👎
- Search functionality has some limitations
- Library is not as big as some alternative podcast apps
Price:💲Free or VIP Status for $12.99
Google Play rating:⭐4.7 from 6.26k reviews
12. Player FM
The aesthetics of Player FM help this app to stand out from the crowd. With over 20 million podcasts, the free version of Player FM includes features such as offline listening and trending podcast discovery.
You will need to upgrade to Player FM Premium for advanced features such as syncing across multiple devices and use with CarPlay and Apple Watches.
Pros 👍
- Sleek aesthetics
- Offline listening included in the free version
- Easy to share favorite episodes
- Data is encrypted
Cons 👎
- Free version has limited features
- Premium version is expensive at $9.99 per month
Price:💲Free or Player FM Premium for $9.99 per month
App Store rating:⭐4.7 from 4.4k reviews
13. Podcast Republic
While the interface design of Podcast Republic is not as impressive as some podcast apps, it offers good value for money at $1.99 for ad-free listening. Podcast Republic offers over 1 million podcasts and has over 4 million downloads.
If you’re looking something simple and low cost, Podcast Republic is a good option for Android users. Don’t expect any advanced features, just enjoy the simplicity.
Pros 👍
- Ad-free version is just $1.99
- Large library of podcasts, including all episodes of long-standing podcasts
- Includes Smart Download
Cons 👎
- Free version has limited features
- Some user reviews mention problems with podcasts skipping forward
Price:💲Free or $1.99 fee for the ad-free version
Google Play rating:⭐4.6 from 98.9k reviews
14. AntennaPod
AntennaPod is an ad-free podcast app for Android with features such as playback speed adjustment and automated downloading and deletion. It has a simple interface and is a favorite with open-source enthusiasts, as they can contribute code for the development of the app.
You can easily access your library of podcasts under the Subscriptions, Queue, Downloads and History screens.
Pros 👍
- It is free to download
- Features include playback speed adjustment and auto download
- High user rating of 4.8 on Google Play
- Open-source allows contribution to development
Cons 👎
- Not as many features as some of the premium podcast apps
- Some user reviews mention issues with podcasts skipping back
Price:💲Free
Google Play rating:⭐4.8 from 62.3k reviews
15. Listen App
This podcast app is a fairly new addition to the iOS options, having been released in 2021. It has a sleek, modern interface with an elegant design and includes features such as playback speed adjustment and personalized recommendations.
As a relatively new app, Listen App has had fewer downloads than many of the more established podcast apps. Listen App is also a good option for podcast creators who want to grow their social communities.
Pros 👍
- Attractive, contemporary interface design
- Features include playback speed adjustment
- Provides recommendations based on listening history
- Allows you to easily create custom playlists
Cons 👎
- Has fewer downloads than alternative podcast apps
- Scores lower user ratings than most podcast apps
Price:💲Free
App Store rating:⭐3.8 from 5 reviews
16. Goodpods
If you enjoy sharing your favorite shows with your favorite people, you’ll like the social features of Goodpods. You can follow friends to see what they are listening to, share your recommendations and join community groups with like-minded audio lovers.
There is an extensive library and the Goodpods app is available for both iOS and Android devices. Goodpods is also ideal for podcast creators who want to build their followers using the power of social sharing.
Pros 👍
- Excellent social features for sharing recommendations and growing communities
- Provides personalized recommendations based on listening history
- Includes features such as sleep timer and playlist creation
Cons 👎
- Less features than most of the premium podcast apps
- Some user reviews include complaints about technical glitches
Price:💲Free
Google Play rating:⭐4.4 from 492 reviews
17. Podcast Go
The visual appeal of Podcast Go is one of the main selling points of this Android podcast app. Users also like the customizable discovery feature that helps to find more relevant podcasts to suit your interests. The app allows you to create playlists and bookmark podcasts to come back to them later.
Podcast Go also enables offline listening, has playback speed controls and a sleep timer. With over 1M downloads, this is one of the better free Android podcast apps. However, the user ratings don’t score as highly as some of the alternative options.
Pros 👍
- Free to download
- Includes features such as customized discovery, playlist creation and bookmarking
- Modern, sleek interface design
Cons 👎
- User ratings on Google Play are lower than most alternatives
- Some users complain about the number of ads
Price:💲Free
Google Play rating:⭐4.2 from 65.6k reviews
18. iCatcher!
iCatcher! is one of the less popular podcast players available on iOS but it does include a number of useful features such as creating custom playlists and variable playback speed.
It also has onscreen controls for rewind and fast-forward and supports AirPlay. You can specify the number of episodes to auto download, while some apps will only let you choose to auto download all episodes.
Pros 👍
- Doesn’t include as many features as some premium apps
- Includes features such as playlist creation and variable playback speed
- Onscreen rewind/fast-forward controls
- One-off purchase fee
Cons 👎
- The interface is not as visually appealing as some podcast apps
- Some users have highlighted some technical issues
Price:💲$2.99
App Store rating:⭐4.7 from 1.8k reviews
19. Whop
Whop is better known for helping entrepreneurs to generate income by creating content and using the range of monetization options. While Whop does not have a dedicated podcast player app, there is a library of podcasts available on the website. A huge benefit of podcasts on Whop is that these podcasts come with closed networks and communities. So, when you join a podcast group, you not only get to listen to the episodes but may also have the chance to access behind-the-scenes content and chat with other listeners.
Pros 👍
- Premium podcast experiences
- Access to BTS content
- Communities of like-minded podcast enthusiasts
Cons 👎
- Podcast library is still growing
- No podcast app to download
Price:💲Price is set by the podcast creator
Trustpilot rating:⭐4.7 from 611 reviews
20. Podkicker
Podkicker is a free podcast app for Android with some basic features including offline listening and automation tools such as downloading the latest episodes of podcasts you have subscribed to.
While the feature options are less advanced than most of the popular podcast apps, the theme settings are a nice design detail. However, the user ratings and reviews on Google Play are not very convincing.
Pros 👍
- Free to download
- Allows offline listening
- Visually appealing theme settings
Cons 👎
- Limited features compared to other podcast apps
- Low user ratings on Google Play
Price:💲Free
Google Play rating:⭐3 from 10.5k reviews
What are the Most Popular Podcast Apps?
It probably won’t surprise you that Spotify, Apple and Google dominate the top spots for preferred podcast platforms. However, Google Podcasts has been discontinued and is no longer available.
Data from Statista shows that the apps from the three tech giants were the most downloaded podcast apps in the US in 2023.
The most popular apps won’t necessarily be the ones most suited to your needs. Maybe you are fed up with ad interruptions or want advanced features such as more relevant content discovery or different playback features. Spotify and Apple offer free plans but have limited features.
Before you download any apps, decide what you need most from a podcast app. Choosing the right podcast app will help you to save time and effortlessly discover content that is most relevant for your business or leisure interests.
Which Features Should You Look for in a Podcast App?
When you are deciding on which podcast app will best meet your needs, these are some of the features you may want to prioritize:
- Playlist customization
- Auto downloads
- Clean-up/deletion
- Variable playback speeds
- Offline playback
- Personalized recommendations
- Sleep timer
- Volume booster
- Rewind/fast-forward controls
- Easy-to-use search functionality
- Clear interface navigation
Find Premium Podcasts and Communities on Whop
We’ve reviewed some of the best options for listening to podcasts in this article, with Podbeans, Goodpods, and Listen App being strong contenders.
But, if you are looking for a way to more closely connect with podcasts and podcast creators, then you need to check out Whop.
On the Whop Marketplace, you can find podcasts that give you a closer look at the production process, extra premium content, access to research notes, communities, and more. For example, with 'The Real Crime Diary' you can access Q&As, case studies, and even video chats. With Club 520 you get early access to podcasts, exclusive videos, giveaways, and events. Plus, you can also find thousands of other communities for every interest you could imagine - sports betting, ecommerce, personal development, life hacks, and more.
Looking for premium podcasts? Look no further than Whop.
