
- Overcast. Overcast is ad-supported, but the ads are other podcasts you might be interested in, and are targeted by category.
- Castro 3. Castro 3 is a unique iOS podcast player – in a good way. ...
- ListenApp. ListenApp is an ad-free podcast app. They are also about to release social-features with a new update.
- Downcast. Downcast is a great app for organizing your podcasts and offers a bunch of useful features. ...
- PodCruncher. PodCruncher has “unmatched playback control” offering playback speed control, gestures, landscape view, sleep timer, multi-speed slider, and more.
- iCatcher. Podcast Player lets you download and listen (or watch) your podcasts. ...
- Castaway 2. Last, but definitely not least, is Castaway. You can download and stream podcast episodes, adjust playback rate, get notifications for new episodes, and more.
- Apple Podcasts. This comes with your iPhone. Google released its own Google Podcasts app in June 2018. Check out their announcement blog post for more details too.
Full Answer
What are the best podcast apps?
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How to download podcast on Apple Watch?
Find the music and podcasts you want to download. Select the playlist, album or podcast and press the three dots (…) and choose "Download to Apple Watch." Once playlists, albums, or podcasts in your library are downloaded, you’ll see a little green arrow next to their names.
How do I connect to a podcast?
To join the program:
- Log in to Apple Podcasts Connect.
- Click Account.
- In the Details tab, click Sign Up.
- Click Confirm.
How to load and play podcasts offline on Apple Watch?
To sync specific podcasts, follow these steps:
- Open the Apple Watch app on your iPhone.
- Tap My Watch, then tap Podcasts.
- Tap Custom, then turn on the stations and shows you want to sync to your Apple Watch. ...

What is the best podcast app for Apple?
When it comes to listening to podcasts on iOS, there are so many great options. The Apple Podcasts app comes built into every iOS device with syncing....Table of contentsIs Apple Podcasts the best podcast app for iPhone?Overcast.Spotify.Breaker.Castro.Pocket Casts.Player FM.Wrap-up on best podcast app for iPhone.More items...•
What is the best app to listen to podcasts?
Here are the best podcast apps:Apple Podcasts. Apple Podcasts provides free access to over 30 million podcast episodes, along with the option to pay for premium shows.Google Podcasts. ... Spotify. ... Audible. ... Stitcher. ... TuneIn Radio.
Does Apple have a podcast app?
Use the Podcasts app to find shows about science, news, politics, comedy, and more. If you find a show you like, you can follow it to add it to your library. Then you can easily listen offline, get notified about new episodes, and more.
Does Apple have a free podcast app?
The app comes preinstalled on iOS devices, making it the default for iPhone users. Apple Podcasts is Apple's proprietary podcast-listening app, and it's pre-installed on every iPhone and iPad (Android smartphones can't download Apple's podcast app).
How do I use Apple Podcasts?
How to follow podcasts on iPhone or iPadOpen the Podcasts app.Browse or search for a show. Need help finding the shows that you like?Tap the show to see its information page.Tap the Follow button .
How do I listen to Apple Podcasts?
Many (but not all) podcasts can be streamed from the host's website.In a browser on your Android device, open the webpage that contains the podcast. ... Browse for the podcast show or episode you want to listen to.Tap the "Play" or "Listen" button to begin streaming.
Is Apple podcast free with Apple music?
The introduction of Apple One in 2020 connected the company's services for a discounted price. It includes Apple Music, Apple TV+, Apple Fitness+, Apple News+, Apple Arcade, and additional iCloud storage. However, the Podcasts remains completely free to access for users, and thus is not part of Apple One.
Is Joe Rogan on Apple Podcasts?
Currently, the Joe Rogan Experience is the second-ranked podcast across Apple Podcasts. It's often ranked first. Top ranked podcasts on Apple Podcasts, including the Joe Rogan Experience.
Is Apple music better than Spotify?
Apple Music offers Spatial Audio and Lossless. Spotify doesn't. There's a difference in terms of quality for listening to that music if you look at bitrates. Spotify's apps offer an Ogg Vorbis stream quality equivalent to 160kbps for free users, while its premium service goes up to 320kbps.
Are podcasts free on an iPhone?
Apple Podcasts offers millions of shows completely free. And some publishers offer premium shows, episodes, and channels that can be purchased through a monthly or annual subscription.
How much does it cost to podcast on Apple?
How much does it cost to start a podcast on Apple? While it's free to sign up and submit a podcast to Apple, you do have to pay $19.99 per year if you'd like to access extra benefits through the Apple Podcasters Program. This includes premium subscriptions and more.
What is Apple Podcasts?
Apple Podcasts is the best app for finding, following, and listening to millions of the world’s most popular podcasts. And you can easily discover...
Where can I listen?
The Apple Podcasts app is already installed on all your favorite Apple devices — including Apple TV, Apple Watch, and CarPlay. You can also listen...
What does it cost?
Apple Podcasts offers millions of shows completely free. And some publishers offer premium shows, episodes, and channels that can be purchased thro...
Can I share my subscriptions with my family?
Of course. You can share your Apple Podcasts subscriptions with the whole family.
Can I download and listen offline?
Yes. You can download any podcast episode and listen to it offline. New episodes from shows you follow will be automatically downloaded. And you ca...
Can I start a podcast?
You sure can. If you want to create your own show and publish it on Apple Podcasts, check out the resources available at podcasters.apple.com.
Is Apple Podcasts the same as iTunes?
Your iTunes podcast library is now available on Apple Podcasts. All the shows you follow and the stations you’ve created are available on Apple Pod...
Screenshots
Discover audio stories that entertain, inform, and inspire. Explore shows you’ll love from entertainment and comedy to news and sports.
The best tech podcasts ever!
The best things come in three’s! That seems to be the case with the hosts of Connected and Accidental Tech Podcast! The hosts of each show bring a different perspective to Apple and tech in general.
Best Golf Channel out there
Generally I don’t like the whole golf “influencers” scene but the Foreplay crew offer something different to the rest that I can’t get enough of.
Podcasts
The most obvious answer is the Podcasts app, which comes straight from Apple. After Apple decided to split up iTunes into three separate, standalone apps for Music, Podcasts, and TV, the Podcasts app is the way to get your spoken word entertainment on macOS Catalina and beyond.
Spotify
While many think of Spotify as a music streaming app, it has quite a selection of exclusive podcast content due to acquisitions. The macOS version of the Spotify app also has a dedicated Podcasts section, so it's easy to get to.
Mimir
If you're looking for a powerful podcast app solution on the Mac, then you can't go wrong with Mimir.
Mame Cast
Are you more of a video podcast fan? Then Mame Cast - a Podcast Player is what you want for your Mac.
Downcast
Downcast has been around for a long time, and it's definitely one of the more powerful podcast apps out there, though it isn't the prettiest. If you use Downcast on your iPhone or iPad, then this is the perfect companion, as it will sync up with everything you already have through iCloud.
BarCasts
Do you prefer minimalism when it comes to your apps? Or want something that stays out of the way and lives in the menu bar on the Mac? Then BarCasts is the app to get.
Your favorite podcast app for Mac?
These are some of our favorite podcast apps for Mac that you can get right now. Do you have a favorite that we didn't include? Make sure to let us know!
What is the best podcast app for iOS?
When it comes to choosing a fantastic podcast app on iOS, it’s basically impossible to beat Overcast. Developed by Marco Arment, best known for serving as the CTO of Tumblr until 2010 and developing Instapaper soon after, Overcast is truly the best app. It has a fantastic design, it’s packed with features, and it’s super easy to listen to your favorite shows or discover new ones. But truly, the best part of the app is how feature packed it is, and that’s why it’s worth taking a look at each feature at a time, starting with its most famous: Smart Speed.
How long have podcasts been around?
Podcasts have been around for nearly twenty years, but it’s taken a while for them to hit the mainstream. It’s impossible to say how many podcasts exist today, both current and in archived forms, but no matter your interests, you’re bound to find something that suits you. Everyone from athletes and comedians to journalists and entertainers, ...
Is there a podcast app for Android?
You might not want to use Apple’s default podcast app, but what about…Google’s? Yes, Google finally launched their own dedicated podcast app back in 2018 on Android and the web, with the Apple version finally rolling out to users in March of this year. It’s tough to say whether or not this app is actually better than Apple’s own, but it’s certainly a great offering for anyone switching from Android to iPhone this year. It’s also a particularly impressive app if your home is loaded with Google Home speakers, since it can easily cast around the house.
What to Look for
Nearly all podcast apps have a few features in common. You should always be able to subscribe to a show so that new episodes appear in your podcast feed. You should be able to control how much content downloads to your device, either manually or by limiting the number of new episodes that download from each show.
Start Listening
Below you'll find the best podcast apps, listed alphabetically, with images of the mobile apps, details on their prices, and a few words about what makes them unique or useful.
Acast
Acast is both a podcast player app for listening to shows and one where creators can host their content and work with Acast's team to earn money from their work. As a listener, you'll find all your favorite podcasts, even if the creators don't work directly with Acast. The app has an option to change your region when discovering podcasts.
Downcast
Downcast is among the best podcast apps for iPhones and Macs. It also works with Apple Watch and CarPlay. You pay once for the apps and own them forever with no subscription fees. It's easy to subscribe to podcasts, whether you browse or search for them or add them via a URL feed.
Himalaya: Courses and Stories
A newcomer to the podcast arena in 2019, Himalaya: Courses and Stories started out as a fairly standard podcast player app and service for podcast creators, but it now focuses on providing "inspirational" content with a bent toward learning and personal growth. Himalaya offers audio lessons and learning in five- to ten-minute bites.
Luminary
Luminary launched in early 2019 with a beautifully designed podcast catcher and player app, plus a controversial battle cry to eliminate ads from podcasts. Its pitch: Pay a monthly or annual fee (which has come down significantly since the original launch) to get access to original programs.
Overcast
Overcast is an iOS-only app with a few unique features, the standout one being clip sharing. With clip sharing, you can tell someone about a podcast you love by sending them an audio or video clip of it up to one minute long.
Cross-Platform Podcast Apps
Podcast apps that are on both mobile platforms and some that have Mac, Windows, and Chromecast desktop apps.
iOS Podcast Apps
Overcast is ad-supported, but the ads are other podcasts you might be interested in, and are targeted by category. You can also pay to remove them.
Android Podcast Apps
Google released its own Google Podcasts app in June 2018. Check out their announcement blog post for more details too.
What is the default podcast app on Mac?
1. Apple Podcasts – Default app. Apple finally gave in and broke down the bloated iTunes app on Mac into separate apps – Music, TV, and Podcasts. True to Apple’s other apps and services, the default Podcast app on Mac is basic but serves the purpose for those trying out podcasts for the first time. The UI is simple, but to my eyes, it doesn’t go ...
Why is podcast audio only?
The podcast industry is gaining traction. The audio-only format is handy when you drive or listen to your favorite creator on the go. When working from the desk, you can always use the apps above and stay connected with your favorite podcast channel.
Does iTunes have a podcast app?
Apple finally gave in and broke down the bloated iTunes app on Mac into separate apps – Music, TV, and Podcasts. True to Apple’s other apps and services, the default Podcast app on Mac is basic but serves the purpose for those trying out podcasts for the first time.
Is Mimir a Mac app?
Mimir feels like a Mac app that’s stuck between past and future. For instance, the app offers big advertising banner upfront when you open the home page. I appreciate the player placement on the right sidebar. It’s much better than the simple top or bottom place.
The best: Apple Podcasts
Originally introduced as a separate app with macOS Catalina in 2019, the native Apple Podcasts app is a terrific choice and our favorite solution for Mac. This opinion is largely based on the app's familiar design, which naturally feels right at home next to other native Mac apps, including Music and TV.
Premium: Mimir
Podcasts and the word "free" have always gone together, although that's starting to change in different ways. Apple now allows podcasters to offer premium content for a monthly fee. Then there are products like Mimir that charge a monthly or yearly fee to use the app.
Runner-Up: Pocket Casts
Primarily known for its terrific Android app, Pocket Casts is also a great solution across other platforms, including iOS, macOS, Windows, and the web.
Full-Featured Apple alternative: Spotify
The No. 1 music streaming service globally, Spotify, has grown its podcasts market share in recent years by offering exclusive content across multiple platforms. In doing so, it could overtake Apple Podcasts before the end of the year, according to The Wall Street Journal.
