In recent years, podcasts have emerged as a leading form of storytelling, education, and entertainment. There are podcasts for seemingly every topic imaginable, and many people find listening to audio is a much more convenient way to take in content than watching a video or reading. Thanks to the massive podcast libraries on major streaming platforms, it's never been easier to discover new shows to listen to.
In 2023, there are several popular apps where users can tune into their favorite podcasts, and each has its own unique appeal. On top of a clear and intuitive user interface, some also offer additional listening features like playback speed control, vocals booster, sleep timer, and more. Here are some of the best podcast app for iOS and Android.
10 Castro
First on the list is a podcast app available for iOS. Castro Podcast Player asks users to subscribe to their favorite podcasts while signing up. The app contains four sections, including Queue, which stores all the episodes users are listening to, and Inbox, where the app suggests certain audio shows based on users' preferences. Then there are Library and the Discover sections, for shows the user has subscribed to and for finding new content.
The app's free version allows users to listen at 1x or 2x speeds, seek forward and backward, and even share brief clips from podcasts with friends. The app's premium version allows listeners to reduce silence, skip intros, and enhance voices. It costs $19.99 per year.
9 Overcast
Overcast is another podcast app available exclusively on iOS. Although the app has a free version, users might have to listen to ads. However, the app's free version contains unique features like Smart Speed which shortens silences, and Voice Boost, a feature that enhances the vocals in a podcast.
Listeners can also set the podcast speed at 1.25x, 1.5x, and so on, up to 3x. There's an option to select a sleep timer duration. Once the timer runs out, the app pauses playback and locks the device. Another cool feature is support for Apple CarPlay. Interestingly, the app also has a dark mode. The premium version of Overcast costs $10/year.
8 Stitcher
Stitcher is available on both Android and iOS. While signing up, it asks listeners to choose from a few genres, like Comedy, News, Business, Sports, etc. Once done, it opens into the Discover section containing new releases, wherein users can select the podcasts they want to listen to, which then carries over to the My Podcasts section.
The Stitcher podcast player is quite capable as well. It allows listeners to like a podcast, set its playback speed, set a sleep timer, and cast the audio to an external speaker. And yes, all these features are available in the app's free version. Of course, users get the regular playback controls, including quick seek and play/pause buttons. There are dedicated dark mode and car mode options in the app's Settings menu. From late 2023, Stitcher's podcasts will be available via SiriusXM app too.
7 Pocket Casts
Pocket Casts is available on both Android and iOS. It also has over 69,000 reviews on the Google Play Store. Upon signing up, users can discover new podcasts, which takes them to the Trending section containing popular titles.
What's unique about this app is that it lets users set Filters based on release date, duration, media type, ratings, and more. The app's free version contains features like playback speed control, Trim Silence, Volume Boost, and Sleep Timer. Pocket Casts has a fairly large selection of audio episodes to stream from.
6 Podbean
Podbean is a podcast app that's quite popular among Android users especially. The Android version of this app has more than 180,000 reviews on the Play Store and an average rating of 4.5 stars. It is also available for iOS on the App Store. While the app is free, users can upgrade to the premium version for $9.99/year.
The UI is easy to navigate, and the vast audio library has over 50 million episodes. While other apps simply allow users to listen to podcasts, Podbean doubles as a hosting provider for podcasters. Creators can easily record using the in-built tools and use the app to stream live or submit their podcasts to platforms like Apple and Google podcasts.
5 Audible
Audible provides podcasts and audiobooks. The app has over 1.4 million user reviews on the Play Store with an average of 4.2 stars and over 26,000 ratings on the App Store with 4.8 stars. The app hosts over 500,000 titles, including fictional/non-fictional audiobooks and podcasts from several genres. However, Audible doesn't provide as many free titles as other apps in this list.
The app gives users some credits, using which they can listen to some episodes. However, once users run out of credits, they can get a monthly membership or purchase audiobooks. Further, the monthly subscription costs $14.95, which might be too steep for some users. To sign in to the app, one needs an Amazon account.
4 Castbox
Castbox is among the most popular podcast apps on Android and iOS. On the Google Play Store, the app has over 270,000 ratings with an average of 4.6 stars, whereas the App Store rates the app at 4.7. Apart from hosting over a million podcasts, the app supports 70 languages. What sets this app apart is that it has an active Community section where listeners can interact with each other through text-based threads.
A Discover section allows users to browse through the library and pick up the titles they like, and there's a good chance that they'll find some of the most popular audio shows on the platform. Castbox's free version contains plenty of features, including Volume Boost, Trim Silence, Playback Speed, Android Auto, and Apple CarPlay support. Users can also download and save podcasts to listen to them offline. Further, they can leave comments on episodes, sharing their feedback with the creator. The free version may show too many ads for some people's liking, in which case users can get the premium version for $0.99/month.
3 Apple Podcasts
Apple Podcasts is an exclusive app that's only available on Apple devices. Since it's a native iPhone app, it has the best user interface of all the iPhone podcast apps. There's a lot of content to explore on the app, including podcasts in local languages. The app shows personalized playlists based on users' listening preferences. Features such as playback speed and sleep timer are also available.
Apple Podcasts also has certain exclusive shows that are only available on the paid version. Nonetheless, even the free version supports Apple CarPlay. It is compatible with Siri, Apple Watch, Apple TV, and HomePod, so users can pick up where they left off from a different device.
2 Google Podcasts
Like iOS has its own audio streaming platform, Android has Google Podcasts. It has over 700,000 reviews on the Play Store with 4.2 stars. Google Podcasts offers a variety of audio shows across genres. The app allows downloads and offline playback. Further, it also has features like a sleep timer, playback speed control, and in-app casting.
The user interface is quite minimal and follows the Material You design language, wherein the playback control buttons and the quick options bar are in sync with the overall theme of the device. It also has a History tab that stores details of all the podcasts users listen to. The app's free version provides access to most content. Some content is available to subscribers only, but most uploads are free to listen to. A free version is also available on iOS.
1 Spotify
Spotify, one of the most popular music streaming apps, also hosts tons of podcasts. The app already has over 500 million active monthly users, of which over 200 million are paying a monthly or yearly fee to the platform. These subscribers already have access to the app's huge library of audio-based content, which includes podcasts. Being able to switch from music to podcasts without leaving the app is great from a convenience point of view. The app is available on both Android and iOS.
The ad-supported version of the app also allows users to stream podcasts. Spotify has one of the cleanest user interfaces of apps in this list. As users log in, they're asked to enter basic details, like their name and age, and pick a few genres they like to listen to. Although these genres are for music tracks, searching for podcasts in the Search menu returns several available titles, with ads, on the free version. Since the app provides two services in one, it saves users' time and their phone's storage as well.