Podcasts have become very popular because you can listen to them on your Android phone or iPhone everywhere you like. We have tested some of the best podcast apps and will give you some advice what you should consider when you install a podcast player app. Below, you will find a list of the best podcast apps for Android and iOS.
Good to know: No copyright protection is circumvented
Radio streams that can be recorded with Audials do not use any effective protection against recording and output unencrypted audio e.g. on the PC's sound card. Audials always only records such unencrypted audio data. According to US Copyright Law “No action may be brought … alleging infringement of copyright based on … distribution … or based on the noncommercial use by a consumer of such a … digital audio recording device”.
Radio streams that can be recorded with Audials do not use any effective protection against recording and output unencrypted audio e.g. on the PC's sound card. Audials always only records such unencrypted audio data. According to US Copyright Law “No action may be brought … alleging infringement of copyright based on … distribution … or based on the noncommercial use by a consumer of such a … digital audio recording device”.
List of the Best Podcast Apps for Mobile Devices
1. Audials Play
Audials Play is a free and ad-free podcast app, podcast recorder and radio app. Choose between numerous podcast topics, for example sports, music, technology, science, comedy, history, society and culture, art and more. Audials has a podcast data base of 2 million podcast episodes in 170 languages. Play, record or favor all podcasts you like. If you subscribe to a podcast, Audials Play automatically will save new podcast episodes as MP3 to your device.
Pros
- free
- does not contain ads (exception: ads played by radio stations)
- 19 podcast topics, 2 million podcasts, almost all languages of the world
- get podcast suggestions
- play, record, favor and subscribe to podcasts
- save on mobile data bei playing with Wi-Fi only
- Android: Android Auto, clock radio, Chromecast
- iPhone: AirPlay, Apple Carplay
- sleep timer
- light or dark theme
- listen to online radio
- available for Android, iOS, Windows and as a web player app
Cons
- The free app lacks the wishlist feature for radio recording. It is available with the Audials Play Pro app only.
2. Podcast App
Podcast App gives you access to 2 million podcasts that you can find, listen to, save and favor on your Android or iOS phone. Discover new podcasts about career, health, spirituality, comedy, sports, hobbies, politics, history, culture. Create your own playlist with podcast episodes that you have downloaded to listen to later.
Although you can find any podcast by search, it would be better to add more topics like technology, science, art, news, true crime to the Discover section. Unfortunately, the sleep timer is not available in the free version. As many free apps, Podcast App shows ads that you can get rid of with the premium version only.
Pros
- listen to podcasts online or save them for offline listening
- about 2 million podcasts
- you can favor podcasts for fast access
- discover new podcasts in 9 subjects
Cons
- contains ads
- no sleep timer
- missing podcast topics: technology, science, art, news, true crime
- no dark theme
- no Android Auto, Chromecast, car mode, AirPlay, Apple Carplay
3. Apple Podcasts
If you have an iOS mobile device, Apple Podcasts will be a very good option for you. It is a free podcast app with tons of podcasts about various subjects like true crime, health, news, and many more. Get individual podcast recommendations and discover new podcasts. Enjoy podcasts both offline and online and on all Apple devices.
Pros
- enjoy various podcasts both offline and online
- get podcast recommendations
- discover new podcasts
- access content on all devices by Apple
Cons
- Android users cannot use this podcast app
4. Podcast Addict
You want to listen to both radio and podcasts? Podcast Addict for Android will be a good choice for you. This free podcast app gives you access to 120.000 radio stations and 4.5 million podcasts. Podcast Addict has the New and Trending categories so that you will never run out of podcasts to listen to. If you do not like long podcast episodes, use the podcast length filter (for example not more than 10 minutes, 20 minutes, more than 30 minutes).
However, you have to accept that the user interface is a bit confusing for beginners and it looks a bit old. Second, you will see ads in the podcast app. Regarding radio stations, the usage is confusing, too: You are not able to play a station before you have favored it. iPhone users cannot use Podcast Addict because it is not available for iOS.
Pros
- free
- create playlists with saved episodes
- listen to radio stations
- alarm clock
- get recommendations of new or popular podcasts
- filter by duration
Cons
- design of the app is a bit confusing for a beginner
- contains ads
- Not available for iOS
- not convenient for radio stations: you have to favor a station in order to play it
5. Podcast Player
Podcast Player lets you listen to podcasts from many categories, such as comedy, business, education, leisure, health, history, sports, science; there are 19 categories. This podcast app shows in Trending popular podcasts that you could like. Find even more podcasts by well-known channels in the Networks menu item. Download or subscribe to podcasts that you like most. Create own playlists.
In comparison to other podcast apps, Podcast Player has a simple structure because there are not so many extra features. It has no sleep timer and no alarm clock. It contains ads. To download episodes, you need to subscribe to that podcast, otherwise downloads are not possible. Podcast Player is not available for iOS.
Pros
- free
- explore podcasts from 19 different categories
Cons
- not ad free
- no alarm clock
- no sleep timer
- not available for iOS
6. Pocket Casts
Pocket Casts by Automattic is a free podcast player app for Android and iOS to find, discover and download podcasts. Categories like Comedy, Business, Arts, Education, Health & Fitness, Science, Technology and News are available. You can select a content region to only see podcasts that are relevant in your country. The disadvantage is that you will need to switch to a different region as soon as you are interested in podcasts in further languages.
When you play back an episode, you can activate up to 3x speed, skip the next 30 seconds or return to the last 10 seconds. Create playlists with episodes you like most. Fall asleep while listening to podcasts.
Pros
- free
- does not show ads
- sleep timer
- play back at up to 3x speed
- skip 30 seconds or return to the last 10 seconds
Cons
- podcasts in further languages are available after you switch to a different content region
7. Overcast
Overcast is a free podcast app for Apple devices and it can be used to find, save and subscribe to podcasts, to get podcast suggestions and to create podcast playlists. A special feature is the Smart Speed that skips pauses in speech so that it will take less time for you to listen to an episode. Overcast has a sleep timer and supports Apple CarPlay.
Please note that Overcast is available for Apple devices only and it contains ads according to the developer website.
Pros
- Find, download or subscribe to podcasts
- Smart Speed removes the parts where nothing is said
- Create podcast playlists
- Get podcast suggestions
- CarPlay
- Sleep timer
Cons
- Available for iOS only
- Contains ads
Comparison of the Best Podcast Apps
Here you see an overview of the podcast apps presented on this page and their most important features:
| Audials Play | Podcast App | Apple Podcasts | Podcast Addict | Podcast Player | Pocket Casts | Overcast | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Operating system | Windows, Android, iOS | Android, iOS | iOS | Android | Android | Android, iOS | iOS |
| Ad-free | ✔ | - | ✔ | - | - | ✔ | - |
| Listen to podcasts | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ |
| Save podcasts | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ |
| Favorite podcasts | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | - | |
| Play radio | ✔ | - | - | - | - | - | - |
| Record radio | ✔ | - | - | - | - | - | - |
| Sleep timer | ✔ | - | - | - | - | ✔ | ✔ |
| Alarm clock | - | - | - | - | - | - | - |
| Price | free | free | free | free | free | free | free |
Results: Audials Play is the Best Podcast App
If you compare Audials Play to other podcast apps, you will see that Audials Play has far more features that make listening to podcasts much more pleasant:
- Audials Play is an ad-free podcast player app that you can use for free.
- Listen to and record both podcasts and radio.
- Fall asleep with the sleep timer.
- Use it on a Windows PC or an Android or iOS smartphone.
FAQ
Can I listen to podcasts for free?
Yes, you can listen to podcasts for free with a podcast app on your mobile phone.
Which podcast app is the best?
Audials Play is the best podcast app and podcast player because you can use it for free, though is does not show you ads. Dive into the world of radio and podcasts, record them and listen to them offline.
Where do I find interesting podcasts?
Most of the podcast player apps show you recommended podcasts that most people like. Alternatively, open a podcast topic that interests you and discover new podcasts.
Things you could find interesting
A list of the best podcast apps by ZDNET
Please note
Podacsts and music played by online radio stations are copyrighted. Any redistribution of them without the consent of the copyright owners may be a violation of the law in most countries, including the USA. Audials AG is not affiliated with the online radio stations, the music played by them, the podcast apps and the podcasts nor the company that owns the trademark rights to the online radio stations and podcasts. This page is provided for compatibility purposes only, and in no case should be considered an endorsement of Audials Software products by any associated 3rd party.