Podcast apps are types of platforms that allow you to both listen to and save podcasts of your choice. There are lots of options available.
There are many types of podcasts available, like those that give you a thrill or those that offer self-help tips. The better question is: which ones can you find? If you use an Apple device, then there are more options than you know what to do with.
There are many great options for listening to podcasts on iOS. The Apple Podcasts app is pre-installed on all devices and syncs across them. It’s a great app, but is it the best? We examine other applications for listeners on iOS that offer superior features.
1. Apple Podcasts
Developer: Apple Inc.
Cost: Free
App Store rating: 4.9 from 1M Ratings
The classic is sometimes the best. You won’t need to look at other podcast apps because the native Apple Podcasts app comes pre-installed and is free to use. You get access to millions of podcasts, including popular ones like The Daily and Stuff You Should Know. While the free version is sufficient, you can also purchase subscriptions to specific podcasts to gain additional benefits. Apple Podcasts hosts several subscriber-only shows, such as CNN, NPR, and The Washington Post podcasts. Some creators, like Subtstack, provide both free and paid content, allowing you to decide whether you like their episodes before subscribing.
Apple Podcasts also provides personalized recommendations based on your listening history, ensuring that you always find interesting episodes that are relevant to your interests. It integrates with Siri, so you can simply ask the assistant to play any episode or playlist of your choosing, allowing you to listen hands-free while working out or doing chores.
If you want the standard Apple experience on your iPhone, you should use Apple Podcasts. It lacks some advanced features that other apps provide, but it holds its own. Is it the best iPhone podcast app? It’s a good choice if you want the standard Apple experience.
2. Overcast
Developer: Overcast Radio, LLC
Cost: Free (Offers In-App Purchases)
App Store rating: 4.7 from 33.7K Ratings
Overcast is a well-known podcasting brand that has been around since 2013 and has a large following. Outside of Apple Podcasts, it’s the most popular in the tech podcast community. Overcast’s design strikes a nice balance between adhering to modern iOS design standards and remaining distinctive. The color scheme is light and unobtrusive by default. The main navigation includes a list of your playlists and subscriptions, as well as buttons for further managing your subscriptions and playlists.
Users adore its “Smart Speed” feature, which dynamically removes silences so you can hear only the important information and not any long pauses between responses. Furthermore, the filters are intelligent and customizable, allowing you to create a playlist tailored to your specific requirements.
Overcast has excellent sound quality, so you can hear your favorite artists’ conversations clearly. The sound quality is maintained even in noisy environments, giving you a lot of freedom in where you listen. Its download feature gives you even more control by allowing you to download podcasts for offline use, allowing you to listen while commuting, working out, or even on vacation without worrying about internet access. Furthermore, the app is CarPlay compatible and works on other iOS devices to provide a unified experience.
3. iCatcher! Podcast Player
Developer: Joe Graf
Cost: Free (Offers In-App Purchases)
App Store rating: 4.7 from 1.4K Ratings
Another excellent Podcast app option is iCatcher! It is unquestionably accessible. When I discovered iCatcher, I was looking for a few specific features in a podcast app. I wanted to be able to search the app for new and interesting podcasts. I wanted to be able to create a playlist of episodes and control whether or not podcasts I subscribe to automatically download. Finally, I knew I wanted a podcast app that I could use on a regular basis without becoming overwhelmed by the amount of downloaded content. What I didn’t expect to find was an app that easily met all of these criteria and more, raising my expectations of all podcast apps in general.
In short, iCatcher allows you to use your podcast app however you want. The settings are so extensive that it doesn’t look much different from the iPhone’s general Settings app. Fortunately, iCatcher devotes an entire tab to its Help section. I highly recommend reading the Getting Started section under the Help tab. I’ve only been using the app for about a month, but I’m constantly discovering new features and ways to personalize it. It’s incredible.
4. Downcast
Developer: Jamawkinaw Enterprises LLC
Cost: Free (Offers In-App Purchases)
App Store rating: 4.3 from 2.2K Ratings
If you’re looking for power and functionality in a podcast app, Downcast could be your new best friend. It’s extremely adaptable to your podcast listening needs, but it’s not going to win any beauty contests.
Downcast includes support for video podcasts, which is one of its many advantages (not all podcast apps do). If you use Downcast on your iPhone, your subscriptions, playlists, settings, and episode information are synced across all devices via iCloud.
It’s simple to find your favorite podcasts and discover new ones in Downcast. You can also add private feeds using a URL, even if they are password-protected. Downcast gives users a plethora of options for creating smart and custom playlists, and you can set different preferences for each podcast you subscribe to or download.
Even though Downcast lacks cool features like Trim Silence or Voice Boost, there are some great things about playback in the app. Playback can be up to three times faster than normal, there is chapter support, external device playback control, the ability to view embedded images, and much more.
Whatever you’re looking for in a podcast app, Downcast is likely to have it. It’s not the prettiest thing to look at, but you’ll be listening rather than looking at it, right?
5. Stitcher for Podcasts
Developer: Stitcher, Inc.
Cost: Free (Offers In-App Purchases)
App Store rating: 4.8 from 5.2K Ratings
Stitcher may be for you if you want an easy-to-use and well-organized podcast app. It has some of the best filters and sorting tools, allowing you to create playlists that are tailored to your specific requirements. You can play around with a variety of settings to further personalize your listening experience, giving you complete control over your listening experience. To find new podcasts based on your interests, you can set a sleep timer, connect to external speakers, and receive expert-curated recommendations.
Consider subscribing to Stitcher Premium if you want to enjoy even more benefits. Subscribers can enjoy exclusive episodes and bonus content from their favorite creators for just $5 per month. Some shows, like Apple Podcasts, require a subscription, so if you want to listen to the entire library, you must pay. In addition to exclusive content, subscribers receive ad-free listening and fun giveaways.
6. Podcast App
Developer: Evolve Global, Inc.
Cost: Free (Offers In-App Purchases)
App Store rating: 4.8 from 230.8K Ratings
Get access to millions of podcasts and any curiosity on-demand with the Podcast App. In your spare time, sharpen your skills with free and easy access to millions of shows. Begin feeding all of your interests, from news and comedy to true crime, sports, and everything in between.
In less than 10 seconds, you can find something new to listen to. It’s simple to find the perfect show or episode for your mood with our endless personalized recommendations, interest categories, and powerful search and filters. Pick up where you left off, speed it up or rewind 10 seconds, and track your listening history. We give you the tools you need to reclaim your time and make the world of podcasts your own. It’s time to stop scrolling and start listening.
7. Castbox
Developer: Guru Network Limited
Cost: Free (Offers In-App Purchases)
App Store rating: 4.8 from 98.6K Ratings
Castbox has a little bit of everything. Popular podcasts, audiobooks, FM radio, white noise, and guided meditations are all available. You can create a playlist for the entire day by combining different types of content. This is ideal for listeners who enjoy having music playing in the background while going about their daily activities. Castbox, like other apps, provides personalized recommendations, extensive playlists, and customizable playback settings.
What distinguishes it is its compatibility with CarPlay. This way, you can listen to your favorite podcasts wherever you go. Another great feature is the app’s ability to search for keywords within podcast audio, which allows you to find niche podcast episodes even if the keywords aren’t mentioned in the title or description. We also enjoy the app’s social features. Listeners can leave comments on episodes they’re watching, and hosts can choose to respond in order to build a relationship.
Castbox also offers a premium subscription with ad-free listening. Free users are limited to 100 subscriptions, whereas subscribers can have an unlimited number of subscriptions. They also appreciate more advanced playback settings for the best listening experience possible.
8. Podbean Podcast App & Player
Developer: Podbean Tech LLC
Cost: Free (Offers In-App Purchases)
App Store rating: 4.8 from 37.8K Ratings
Podbean is a simple podcast app with useful features that enhance the user experience. It makes making playlists very simple, and if you forget to make a playlist, it saves your listen-to history so you can go back to it later. You can also arrange your favorite podcasts in chronological order by customizing your playlist. Podbean has many free features, such as “Playback Effects,” which allow you to change the speed or volume of all podcasts. If you want even more advanced features, you can upgrade to premium, which allows you to set specific speeds and volumes for specific podcasts.
If you’re looking for a podcast app that allows you to not only listen to podcasts but also create your own, Podbean is the app for you. Podbean allows you to create and upload your own podcasts while also earning money from them. It has a one-of-a-kind live audio streaming option that allows users to connect with their favorite podcast while it is being recorded. You can leave comments on podcasts and communicate with your favorite podcaster. This feature unquestionably distinguishes Podbean from the competition.
9. PodCruncher Podcast Player
Developer: Obsessive Coders, Inc.
Cost: $2.99
App Store rating: 4.7 from 5.5K Ratings
Podcruncher isn’t flashy or overly concerned with the design, but its basic interface and features are compelling enough to warrant a closer look. The app appears to prioritize usability over the interface, as it includes “pro” features like playlist support (with several built-in smart playlists) and the ability to configure show-specific as well as global settings. The app’s navigation method of swipes, taps, and gestures isn’t the most intuitive, but the option to “show hints” is readily available. Podcruncher could become a top podcast destination if it improves its interface and adds the ability to view show notes from within the app.
10. Breaker—The social podcast
Developer: Maple Media, LLC
Cost: Free (Offers In-App Purchases)
App Store rating: 4.7 from 4.7K Ratings
Breaker is one of the more innovative podcast apps I’ve used, and many apps could benefit from learning how to integrate social functionality into their existing apps. We’re missing a social aspect to podcast listening, as I mentioned earlier with Apple Podcasts. You can follow friends on Breaker to see what they’re listening to, new shows they’ve subscribed to, and shows they “favorite.” You can also leave comments on shows you watch, which your friends can see. It will also show you episodes that have received a lot of attention.
If you’re a podcaster, you can even “claim” your show so that people who listen to it can “follow” you and engage with you further. This, in my opinion, is an excellent way to expand the community. Breaker also allows podcast hosts to generate revenue from their podcasts within the app.
The overall design of Breaker is lovely. I really like how everything is laid out. It appears to be a contemporary reimagining of what a podcast app should look like. It includes playback speeds of up to 3x and the ability to “skip silences” to speed up shows.
Wrap It Up!
Overall, there are numerous excellent podcast app options. Use Apple Podcasts if you want the standard Apple experience. Breaker is the best app if you want social features. Overcast is unquestionably the best overall audio experience available.
So, which podcast app for iPhone is the best? Overcast is my favorite, but I switch between them all to learn about new features. They have the most power-user features, and I am a power user. Breaker has unique social features that no other app has. There are options for every user type. If you’re not satisfied with Apple Podcasts, look into the alternatives. Which ones are your favorites? Please let me know in the comments section below.
