Podcasts are growing in popularity because people love on-demand audio content. Covering many topics, podcasts offer an easy way to listen while fitting into your daily routine. The convenience of using mobile devices, smart speakers, and the ability to listen anywhere have made podcasts a big part of modern media.
For that, choosing the right podcast app is important. A good app helps you find and organize your favorite shows, download episodes for offline listening, and get personalized recommendations.
Today, we will recommend you the best podcast apps for Android and iOS for you to check out.
In this article
Part 1. Best Android and iOS Apps to Listen to Podcasts
To get the most out of the audio experience, having the right app is essential. There are many apps available for Android and iOS that cater to different preferences and enhance the podcast listening experience. This section will shortlist the best podcast apps for Android and iOS for you.
Spotify
Spotify, known primarily as a music streaming service, has expanded to become one of the best podcast apps on Android or iOS for podcast listeners. The app offers an extensive library of podcasts spanning a variety of topics. Spotify's algorithm also recommends new podcasts based on your listening habits, so you can discover new content that suits your tastes.
Key features:
- Seamless integration of both music and podcasts in one platform.
- The app also allows offline downloads, personalized playlists, and the option to share podcasts with friends or on social media.
- Cross-device synchronization ensures that you can pick up where you left off, whether on your phone, computer, or smart speaker.
Pricing plan
Spotify offers a free version, and Spotify Premium starts at $11.99/month.
Availability: iOS/Android
YouTube Music
YouTube Music, originally designed as a music streaming platform, but now they offer podcasts as well. It's a versatile option for listening to music or podcast content. The intuitive interface allows you to easily search, subscribe, and organize your favorite podcasts alongside your music library.
Key features:
- The podcast is available in both audio and video formats, you can experience mixed media at once.
- The app also allows background play for podcasts. You can listen while using other apps.
- You can download episodes for offline listening, adjust playback speed, and enjoy personalized recommendations.
Pricing plan
- YouTube Music offers a free version, for the Premium Plan
- Individual: $10.99/month
- Family: $16.99/month
Availability: iOS/Android
DoggCatcher
For those of you Android users who are looking for the best podcast app for Android, DoggCatcher might be the answer. Known for its versatility and extensive feature set, it allows you to subscribe to, download, and manage both audio and video podcasts.
Key features:
- DoggCatcher supports automatic updates, meaning your podcast library stays current without needing to manually check for new episodes.
- It can import podcast feeds via URLs, making it a great choice for both casual listeners and podcast enthusiasts.
Pricing plan
Doggcatcher is available for a one-time fee of $2.99.
Availability: Only Android
Pocket Casts
Pocket Casts is a podcast app for both casual listeners and podcast enthusiasts available on both iOS and Android. It offers a seamless experience for discovering, managing, and listening to podcasts across a range of devices.
Key features:
- The app allows users to explore trending shows, browse curated recommendations, and search for specific topics or creators.
- Pocket Casts provides detailed playback customization, like skipping silences and volume boosting.
- Pocket Casts support variable playback speeds.
Pricing plan
The Plus plan starts at $4.43/month and $44.39/year.
Availability: iOS/Android
Downcast
Downcast is one of the best iOS podcast apps. It's known for its strong customization options, allowing users to easily find, download, and organize audio and video podcasts. Downcast offers a clean and intuitive interface. It makes it easy to manage podcast subscriptions, create playlists, and set custom settings for individual podcasts.
Key features:
- The app allows you to adjust playback speed, skip forward or backward by set intervals, and set sleep timers.
- The cloud synchronization feature of the app allows users to sync their subscriptions and listening progress across devices, including Macs.
- Downcast supports offline listening, automatic episode downloads, and streaming episodes directly without downloading.
Pricing plan
The downcast app price is $2.99 on the iOS App Store.
Availability: iOS
Part 2. Comparing the Best Podcast Apps
Podcast Apps | Customization Option | Offline Mode | Pricing Range | Availability |
Spotify | Basic, playlists, and episode sorting; cross-device sync. | Yes, with Premium. | $5.99/month - $19.99/month. | iOS, Android, Desktop, and Smart TVs. |
YouTube Music | Custom playlists, cross-device sync, video/audio switching. | Yes, with Premium. | $9.99/month | iOS, Android, Desktop. |
DoggCatcher | Customizable interface, automatic updates, and storage organization. | Available | $2.99/one-time fee. | Android |
Pocket Casts | Smart playlists, episode filters, dark mode, variable playback speeds. | Available | $4.43/month and $44.39/year. | iOS, Android, Desktop. |
Downcast | Customizable playback, playlists, feed import/export, skip intervals. | Available | $2.99/one-time fee. | iOS, Mac. |
The five best Android and iOS podcast apps above all have various strengths and prices. Downcast is a great option for iOS users seeking customization and a one-time payment model. For Android users, DoggCatcher is a strong contender. If you're looking for an app combining music and podcasts, Spotify or YouTube Music with Premium might be your best bet. For its wide availability and deep customization, Pocket Casts stands out as the most cross-platform solution.
Filmora for Mobile Filmora for Mobile Filmora for Mobile Filmora for Mobile Filmora for Mobile
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Bonus: Record and Create Your Own Podcast with All-in-One Software: Filmora
Many podcast apps allow you to create and upload your own podcasts, but the process and features vary by platform. If you plan to start a podcast, understanding which platforms support content creators directly and how to upload your episodes is essential. In this section, we will explore how you can create and upload your podcasts easily. If you're looking for an all-in-one solution to create and upload your podcast seamlessly. Wondershare Filmora offers a comprehensive approach to podcast creation. It's suitable if you're just starting. Filmora offers a comprehensive approach to podcast creation. Besides recording, you can also edit and enhance your podcast.
Whether you're recording voiceovers, adding background music, or applying audio effects, Filmora ensures you have everything you need to produce high-quality podcasts in one place.
Step by step how to record a voiceover on Filmora mobile:
Step 1. Download Wondershare Filmora on your mobile (available for Android or iOS)
Step 2. Once the app is installed, open Filmora and tap the New Project button in the home menu to start creating your podcast.
Step 3. Tap a video clip or image to select it and click the Import button to add it to the Timeline. You can also include clips for your podcast, customize it to suit your needs and creations.
Step 4. To start recording your podcast, tap the Audio button toolbar at the bottom.
Then find the Record option and tap on it.
Step 5. Click the Record icon button in the middle and start speaking into your mobile device's microphone. You can easily record audio for your podcast without needing an external recording device.
Step 6. Once you have finished podcast recording, tap the red button again to stop recording the voiceover. Then, add voiceover to your podcast clips by clicking the Checkmark button.
Step 7. You can give your podcast a unique twist by applying audio effects by tapping the Voice Effect button. Select one of the available voice effects that suit your preference.
Conclusion
Choosing the best podcast app for Android or iOS to get the best podcast listening experience is quite tricky. Here we have summarized the 5 best podcast apps that you can try.
If you are interested in creating and uploading your own podcast, Wondershare Filmora is your go-to podcast editing app for your podcast creation. You can also enhance the voice as you like.