These Are the Best Podcast Apps to Use in 2024
Google is shutting down Google Podcasts in April 2024, adding the app to the pile of dead Google services and leaving many Android users without the standard podcast experience they’re used to. Not that iOS users are doing much better. Apple Podcasts has been an unbearable mess since iOS 14, and even the latest iOS 17 updates have done little to fix its lackluster user experience.
Luckily, podcasts are hugely popular, and as a result, there are more podcast executives working on Android and iOS than ever before. I have a couple clear recommendations for the best podcast management apps for your mobile devices, as well as a few fallback suggestions for those looking for a newer podcast app.
Pocket Casts is the best podcast app
Platforms: free on iOS and Android; Plus subscription ($1/month or $10/year) on iOS, Apple Watch, Android, Mac, Windows, and web.
Pocket Casts combines almost all the useful features found in almost all other podcast managers, plus many unique features. The app also provides them through a user-friendly interface that is easy to use and, best of all, free.
Some of the standout features include audio enhancement capabilities: built-in “volume up” lets you hear people’s voices better while reducing background music or noise; “cut pause” – cut off long pauses; and you can adjust the playback speed from 0.5x to 3x (and it doesn’t affect the pitch of your voice).
Pocket Casts users can sync their subscriptions and playback position across multiple devices, and the app has robust new podcast discovery capabilities (including the ability to search by episode), so you can find all the podcasts that discuss a specific topic and view your listening history. You can also play third-party media stored on your device and set sleep timers that will pause the podcast when you listen to it before bed.
Although the free version is packed with features, it is not perfect. For example, the playlist and filter options could be more robust. You can choose to queue a playlist or filter your podcast subscriptions and list of downloaded episodes using a small set of preset categories, but you can’t sort your subscriptions by topic or create your own self-updating playlists. Considering the number of features Pocket Casts has, it seems strange that it lacks such a setting.
Despite this annoying issue, I like the look and feel of Pocket Casts. Not only does the app cover all the bases, but it also has several customizable gesture options (like setting a swipe left to archive episodes) and even a dark theme.
The free version of Pocket Casts is available for Android and iOS and includes all the features I’ve discussed so far, but there’s also a premium option, Pocket Casts Plus, if you want access to more features and wider device support. For $4 per month or $40 per year, Plus subscribers get access to Mac, Windows, web and offline versions of Pocket Casts for Apple Watch, plus 10GB of cloud storage that can be accessed across all your connected devices.
Best of the Rest
While PocketCasts remains my recommendation for both Android and iOS, I’ve developed several alternatives that deserve recognition for their reliability and features in case PocketCasts doesn’t meet your needs. I’ve included both Android and iOS apps, although some are only available on one platform.
Procast (Android/iOS)
Procast, a relative newcomer to the field, is a great choice if you like to tweet or share your thoughts about your favorite shows. The built-in clip feature lets you cut a portion of your podcast to complement a tweet or text. It also has a handy swipe to inbox feature that lets you add episodes to your queue with a simple swipe. Procast is a reliable choice for iOS and Android users.
Cloudy (iOS)
Overcast is an iOS exclusive app that comes with a ton of features, including Apple Watch support. You get playback controls like adjustable playback speed, audio boost, and automatic silence trimming, and the app automatically holds your seat when you stop listening midway. Overcast also lets you create your own playlists in a couple of taps, or listen to every podcast you download in a continuous stream. There are also useful quality-of-life options, such as the ability to add Siri shortcuts and customize controls for your headphones, remote control, and car dashboard. The main drawbacks are the meager ability to search for new shows, and the free version is ad-supported, but you can pay $10 a year to remove them and unlock other features like sideloading audio files saved on your iPhone. You can download Overcast from the iOS App Store .
Podcast Junkie (Android)
Podcast Addict is a free Android app with convenient features like custom playlists and unique listening preferences for each podcast. You can also prioritize your favorite shows and even rate and review episodes in the app, just like Apple Podcasts. In addition to the millions of podcasts available in the app, Podcast Addict also includes over 120,000 radio stations and over 20,000 audiobooks. It also supports Android Auto and Chromecast. The free version displays ads (a simple banner ad on certain screens), while the premium version costs $1 per month or $10 per year and provides additional features such as a playlist widget and additional app themes. You can download Podcast Addict from the Google Play Store .