I’m going to go out on a limb and assume you’ve been on the internet before. If so, you’ve likely stumbled upon a podcast or two. There are almost 5 million of them out there, after all.
The problem isn’t finding a podcast, though—it’s finding the best way to listen in. While Apple and Spotify have made a big push into the space, and their apps are perfectly serviceable, they’re not always the best fit for power users or people who just want a clean, no-nonsense experience. The good news? There are other options, and you don’t have to pay a dime to access them.
Here are five fantastic, and completely free, podcast apps for iOS and Android.
Pocket Casts: Cross-platform king
If you ask a podcast aficionado for a recommendation, there’s a good chance they’ll say Pocket Casts.
And for good reason. It’s got a clean, intuitive interface that makes managing your subscriptions a breeze. The free version offers all the essentials you need, including variable speed controls, silence trimming, and a volume-boost feature to level out inconsistent audio.
Better yet, it syncs your listening progress across iOS, Android, and the web, which is a big deal if you like to jump between your phone and your computer.
There is also a premium version, Pocket Casts Plus, which costs $40 per year. With it, you get some power-user features like folders to organize your shows, a shuffle feature for your “Up Next” queue, bookmarks, access to a variety of themes and app icons, and some cloud storage for your own audio files.
Overcast: iOS app makes podcasts sound better
If you’re looking for something that’s equal parts simple and fully featured, Overcast is a must-try.
Developed by Marco Arment, this iOS app includes features such as “Smart Speed,” which shortens silences dynamically without distorting the audio, and “Voice Boost,” which normalizes and enhances volume across all your shows.
The free version has some light, unobtrusive ads, but if you want to get rid of the ads and support the developer, a premium subscription costs just $15 per year. With that subscription, you also get the ability to upload audio files to your own private feed.
Podcast Addict: Android powerhouse
For Android users, Podcast Addict is an absolute beast.
It’s a feature-rich, highly customizable app that gives you an almost overwhelming amount of control over your listening experience. You can manage podcasts, audiobooks, live radio, YouTube channels, and RSS news feeds all in one place.
While its interface can be a bit busy, it’s a great choice if you’re a tinkerer who likes to fine-tune every detail. For the sheer number of features you get for free, it’s tough to beat.
The premium version, which removes all ads, starts at 99 cents per month and grants you access to some extra customization options like different app themes, a custom opening screen, and a playlist widget.
Castbox: Smart recommendations
If you’re looking for your next podcast obsession, Castbox is a great place to start.
Its AI-powered recommendation engine does a surprisingly good job of serving up new shows based on your listening history. It’s a solid, all-around player with a large library, and it also includes some nifty features like in-audio search, which lets you find specific keywords within an episode. It’s available on both iOS and Android and provides a smooth, modern experience.
Castbox Premium starts at 99 cents per month and gets rid of all the visual ads and video ads that play when you launch the app. It also gives you unlimited subscriptions (the free version limits you to 100 channels), a personalized homepage, and advanced playback settings that can be customized for each individual podcast.
AntennaPod: Android’s minimalist, open-source choice
If you’re looking for a no-frills, ad-free experience, AntennaPod is a fantastic option for Android users.
It’s a lightweight app with a clean interface that focuses on the core task of listening to podcasts. There aren’t a ton of fancy discovery tools, but if you already know what you want to listen to and just need a simple, reliable way to manage and play your episodes, AntennaPod gets the job done.
AntennaPod is unique on this list because it’s a completely free and open-source project, which means it doesn’t have a paid version or any in-app purchases.
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