They say video killed radio, and that was certainly true in the early 80s, when we got rid of our radios and became addicted to TV. Thirty years later, radio was reborn in the form of podcasts.
Podcasting became popular in late 2004, but it took ten years for it to become mainstream, with the successful podcast series of 2014. We’ve analyzed the best apps on the market to find the perfect one for podcast lovers, but what’s the real difference between each one, and how do you choose the best one for you?
Free Apps
If you’re on a budget and can’t afford to pay for your podcast addiction, try Stitcher Radio. This on-demand radio service focuses on news, informational programs, and podcasts, and is available for Android and iOS. While free, Stitcher Radio includes ads, but it still features some of the biggest names in podcasting. Founded in 2008, the company has received critical acclaim and been named one of TechCrunch’s top 20 apps. The app lets you access news while you’re online, and if you have specific interests, you can set up notifications on your device. The app lets you create your own stations and playlists for any occasion.
Another free app, Overcast, is easy to use and has an intuitive interface. It’s great and perfect for the casual listener. It’s only available for iOS; you can download it on your iPhone, iPad, and Apple Watch. There are a lot of great features, like Smart Speed, that prevent long pauses in the radio, saving you valuable time and ensuring a seamless listening experience. Voice Boost ensures that you hear all programs at the same volume, so you don’t have to waste time constantly adjusting it. You can also create smart playlists with filters, priorities, and sorting rules. Another useful feature is that Overcast lets you stream episodes if you prefer not to download them, which is a plus for those with limited storage space on their devices.
Seamless User-Friendly Interface
If you value intuitive and attractive interfaces, there are several great apps that will meet your needs. Pocket Casts is a great way to find and download popular podcasts. Available for $3.99 on Android and iOS, it has a modern interface and is technologically advanced, allowing you to sync your subscriptions and preferences across all your devices. Additional settings let you manage your download preferences, which is useful when you have limited data. Pocket Casts offers both audio and video podcasts, and you can easily search for new ones. There are trending, featured, and most popular podcast tabs, as well as a search box so users can find specific shows. The $3.99 download price is a one-time payment, so once you download the app, you’ll have full access to features like volume boost, which increases the volume of the playback without changing your device’s volume.
The BeyondPod app is known for its impressive interface and wide selection of podcasts. It’s free on Android in its basic version, but costs $6.99 for a premium version that includes a range of audio settings. You can configure the app to schedule new podcasts to download at the most convenient time for you so you don’t miss an episode of your favorite shows. You also have access to smart playlists, which let you create a queue of shows in the order that best suits your lifestyle. So, if you want to listen to them before bed, you can set the app to stop playing after a predetermined time or automatically delete episodes once they’ve finished playing.
For the Apple Lovers
If you’re a loyal Apple fan, the Downcast app offers excellent features and download options for your iPhone. It features a sleek interface and unique features to enhance your download experience. The app lets you search for and subscribe to audio and video podcasts. If you subscribe to an episode, the app automatically adds the latest episode to your playlist. You also have the option to download the latest episodes or mark new ones for streaming, saving space instead of downloading them. One of the most valuable features is gesture support, which is very useful if you’re looking for alternatives. Whether you’re on the go or in bed, you can use gestures to change playback, skip forward or backward in a podcast, and mark an episode as played or unplayed.
If you’re just getting started with podcasts, Castro ($4.99 for iOS) is a good option. It’s also useful if you don’t have a lot of podcasts to keep. iCatcher offers continuous playback, various data management settings, a sleep timer, and gestures that make it easy to control it from anywhere. It also lets you avoid downloading and streaming podcasts, which is useful if you don’t have much storage space on your device. The app has a simple interface with a night mode.
As you may already know, iCatcher is another podcast app for iPhone. It syncs podcasts and is a more affordable alternative for all your Apple devices, priced at $1.99, making it a more budget-friendly option. iCatcher has an intuitive interface for searching for podcasts, and its ease of use allows you to discover hidden gems. It offers playback features that other podcasters don’t have, such as playback at four different speeds. It also supports both large and small podcasts.
For the Die-Hard Android User
If you don’t like Apple products, the DoggCatcher podcast app might be for you. Available exclusively on Android for just $2.99, the app lets you easily search for new podcasts, which are divided into three sections: audio, video, and news. The app has been around for a while, which speaks to its popularity. Some of its great features include the ability to adjust the size of the audio player and a handy sleep timer, which is perfect if you like to fall asleep while listening. The app also lets you control the playback speed. It has no in-app purchases, so for $2.99, you’re getting a great deal.
Another great app for Android users is Podcast & Radio Addict, which is completely free. It’s compatible with Pebble, Android, and Android Auto devices. It lets you listen to audio and video podcasts, as well as your favorite radio stations, making it a great choice if you’re a radio fan.
If you like this completely free app, then this is for you. This app includes your favorite podcasts, integrated with a radio player. It also connects to the Google Play Store, so it can be activated by voice, which is a big plus if you’re often busy.
Technology is booming. Each of the apps mentioned has competitive features that will likely meet your expectations, no matter which one you choose. Whether you’re an Apple or Android user, the prices are low enough to not strain your budget, and you’ll also have access to a huge library of podcasts and shows.
