Tired of Apple Podcasts? Here Are 8 Alternatives You Need to Try
Credit: Primakov
Podcasts have become incredibly popular over the years. What was once something of a niche for tech enthusiasts has blossomed into thousands of podcasts available to fit your every need.
Whether you want to listen to politics, science, marketing, or even competitive Pokemon, there's a podcast out there for you.
Of course, in order for you to listen to them, you need to have the right app for the job. Most people start with Apple Podcasts, as that's the easiest option for iPhone users and comes built into your iPhone.
While Apple Podcasts is great, it's far from perfect. If it's not working for you, or you simply want to try something with more features and customizable settings, the good news is that there are plenty of other options on the App Store.
If you're not sure where to start, read on for the 8 best alternatives to Apple Podcasts.
Overcast
Overcast is considered one of the best podcast apps for iPhone and iPad, and there's a reason for that.
Not only can you access all of your favorite podcasts for free, but it also comes with many extra features to make the experience of finding your playlists and episodes even faster.
Overcast also comes with unique features to make the sound of voices louder without any distortion or a way to speed up podcasts so you can listen to more in less time. It even comes with its own Apple Watch app, making it easier to listen to any episode without your iPhone.
Spotify - Music and Podcasts
Spotify is the perfect alternative for both Apple Music and Apple Podcasts. Not only can you find millions of songs in just a few taps, but there are also hundreds of thousands of podcasts you can access just as easily.
Whether you want to listen to a documentary, a sci-fi story, or just a few people hanging around and chatting, Spotify has everything you need and more.
What's great about Spotify is that it now allows creators to add video to their episodes, so you can watch and listen to any podcasts without having to go to YouTube or any other platform.
Granted, if you want the full experience, you'll need to consider subscribing to Spotify Premium. But if you're already subscribed, you'll have access to countless podcast episodes and songs both offline and online.
Pocket Casts: Podcast Player
If you're looking for a podcast app that does most of the heavy lifting for you, Pocket Casts might be the best option.
Besides having access to all of your favorite podcasts, the Pocket Casts app comes with amazing features to make your experience even better.
For starters, the app lets you filter episodes automatically so you can get the right podcasts for your specific mood. Moreover, you can create your playlists on your iPhone and sync them across devices, so you never have to touch them again.
It also comes with some cool features, like the ability to trim silence so you don't have to sit through the awkward silence in a conversation and can actually finish the episode faster.
You can also automatically download any new episode, so they're ready when you need to go out. And if you love listening to podcasts while driving, Pocket Casts comes with a CarPlay app to make it easier to listen to and control your playlists.
Castro Podcast Player
Another great Apple Podcast alternative is called Castro. This app is simple, has a sleek design, and is packed with features you never knew you needed.
For instance, the app's Queue feature lets you automatically check all the new episodes that were uploaded. If you don't want to listen to one of them, simply remove it, and you can listen to all of the podcasts you're subscribed to.
Castro also offers the ability to trim silence, enhance audio so you can always hear what people are saying, and change your settings so you find the perfect speed and sound quality to fit your needs.
Castro features hundreds of different podcasts right off the bat, but if you can't find the podcasts you love or simply want to listen to something different, you also have the ability to import your own MP3 files into the app so you can listen to them whenever you want.
Breaker—The social podcast app
Breaker is a different kind of podcast app. Instead of just listening to your favorite shows, you also have the ability to share the experience with your friends.
With Breaker, you can share or get recommendations from others, so you know what your friends are listening to. Plus, you can also chat and send comments inside the app to let other people know what you think of a specific podcast or episode.
Besides being a social app, you also get a bunch of unique features. For instance, you can also watch videos or even listen to audiobooks.
There's also a Space Saver feature, which lets you compress all your downloaded episodes so you don't run out of storage while still being able to listen to them offline.
Downcast
Downcast is a pretty great app if you don't just listen to your podcasts on your iPhone. Besides being able to start listening on one device, you can also sync all your subscriptions, playlists, and settings with iCloud, making it easier to download the app and start using it once you've set it up.
You also get a ton of features for your subscriptions and for when you're listening to your favorite podcasts. For instance, you can turn on auto download so Downcast downloads new episodes automatically or create smart playlists, so the app can automatically select what it thinks you're going to love listening to.
The app also comes with different playback speeds, a sleep timer, and CarPlay support to listen to any podcast on the road.
Podcast App & Player - Castbox
Castbox is an app that has been around for quite some time now, and there's a reason for that. With all the features and content available, this app will be the perfect Apple Podcasts alternative for you.
First, you have access to a lot of content. Not just podcasts, but you can also find audiobooks, radio stations, and even white noise. That's right. If you don't like falling asleep to your favorite podcasts, you can just set a white noise with Castbox and fall asleep to the relaxing sound of the forest.
Besides having access to any podcasts you want, you'll also be able to get your news updates from Castbox. You'll find podcasts from CNN, Fox News, and The Seattle Times.
And once you're done with the news, you'll find amazing talk shows, educational podcasts, or even sports podcasts to know what people think of the upcoming game.
Player FM — Podcast App
Despite the name, Player FM is one of the best podcast apps on the App Store, and you won't regret using it.
In case you were wondering, Player FM doesn't give you access to FM radio stations. Instead, this app focuses solely on podcasts. You'll be able to find any podcasts you can think of or explore from a bunch of different categories.
For instance, you can catch trending topics and videos with just a few taps. Or search for your favorite shows and create personalized playlists to listen to.
Besides podcasts, you can also find videos, audiobooks, and documentation; some of them will be available for free.
As for features, you'll love the ability to customize the app with any colors and theme you want. You can also download all your content to take with you on the go.
And if you want to go to bed, Player FM comes with relaxing sounds and noises to help you fall asleep. There's also a sleep timer, so you don't keep the episode playing when you aren't even listening.