0 . 43 of the best podcasts for curious minds Our pick of the best podcasts on Spotify, Apple Podcasts and more covering technology, culture, science, politics and new ideas By WIRED Pausing and picking up an episode exactly where you left off between phones, tablets and PCs provides unmatched flexibility. The 50 Best Podcasts of 2019. One of the best podcast apps for iPhone , Castro Podcasts ( iOS ) helps you stay on top of all your favorite podcasts by sending them to your inbox, putting them … Whether they’re a labor of love or a core pillar of a media company, podcasts have become a staple of our daily lives. You pay once for the apps and own them forever with no subscription fees. Castro is a free iOS podcast app that is fairly average if you use the free version. This iOS exclusive app is little more than your standard podcast player at the free tier, but upgrading to Castro Plus opens up its best tool: Sideload. There's a great list view of shows that you've either subscribed to or downloaded that gives you details such as how many episodes are in your queue, when the most recent episode debuted, and an icon indicating if you are not subscribed to automatically download the next release. Overcast is possibly the most popular podcasting app on the App Store. Player FM is the multiplatform podcast app that allows you to manage and play your podcasts on the web, your phone, and watch devices for both Android and iOS. Apple Podcasts comes pre-installed on all iOS devices while Google Podcasts is quite easy to add to the suite of Google apps standard on Android devices. Its UI is pretty outdated by 2019 standards, but it sacrifices good looks for power. You may unsubscribe from the newsletters at any time. We put together a list of our staff's favorite shows across eight different categories, such as Comedy, Informative, and News & Politics.If you're thinking about creating your own podcast, you might want to read our reviews of the best USB microphones to make sure you get the best possible sound. It offers playback customization that allows you to pick the point at which you want to start the episode. Podcasting is celebrated for its accessibility, and those in the industry point to Luminary’s business model as terrible for the medium. It wants to be your media hub. Price: Free; Premium from $9.99 per month. The app is entirely free to download and use with no upsell. Here are the best podcast listening apps for consuming your favorite audio shows, organizing episodes into playlists, and getting new podcast recommendations. About 40 shows are scheduled to appear this year, including Hear to Slay with Roxane Gay and Tressie McMillan Cottom and The Axe Files with David Axelrod (I'm curious who insisted on that groan-worthy pun). Stitcher is one of the better known podcast apps on the market outside of those bearing their platform’s name. Its perfectly serviceable but unimpressive without its original productions. For years and years, Podcast Addict has been one of the most popular podcast apps on the Play Store. It's easy to subscribe to podcasts, whether you browse or search for them or add them via a URL feed. Castbox is also compatible with Amazon Alexa, Apple Watch, CarPlay, Google Home, and Android Auto. Downcast is among the best podcast apps for iPhones and Macs. You pay once for the apps and own them forever with no subscription fees. The rest of Castro's features are average, including a button that trims dead air from your listening experience, a voice booster setting, the ability to customize settings for each show in your feed, and a dark mode. In addition to being one of the best music streaming services, Spotify is also a podcast player. You can use the free versions to check if the specific podcasts you want are available on each specific app. The free version of the app contains ads and has such significant feature limitations that I don't recommend using the app unless you're willing to pay $9.99 per year for Premium. Our expert industry analysis and practical solutions help you make better buying decisions and get more from technology. Overcast is similar to Castro is a few ways. The real value for either comes in the form of convenience and cost. When it comes to syncing across devices, Pocket Casts and Spotify are your best options. © 1996-2021 Ziff Davis, LLC. Christine Chan. Especially when compared to the importance Castbox prescribes to finding new programs. The display of third-party trademarks and trade names on this site does not necessarily indicate any affiliation or the endorsement of PCMag. If you previously purchased the mobile apps, you won't experience any changes, and anyone who bought the desktop apps will get lifetime access to Plus for free. Big ears The best podcasts of 2019. It keeps some of its content reserved for Premium members only, like Maria Bamford: 20%. Co-host of the Mr. Videogames Super Show podcast. Coupling that collection of shows with the ridiculous amount of music available to both free and premium subscribers turns the app into even more of a one-stop shop for all things audio. PCMag Digital Group. Setting aside the creator arm for a moment, the podcast player is free, and you can get it on Android, iOS, and the web. The app is exclusive to Apple devices and resembles little more than the standard outside of one valuable tool. Maybe that is why the podcast is rapidly growing in popularity. If you love podcasts, it's worth upgrading from your phone's built-in app. You can also connect it to Amazon Alexa to play podcasts through an Echo speaker. Its main unique feature is the ability to sync files between devices via the cloud. Podcast Addict is truly one of the best podcast apps available on the Android platform. Pocket Casts is simply the best at providing a streamlined, intuitive interface to collect and enjoy podcasts. They can automatically download new episodes, manage your playlists, and suggest new shows you might find interesting. Most apps have an audio boost feature that automatically enriches human voices. If you're an Apple-only user and don't need a web app, Downcast is one of the best podcast apps for you. Here are the 5 best podcast apps right now. Created by Marco Arment, Overcast is an app which is always on the front of podcast technology. Luminosity collects plenty of shows for free, but its exclusive library is where it’s shaking things up. Downcast is among the best podcast apps for iPhones and Macs. We actually submit Podcast.co users podcasts to a few of these directories for free. 30 Jul 2019 1 Do you love listening to podcasts on your commute, or just as some background entertainment while at home? Much like our previous entry, Spotify is great for those valuing convenience over innovation. Radio Public This best free podcast app runs on both iOS and Android platforms. Best podcast apps for iPhone and iPad in 2019 Podcasts are great, but finding the right podcast app for your needs can be overwhelming. Podcast Addict is one of the most popular free podcast apps. It also works with Apple Watch and CarPlay. A Premium membership costs $4.99 per month or $34.99 for a year. The effect is not dissimilar from the mood of a meditation app, but one that delivers thought-provoking stories as well as relaxation. The format allows pretty much anyone to put together a program about literally anything, with the opportunity to make it as entertaining and educational as they can. Some of the hit shows on its roster include Freakonomics Radio and Levar Burton Reads. Pocket Casts used to cost about $4 to download the mobile app and another $9 for desktop apps, but now anyone can use the mobile apps for free. She writes the Get Organized column, with tips on how to lead a better digital life. While multiple apps include their own version of Sideload, Overcast’s clip sharing feature is unique to the program. It supports video and audio podcasts, plus you can stream or download the episodes you want. The service provides hosting, routes to monetization and in-app marketing to help even the smallest creators get a leg up in a flooded market. Having tested around 25 podcast player apps, I've picked 10 that offer a great overall experience or something unique. Users can collect files from YouTube, Twitch, Soundcloud and any other RSS feed available. Your subscription has been confirmed. https://www.pcmag.com/news/the-10-best-podcast-player-apps-for-2019, Jill Duffy is a contributing editor covering productivity apps and software, as well as technologies for health and fitness. Castbox is the podcast player for the listener that is always looking for something new. S ome of the best podcasts of 2019 spent the year looking backwards—at the ramifications of slavery, at companies that imploded, at important thinkers and celebrities who passed away. I don't recommend the free version of this app; if you're interested in a Plus account, you can try it for a week before you need to pay. It doesn't have nearly as many settings and controls as a more traditional podcast catcher app, but if you're already paying for Spotify Premium, then it still may be worth using for listening to podcasts. Nearly all podcast apps have a few features in common. Some apps also let you set a limit on the amount of storage you're willing to use. You should always be able to subscribe to a show so that new episodes appear in your podcast feed. The app’s meticulous approach to customization can be intimidating and time consuming at first glance, but no other podcast app lets users build the program around individual priority like Podcast Addict. That hasn’t stopped Castbox from being one of the best podcast apps on Android, taking our top pick for 2019. But being able to build your personal podcast library without adding another premium subscription is pretty appetizing. © 2021 Paste Media Group. This isn’t due to a technical or creative evolution, though. Designed specifically for search optimization, Castbox provides copious new suggestions to users in nearly every nook of the app. Best Podcast Apps Android and iOS: 1. Honestly, there really shouldn’t be a 100 podcast subscription limit to begin with. It was one of the earliest podcasts, one that started two years before the word even existed, and I was hooked. Castro also hides many standard features (silence skip, enhanced voice) behind that paywall. By connecting it to Twitter, Facebook, or your contacts, you can find other people you know who use Breaker and follow them to get recommendations. In 2002, while exploring the Radio section of iTunes, I stumbled on something that sounded like an amateur talk radio morning show. A Premium account, starting at $9.99 per month, eliminates the limitations and in-app ads, though it doesn't do anything about ads that are included in episodes. Even when searching and exploring for podcasts, Himalaya's categorization has impressive depth. I also like that you can create playlists of podcast shows so that each new episode appears in the list (called Smart Playlist) or a playlist of specific episodes you want to hear. For example, I have a Morning playlist that contains four daily news shows so that I get an overview of what's happening in the world as I start my day. Below you'll find the 10 best podcast apps, listed alphabetically, with images of the mobile apps, details on their prices, and a few words about what makes them unique or useful. The app features over 750,000 podcasts alongside the ability to build playlists from an impressive amount of audio and video sources. People love listening to podcasts while commuting, working at the office, and even while going on a run with their dogs. The only thing more prevalent might be the free version’s constant advertising for its premium service. The app suffers from a lack of tools, rendering it fairly basic. When exploring new podcasts, you can see how many other Breaker users have subscribed to the show. Story podcasts. This newsletter may contain advertising, deals, or affiliate links. 746 . Time will tell, but reexamining its business model might be in order. It also works with Apple Watch and CarPlay. These are sets of shows that refresh as new episodes release. Discover new podcasts and learn about any topic from news, education, comedy, politics to religion, crime and many more. It also works with Apple Watch and CarPlay. It does all of the usual tasks better than any other app on the marketplace. It’s a novel solution to a long-standing problem within the industry. Users can easily share a podcast with friends by clipping out a selection of any show, up to one minute, and sharing it social media style. Find and follow him on Twitter @WonderboyOTM. Chromecast and SONOS support allows for easy bluetooth streaming. If you are looking for the most suitable podcast app, this article will give you a good reference. For new subscribers, Plus membership adds access to the desktop apps for macOS, Windows, and web; cloud storage for creators and listeners who want to use the app for hosting audio and video files; and exclusive app icons and themes. Topics are as specific as aviation (219 shows), Hinduism (318), and language courses (2,274). October 20, 2019. If you only listen on an iPhone and you're looking for a streamlined podcast player that isn't littered with ads and recommendations, Downcast is my top pick. Follow her on Twitter (below) or get in touch on the, How to Free Up Space on Your iPhone or iPad, How to Save Money on Your Cell Phone Bill, How to Find Free Tools to Optimize Your Small Business, How to Get Started With Project Management, Apps to Help You Keep Your New Year's Resolutions, 9 Apps to Help Organize Your Holiday Gift Lists, The 5 Best Alternatives to FaceTime for Android, Keep an Eye on the Cops: The Best Police Scanner Apps, Locked Out of Your Gym? For a similar experience that's cross-platform, Pocket Casts takes the cake. This accessibility doesn’t always lead to quality, mind you, but when done properly podcasts can open all-new worlds and perspectives on topics both obscure and well-established. That’s the real story with Stitcher: it does all the usual tasks, just a little bit better than the baseline. The popular podcasts, ranked. Any podcast app should let you create playlists, too. Once installed, CastBox will ask you to log into the app with Facebook, Google, Twitter, or Line to create an account. Luminary is the newest kid on the podcast block and wasted no time in ruffling the feathers of its competitors. Sign up for What's New Now to get our top stories delivered to your inbox every morning. You pay once for the apps and own them forever with no subscription fees. Following a recent change to its business model, the previously $4 Pocket Casts app is now free, making it the best podcast app available on iOS (and Android). Premium costs $0.99 per month and gives you an ad-free experience, unlimited subscriptions, a personalized homepage, priority support, and early access to new features. Both boast large libraries, though discovering niche or less popular shows is much harder to do in their search engines. Pocket Casts is simply the best at providing a streamlined, intuitive interface to collect and enjoy podcasts. It recommends shows you might like when you play an episode of a show. The premium version houses its distinguishing features, but it might not be the most cost-effective compared to its competitors. The Guardian app Video Podcasts Pictures Inside the Guardian Guardian Weekly Crosswords Facebook Twitter Search jobs Digital Archive Guardian Puzzles app The 20 best podcasts of 2019. Rich settings let you automatically start your favorite shows a set number of seconds in, or end them early, letting you bypass lengthy intros or closing ads. We rank the best podcasts. If you're interested in learning more about the app for creators, see Himalaya's creator page. You can use the Android, iOS, and web apps for free, as long as you don't mind seeing and hearing advertisements or being limited to 100 channel subscriptions. One of the most loved podcast player apps, Pocket Casts, is now free for Android and iOS. Best Podcast Apps 2019. Sadly, Overcast doesn't give you a trial period for the upgrade either. Right when you open the app, the first screen that appears is that of the featured podcasts. Stitcher doesn't have the most robust feature set or settings for playing podcast episodes, but you can listen nearly everywhere using the apps for Android and iOS, as well as a web player. All Rights Reserved. We're here to help! I have another playlist for shows I like to listen to while I cook. The tried and true originators of podcast collection tools are still around as competitors continue to pop up. Price: Free; Castro Plus $18.99 per year or $5.99 for 3 months. If you're obsessed with discovering new podcasts, newcomer Himalaya is very promising. Try These 10 Top Apps for Working Out at Home, 10 Tips and 9 Tools for Better Project Management. When you use Spotify to organize and listen to podcasts, your podcast activity lives a dedicated area, separate from your music. 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