Just a few short years ago, podcast enthusiasts only had a handful of apps to choose from. The majority of listeners used Apple Podcasts, which dominated the industry for quite a while. But now, there are options aplenty – and you just have to choose which ones you want to use.

Selecting the best apps for listening to podcasts mostly comes down to personal preference. When you’re searching for your favorites, you might consider factors such as:

• Free apps vs. subscription platforms
• Exclusive programming
• User experience
• Program selection

To get you started, we’re giving you our picks for the best podcast apps for all your listening needs.

Spotify

Spotify recently claimed the crown as the top podcast app in the business, even though it’s widely known as a music streaming service. Listeners flock to Spotify for its myriad of exclusive shows, with celebrity hosts that range from former First Lady Michelle Obama to country music superstar Reba McEntire. Also, Spotify offers impressively seamless streaming across many different devices – so you can listen just about anytime and anywhere.

Fans of Spotify enjoy the convenience of the app design, which includes options to save specific podcast episodes to a “Your Episodes” list, follow a specific podcast, and even download episodes for offline listening. 

• Podcast selection: 3.2 million podcasts (and counting)
• Price: Free (with ads), or $10/month (ad-free)
• Devices: iOS/Android devices, media players, web browsers, smart TVs, gaming consoles, and others

Apple Podcasts

Apple Podcasts is a free podcast app that gives you access to more than 30 million different podcast episodes – so you won’t be running out of listening material anytime soon. There are also various premium subscription options for certain shows and exclusive content.

One of the drawbacks to Apple Podcasts is that it is only available for iOS devices. So, if you’re working with an Android phone or tablet, this app won’t be an option for you. Advantages of the Apple Podcasts app include the ability to sync with the Siri feature and Amazon Alexa products, plus well-curated collections of podcasts based on genre and recommendations.

• Podcast selection: Over 1 million shows
• Price: Free, or starting at $1 for premium subscriptions
• Devices: iPhones/iPads with iOS 10.0 and later

Google Podcasts

Google Podcasts is another offering from a technology giant, and its simple, streamlined design is exactly what you would expect from the well-known brand. Its compatibility across web browsers and both Android/iOS devices is a big plus, as is its no-hassle user interface. 

Although there’s no official number for how many podcasts are available on the Google Podcasts app, you’ll find many of the same podcasts hosted by other platforms. If you have a favorite podcast that isn’t on the Google app, you can always enter its RSS feed into the platform to integrate it.

• Podcast selection: Unknown
• Price: Free
• Devices: Android/iOS devices, web browsers

Stitcher

While some podcast apps also feature an extensive music library, Stitcher is wholly focused on podcasting. For users that prefer a sleek, no-frills design, this app can’t be beat. If you opt to pay for a Premium account, you’ll gain early access to certain episodes and entries for monthly giveaways and ad-free listening. 

One of the more unique perks of the Stitcher app is its playback options, which include a sleep timer, the ability to skip already-heard episodes, and various options for fast-forward and rewind times. Users can also organize their podcast library into topics for easy browsing or explore the curated collections of podcasts and Stitcher original shows.

• Podcast selection: 460,000+
• Price: Free (with ads), $5/month or $35/year (ad-free)
• Devices: Android/iOS devices, web player, and others

Become a Professional Podcaster On Your Favorite Podcast Apps

If you’ve ever considered a career as a podcast host, producer, editor, or even network manager, attending a great media school could be the decision that changes everything.

At the Beonair Network of Media Schools, with campuses located in Miami, Chicago, Colorado, and Ohio, media professionals in the making build essential skills and gain invaluable experience for their future careers. Our Digital Media Production program offers a comprehensive perspective on the media industry, taking students on a journey through an array of mediums, techniques, and roles. 

Get more information about how our media programs can be your key to starting a successful career when you contact our team today!