Remember when they said videos knocked out radio stars back in the 80s? Yeah, we all ditched our radios for TVs back then. But guess what? Radio stars are back, and they’re calling themselves “podcasts” this time.
Podcasts started getting popular around 2004, but they really took off in 2014 with this hit podcast called “Serial.” Now, we’re all hooked and we listen to podcasts while we’re heading to work, at the gym, grocery shopping, or basically anywhere we want to escape from real life. So, what’s the deal with all these podcast apps? How do you pick the best one?
Stitcher Radio
Alright, so if you’re a student and don’t want to spend money on your podcast obsession, try Stitcher Radio. It’s free and you can get it on Android and iOS. Yeah, there are ads, but you get to listen to the big names in podcasts. They started in 2008 and they’ve won awards, like being one of the top 20 apps according to TechCrunch. You can even make your own stations and playlists with this app.
Overcast
Then there’s Overcast, also free, but it’s only for iPhones and stuff like that. It’s simple and easy to use, and it’s got cool features like Smart Speed that cuts out boring silences and Voice Boost that keeps the volume consistent. You can also make your own playlists and even stream episodes if you’re low on storage. If you’re annoyed by ads, you can pay a small fee to get rid of them.
Pocket Casts
Looking for something with a user-friendly look? Check out Pocket Casts. It costs $3.99 and works on Android and iOS. It’s all modern and lets you sync your stuff across devices. You can set up how you want your downloads too. It’s got both video and audio podcasts, and it’s like a hub for finding new stuff to listen to.
BeyondPod
Then there’s BeyondPod. It’s great for Android and comes in a free version or a premium one for $6.99. With the premium one, you can schedule downloads and make smart playlists. You can even make it stop playing after a certain time or delete episodes you’re done with.
Downcast
Okay, Apple lovers, listen up. Downcast is your app. It’s got a nice design and works for iPhones. You can search and subscribe to podcasts, and it’s got some cool tricks like gestures to control playback. It’s got this cool feature where you can mark episodes as played or unplayed.
Castro
If you’re just getting into podcasts, Castro is a good choice. It’s $4.99 on iOS and is good if you don’t have a lot of podcasts to store. You can set a timer to stop playing, and it’s got a simple look, including a dark mode for night owls. It’s got some neat features to explore new podcasts too.
iCatcher
Now, iCatcher is only for iPhones, and it’s pretty cheap at $1.99. It syncs with all your Apple stuff and has a cool feature where you can play podcasts at different speeds. It can handle lots of podcasts or just a few.
DoggCatcher
And for all you Android folks, check out DoggCatcher. It costs $2.99 and lets you search for new podcasts in different categories. You can customize the audio player’s size and use a sleep timer. You can even control how fast the podcast plays.
Podcast & Radio
Podcast & Radio Addict is free for Android. You can listen to audio and video podcasts and even tune in to radio stations. It’s got lots of features like themes and widgets, which is pretty cool.
TuneIn Radio
Last but not least, if you like online radio too, TuneIn Radio is your jam. It’s free and you can listen to podcasts and radio. You can even use Google’s voice thing with it. There’s a premium version if you’re into sports and audiobooks.
So, all these apps are kind of competing for your attention, but no matter which one you pick, you’re in for a world of awesome podcasts and shows. Whether you’re Team Apple or Team Android, these apps won’t break the bank and they’ll keep you entertained for a long time.
