Podcasting has risen to be a significant source of learning in recent years, and it does not look like any other platform will stop that soon. Podcasting offers information differently from the conventional ways, which makes almost everyone glues to it.
If you are a fan of podcasting or considering going into it, below is a list of apps you can view, especially if you are an Android device user.
1. Podcast Addict
Podcast Addict is one of the best free podcast apps available for Android devices. It has a vast number of podcasts and audiobooks.
It offers a free version and an optional $2.99 pro version in the Google Play Store. The free version works well, but ads and occasional full-screen ads support it.
Exciting features
Variable playback speed
Skip silence options
Chromecast support
On the app, for every podcast you listen to, you can customize the playback selections. The skip/forward and back options are also customizable. Podcast Addict has Volume Boost to make voices distinct from the background. It has Mono Audio, which takes the stereo channel and sandwiches them into mono in each ear. Some people have a not-good hearing in one ear, so this could be a plus. While listening, of course, you can adjust the playback speed. You can change the speed from 0.8X to 5.0X. Skipping silences is also an option.
Podcast Addict now has an advertising feature. It allows podcasters to run paid ads and promote their shows within the app. You can run your podcast ad in any language. Once live, it will run for a whole month.
2. Podbean
Podbean has been offering podcast hosting since 2006, and over 250,000 podcasts have been hosted on Podbean. It is not as popular as other top podcast apps, but it works well. You can subscribe, stream, download, and listen as you choose.
It offers mainly podcast hosting. It means you can upload your podcast episodes to Podbean, and when someone wants to listen to them, they will download or stream the data from Podbean’s server. Also, Podbean offers services to help you get new listeners, monetize your podcast, and even create an essential website.
Pros
- Beginner-friendly design
- Easily add your episodes to podcast apps like iTunes or Google Play
- Even the free plan lets you create an attractive site for your podcast
- Built-in monetization options
Cons
- The security features are limited
- No backup feature
Podbean offers a free subdomain for all accounts.
3. Pocket Casts
Pocket Casts has dropped on the top podcast apps, but it is still an outstanding podcast player. The app has an excellent user interface, good discoverability features, power-user features, and even customization features like themes.
After a major update, the app is now available for free with an additional ‘premium service’ called ‘Pocket Cast plus.’ You can pay $0.99 per month or $10 per year for this service. The paid version includes access to desktop apps, exclusive app icons and themes, and 10 GB of cloud storage. With a well-organized selection of shows, an automatic playback queue, cross-device sync options and audio effects like trimming silence and sorting, Pocket Cast is focused on enhancing your listening experience at every turn.
Exciting features
Trim silence
Variable speed (between .5x and 3x speed)
Volume boost
Chapter navigation
Apple Watch controls
4. Google Podcast
Google has three different platforms for podcasts. Google Podcasts, Google Play Music, and YouTube.
Google Podcasts is the simplest option, and it is free.
The app is centred on the new three-tab interface. The feature makes it easy to navigate. There is also a feature that automatically downloads new episodes of shows when released and supports notifications for new episode availability.
5. DoggCatcher
DoggCatcher is quite old, but the app is still making strides in podcasting with frequent updates. Besides, it has an extensive library of podcasts, playlist support, variable speed playback, themes, and various automation and customization features. It is not free, and you have to pay $2.99 upfront. There are no ads that make the experience fantastic.
It does not offer a cloud sync service for storage. It can be time-consuming if you use multiple devices; in that, you would need to add the podcasts one
after the other on a different device.
DoggCatcher’s speed controls and offline listening features not comparable to any other. You can customize your feed, create automatic downloads and categorize podcasts.
6. Castbox
Created in 2016, Castbox allows users to locate and use and create spoken audio content like podcasts. The app supports over 50 million podcasts, audiobooks, and on-demand radio programs in 70 languages coming from over 175 countries. The platform is the home of around two million users every day and is one of the largest podcast platforms available on Android.
Castbox is for listeners searching for new podcasts. It has a unique recommendation engine. The results are pretty different from the conventional search results gotten when using other apps.
You can use Android if you do not mind ads pop up. The Premium service costs $0.99 per month. It offers you an ad-free experience, unlimited subscriptions, a personalized homepage, priority support, and early access to new features.
With Castbox Premium, there are no intrusive ads. Also, you get an unlimited channel subscription, a personalized homepage, more accessible access to the support team, and you are the first to enjoy the new features.
7. Anchor
Anchor offers unlimited hosting. So if you are looking for an excellent hosting platform, consider Anchor. You can record audio and even upload audio from other devices. You can also monetize your services. The app and the hosting are free.
Anchor serves to make podcasting as cost-effective and straightforward as possible. It operates in a minimalistic fashion, but minimal can also be restricted to those who need advanced features.
Their mobile app has made a simple user interface that makes it easy to record, split tracks, add music from their library, add sound effect transitions, and more. While they have desktop capabilities, mobile is where they have done heavy development in the podcasting space.
To have an exciting experience in podcasting, either as a listener or producer, you need good apps. No doubt, the above are a few of the best apps to use.
