Whether you love immersing yourself in crime drama or prefer to use your commute time to listen to self-help tips, podcasts have something for everyone. But where can you find these cool podcasts? If you are an iOS user, you have a lot of choices. From the classic Apple Podcasts app to the popular free podcast apps, we have put together the list of best podcast apps for iOS users.

Want to up your listening game? Check out our guide to the best music apps and the best audiobook apps.

Apple podcast

Sometimes classic is best. The native Apple Podcasts app comes pre-configured and is free, so you probably won’t need to look at other podcast apps. You have access to millions of podcasts, including some of the most popular like The Daily and What you need to know. Although the free version is more than enough, you can also purchase subscriptions to specific podcasts to enjoy additional benefits. Apple Podcasts hosts several subscriber-only shows, such as podcasts from CNN, NPR, and The Washington Post. Like Subtstack, some creators offer both free and paid content, so you can decide if you like their episodes before subscribing.

Apple Podcasts also offers personalized recommendations based on your listening history so you can always find interesting episodes based on your interests. It works with Siri, so all you have to do is ask the assistant to play any episode or playlist you want, so you can listen hands-free while working out or doing chores.

iOS

Covered

Overcast is a well-known name in the podcast industry. Users love its “Smart Speed” feature which dynamically removes silences, so you can only listen to the important stuff and no long pauses between responses. Moreover, the filters are smart and customizable so you can design a personalized playlist to best suit your needs.

Overcast delivers excellent sound quality so you can hear crystal-clear conversations from your favorite artists. Sound quality is maintained even in noisy places, giving you great flexibility as to where you listen. Its download feature gives you even more control, which allows you to download podcasts for offline use, so you can listen on the go, while working out, or even on vacation, without worrying about internet access. . Additionally, the app is compatible with CarPlay and works on other iOS devices to provide a smooth experience.

iOS

Pocket casts

Pocket Casts is one of the most popular podcast apps for a reason: it’s free! Besides saving you tons of money, it also provides a convenient listening experience as it’s beautifully designed, easy to navigate, and offers personalized recommendations right on your homepage. If you’re looking to enhance your experience, you can get the Pocket Casts Plus subscription (just over $1 per month) which lets you listen to your favorite podcasts on the desktop app. The subscription also lets you download external files, so you can use the Pocket Casts audio player to listen to third-party audiobooks or downloaded podcasts. Subscribers can also choose a unique theme and customize their experience.

To further enhance your listening experience, the app allows you to filter your episodes so you always listen to the right podcast depending on your mood. It also syncs with smart speakers so you can enjoy episodes with your whole family or group of friends. The best part? Like other options, it lets you mute silence so you can skip awkward pauses and save time.

iOS

embroiderer

Stitcher is perfect for organization enthusiasts. It offers some of the best filters and sorting tools so you can design playlists that perfectly match your current needs. You can experiment with tons of settings to further customize your experience, giving you maximum control over your listening experience. You can set a sleep timer, connect to external speakers, and get expert recommendations to find new podcasts based on your interests.

If you want even more benefits, consider subscribing to Stitcher Premium. For just $5 a month, subscribers get exclusive episodes and bonus content from their favorite creators. Like Apple Podcasts, some shows are only accessible through a subscription, so if you want to enjoy the full library, you have to pay. In addition to exclusive content, subscribers also get ad-free listening and fun giveaways.

iOS

Castbox

Castbox offers a bit of everything. You get access to popular podcasts, audiobooks, FM radio, white noise, and guided meditations. You can combine different types of content to create an all-day playlist. This is ideal for listeners who like to have something in the background during their day. Like other apps, Castbox also offers personalized recommendations, comprehensive playlists, and customizable playback settings.

What sets it apart, however, is its compatibility with CarPlay. This way you can take your favorite podcasts wherever you go. Another fantastic feature is the app’s ability to search podcast audio for keywords so you can find niche podcast episodes even if the particular words aren’t mentioned in the title or description. We also like the social aspect of the app. Listeners can leave comments on the episodes they listen to and hosts can choose to respond to build a relationship.

Castbox also has a premium subscription that offers ad-free listening. Free users are limited to subscriptions for up to 100 shows, but subscribers can have unlimited subscriptions. They also benefit from more advanced playback settings for the best possible listening experience.

iOS

Spotify

Spotify offers the Castbox experience with more variety, one app that combines everything from the best music to the most popular audiobooks. It’s easy to create custom playlists and share them with friends, adding a cool social element to an otherwise lonely experience. The recommendation engine is powerful and the search function also gives great results, so you can always find what you’re looking for. The sound quality is quite impressive and you can customize every setting.

It’s free to use with an optional premium subscription, but you don’t have to pay anything to access the podcasts. At $10 per month, the paid subscription offers ad-free listening, the ability to download content for offline listening, and unlimited skips if you don’t like what you’re listening to. Spotify does, however, offer a range of subscription options. You can also get Spotify Duo, couple membership (two premium accounts) for $13. The Family Membership offers six premium accounts for $16. This version allows you to block explicit music and use Spotify Kids, exclusively designed for young listeners. Students can take advantage of a student-only membership for $5. This version also offers the Hulu plan (supported by advertising) and Showtime.

iOS

Castro

Castro operates on a “queue” system that creates a single playlist with all of your episodes from different podcasts. It helps you analyze, choose and prioritize some episodes while ignoring the rest, because there is only limited time in the day and you cannot listen to all episodes of a show. The interface is clean, intuitive and minimalistic with little to distract you from your listening. This app also has “Trim Silence” feature so you can ignore gaps in conversations.

To enjoy additional benefits, you can subscribe to Castro Plus. The paid subscription offers premium audio quality with dynamic audio amplification that enhances quiet voices while maintaining louder voices so you get a better listening experience. The premium version also lets you add external audio files to your queue so you can listen to whatever you want without any interruptions. The paid subscription also offers a variety of advanced settings such as custom audio filters, skipping intros, and adjusting the playback speed of each podcast.

iOS

Google Podcasts

One of the latest additions to the world of podcasting, Google Podcasts offers everything you need from a podcast app. It’s free, lets you queue episodes, and has great playback control. It also tracks your listening history, downloads, and subscriptions so you can stay on top of new episodes. Created by Google, it has a powerful search engine and offers great recommendations so you can discover new artists based on your interests.

What we like the most about Google Podcasts is the flexibility it offers. You can use it through the iOS app, but it also has a desktop version, an Android app, and pairs well with many portable devices. It also offers great convenience if you pair it with Google Assistant speakers. Just command the assistant to play an episode and you can enjoy hands-free listening. This one doesn’t offer any paid subscriptions or any subscriber-only shows, so you can enjoy all the content for free.

iOS

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