The Best iOS Podcast Apps for Listening 2021

1) Apple Podcasts

100% Free

Let’s start with Apple’s built-in app as it’s probably the best podcast player for a majority of users and the one that most people are familiar with. Apple Podcasts is perfect for anyone that wants a podcast player that works without any of the additional features that more hardcode podcasts fans might find useful.

Key Features:

- View what episodes are trending in-app

- Download episodes to listen offline

- Sleep Timer & Playback Speed Controls

- Receive smart suggestions from Siri

- Suggestions for those new to podcasts

Podyssey

100% Free

Podyssey, this website, is also a podcast player. It’s a bit different than every other player on this list as our main focus is being a community for podcast lovers to find binge-worthy episodes and playlists that you won’t find elsewhere. Every Sunday, Podyssey also sends a handpicked newsletter digest of the best podcast recommendations from the community. This means that we’re not just one of the top podcast streaming platforms but also one of the best ways to find new podcasts that you’ll love.

Key Features:

- View trending podcast episodes based on your interests

- Recommend and track your favorite episodes

- Discuss podcasts with fellow podcast fans and creators

- Create podcast + episodes playlists around topics you care about.

- Available on Web, iOS, and Android

2) Overcast

Free, with a paid subscription option available ($9.99 USD / year)

The Overcast app is a favorite for more hardcode podcast fans, filled with customization options. For example, you can choose to automatically download new episodes via Wi-Fi for offline listening. You can also set the number of unlistened episode limits per podcast, so that you can control how much space the app takes up on your phone. Lastly, it has a Smart Speed option that skips silences and Voice Boost option to amplify podcast hosts that are hard to hear.

Key Features:

- Use Smart Speed to save time without distorting audio

- Make every episode have broadcast-quality sound with Voice Boost

- Get notified when new episodes drop

- Turn on sleep timer to stop playback after a preferred time interval

3) Pocket Casts

Free, with a paid subscription option ($9.99 USD / year)

While Pocket Casts may not be the most popular app, it has become the go-to for tens of thousands of hardcore podcast enthusiasts. More specifically, podcast superfans will enjoy features such as a sleep timer, fine tuned playback speed controls, dark mode, and more. The paid subscription option allows users to automatically sync listening across all of their devices and even more styling and theming options.

Key Features:

- Fine Grained Playback speed controls from 0.5x to 3.0x

- Sleep Timer

- Automatically generates a playback queue of shows you have favorited

- Sync your listening across all of your devices

4) Castro

Free, with a paid subscription option ($18.99 USD / year)

The Castro podcast player has two main features: 1) a centralized Queue, which allows you to add, remove, or change the order of your episodes to prioritize what plays next, and 2) an Inbox, so you can also easily manage a large quantity of podcasts and skim through the new episodes that drop. It is a controversially-designed app that some people love and some people hate. Check it out to find out which bucket you fall into.

Key Features:

- Manage what your podcasts in your Queue feed

- Use dark mode for late-night listening

- Get episode notifications

- Connect to CarPlay

5) Spotify Podcasts

Free, with a paid subscription option ($119.99 USD / year). Student and Family discounts available.

Many know Spotify as a music player, but they have quickly become a big player in the podcast world too. A slimmed-down version of podcast-specific platforms, Spotify allows you to search by categories, playlists, and their top charts. There are also many good Spotify podcasts that are exclusive to Spotify, meaning you won’t be able to get them elsewhere.

Key Features:

- Access top and trending podcasts in your country

- Discover podcasts hand-picked by curators and celebrities

- Enjoy editor-curated podcast playlists

- Keep your favorite podcasts and music in one spot

6) Stitcher

Free, with a paid subscription option ($34.99 USD / year)

As one of the first podcast apps ever created, the Stitcher podcast app is beloved by some OG podcast fans but it can also feel outdated. If you want to enhance your experience further, you can also subscribe to Stitcher premium to gain ad-free access to shows within their extensive podcast network.

Key Features:

- Filter by unplayed vs. played episodes

- Keep track of unfinished episodes all in one spot

- Easily connect to smart speakers, such as Amazon Alexa

- Stitcher Premium has access to exclusive content from popular podcasts

Know of a great podcast app that we should include on our list of podcast platforms? Email info@podyssey.fm to let us know!