Looking for the best free podcast app to tune into your favorite shows? Whether you’re into global hits like The Daily or regional gems in your own language, there are dozens of free podcast apps available today.
From all-in-one platforms like Spotify and YouTube Music to podcast-first players like Pocket Casts, Overcast, and Castbox, each app offers something unique, offline listening, curated suggestions, and personalized playback features. This guide breaks down the top free podcast apps for Android and iPhone, compares features, and helps you choose the best one for your listening style.
What are podcast apps and how do they work?
Podcast apps let you listen and download your favourite podcasts on your phone or computer. They allow users to also add their favourite podcasts to their library so whenever the podcaster uploads new episodes, their audience gets the notification and can listen to them.
Some podcast apps let the audience interact with the podcaster and also leave reviews. This helps the podcast get discovered by the audience.
How do they work? It is quite simple. When a podcaster creates a podcast and uploads an episode to their podcast hosting platform, the podcast hosting platform acts as the bridge and distributes the episodes to various podcast apps. These podcast apps then display the podcast to their users and users can tune in and listen to the podcast.
Podcasters can also use podcast SEO to improve the discoverability of their podcast. How? Here’s an example that can help you. A podcast about digital marketing can use this keyword “digital marketing” in their title, and description.
The podcast apps can read this and whenever someone searches for a digital marketing podcast, the app can show the optimized podcast to the audience increasing its listens and the chances of being heard aka discoverability to the audience.
Best Free Podcast Apps
Spotify
Spotify is one of the most popular podcast streaming apps. You can stream both music and podcasts on Spotify making it an all rounder app. With Spotify, you can also interact with your podcast host via polls and questions and answers. You can also rate the show, leave reviews, and subscribe to your favourite podcasts.
Another good thing about Spotify is that their repository of podcasts is huge and therefore if there is a show you’re looking for, there is a high chance you’ll find it on Spotify.
Spotify also has the advantage of viewing video podcasts and also switching to the audio podcast. You can control the speed of the episode as well, giving you control over consuming the episode at the pace you’re comfortable with.
However, if you’re using the free plan, you’ll have to bear with the ads which can be annoying.
YouTube and YouTube Music
YouTube has slowly become the biggest podcast app since many people prefer it over Spotify and Apple Podcasts. YouTube is also widely available, usually installed in most of our phones making it an easy podcast app to use.
With YouTube Music, you can consume podcasts on the go, as well as stream music. However, YouTube Music may not have all the audio podcasts since YouTube is primarily used for video podcasts.
Another great thing about YouTube is that the suggested algorithm is amazing and makes it a great tool to discover new podcasts.
Player FM
Player FM is another great podcast app that you can consider. It has some great features that really help podcast listeners especially one that consumes a lot of podcasts.
Just like any other app you can download podcasts for offline listening however, you can use their “Space Saver” feature to compress audio files and store episodes that don’t consume a lot of space.
You don’t need to create an account to listen to podcasts on Player FM however, you will benefit from it since you can sync your listening across devices.
They also have human-curated catalogs to help you discover your next favorite podcast. You can also use their episode-level search to discover episodes that are talking about your topic of choice.
JioSaavn
JioSaavn is a leading Indian music and podcast streaming podcast app. It has a huge user base and relatively few podcasts. JioSaavn has a great catalogue of regional podcasts and thus is great for listeners who are looking for regional content.
You can also adjust the playback speed, download podcasts for offline listening, and use a sleep timer so that the podcast stops as you drift to sleep.
Amazon Music
Amazon Music is another great option especially when you have the prime membership, since you get access to not only music streaming but also podcast streaming. For Alexa users, you can play your favourite podcasts on your with voice commands so you can enjoy podcasts while doing your chores.
With the Amazon Music app, you can adjust the playback speed, download podcasts for offline use, create playlists within the app, and access cross device syncing (if you’re logged in).
Audible
Although most premium podcasts are behind a paywall, Audible does have some podcasts available on the free podcast app. If you have the audible subscription, you get a plethora of podcasts access, which you can listen to on the go.
If you’re someone who likes narrative podcasts or audio dramas with strong storytelling, Audible is the place for you. You get a wide variety of playback speed, the ability to download podcasts for offline listening and also get the ability to bookmark so you can revisit that part later. You also get cross devices syncing so you can always pick up from where you left off.
Apple Podcasts
Apple Podcasts is one of the biggest podcast apps with both global and local reach. The catalogue of podcasts is huge giving you ample podcasts to choose from. The player is also pretty sleek. You get multiple playback speed options, smart trim silences, skip silences option, sleep time, in-app playlist option and the ability to download podcasts for offline listening.
The drawback is for android users since they can’t use the podcast app but they can play Apple Podcasts on the web player.
Apple Podcasts also has curated lists of podcasts, that make discovering new podcasts easy if you’re looking for podcasts to listen to.
Castbox
If you’re someone who has just gotten into podcasts, and don’t like the popular podcasts that everyone is into, Castbox might be your favorite free podcast app. Why?
Unlike most free podcast apps on the list that stream both music and podcasts, Castbox is specifically just for podcasts. It makes it an app that is built specifically for podcasts.
Castbox has AI-powered recommendations to tailor your podcast search based on your specific needs. And if it still doesn’t find the right podcasts for you, you can always look through their curated collections of podcasts. A unique feature called in-audio search that has the ability to search keywords within the episodes.
The UI is clean, sleek, and functional, the episode comments fosters community, and you can download episodes to enjoy them offline. The app is free and paid, and as a free user you will see banner ads.
Pocket Casts
Pocket Casts is a cult favorite because this free podcast app offers a ton of value. Apart from their podcast collection, they have offline listening feature, playback speed control, and a clean, ad-free interface. You can filter the podcasts based on the genre, so you don’t have to search around much. Plus, they have guest curators that curate shows giving you podcast recommendations that are human.
You can rate the show, see if the podcast is in progress, finished or on a break, and also bookmark moments within an episode.
The app also syncs across Android, iOS, and the web, so whether you’re commuting or sneakily listening to a podcast while working, you’ll always pick up from where you left off.
The pro features on their plus plan lie themes or advanced stats give you more control on your listening experience, but the free tier is more than enough for most people.
Overcast
Next on our list is Overcast. It is a free podcast app made by developers for serious listeners and it shows. Their features like Smart Speed where you automatically skip silences, Voice Boost for enhanced speech clarity and simple interface is made for podcast lovers who want to consume podcasts voraciously without the fluff.
You can also create custom playlists of your favorite podcasts, organize the podcasts you’re subscribed to, and adjust the speed of the episode according to your preferences.
Overcast also does not have full screen ads, and instead relies on the unobstructed banner that supports the developer. However the major drawback of this app is its unavailability on Android. But if you’re an Apple user, you can enjoy this free podcast app that is a powerhouse for podcast listening without the clutter.
Podkicker
If you’re someone who is search for a free podcast app that is lightweight and only has the essentials you need for listening to podcasts, Podkicker might be the app for you. It is perfect for those who just want to listen on the go.
It has all the basics you need – search for shows, download podcasts, sleep timers, and playlists. If you’re someone who knows what shows they like and don’t want unnecessary recommendations and curated lists, Podkicker is just that.
Think of Podkicker as the minimalist podcast app.
Podcast Addict
Podcast Addict is for the podcast lovers who love customizations. This podcast app supports not just podcasts, but also YouTube channels, RSS feeds, audiobooks and even live radio. You also get a lot of control over your podcast listening experience. Create queues, manage categories, use filters for the perfect podcast search, and more!
It is also apt for Android and iOS users so it is great for most people. This app does have a steep learning curve so if you’re okay with spending time customizing the app, this app has a lot to offer.
Hubhopper
Hubhopper’s free podcast app is perfect for people who are looking for regional as well as global podcasts. With its wide selection of podcasts, curated lists, original shows, and search feature, it makes discovery of new podcasts easy and simple.
You can download podcasts offline for streaming, create playlists of both podcasts and episodes, adjust the playback speed, and put a sleep timer.
It is also great for people who are data-conscious and want an app that plays podcasts smoothly without using a lot of data.
Top Free Podcast Android Apps
If you’re looking for free podcasts apps for an android phone, here is a list that will help you.
| Podcast App | Offline Listening | Personalized Feed | Video Podcasts | Ratings & Comments |
| Spotify | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ |
| YouTube Music | ✅ (Premium only) | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ |
| Player FM | ✅ | ✅ | ❌ | ✅ |
| JioSaavn | ❌ | ✅ | ❌ | ❌ |
| Amazon Music | ✅ | ✅ | ❌ | ✅ |
| Audible | ✅ | ✅ | ❌ | ✅ |
| Castbox | ✅ | ✅ | ❌ | ✅ |
| Pocket Casts | ✅ | ✅ | ❌ | ✅ |
| Overcast | ✅ | ✅ | ❌ | ✅ |
| Podkicker | ✅ | ❌ | ❌ | ❌ |
| Podcast Addict | ✅ | ✅ | ❌ | ✅ |
| Hubhopper | ✅ | ✅ | ❌ | ✅ |
Top Free Podcast Apps for Apple iPhone users (Table)
| Podcast App | Siri Integration | Apple Watch Support | CarPlay Compatible | Free Version Available |
| Apple Podcasts | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ |
| Spotify | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ |
| Audible | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ |
| Amazon Music | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ |
| YouTube | ❌ | ❌ | ✅ (via browser) | ✅ |
| Pocket Casts | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ |
| Overcast | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ |
| Castbox | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ |
| Podcast Addict | ❌ | ❌ | ❌ | ✅ |
How to choose a podcast app?
From all the podcast apps in this blog, how do you choose the right one for you? Here’s a four step process you can use to choose a podcast app for you.
1. What are your requirements?
You need to ask yourself what are your requirements from a podcast app.
- Do you want video podcasts and audio podcasts? Or just audio podcasts?
- Do you need offline listening (ideal for people who listen to podcasts while commuting and have unstable networks)?
- Want personalized recommendations (ideal for people who are just getting into podcasts)?
2. Compare Podcast App Features
Now that you know what you want in a podcast listening app, you can compare the various features and find the right one that fits your needs.
3. Check Out the Podcast Catalogue
The other thing to also check is the podcast catalogue. If your favorite shows are not on the app, all the stellar features won’t be of any use. Some apps have exclusive shows. For example:
- Spotify: The Joe Rogan Experience, Call Her Daddy.
- Audible: Originals and audiobooks.
So check the catalogue thoroughly.
4. Choose the One Right for You
After you’ve got the finalists try a few. Most of these apps are free and lightweight. If you like a visual experience, go with YouTube or Spotify. If simplicity is what you’re after, try Overcast or Pocket Casts.
Free Google Podcasts Alternatives
Since Google Podcast has been shut down, and YouTube is slowly trying to pick up the pace, there are other alternative to Google Podcasts, here are some:
| Google Podcasts Alternative | What Makes It Great |
| Pocket Casts | Clean UI, powerful playback tools |
| Spotify | Music + podcasts + video in one |
| YouTube Music | Official replacement, YouTube’s podcast hub |
| Amazon Music | Expanding catalogue + smart assistant support |
| Hubhopper | Indian-first, multilingual catalogue |
| Castbox | Great discovery engine |
Stitcher Podcast App Replacements
Stitcher is another podcast app that is no longer functional, if you’re looking for some Stitcher Podcast App alternatives, here are some:
| Stitcher Replacement | Ideal For |
| Audible | High-quality shows, original series |
| Spotify | Great mix of music and podcasts |
| Player FM | Offline listening with powerful sorting |
| Pocket Casts | Clean, no-frills experience |
| Hubhopper | Regional Indian users with growing global library |
Conclusion
In 2025, there’s no one-size-fits-all podcast app—but there is a perfect one for you. Whether you’re:
- A casual listener (YouTube, JioSaavn),
- A podcast power user (Pocket Casts, Player FM),
- A video-first explorer (Spotify, YouTube),
- Or someone who loves desi content (Hubhopper)
There’s a free app waiting to hook you in.
Try a few, explore different shows, and let your ears do the choosing.
