best podcast download app pc 12 Best Free Podcast Players For Windows. Here is a list of best free podcast players for Windows . These podcast players let you play podcasts to listen/watch news, shows, music, etc. from different subscribed channels on your PC. Many of these software supports audio and video podcasts both but, some of them only let you play audio podcasts. You can either download or stream podcasts to play them. Some of these software support download and play while some let you play podcast by downloading and streaming both. You can also transfer your downloaded podcast episodes to MP3 player or to apple and android devices using some of these podcast players. These free podcast players suggest you some podcast channels to start with. You can easily access your desired podcast channel by using their feed URLs . For more convenience to find new channels, many of these software let you search channels by using their name, genre, etc. You also get option to import/export your subscription in OPML format. Most of these software give option to set time limit after which they will check channels for new episodes. They also let you specify actions related to newly found episode(s). You can limit maximum number of episodes to download from each channel, duration to keep these episodes, etc. in these software. You can even use many of these software as media player to play videos and audios from your PC. There are some software that let you tune to desired internet radio also. My Favorite Free Podcast Players: I liked Clementine the most. It lets you add podcasts from many resources available in it or you can add new channels by using their feed URLs. Medio Go or audials light are also good option to go with. You may be interested to visit links for best free video broadcasting software and best free internet radio player for Windows. Clementine. Clementine is another free podcast player for Windows. Using this free and easy to use software, you can play audio podcasts only. You can add new podcast channels in it by using their feed URLs or by using other available options such as gpodder.net directory or iTunes store . Now, you will have a list of all episodes from newly added podcast channel. You can download or stream selected episodes from this list. You can manually check for new available episodes or set time limit to check it automatically. It also lets you perform cleaning action on played episodes either manually or automatically. Apart from podcasts, you can also access many more internet services using this software. You get access to internet services like Icecast, Google drive, OneDrive, Dropbox, Amazon Cloud Drive , etc. Also, you can import your media library to this software and play them in it or you may open any audio file in this software by browsing them. Media Go. Media Go is a free media player for Windows and you can use this software as a podcast player also. Using this player, you can play downloaded podcasts. It doesn’t let you stream podcasts online. You can import your complete media library in this software including music, videos, podcasts, photos, and playlist. To subscribe for podcast, it lets you use its podcast directory to search for podcast channels using their names. You can also use feed URLs of podcast channels to subscribe them. There are some podcast scheduling tools available in it to check for new podcast episodes and let you specify how many new episodes should be downloaded from each channel. You can also browse and select folder to store downloaded podcasts. It offers many other options for various tasks such as import CDs , network and media sharing , and manage some privacy related settings . audials light. audials light is one of the best free podcast players for windows . This media player can play both, audio as well as video podcasts. Using this software, you can subscribe, download and watch podcasts. It even lets you stream podcasts to watch or listen them without waiting for downloading complete episode. You can find new podcasts by searching them using their genres. This software will automatically download latest podcast episode as you subscribe new podcast channel. You can also use this software to play radio. Tuning to desired radio channel can be done in two ways. You can manually add them by using their URLs or search them as per their popularity or by names from automatic list available in this software. You can also get access to music television in it. You can select from suggested stations or add new music television station. It lets you import/export playlist or other media from/to cloud storage, PC or other devices also. To know more about audials light , visit its homepage. HermesPod. HermesPod is another free podcast player for Windows. You can use it to download podcast episodes and transfer them to your MP3 player or to store them in your PC. You can subscribe for new podcasts by using their feed URLs or by adding them using integrated web browser. You can subscribe for podcasts that are suggested in this software and also delete your subscriptions to manage podcast channels. After subscribing podcast channels, you can start downloading podcast episodes from them. You can listen these podcasts on PC or transfer them in media player such as MP3 players to enjoy them anywhere. You can also transfer podcasts to apple and android devices. It also lets you import/export your subscription in OPML format. Ziepod. Ziepod is next in the list of free podcast players for Windows. You can easily search for new podcasts and feeds to subscribe using Ziepod. You can use this free version of Ziepod to play audio podcasts only. It lets you import your favorite podcast subscriptions to it using OPML files. You can use this podcast player to stream audio podcasts to listen them online or to download them. There are mainly four fields related to podcast on its interface. You can choose Now Playing option that will display some details about currently playing podcast along with its enclosure URL and file size. There is a dedicated field to inform you about your subscriptions. You will have information about subscribed podcasts, downloaded episodes, and rated episodes. It lets you rate podcasts and uses these ratings to filter out appropriate feeds and podcasts for you, while using its inbuilt search option. This software also lets you set time limit to automatically delete episodes exceeding it. Primetime Podcast Receiver. Primetime Podcast Receiver is yet another free podcast player for Windows. This software lets you download podcasts and play them. Like some software in this list, you can import and export your subscription in OPML files. It comes with some preloaded podcast directories. You can use this directory to get podcasts from these channels. It lets you add desired podcast channels using their feed URLs. If you want to remove your subscription for any podcasting channel, then you can do it also. It lets you archive media list and store this list in defined folder. You get some configurable options in this software also. These options let you define time limit beyond which media files will be deleted from the list, manage media player to view/ listen podcast, etc. This software also checks for new episodes from your subscribed podcast channels. Noopod. Noopod is another free player to play podcasts in Windows. This podcast player lets you download podcasts from their channels and play them on PC. You can play podcasts directly without downloading them too. It can also be used as a media player. To get started with this podcast player, you can add podcast channels by using their feed URLs. You can also import your subscriptions in OPML format to add them. Now, you can download or play desired podcast episodes using Noopod podcast player . It will notify you whenever new episodes from your subscribed channels are available. You can specify feed refresh frequency from 5 minutes to 1 hours, to check for new available podcasts. BitsCast. BitsCast is one of the best free podcast player for Windows. You can receive and play podcasts using it. It is a RSS reader and it supports multiple channel subscription also. Multiple subscription property lets you access news, podcasts, etc. from different channels. As you open this software, it will display a list of some news, podcasts, and programming channels. You can add channels from this list or add new channels to access episodes from them. You can import and export your subscriptions in OPML file. It lets you check for updates of new episodes and also set duration to get notification for updates. Also, you can set podcast download directory and also lets you specify post downloading action. To download new podcast episodes, you can use automatic or manual mode. To manage database, it lets you set time limit for automatic deletion of older feeds. You can check for new feeds by specifying refreshing time and also get notifications for them. MusicBee. MusicBee is a free media player that is a good pick as a podcast player . Using this software, you can download and play audio podcasts from your subscribed channels or play podcasts online . To start playing podcasts, you need to add subscriptions of podcast channels. This can be easily done by using their feed URLs or by importing your subscriptions to it using OPML file. It also lets you export subscriptions in OPML file. During addition of any podcast channel, as soon as you enter the feed URL, it will automatically fetch and save details related to the channel. At the same time, it lets you specify settings related to new episodes and number of episodes to keep from each podcast. Thus, this software enables you to set different episode handling criterion for different podcast channels. There is a search option available on its interface to easily access desired files. It doesn’t play video files. Using this freeware, you can enjoy online radio also. WinAmp. WinAmp is another media player which can be used as a free Podcast player. It lets you play audio and video podcasts . You can play audio and video files of your PC by adding them to it. You can change the interface by using various skins available in this software. To add podcast subscriptions to this software, you can use feed URLs of podcast channels. It will receive podcast from your subscriptions and you can play them on its interface. You can download podcast episodes to play them or play them without downloading. You can set time limit for auto check for updates and also customize auto download actions. You will also get an inbuilt browser in this software. You can view history about last played files, and also bookmark URLs that you searched in its inbuilt browser. Klango. Klango is another free media player which plays podcasts also. You can also use this software to play media files stored in your PC or listen internet radio . To use this software, you need to create a user account on Klango network. After that, you can use various services offered by Klango. To listen podcasts, you can enter URLs to the search option available at its interface. This will display all episodes of that podcast channel in a list. You can choose to play these podcasts either after downloading them or stream them online. But, there was some problem with online podcast playing option while testing, as I couldn’t play podcasts without downloading them. It lets you store podcasts in your PC to listen them offline. The software interface is unique and gives a new experience. To use this software efficiently and to perform multitasking, you need to remember various shortcut keys. It navigates and reminds you about probable actions you may take, by using its speech synthesis feature. There are many other options available in this software, you can visit its homepage to know more about it. MOOVIDA. MOOVIDA is another free media player software that can be used as a podcast player. You can use this software to play podcasts from available directory or from subscribed channels. To use this software as a podcast player, you need to add subscriptions using their RSS feed URLs. It lets you check for new episodes from your subscribed podcast channels and also lets you decide what episode to download from available episodes. If you want to play podcasts online without downloading them, you can do that also. Apart from playing podcasts, it can be used as a media player for your PC to play videos, musics, etc. It lets you select video resolution from 480p to 1080p. The inbuilt internet radio option makes this software a better choice for radio lovers too. To stream radio using this software, you can add channels using their URLs. There are not many advanced podcast related options available in this software, but it may be a very good option for those, who are looking for a podcast player with ability to play multimedia files and internet radio . How to Download a Podcast to a PC. The dramatic rise of podcast popularity in recent years has often been attributed to the iPhone, iTunes and the Apple Podcasts app making it easy for listeners to find and subscribe to programs. However, despite programming becoming optimized for mobile listening, you don't need an Android or iOS device to listen to your favorite podcasts. On the contrary, it can often be easier to follow and download podcasts by using a computer instead of a phone or tablet: you can easily download a podcast from a website directly, or use any number of dedicated podcast manager programs. It may not be as simple as tapping three times on a touch screen, but it's still easy! Simple Podcast Format. Part of what makes podcasts so accessible to listeners – and so simple to produce – is the basic format. At their core, no matter how much work has gone into recording and editing the episode, any given podcast episode is nothing more than a standalone audio file. So long as you can access the audio file containing the episode, you can listen in: there are various channels available to publish and subscribe to podcasts, but these are all just delivery methods for the MP3 files nearly all podcast episodes are released as. Because podcast audio files are compatible with any music player or audio app on any operating system or device type, listeners have hundreds of options available to help them consume their favorite shows – especially on a computer. Direct Download Options. The most direct method available to download podcasts to a PC is to obtain the audio files straight from the source: this is done by downloading files from the podcast's hosting website. Whether the program is hosted on its own dedicated site, published through a hosting service like Libsyn, or distributed through a SoundCloud account, downloading episodes is a simple process. Once you've navigated to the show's website, browse the list of episodes until you find one you wish to download. While the method will differ based on the way the podcast's website is arranged, you will then be able to select a link or button labeled "Direct Download" or "Download This Episode." Once the download is complete, you will be able to listen to the episode like you would any other audio file. Using Podcast Manager Programs. Downloading podcasts directly is a simple way to access your favorite programs, but it leaves everything to you. If you want to follow a podcast, you'll have to remember to visit the show's website and download a new file manually every time an episode is released – which can become tedious if you follow multiple podcasts, and frustrating if those podcasts follow wildly different or irregular release schedules. To make things easier, you can use any number of podcast manager programs to simplify your listening experience. The most popular of these is iTunes, where you can browse, subscribe to, and download podcasts as you would on an iPhone, but hundreds of "podcatcher" programs like gPodder and AntennaPod exist. You can also use audio players like VLC. Many of these programs require you to link them to a podcast's RSS feed: these are specialized links provided by the podcasters themselves. Paste the RSS feed link into your podcast manager, and after selecting the "Add" option the program will show you the list of available episodes, updated as new episodes are released. You will then be able to listen within the program. Here are the Best Podcast Apps for Windows, Mac and Mobile. Are you looking for the best podcast apps for Windows or another device? You’ve come to the right place. Here are our favorites of the year. The best podcast apps for Windows and other platforms each feature something special, with some better than others. Here’s a look at our favorite podcast apps of the year and what makes them special. Pocket Casts. One of the best podcast apps across multiple platforms, Pocket Casts is packed with features often missing with other solutions. With Pocket Cast, you’ll get cross-platform and cross-device syncing, Android Auto, CarPlay, AirPlay, and Chromecast support, and much more. At the time of this writing, Pocket Casts is available on Windows, Mac, iPhone, iPad, Android, Alexa, SONOS, Apple Watch, Siri, and the web. For added benefits, consider Pocket Casts Plus, which includes themes, features, and exclusive access. Pocket Casts is also noted for having some of the best discovery tools in the business, allowing you to find content based on categories and your listening habits. There are also organization tools for streaming and downloading episodes, time-skips, a sleep timer, and much more. Spotify. The No. 1 music streaming service on the planet, Spotify, is also a great place to find and listen to podcasts. The all-in-one solution is ideal across multiple platforms, including Windows, Mac, Android, iOS, the web, and gaming devices. Like other solutions, Spotify lets you pick up across any device. With Spotify Premium, you can ditch the commercials and have more search functionality. Podbean. With Podbean, you can listen to your favorite podcasts while also creating your own for a small, monthly fee. Available on iOS, Android, and through the web, Podbean also does a great job of distributing your podcast to various locations, including Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Google Podcasts, the Podbean App, and more. By doing so, quite easily, your new podcast will be available to people around the world. Grover Pro. Exclusive to Windows, Grove Pro remains one of the most popular podcast apps on the planet. It offers an impressive job with search, allowing you to find your favorite titles in seconds. Other features include automatic downloads, podcast reordering, light and dark themes, and more. Besides PC, Grover Pro works on Xbox devices. NPR One. News-centric, NPR One offers the service’s library content and features live shows and podcasts on demand. Highly focused on the mobile device owner, NPR One is nevertheless also available through a web player so that you can listen to it nearly everywhere. iTunes. With iTunes, Apple was one of the first companies to embrace podcasts. Though iTunes is no longer on Apple devices, as the company embraces separate apps for each digital service like Music and Podcasts, it remains available on Windows. With over 250,000 podcasts available, iTunes for Windows includes subscribing to new podcasts by entering their UR. It features a smart playlist feature, speed indicator, organization by genre and length, and much more. The Podcast App. Available on Android and iOS, The Podcast App offers 550,000 shows and 40,000,000 episodes across various categories and interests. Perhaps the best part of The Podcast App is its search functionality, which does a great job of drilling down on all subjects. Though The Podcast App is free, you can unlock special features, including a wellness pack, for extra. But don’t worry, the free version is still highly customizable and fun to use. Stitcher. Another long-running, popular podcast solution, Stitcher features a brilliant interface and is available on mobile and through the web. For $5/month, you can eliminate ads and also access exclusive content through a premium package. By being a paid subscriber, you also get early access to some podcasts. Like some other solutions, Stitcher is best known for its search functionality that is second-to-none. Luminary. One of the biggest appeals of podcasts is they are typically free and available across multiple platforms and services. Luminary goes in a different direction by offering original content for a price. Considered a subscription podcast network, Luminary is $35/year for unlimited access. New users can try the service free for seven days. Free content is also available through Luminary, although its library isn’t as robust as other free solutions. TuneIn Radio. Though better known for its local radio, commercial-free music, and premium sports packages, TuneIn Radio also includes full access to podcasts. In doing so, it offers a large library of content across multiple categories. A premium subscription brings commercial-free options and fewer ads on radio stations. TuneIn Radio is available on mobile and through the web. What to Look for in the Best Podcast Apps. The best podcast apps of the year are just a slice of what’s available out there for podcast enthusiasts. When choosing the best solution for you, make sure it works across your favorite devices and includes syncing capabilities. Otherwise, you’ll be searching and finding the same podcasts across different machines. Do also try the premium features many also provide. Most offer free trials, so it won’t cost you anything unless you decide to subscribe. Finally, have a lot of fun. Podcasters spending a lot of time and resources on making these unique programs. Sit back, relax, and learn something new. 10 Best Podcast Recording Software in 2021. Sharing our thoughts and opinions with likeminded people around the world has never been easier. Today, anyone with access to the right tools can start their own podcast and debate about the topics they find important. Besides individuals, a growing number of companies are using podcasts to build a loyal fan-base and ultimately improve their brand’s visibility and profits. Each piece of equipment you use to produce a podcast can impact its quality, which is why you must choose carefully the audio recording software you are going to use to record new episodes for your podcast. Read on if you would like to find out more about the ten best podcast recording software products in 2020, that are going to ensure each new episode you record meets the highest industry standards. Top 10 Podcast Recording Software in 2021. Creating a podcast is a straight forward process since you just need a quiet room, a microphone, and good audio recording software. However, there are hundreds of options on the market to choose from which makes finding the podcast recording software difficult. That’s why we’ve compiled the list of top ten podcast recording software products in 2019 that is going to help you choose an option that best meets your podcasting needs. 1. Logic Pro X. Price: $199,99. Compatibility: macOS. Seasoned podcasters don’t need a special introduction to Logic Pro X, because this DAW (Digital Audio Workstation) has been one of the highest praised audio editing software product in the industry for decades. Unsurprisingly, Logic Pro X’s audio recording features are too powerful for most podcasters, as they are aimed at professionals who design sound for full feature movies and similar demanding projects. Adding sound effects, vintage EQs or simulating acoustic spaces are only a few among countless podcast editing tools Logic Pro X offers. However, producing podcasts with this DAW requires previous audio editing experience, so if you are new to podcasting it may take some time before you start feeling confident using Logic Pro X. Keep in mind that you can only use Logic Pro X on Mac computers that support 10.13.6 or later versions of the macOS. Offers professional audio recording tools A rich selection of plug-ins and sounds Supports 24-bit/192kHZ audio recording Over a thousand stereo or surround audio tracks can be added to the timeline. Cons. Demanding technical requirements Only available on Mac computers. 2. Adobe Audition. Price: $20,99 per month as a single app, free trial available. Compatibility: Windows, macOS. Audition has been a part of Adobe Creative Suite from the beginning, and over the course of the last couple of decades, it has established itself as one of the best audio editing software products on the market. This DAW is equipped with a broad range of audio recording and editing tools that enable professionals to create soundtracks for different types of projects. A brief look at the Audition’s list of features will leave you wondering if there is anything this audio editing software cannot do since it enables its users to manipulate their recordings and all other types of audio files in any way they want. So, you shouldn’t look much further than Adobe Audition if you are looking for a software that allows you to record and edit each new episode of your podcast. Powerful Reverb and DeNoise effects Supports high-quality recording on more than 32 tracks Projects created in Adobe Premiere can be opened in Audition Offers batch processing features. Cons. Provides more audio editing tools than most podcasters need Aimed only at professional users. 3. GarageBand. Price: Free. Compatibility: macOS, iOS. This recording studio is a popular option among podcasters because it offers a wide range of audio recording features for free. GarageBand allows you to record songs on more than 250 tracks, take multiple recordings and select the best one or share the podcasts you record to SoundCloud. In addition, this DAW makes mixing and mastering audio files look easy, and enables podcasters to polish their audio files before sharing them with their audience. Moreover, GarageBand is equipped with a visual EQ that features 8 different color-coded bands that are arranged from bass to treble. The rich library of plugins this recording studio offers enables you to make your podcasts more diverse and dynamic so that you can surprise your listeners in each new episode you share online. Excellent podcast recording capabilities on all macOS and iOS devices Offers advanced audio editing tools Provides a wide range of file sharing options More affordable than most podcast recording software products. Cons. Requires at least basic level of audio recording and audio editing experience Not available on a PC computer and Android devices. 4. Hindenburg Journalist. Price: Free trial available, pricing plans start at $95. Compatibility: Windows, macOS. Accomplished podcasters, audio recording professionals or journalists can use Hindenburg Journalist to record conversations, interviews or create solo audio recordings. Besides recording new material, Hindenburg Journalist lets you import and edit all audio files regardless of their bit rates or sample rates. The Voice Profiler tool creates EQs automatically and improves the quality of your recordings by balancing the highs and lows. Hindenburg Journalist is equipped with all audio editing tools you’re going to need to remove the mistakes you make during a podcast or apply fade-in and fade-out effects. Uploading podcasts directly to Loudness, Libsyn or Soundcloud directly from Hindenburg Journalist requires you to just select one of the available platforms. Optionally, you can add host, show and RSS details, set loudness levels or choose a new file format for your audio files. Simple audio recording setup Supports all types of audio files Generates EQs automatically Allows podcasters to upload audio files directly to Soundcloud, Loudness, and Libsyn. Cons. More expensive than most podcast recording software products Features only basic audio editing tools. 5. Audacity. Price: Free. Compatibility: macOS, Linux, Windows. Podcasters have been using Audacity to record their podcasts for decades. Even though Audacity’s interface may look a bit outdated, this cross- platform audio recorder and editor is still one of the best podcast recording software products you can find. You can use Audacity to record live audio through a microphone or a mixer, as well as digitize audio files from other media. In addition, Audacity lets you choose if you want to create 16-bit, 24-bit, or 32-bit audio recordings. Each podcast you record can be easily edited, so you can cut or delete parts of recording you don’t want to include in the final version of your podcast. This iconic podcast recording software allows you to import or export nearly all types of audio files, but, you can’t upload your podcasts directly from the software to a podcast hosting platform. Offers a wide array of audio recording options for free Captures high-quality audio files Rich audio effects library Supports all of the most commonly used audio file formats. Cons. Equipped with basic audio editing tools Outdated interface design. 6. Zencastr. Price: Free, pricing plans start at $20,00 per month. Compatibility: web-based. Having new guests for each new episode of your podcast can be difficult at times since their schedules can be too busy. Zencastr resolves this issue by enabling its users to conduct interviews online. You just have to send a link to your guest and this web-based podcast recorder will capture the interview in lossless 16-bit 44.1k quality. Zencastr separates tracks per guest which prevents quality drop-offs throughout the recording. The app’s Soundboard lets you add intros and outros to each new podcast your record in just a few clicks. All interviews you record with Zencastr are edited automatically, so you don’t have to spend time adjusting the file’s audio levels. However, the free version of Zencastr offers only limited capabilities, since you can only invite up to two guests and record the maximum of 8 hours of audio each month. No installation process Captures remote interviews in studio quality Zencastr enables users to voice chat directly from the app Offers 10 hours of automatic post-production each month. Cons. The free version of Zencastr offers only limited capabilities Sharing an audio file recorded with Zencastr directly to a podcast hosting platform is not possible. 7. Alitu. Price: $28,00 billed monthly or $280 billed annually. Compatibility: web-based. This online platform simplifies the process of creating a podcast by offering automatic audio editing services. You just have to upload the files you would like to edit and the Alitu is going to improve their quality. The app’s theme maker lets you create soundtracks for your podcasts, while the id3 tags are added automatically to each audio file you process with Alitu. In addition, you can create a solo recording from the app, and post them on Podbean, Libsyn, Blubrry and other podcast hosting platforms. Even so, Alitu’s automatic audio editing features are not powerful enough to compete with more advanced and more affordable podcast recording software products. The app’s selection of audio filters and plugins is also quite limited, especially when its price is considered. The short and simple podcast production process Support for a broad spectrum of audio file formats Uploading podcasts directly to Libsyn, Buzzsprout or any other podcast hosting platform is easy Excellent noise removal capabilities. Cons. Adjusting file’s audio settings manually isn’t an option Offers limited audio recording and editing features at a high price. 8. ProTools. Price: Pricing plans start at $29,99 per month. Compatibility: Windows, macOS. This is probably one of the oldest DAW software products on the market, and certainly one of the best. ProTools is a professional audio recording and editing software that offers all features you can need while recording a new episode of your podcast. Mixing multiple tracks or adding effects to your recordings are only a few out among the countless options you are going to have at your disposal if you choose to make your podcasts with ProTools. Furthermore, you’ll be able to collaborate with other members of your team through the cloud or share your work via the Avid Link app. The audio recording features ProTools offers can be overwhelming for newcomers to the world of podcasts, so if you don’t have previous audio recording experience it is better to opt for a less demanding podcast recording software. 9. Ringr. Price: Pricing plans start at $7,99 per month. Compatibility: iOS, Android, web-based. Conducting remote interviews with Ringr is easy, as you just have to schedule the interview and then connect via the Ringr app. As soon as the conversation starts, Ringer will start recording it and once the conversation is finished the audio file will be automatically uploaded to the Ringr platform. The app will then merge the files it created for each participant of the conversation to improve the audio’s quality, although all recordings created with the Basic subscription plan are going to be saved as Mono MP3 files. Once the automatic audio editing process is completed you can proceed to download the conversation you recorded, but keep in mind that the Conference Calling options are only available if you choose a Premium or Enterprise, subscription models. Enables podcasters to conduct remote interviews Efficient call scheduling tools The number of calls you can make with Ringr isn’t limited Quick download process. Cons. The quality of the recording depends on the pricing plan you purchase No audio editing tools. 10. ecamm Call Recorder for Skype. Price: $39,95. Compatibility: macOS. ecamm Call Recorder for Skype is not a podcast recording software product, as it is primarily used as a tool that records Skype conversations. Podcasters who often conduct interviews through Skype can rely on this macOS application to capture their Skype calls. After the recording session is completed you can choose if you want to export the recording as an MP3 audio file or as an HD video file. The lack of basic audio editing tools, effects or plugins makes ecamm Call Recorder for Skype a poor choice for all podcasters who want to polish the podcasts before sharing them with an online audience. This application for Mac computers can only be a complementary tool that enables podcasters to conduct remote interviews, but it cannot be your only choice if you want to create podcasts on a regular basis. Effortless recording session setup Lets its users export recordings as audio and video files Great for conducting interviews through Skype Requires no previous audio recording experience. Cons. No audio editing tools Uploading audio files directly to podcast hosting services is not an option. Each of the podcast recording software products we featured in this article offers excellent audio recording options and enables you to create high- quality podcasts. However, there is no need to purchase professional audio editing apps, if you just want to record high-quality audio files. Which podcast recording software product are you going to choose? Leave a comment below and share your opinions with us. The 10 Best Podcast Player Apps. Here are the best podcast listening apps for consuming your favorite audio shows, organizing episodes into playlists, and getting new podcast recommendations. (Wright Studio/Shutterstock.com) In 2002, while exploring the Radio section of iTunes, I stumbled on something that sounded like an amateur talk radio morning show. A couple of friends got together each week, recorded an hour or more of their conversation, and posted it to iTunes as The Great Radio Tiki Experiment. (The show is long gone, but archives of it are still online.) It was one of the earliest podcasts, one that started two years before the word even existed, and I was hooked. It took another decade for the medium to catch so widely that it now seems like anyone can create a successful podcast. The podcast market is now overrun with content that the only way to find shows you love, organize episodes you want to hear, and listen to them is to download a dedicated podcast app. Having tested around 25 podcast player apps, I've picked 10 that offer a great overall experience or something unique. Among these, I have a few personal favorites. If you only listen on an iPhone and you're looking for a streamlined podcast player that isn't littered with ads and recommendations, Downcast is my top pick. For a similar experience that's cross-platform, Pocket Casts takes the cake. If you're obsessed with discovering new podcasts, newcomer Himalaya is very promising. Also consider Breaker (iOS only), which taps into your social media accounts and address book, with your permission, to connect you with friends who use the app so you can see what they play. Common Features. Nearly all podcast apps have a few features in common. You should always be able to subscribe to a show so that new episodes appear in your podcast feed. You should be able to control how much content downloads to your device, either manually or by limiting the number of new episodes that download from each show. Some apps also let you set a limit on the amount of storage you're willing to use. Most apps have an audio boost feature that automatically enriches human voices. Most also have a dead air trimmer that, when enabled, automatically snips out silences that are longer than a breath or two. Any podcast app should let you create playlists, too. These are sets of shows that refresh as new episodes release. For example, I have a Morning playlist that contains four daily news shows so that I get an overview of what's happening in the world as I start my day. I have another playlist for shows I like to listen to while I cook. If organizing playlists tops your list of needs or wants, Overcast may be the best fit, as it lets you create both playlists of shows (which it calls Smart Playlists) and playlists of specific episodes, a better solution for one-off activities, such as a summer road trip. Start Listening. Below you'll find the 10 best podcast apps, listed alphabetically, with images of the mobile apps, details on their prices, and a few words about what makes them unique or useful. Breaker. Price: Free. Breaker is a free iOS-only podcast app with a social bent. By connecting it to Twitter, Facebook, or your contacts, you can find other people you know who use Breaker and follow them to get recommendations. You can see what shows and episodes people listen to and read comments they leave on episodes. When exploring new podcasts, you can see how many other Breaker users have subscribed to the show. The app is entirely free to download and use with no upsell. It makes money by offering podcast creators a way to sell content directly to listeners and taking a slice of the action. Available on iOS. Castbox. Price: Free; $0.99 per month for Premium. Castbox is the podcast app to use if you're interested in discovering new podcasts. Its hook is suggesting new podcasts using a unique recommendation engine. The results are quite different from the typical "top 100" lists seen in other apps. You can use the Android, iOS, and web apps for free, as long as you don't mind seeing and hearing advertisements or being limited to 100 channel subscriptions. Premium costs $0.99 per month and gives you an ad-free experience, unlimited subscriptions, a personalized homepage, priority support, and early access to new features. Castbox is also compatible with Amazon Alexa, Apple Watch, CarPlay, Google Home, and Android Auto. Note that in the Apple App Store, it's listed as Podcast Player: Castbox. Available on Android, iOS, Web. Castro. Price: Free; Castro Plus $18.99 per year or $5.99 for 3 months. Castro is a free iOS podcast app that is fairly average if you use the free version. However, if you upgrade to the $18.99-per-year Castro Plus tier, you get the Sideload feature, which allows you to upload any content you want to play to the podcast player, from audiobooks to conference talks you find on the web. The rest of Castro's features are average, including a button that trims dead air from your listening experience, a voice booster setting, the ability to customize settings for each show in your feed, and a dark mode. I don't recommend the free version of this app; if you're interested in a Plus account, you can try it for a week before you need to pay. Available on iOS. Downcast. Price: $2.99 iOS, $4.99 macOS. Downcast is among the best podcast apps for iPhones and Macs. It also works with Apple Watch and CarPlay. You pay once for the apps and own them forever with no subscription fees. It's easy to subscribe to podcasts, whether you browse or search for them or add them via a URL feed. Rich settings let you automatically start your favorite shows a set number of seconds in, or end them early, letting you bypass lengthy intros or closing ads. There's a great list view of shows that you've either subscribed to or downloaded that gives you details such as how many episodes are in your queue, when the most recent episode debuted, and an icon indicating if you are not subscribed to automatically download the next release. If you're an Apple-only user and don't need a web app, Downcast is one of the best podcast apps for you. Available on iOS, macOS. Himalaya. Price: Free. A newcomer to the podcast arena in 2019, Himalaya is both a podcast player app and a service for podcast creators. Setting aside the creator arm for a moment, the podcast player is free, and you can get it on Android, iOS, and the web. The app recommends shows left, right, and sideways. It suggests playlists for different times, such as your morning routine or getting through the midday slump. It recommends shows you might like when you play an episode of a show. Even when searching and exploring for podcasts, Himalaya's categorization has impressive depth. Topics are as specific as aviation (219 shows), Hinduism (318), and language courses (2,274). If you're interested in learning more about the app for creators, see Himalaya's creator page. Available on Android, iOS, Web. Luminary. Price: Free; $7.99 per month for Premium. Luminary launched in early 2019 with a beautifully signed podcast catcher and player app, plus a controversial battle cry to eliminate ads from podcasts. Its pitch: For a $7.99 per month fee (hefty in the podcasting world), you'll get access to all its original programs once they debut, as many are not yet public as of this writing. About 40 shows are scheduled to appear this year, including Hear to Slay with Roxane Gay and Tressie McMillan Cottom and The Axe Files with David Axelrod (I'm curious who insisted on that groan-worthy pun). The hitch for Luminary is that a few podcast networks are withholding key shows from Luminary's platform, including The Daily by The New York Times and Reply All from Gimlet Media. Available on Android, iOS, Web. Overcast. Price: Free; $9.99 per year for Premium. Overcast is an iOS-only app with a few unique features, the standout one being clip sharing. With clip sharing, you can tell someone about a podcast you love by sending them an audio or video clip of it up to one minute long. I also like that you can create playlists of podcast shows so that each new episode appears in the list (called Smart Playlist) or a playlist of specific episodes you want to hear. The free version of the app contains ads and has such significant feature limitations that I don't recommend using the app unless you're willing to pay $9.99 per year for Premium. Sadly, Overcast doesn't give you a trial period for the upgrade either. The app is also compatible with Apple Watch. Available on iOS. Pocket Casts. Price: Free; $0.99 per month, $10 per year for Plus. One of the most loved podcast player apps, Pocket Casts, is now free for Android and iOS. This app has a tidy interface and great features. It's easy to see what's in your subscription list as well as which episodes you've started, but haven't finished. It has 0.1 increments for increasing or decreasing the audio speed, so you can gently adjust the pace. You can also connect it to Amazon Alexa to play podcasts through an Echo speaker. Pocket Casts used to cost about $4 to download the mobile app and another $9 for desktop apps, but now anyone can use the mobile apps for free. If you previously purchased the mobile apps, you won't experience any changes, and anyone who bought the desktop apps will get lifetime access to Plus for free. For new subscribers, Plus membership adds access to the desktop apps for macOS, Windows, and web; cloud storage for creators and listeners who want to use the app for hosting audio and video files; and exclusive app icons and themes. Available on Android, iOS, macOS, Web, Windows. Stitcher. Price: Free; Premium from $4.99 per month or $34.99 per year. Not only is Stitcher a podcast app, it's also a podcast network. Some of the hit shows on its roster include Freakonomics Radio and Levar Burton Reads. It keeps some of its content reserved for Premium members only, like Maria Bamford: 20%. Stitcher doesn't have the most robust feature set or settings for playing podcast episodes, but you can listen nearly everywhere using the apps for Android and iOS, as well as a web player. You can also play Stitcher content on an Amazon Alexa device, as well as in cars using CarPlay, Android Auto, or directly from a smart audio system. A Premium membership costs $4.99 per month or $34.99 for a year. Available on Android, iOS, Web. Spotify. Price: Free; Premium from $9.99 per month. In addition to being one of the best music streaming services, Spotify is also a podcast player. When you use Spotify to organize and listen to podcasts, your podcast activity lives a dedicated area, separate from your music. It doesn't have nearly as many settings and controls as a more traditional podcast catcher app, but if you're already paying for Spotify Premium, then it still may be worth using for listening to podcasts. A Premium account, starting at $9.99 per month, eliminates the limitations and in-app ads, though it doesn't do anything about ads that are included in episodes. Available on Android, iOS, macOS, Windows, web. Beyond Podcast Apps. For podcast recommendations, check out our roundup of the best podcasts. We put together a list of our staff's favorite shows across eight different categories, such as Comedy, Informative, and News & Politics. If you're thinking about creating your own podcast, you might want to read our reviews of the best USB microphones to make sure you get the best possible sound. This newsletter may contain advertising, deals, or affiliate links. Subscribing to a newsletter indicates your consent to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. 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