The Ultimate Guide to Unleashing the Full Potential of Podcasts on your iPhone and iPad

We're living in a fantastic era of podcasts, making it the perfect time to find a great player to enhance your listening experience. Check out our top recommendations for enjoying podcasts on your iPhone and Apple Watch.

Apple Podcasts

Instead of rushing to the app store for a third-party tool, consider checking out the Apple Podcasts app installed on your iPhone. It is a versatile option that caters to both long-time and new podcast enthusiasts. Additionally, if you own multiple Apple devices, it allows for seamless syncing through iCloud. This means you can continue listening to your podcasts from where you left off on your Mac, iPad, Apple Watch, HomePod, Apple TV, and other devices.

The app offers unexpected levels of customization considering it comes pre-installed. You have the ability to decide how many episodes of a show you want to store offline for each podcast individually. Certain aspects of the user interface, such as the skip forward and backward buttons, can also be personalized. Additionally, if you prefer listening through your Apple Watch, there is a comprehensive range of specialized settings available.

When you ask Siri to play a podcast, Apple Podcasts is the default app that will be used. This feature generally works well, and you can even use Siri to play podcasts that you are not subscribed to. These podcasts will open in the app. Apple Podcasts also integrates smoothly with CarPlay, allowing you to enjoy your favorite shows while driving.

In terms of additional features, there isn't much to mention. You have the option to adjust the playback speed of a podcast, either making it faster or slower (although this may affect the audio quality). There is also a sleep timer function, and you can save specific episodes indefinitely. Limited podcast suggestions are available based on your listening habits, current popularity, and editor's picks.

Don’t write off Apple Podcasts just because it comes pre-installed, especially if you want an app that “just works” with your other Apple devices.

Overcast

Overcast is an app that stands out from the rest with its simplicity, user-friendliness, and powerful features. It has been recognized as an App Store Editor's Choice winner and is highly praised by tech publications. The app is available for free, but there are banner ads on the playback screen. If you subscribe to Overcast Premium for $9.99, you can remove these ads and enjoy additional benefits such as the ability to upload files and support ongoing development.

One of the app's standout features is Voice Boost, which applies equalizer settings to your podcasts to enhance the clarity of spoken word. Another impressive feature is Smart Speed, which intelligently shortens silences and speeds up episodes without compromising the audio quality. Additionally, Overcast offers powerful playlist tools with customizable filters, allowing you to create your own personalized radio station.

The level of customization is extensive, ranging from the theme colors to a dedicated menu called "Nitpicky Details" that caters to specific preferences, allowing you to fine-tune your podcast app to your exact liking. For added convenience, there are episode-specific settings enabling you to determine the number of episodes to download and retain simultaneously. Furthermore, the app even preserves your Voice Boost and Smart Speed preferences for each individual episode, should you desire it.

Pocket Casts

Pocket Casts is a sleek podcast application that appears to have been created specifically for avid users. While the application can be obtained and utilized for free, subscribing to Pocket Casts Plus for $3.99 per month or $39.99 per year will grant you access to the complete Pocket Casts experience and support the ongoing development of the app.

By subscribing, you will gain various perks such as the availability of desktop applications for both Windows and macOS (as well as a web app), the ability to organize your podcasts into folders, functionality on Apple Watch, 10GB of cloud storage for your personal files, and a wider range of themes and icons to customize the app's appearance.

Despite offering some features behind a paywall, there are still plenty of reasons to appreciate Pocket Casts even if you choose to use the free version. By creating an account, you can seamlessly synchronize your podcasts with other platforms, including the Android app. The user interface is clean and clutter-free, making it easy to navigate. All your podcasts are neatly displayed in a tiled interface on the "Podcasts" tab, allowing for a quick and convenient browsing experience.

The most intriguing feature of the app is the "Filters" function, allowing users to effortlessly create playlists based on specific criteria. For instance, one can apply a filter to include only selected podcasts, such as favorite news bulletins, that are unplayed and released within the past week. Additionally, filters can be applied based on duration, download status, starred episodes, and media type. This powerful tool proves invaluable for individuals with numerous subscriptions, providing a more efficient way to navigate through shows.

Pocket Casts seamlessly integrates with CarPlay and offers casting capabilities to AirPlay, Chromecast, and Sonos devices, as with other apps on this list. The app also encompasses a Volume Boost feature to enhance voices and a Trim Silence setting, alongside standard speed controls. With an extensive range of customizable options, users can tailor their listening experience to their preferences.

Castro

Castro revolutionizes the way you manage your podcast library. While it can be utilized as a conventional podcasting app, allowing you to select a show and episode, it thrives as a curation platform. It is particularly useful for individuals who feel inundated by a deluge of podcasts and may not wish to listen to each and every one.

Subscribing to podcasts has never been easier and more convenient. With a simple search and a click on the "+", you can instantly subscribe to your favorite podcasts right from the results page. Moreover, if you have podcasts from other apps, you can easily import them as well.

Once subscribed, the new episodes will appear on the "Inbox" tab, making it effortless for you to stay updated. From there, you have the flexibility to either add them to your "Queue" for immediate listening or archive them for later.

Think of your queue as a personalized feed, where each episode smoothly transitions into the next one, providing you with an uninterrupted and seamless listening experience.

Castro offers a free version with some limited features, while additional features can be unlocked with a subscription that costs $2.99 per month or $18.99 per year. These subscription benefits include a companion Apple Watch app, the Trim Silence feature, the ability to trim audio from Safari and listen to it within Castro, per-podcast settings, and an audio booster called Enhance Voice. The free version is supported by adverts in the form of promoted shows, which are removed when upgrading.

In addition to these features, Castro provides ample options for customization. Users can set download limits, customize the user interface, create Siri Shortcuts, and choose from different color tints and light or dark themes. If you are seeking a unique solution for managing your podcast addiction, especially if you frequently listen to shows with frequent or daily episodes, Castro is definitely worth a try.

More Podcast Apps You Might Want to Check Out

If the aforementioned podcast apps fail to meet your needs, don't worry. The App Store offers an abundance of alternatives. Among them is Google Podcasts, originally designed for Android but now accessible on all platforms. This app utilizes information from your Google account to suggest podcasts tailored to your interests. However, it's worth noting that this level of personalization may be disconcerting to some.

Spotify, a major player in the realm of podcasts, offers a comprehensive app that combines music, audio books, and podcasts all in one place. While a subscription is not required for listening, opting for the free tier means you may encounter advertisements. Notably, Spotify invests in quality programming and features a curated selection of exclusive podcasts. If you're unable to find what you're looking for elsewhere, be sure to give Spotify a try. Already subscribed to YouTube Music? Rest assured, they also offer podcasts!

Breaker is a unique podcast app that offers a social approach to podcast consumption. By following friends and seeing what they're listening to, users can discover new podcasts and receive recommendations. Additionally, Breaker is user-friendly and has a premium tier that includes features such as Apple Watch support and a space saver to compress episodes on the device.

For those seeking exclusive podcast content, Stitcher is worth considering. Along with its customizable features and helpful recommendations, this app provides exclusive podcasts for premium subscribers.

Lastly, if you prefer a premium podcast experience that can be purchased outright, Downcast is an excellent choice. Priced at $2.99, this offline-focused app allows users to easily download, organize, and listen to podcasts all in one place. It also offers support for CarPlay and Apple Watch.

Download, Listen, Delete

Podcasts offer endless entertainment options that can be enjoyed during various activities. However, it's easy to get carried away and subscribe to more shows than necessary. To ensure podcasts don't consume all the free space on your iPhone, follow these helpful tips.

Looking for Android apps instead? Check out our favorite Android podcast apps.