Best Free Android Apps for Podcast Listening

Podcasts have become a growing trend as a platform for fun and information sharing since they cover a wide range of topics and conversations that cater to different types of listeners. You can search, listen to, and enjoy podcasts very easily thanks to the large number of free Android apps available. You can also watch podcast videos available on YouTube and Instagram.

But if you prefer listening over videos, then podcast listening apps are for you. You may hear a variety of podcasts and keep up with the latest topics by installing these free Android apps. In this article, we find out about the top free Android apps for podcast listening.

Best Free Android Apps for Podcast Listening

There are several free and paid apps available for podcast listening. But some apps don’t go back, they go next, because these things are covered in their subscription and users have to purchase the subscription to activate these services. Instead of using premium apps, in this article, we provide you with a list of the best free Android apps for podcast listening.

Pocket Casts

Pocket Casts offers hand-curated podcast suggestions to make it a simple matter to discover new podcasts and episodes. Its interface is designed to be simple and attractive, enabling easy access to podcasts for searching and listening. It is another free podcast-listening Android app.

Features

• Users may find new popular podcasts by searching the categories or interests.
• Advanced playback features are included in the app, such as volume boost, skip intervals, and variable playing speed.
• Episodes can be downloaded by users for offline listening, which makes it easy to listen while travelling.

Pros

• Users can make personalized playlists according to their feelings or interests.
• Podcast playback and search are made simple with Pocket Casts’ visually appealing and user-friendly interface.

Cons

• A premium subscription is required to access certain advanced functionalities.
• Users of free apps may find Pocket Casts more expensive initially when accessing premium features.

Pricing

• Free
• Plus: ₹2,007.42/yr.
• Patron: ₹10,038.61/yr.

Link: https://pocketcasts.com/

Castbox

Castbox is a feature-rich podcast listening app for Android that offers a broad collection of content and a simple-to-use interface. With offline listening options and personalized recommendations, it provides an interesting listening experience.

Features

• Castbox has a huge selection of radio stations, audiobooks, and podcasts covering various topics and categories.
• Subscribers can receive automatic updates and notifications for new episodes of their favourite series.
• Through the app’s features—likes, comments, and sharing options—users can interact with listeners and content creators.

Pros

• Castbox’s personalized recommendation engine helps users find fresh content that is relevant to their interests and makes it easier to find interesting podcasts.
• Users can download episodes for offline listening.

Cons

• Some users may find their listening experience interrupted by the advertisements in Castbox’s free version.
• The maximum number of episodes or total storage space that can be used for offline content may be limited by the app.

Pricing

• Free

Link: https://castbox.fm/

Google Podcasts

Google Podcast is another free android app for podcast listening developed by Google. It aims to provide a smooth podcast listening experience for customers with a simple UI and connections with other Google services.

Features

• Users can download episodes for offline listening.
• Advanced playback features are included in the app, such as volume boost, skip intervals, and so on.
• It allows users to access podcasts using voice assistants.

Pros

• Its easy-to-use interface is simple and clear.
• It provides customized suggestions based on user listening preferences and interests.

Cons

• It may lack advanced features such as customizable playlists, advanced playback controls, or detailed episode management options.
• Some users may face customization settings because they cannot change the interface design or settings such as skip intervals.

Pricing

• Free

Link: https://podcasts.google.com/

Podcast Addict

Podcast Addict is more than just a listening app for Android devices. It has an extensive collection of audiobooks, podcasts, live-streaming radio and more. Podcast Addict has automation features that make listening efficient and seamless.

Features

• Users can listen to their favourite podcasts without using the internet with the download option.
• Users of Podcast Addict can make customized playlists for them.
• Users can receive notifications for new releases from the app, which immediately refreshes subscribing podcasts to fetch new episodes.

Pros

• It supports gestures for easy navigation during playback.
• Users have control over download settings, including auto-downloading and download limits.

Cons

• The app shares data with third parties, including app activity, app info, performance, and device IDs.
• It includes ads in the free version.

Pricing

• Available for free.
• Plus: $0.99/month or $9.99/year.

Link: https://podcastaddict.com/

Spotify

Spotify is a popular music streaming that also offers high-quality podcasts. It is another free Android app for podcast listening in which users can enjoy a feature-rich podcast listening experience called Spotify Podcasts, which gives them access to a huge podcast library in addition to their music selection.

Features

• Users with premium benefits can download offline music and podcast episodes.
• It offers a massive selection of podcasts. You’ll find news, comedy, true crime, tech – there’s something for everyone.
• The current Spotify music app, it integrates with podcasts also.

Pros

• Users can switch between music and podcasts effortlessly without needing separate apps.
• For a more customized listening experience, users can make custom playlists with both music songs and podcast episodes.

Cons

• Compared with specific podcast apps, the features it offers for podcasts could be less.
• Some podcast episodes aren’t available on Spotify Podcasts.

Pricing

• Available for free.
• Mini: ₹7 for 1 day.
• Individual: ₹119 for 2 months, ₹119 / month after.
• Student: ₹59 for 2 months, ₹59 / month after.
• Duo: ₹149 for 2 months, ₹149 / month after.
• Family: ₹179 for 2 months, ₹179 / month after.

Link: https://open.spotify.com/

Player FM

Player FM is not only free to install but also on-demand and is a widely-used podcast-listening app and podcast player. It supports multiple Android devices and has a simple UI that even a first-time user can use.

Features

• It makes finding new podcasts easy. Browse categories, and search for your interests.
• It offers sleep timers, track skipping, and adjustable playback speed for total control.
• Additionally, users can download episodes for offline listening and make bookmarks.

Pros

• Spotify recommends podcasts you’ll love, based on what you listen to.
• Users have control over download settings, including auto-downloading and download limits.

Cons

• The free version of Player FM includes ads, which interrupt the listening experience for some users.
• There may be a learning process with Player FM, specifically for new users who are not familiar with its features.

Pricing

• Available for free.
• Plus: $5.42/month, billed annually.

Link: https://player.fm/

Podbean

With a large content library, customized suggestions, and strong offline listening features, Podbean has a free Android app for podcast listening experience. Even though the free version could have ads and require little learning, a lot of podcast lovers select it for its features and simple user interface.

Features

• Basic playback controls are included in the app, including play, pause, fast-forward and slow-motion, and speed-adjustable playback.
• With Podbean, users can create their podcast episodes for easy access.
• It provides a smooth listening experience on smartphones, tablets, and on the web as well.

Pros

• It allows users to create custom playlists and organize their podcast episodes for easy access.
• Users can download its content and access it offline.

Cons

• The free version of Podbean contains ads.
• New users find it difficult to use who don’t use any podcast app before.

Pricing

• Free
• Unlimited Audio: Starts at $9/month.
• Unlimited Plus: Starts at $29/month.
• Network: Starts at $79/month.

Link: https://www.podbean.com/podcast-app-iphone-android-mobile

Podcast Player

Podcast Player is another free Android app for podcast listening for you to search, subscribe to, stream, play and download all of your favourite podcasts and audiobooks and more. It even allows quick transfer of subscriptions from other podcast apps.

Features

• Users can subscribe to their favourite shows to receive automatic updates for new episodes.
• Additionally, users can download episodes for offline listening and make bookmarks.
• Users can modify the music playing settings for each playlist they make, depending on their listening preferences, moods, or hobbies.

Pros

• Users can access the shows they want from anywhere at any time.
• Based on their interests, users can create customized playlists.

Cons

• The ads may sometimes interrupt the user experience.
• There may be a learning process with Player FM, specifically for new users who are not familiar with its features.

Pricing

• Free

Link: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.podcast.podcasts&hl=en&gl=US

Amazon Music

Podcasts have been included in Amazon Music, a well-known free Android software that combines music streaming with podcast listening. This allows users to access a wide range of audio as well as podcast content.

Features

• Amazon Music integrates podcasts into its platform, alongside music content.
• Users can download podcast episodes for offline listening with a subscription.
• Amazon Music is available on various platforms, including Android, iOS, web browsers etc.

Pros

• It allows users to access their favourite shows anytime, anywhere.
• Users can make their customized playlists based on their interests.

Cons

• Some features, such as ad-free streaming and offline listening, require a subscription to Amazon Music.
• Some users find that some podcasts or episodes are not available on the platform due to licensing agreements.

Pricing

• Available for free.
• Prime User: $9.99/month for a monthly subscription or $99/year for an annual subscription.
• Non-Prime customers: $10.99/month.

Link: https://music.amazon.in/podcasts

Eight

Eight is a free Android app for podcast listening and a new-release app for listening to podcasts and audiobooks. Here we will discuss its features, pros and cons.

Features

• Its design is simple and easy for navigation and podcast discovery.
• Customizable playback options including playback speed adjustment, skip forward/backward, and sleep timers.
• Option to download episodes for offline listening, enabling users to enjoy podcasts without an internet connection.

Pros

• Users can access its content with the help of a download option.
• Users can make their customized playlists based on their interests.

Cons

• Free versions of podcast apps may contain advertisements.
• Podcast apps with more features may consume more device storage or battery life.

Pricing

• Available for free.

Link: https://home.eight.network/

Which Android App is Best for Podcast Listening?

Many Best free Android apps for podcast listening exist in the market, yet we believe Player FM stands out as the best free Android app for podcast listening among them. It has an interactive user interface and more customized features that may be lacking in other apps. It helps users to listen to podcasts offline without requiring an internet connection.

Users can download several podcasts on the topic of their choice without worrying about storage space. It is free to use and available on the Play Store where you can easily download it.

Conclusion

Both Android and iOS users can download several best free apps for podcast listening each with special features and advantages to support users. There are different podcast apps present for every need including customization playlists, advanced control features, offline access and so on. Some alternatives have both online and offline access while some have not.

But you have to choose wisely according to your choice and interests. If you are using podcast apps for the first time you should try the free ones, because they may not charge you additional costs.

FAQs – Best Free Android Apps for Podcast Listening

Is the Google podcast app free?

Yes, Google podcast is free to use.

Are Audible podcasts free?

Audible Original Podcasts are free for members.

What is the best free alternative to Google Podcasts?

If you’re on Android, try Pocket Casts, Podcast Addict, or AntennaPod.