What’s the best way to listen to podcasts on Android?
Podcasting has exploded in popularity in recent years. According to a 2023 report from Pew Research, 42% of Americans ages 12 and older have listened to a podcast in the past month, up from just 11% in 2008 (Pew Research). As of Q3 2022, podcasts reach 18% of those age 13+ in the U.S., representing a 20% increase year-over-year (The Podcast Host).
With the growth of podcast listening, Android users now have many options for accessing podcasts. This article provides an overview of the best apps and methods for listening to podcasts on Android devices. It covers dedicated podcasting apps, music streaming services, YouTube, web browsers, podcast aggregators, and more. The goal is to help Android users find the podcast listening experience that best fits their needs and preferences.
Dedicated Podcast Apps
Many Android users prefer using a dedicated podcast app over a general music or audio app for listening to podcasts. Some of the most popular dedicated podcast apps include Pocket Casts, Castbox, and Podbean.
Dedicated podcast apps provide features tailored specifically for podcast listening, such as the ability to subscribe to shows, automatically download new episodes, organize your podcast library, and customize playback speed. They allow you to easily discover new podcasts through recommendations and search. Dedicated apps also offer enhanced podcast discovery, management, and playback features compared to general audio apps.
The downside is that you may need to switch between apps if you also want to listen to music. Using a general audio app like Spotify allows you to have both music and podcasts in one place. However, the podcast management and listening experience may not be as robust as a dedicated podcast app designed solely for that purpose.
Music Streaming Apps
Many popular music streaming services like Spotify and Apple Music have added robust podcast listening features in recent years. According to Statista, over 32 million people listened to podcasts on Spotify in 2022. Music streaming apps can be convenient for accessing podcasts if you already use them regularly.
The main advantage of using a music streaming app for podcasts is convenience – your podcasts and music are integrated into one app. Spotify and Apple Music also offer podcast recommendations based on your listening habits. Downloading podcast episodes for offline listening is usually an option as well.
The downside is that music streaming apps lack some key podcast-specific features. They may not have options for playback speed control, trim silence, or smart episode playback. Music apps also won’t automatically track your listening progress across devices and sync where you left off. You may prefer a dedicated podcast app if you listen to a lot of podcasts regularly.
Listening to Podcasts on YouTube
YouTube has become a major platform for podcasts in recent years. According to research from WARC, YouTube came out on top as the most used podcast platform at 33%, ahead of Spotify at 24% and Apple Podcasts at 12% [1]. YouTube makes it easy to find and listen to podcasts in a few different ways:
To find podcasts on YouTube, you can simply search for a podcast name or topic. Many popular podcasts have dedicated YouTube channels where they post video versions of their podcast episodes. You can subscribe to these channels to get notified when new episodes are released. YouTube will also recommend relevant podcasts on the homepage and sidebar based on your interests and viewing history.
When watching a podcast video on YouTube, you have the standard YouTube video controls to pause, skip around, and adjust playback speed. Many podcast channels also provide timecodes in the description to jump to specific topics. An advantage of YouTube is the ability to enjoy the video format with visuals like host reactions and supplemental images/video.
However, a downside is that YouTube does not have features tailored specifically for podcast listening, like automatic downloads and background audio playback. You’ll have to keep the YouTube app open and screen on for uninterrupted listening. Overall, YouTube offers a convenient way to access a wide variety of podcasts for free, though the experience is not as seamless as dedicated podcast apps.
Web Browsers
One option for listening to podcasts on Android is directly through a web browser like Chrome or Firefox. Most podcasts are available on the web through sites like Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, and more. By going to these sites in your mobile browser, you can stream podcast episodes without needing to download a separate app.
There are a few advantages to using a web browser for podcasts on Android:
- You don’t need to download or install any additional apps, since the browser is already on your phone.
- You can access podcasts from multiple sites in one place, rather than switching between different apps.
- Web browsers may offer more flexibility in terms of listening speed, playlists, etc. compared to some podcast apps.
However, there are also some downsides to consider:
- Browsing podcasts on a mobile site isn’t always optimized for smaller screens like a dedicated app would be.
- You may need to log in or subscribe to listen to certain podcasts.
- Streaming podcasts uses more mobile data compared to downloading episodes to listen offline.
- You lose out on app-specific features like offline downloads, notifications, etc.
Overall, web browsers provide a convenient way to listen to podcasts without needing multiple apps. But frequent listeners may prefer using a dedicated podcast player for the best experience.
Podcast Aggregators
Podcast aggregator apps like Google Podcasts and Stitcher are designed to help you discover and manage podcasts from a variety of sources in one place.
Aggregators pull in podcast feeds from across the internet so you can browse, subscribe to, and listen to shows without having to visit each podcast’s individual website. They typically have features like curated recommendations, personalized suggestions based on your listening history, and search tools to find new podcasts.
Some of the main benefits of using a podcast aggregator app include:
- Access to a huge catalog of podcasts in one app
- Ability to easily subscribe, queue episodes, and manage subscriptions
- Automatic updates when new episodes are released
- Streaming and offline playback options
- Cross-device syncing between mobile and desktop
Aggregators like Google Podcasts and Stitcher make it simple to start listening to podcasts without needing to manually hunt down shows.
Downloading for Offline Listening
One of the great benefits of listening to podcasts on Android is the ability to download episodes for offline listening. This allows you to listen to podcasts anytime, anywhere – even without an internet connection. According to research, over 70% of podcast listening occurs offline [1].
To download a podcast episode on Android, open your preferred podcast app and find the episode you want to save. Look for a download button or icon next to the episode details. Tap it to download the episode to your device storage. The episode will now be accessible in the app without needing an internet connection.
Downloaded podcasts are ideal for situations when you won’t have WiFi or mobile data access. This includes plane rides, commuting on the subway, hiking or camping in remote areas, international travel, or other instances when connectivity may be limited. Downloading in advance ensures you’ll have fresh content to listen to later.
Offline listening also helps save mobile data usage for those with limited data plans. Rather than streaming episodes and using up your data, you can download podcasts over WiFi then listen offline later. This makes podcasts more accessible for people in areas with poor connectivity or expensive data.
In summary, downloading podcast episodes for offline listening is a valuable feature on Android. It provides entertainment and information anywhere while minimizing data usage – making podcasts more useful and practical in people’s daily lives.
Multitasking and Background Playback
One of the great things about listening to podcasts on Android is the ability to multitask and keep listening even when you switch to another app. Android allows podcast apps to keep playing audio in the background so you can check email, browse social media, or do other things while the podcast continues.
Dedicated podcast apps like Pocket Casts, Castbox, and Podcast Addict generally allow uninterrupted background playback with no limits. Music streaming apps like Spotify and Apple Music also permit background audio for podcasts. However, YouTube stops playback as soon as you leave the app which can be frustrating.
Some factors that affect background listening include battery optimization settings which can sometimes pause playback, connectivity issues like switching from WiFi to mobile data, and Android OS background task limits. Using a podcast app specifically designed for background audio playback generally provides the most seamless experience.
Overall, Android and podcast apps provide great support for multitasking while listening. Running podcasts in the background makes it easy to keep your favorite shows playing while doing other tasks on your mobile device.
Choosing the Right App
When selecting a podcast app for Android, here are some key factors to consider:
Listening preferences – Do you mostly listen during commutes or while working out? If so, background playback and download features may be important. Are you a power user who creates playlists and likes to skip around? Look for robust podcast management tools.
Platform support – Many prefer an app that syncs across devices. Cross-platform apps like Pocket Casts and Stitcher allow seamless switching between phone and computer.
Discovery tools – Apps like Google Podcasts and Stitcher make finding new podcasts easy. Browse by category or view curated lists.
Customization – Adjustable settings like themes and speed control appeal to those wanting a personalized experience. Pocket Casts stands out here.
Price – Many quality apps like Podcast Republic are free. Some charge a subscription for advanced features.
By weighing your priorities against app capabilities, you can find the perfect match for your Android podcast listening needs.
Conclusion
There are many great podcast apps available for Android phones, each with their own strengths and weaknesses. Here are some key takeaways for finding the best app for your podcast listening needs:
Dedicated podcast apps like Pocket Casts and Castbox offer the most podcast-focused experience with advanced listening options, but can lack the music and multi-media options of music streaming services.
Spotify and Google Music are great options for those who want seamless access to podcasts and music in one app. But their podcast libraries can be more limited compared to dedicated podcast platforms.
For YouTube fans, using the main YouTube app or YouTube Music allows easy access to video and audio podcast content. But you lose out on offline downloads and background listening capabilities.
If you prefer a minimal interface, web apps like Soundcloud may appeal over more robust apps. This gives you instant access from any browser, but less customizable features.
In the end, think about your main listening preferences – like music integration, video podcasts, simplicity – and try out a few different apps to see which provides the best experience for your needs.