The best free Android podcast apps in 2022
Looking for a free app on Android that can download and play podcasts?
For years, Apple has had a myriad of podcast players, but there haven't been many good options on Android. But now, in 2022, there are a number of Android podcast player apps that we recommend:
Google Podcasts – Google released its own native podcast app in 2018. There aren't a lot of bells and whistles, but it's a good basic player.
Spotify – if you're already a Spotify user, you can listen to most podcasts in your Spotify app.
Castbox – another good free option. This is the most popular app amongst my friends who use Android.
Dog Catcher
Beyond Pod
Podcasty
PodKicker
Need a podcast app for Android with smart speed?
On iOS, Overcast has a "smart speed" feature, that automatically cuts out silences and gaps in the conversation for podcast episodes.
If you're looking for a similar feature on Android, Pocket Casts is your best bet.
What's the best podcast app for Android Auto?
On Reddit, audiophileguy asks:
The best podcast apps that work with Android Auto are:
How do I start my own podcast?
To start your own podcast, you basically need three things:
A microphone
Software to record and edit your show
A place to host your audio files, and generate your RSS feed
Apps like Spotify, Pocket Casts, and Stitcher are Android podcast players that also feature a podcast directory. But they're not hosting platforms. When you click "download" or "subscribe" in these apps, the request gets sent to whichever host your favorite podcast is using (like Transistor.fm!). The podcast player will then download the MP3 file from that server.
If you've ever clicked "download" for a podcast, and it didn't work, it's likely that podcast isn't hosted with a reliable provider!
To get hosting for your podcast, sign up for Transistor. We feature:
Global audio CDN
Unlimited storage and bandwidth
Customizable websites
In-depth analytics
Embeddable audio player
Support for multiple users
Integrates with MailChimp, ConvertKit, and Drip.