What features do I look for in a podcast app for Android?

November 29, 2022 3:09 AM

I have never been a podcast person but I've discovered Maintenance Phase and now I'm a huge fan. I've been listening to their episodes on the web but I'd like to start using a dedicated podcast app. Not sure what features to look for for the best experience and also which app will be easiest to navigate their bonus Patreon content. I am an Android user.

I am looking for a clean and non-fussy user interface, plus the ability to download episodes/ listen offline. I'd also like to be able to "use the custom RSS link from Patreon" although I haven't completely figured out how that works an if it's worth the fuss.

I'd like to be able to bookmark episodes / my place in an episode. It would be lovely to also be able to share snippets or whole episodes with friends who do not have the same (or any) app but that's more of a nice-to-have.

One thing that currently annoys me when listening to bonus content directly on the Patreon MP page is that I cannot easily scroll back to the beginning of the episode without reloading the page (you can only go back in 15 sec increments).

It would be nice to explore similar podcasts through the app although I dread browsing through hundreds of search results so I am not sure about that part.

If you are happy with your podcast app for Android, what do you like about it? I'm looking for recommendations for specific apps but also what features to look for/avoid.

I cannot overstate how new I am to podcasts in general so any tips including basic ones are appreciated.

posted by M. to Computers & Internet (12 answers total)

I like Pocket Casts!

Can definitely do RSS. Remembers where you were in an episode. Easy to arrange (and re-arrange) the list of episodes you have queued.

Episode download supported.

Search might let you down; I've only searched using titles.

Good luck finding the app of your dreams!
posted by minsies at 3:50 AM on November 29, 2022 [5 favorites]

Oh, and just checked - sharing options include the current position in the episode.
posted by minsies at 3:59 AM on November 29, 2022 [2 favorites]

Response by poster: [Just popping back in to say, I am open to paid apps as well!]
posted by M. at 4:00 AM on November 29, 2022

I've been using Player Fm, and I recommend against it. It doesn't have a strong grasp on the concept of "series" and getting to episode 2 is pretty much the same as finding episode 1. At least that's my experience.
posted by SemiSalt at 4:14 AM on November 29, 2022 [1 favorite]

Seconding Pocket Casts - I’ve used it for years and been very happy with it. It has both free and paid versions - the paid app is $9.99/year and gives you a number of options including personalization (different app icons, themes etc).
posted by Roger Pittman at 4:25 AM on November 29, 2022 [4 favorites]

I've used Podcast Addict for years and am happy with it. I exclusively download/listen offline. Most of my podcasts are ones I found through the search engine, but I also have a couple of custom RSS.

Before that, I had Podkicker, which I actually liked better, but they don't have Android Auto support which became a deal-breaker for me.
posted by basalganglia at 4:37 AM on November 29, 2022

Response by poster: Um, just a request to please include WHY you liked the app you mention in your answer - I'm looking for *features* to pay attention to.
Thanks!
posted by M. at 4:51 AM on November 29, 2022

I have used Podcast Republic for years and highly recommend it:

-- clean and easy to use interface
-- integrated search to easily find pods as well as bubble up reccomendations
-- subscribe via URL - quick and easy to use. Esp with Pateron - grab the URL and drop it in and BOOM subscribed
-- integrates with Google Auto
-- robust playlist feature
-- individual audio and volume settings per podcast
-- various playback speed options
-- Settings and subscriptions backed up to cloud
-- consistently maintained by developer
-- free version available w/ paid option to remove banner ads
posted by jazon at 8:19 AM on November 29, 2022 [1 favorite]

I switched to the Google Podcasts app last year. It supports downloading for offline listening, either manually or automatically-on-wifi for the podcasts you specify. It integrates well with Android Auto, stores your position and allows you to jump through easily, accepts RSS feeds, and (for me at least) just works intuitively. The only thing I don't care for is that it's more data I'm giving Google, but that's not a deal breaker for me.

One feature that spurred my movement to this app is that it syncs with the web version of Google Podcasts so that I can listen seamlessly any device. Previously I used Spotify to do this, but having podcasts and music in the same place was annoying to navigate IMO.

Another feature I consider essential is the ability to easily alter playback speed on the fly. I speed up for certain podcasts to better hold my attention, and then slow down for podcasts in the language I'm learning.

I haven't tried sharing from within the app, so that's the only feature on your wishlist that I'm not sure about.
posted by Ann Telope at 8:43 AM on November 29, 2022 [1 favorite]

I used to use Google Podcasts but then it refused to allow me to download a podcast I'd been following, even though it was showing as available. I'd previously used Stitcher, but found that the ads - not the ones in the podcasts, but on the app interface - were intrusive and it was too easy for me to click on one inadvertently.

I now use Pocket Casts and find it's exactly what I need. It's easy to organise podcasts in the order I want to listen to them, and I always download everything and listen to it offline without any problem at all.
posted by essexjan at 11:55 AM on November 29, 2022 [1 favorite]

Hope this is OK to add to this question- I'm looking for a podcast app that works like a music app- that is shortcut to the play/pause button from the swipe down menu. Google's own podcast app doesn't do this!
posted by freethefeet at 3:54 PM on November 29, 2022

I have to second Podcast Republic for all the reasons jazon stated above. I listen to a ton of podcasts, I am subscribed to over 950 (sometimes I scroll through them and have a bit of a crisis), but Podcast Republic has lots of different ways to organize with different tags, different playlists, and pretty much every aspect of the app is customizable (especially with the paid version which was very reasonably priced when I bought it several years ago). Since you're just starting out you might not need all those features but you get used to them pretty quickly which makes switching to Spotify or Amazon Music for their exclusives extremely irritating.
posted by jenjenc at 5:27 PM on November 29, 2022 [1 favorite]