Goodbye Google Podcasts

March 30, 2024 10:17 AM

The Google Podcast app will no longer work after April 2nd. I could merge all my podcasts onto Google Music (which I pay for), but the interface is crowded and clunky and I would like to keep my music separate from podcasts. What free Android podcast apps do you recommend?
posted by Xurando to Computers & Internet (16 answers total)

Podcast Addict
posted by Sophont at 10:50 AM on March 30 [7 favorites]

I liked Pocket Casts so much when I had an Android that I continued to use it after getting an iPhone. The other podcast app that I think has a great combination of sleek interface and customizability is Overcast.
posted by theory at 10:51 AM on March 30 [5 favorites]

Best answer: Antenna Pod
posted by god hates math at 11:04 AM on March 30 [7 favorites]

Another vote for Pocket Casts
posted by peanut_mcgillicuty at 11:13 AM on March 30 [3 favorites]

Seconding Pocket Casts. I’ve used it on both Android and iOS, and I loved it so much I sprang for the annual subscription (14.99) which gives you access to perks like 20 GB cloud storage, additional themes/icons and desktop/web apps.
posted by Roger Pittman at 11:15 AM on March 30 [3 favorites]

Pocket Casts.
posted by dobbs at 11:44 AM on March 30 [3 favorites]

Second for Podcast Addict!
posted by wellifyouinsist at 1:10 PM on March 30 [3 favorites]

Pocket Casts but they have jacked their prices on the paid version recently. Overcasts looks like a better deal.
posted by asharchist at 1:13 PM on March 30 [1 favorite]

Been with PocketCasts for 12 years.
posted by token-ring at 1:22 PM on March 30 [1 favorite]

Overcast is iOS only, unfortunately for the OP.

I'd second PocketCasts, but I'm not entirely sure what the limitations (if any) of the free version are nowadays--I started off using that on Android and did one-time paid versions for both that and iOS, and so I think maybe I'm grandfathered into some version that still has a mix of basic and premium features.

But the cross platform syncing is particularly great if you are in both ecosystems in any way.
posted by Pryde at 4:10 PM on March 30

Mod note: [This helpful post and thread was added to the sidebar and Best Of blog!]
posted by taz (staff) at 1:31 AM on March 31

Pocket Casts works superbly well. I have never needed the paid version.
posted by 0bvious at 4:00 AM on March 31 [2 favorites]

Also used pocket casts for a decade on both apple and android ecosystems and haven't had any issues. I did purchase the web app access a long time ago and as such haven't had to compare recurring costs against some other platform.
posted by Quack at 8:00 AM on March 31

I hate that Google pushes you to switch to YouTube Music but won't save your place in a podcast and starts playing from the beginning of the episode every time. Sure, that's how everyone wants that to work!
posted by rikschell at 4:25 PM on March 31

At first I didn't love Pocketcasts because I really missed seeing a list of all new episodes across my podcasts (like the Google Podcasts view). Then I figured out this is totally possible - under Filters. I created a New Filter and selected Release Date - 2 weeks, then named it New Releases. Quick and easy!
posted by beyond_pink at 7:15 AM on April 1 [1 favorite]

Antenna Pod, for sure.
posted by DirtyOldTown at 8:27 AM on April 3