The differences between the dozens of apps for podcasts available aren't always obvious until you're already mid-production. Pick the wrong podcasting app, and you'll spend more time chasing audio glitches or wrestling with clunky editors than creating.
This guide will walk new podcasters through the most important features to look for in a podcasting app. We’ll explore how to find the right tool, whether you're starting a podcast for the first time or looking to improve your current setup, and how the best podcast apps compare for listeners and creators alike.
What are podcast apps?
A podcast app is an application that lets you discover, stream, and download podcast episodes on your phone or tablet. Some platforms also offer web-based playback. Most listeners use these apps to look for new shows and listen to their personal queue.
For creators, podcast apps are broadly split into two types:
- Podcast players focus on the listening experience, such as playback and subscriptions.
- Creator-focused podcasting apps go further by adding tools for recording, editing, and, in some cases, publishing your episodes directly from the same platform.
Some apps on this list cover both. Knowing which type fits your workflow helps you narrow the list before you download anything.
What to look for in a podcast app
Not every podcasting app is built for the same person. A listener who mostly wants to tune into podcasts while offline needs something different from a creator who produces their own show from start to finish. And while the listener apps in this guide are mobile-first, most creation tools work best on desktop or in a browser, so it's worth knowing which type you need before you download anything.
Here are some of the most important features a creator should look for when comparing podcast apps:
- Recording and audio quality: If you plan to record on your mobile device, check whether the app captures clean audio at a decent bitrate or records everything your microphone picks up without processing if you prefer cleaning up manually.
- Editing tools: Look for silence trimming, noise reduction, and playback speed control. These three features save the most time in post-production for mobile podcast creators, but aren’t found in every free podcasting app.
- Publishing and RSS feed support: You might be able to publish episodes directly and manage your RSS feed from the same platform. Other apps are recording-only, so you’ll need to hand it off to a separate hosting service.
- Cross-platform availability: Some apps are exclusive to iOS or Android devices, so check compatibility before you build your workflow around one. For podcasters just getting started, cross-platform support gives you the broadest potential audience possible.
- Offline listening and download management: For listeners, offline access is standard in most podcast apps' free tiers. For podcast hosts, confirm your hosting platform automatically pushes new episodes to subscribers so the episodes download onto their devices without any action on their part.
- Discovery and audience growth tools: Curated recommendations and charts help some apps surface new shows. If growing your audience is a priority, look for apps that have built-in tools to help listeners find your podcast.
- Free vs. paid pricing: Most podcast apps' free tiers cover the basics. Paid plans typically unlock more cloud storage, advanced editing features, and analytics, as well as ad-free listening for paid subscribers. Decide which features you actually need at your current stage before paying for a premium tier.
Best podcast apps for creators and listeners
Finding the podcast app best suited to your workflow depends on what stage of production you're in. Some apps are built purely for playback, while others specialize in recording, editing, and distribution. The apps below are split by use case so you can find the right tool for your current needs.
Best apps for recording, editing, and publishing
Here are some of the strongest options for podcast apps designed for creators.
App | Platform | Best for | Standout feature | Pricing |
Vimeo | Web, iOS, Android | Video podcast hosting | Ad-free branded hosting with analytics | Free (500 MB/week) / $12/month Starter (more storage + custom branding) |
Riverside | iOS app, browser (desktop) | Remote interview recording | Separate local tracks per speaker | Free (watermarked, lower quality) / $15/month Standard (HD, no watermarks) |
Descript | Mac, Windows, browser (no mobile app) | Transcript-based audio editing | Edit audio by editing text | Free (1 hour transcription/month) / $16/month Hobbyist (10 hours transcription/month + AI features) |
Vimeo
Vimeo gives video podcasters a professional home for finished content, with ad-free hosting, custom embeds, advanced analytics, and branding controls. Available on web, iOS, and Android, it's best suited to creators who want a polished, controlled viewing experience for their audience. Vimeo doesn't generate an RSS feed, so you'll still need to manually distribute audio to directories like Spotify and Apple Podcasts. However, you can record your podcast directly from your browser, then edit and host all from Vimeo’s intuitive workflow.
Riverside.fm
Riverside is browser-based on desktop with an iOS app available for mobile recording. It records audio and video locally on each participant's device, so a guest’s poor connection won't affect your final recording. Each speaker gets a separate track, so you can finely control each track in post-production (but it’s more time-consuming to make general edits). Riverside is primarily a recording tool, so editing still requires a separate app unless you're on a higher-tier plan.
Descript
Available on Mac and Windows desktops with a browser version for Linux, Descript has no mobile app. Like Vimeo, Descript lets you edit audio by editing its transcript — delete a word from the text and it's cut from the recording, making it much faster to remove filler words and stumbles. Transcription hours are capped on every plan, so podcasters who put out long episodes or frequent updates will need to monitor their usage.
Transcribe your video podcast with Vimeo →
Best apps for listening and discovery
Look into these top podcast hosting platforms to help your target audience find and subscribe to your show.
App | Platform | Best for | Standout feature | Pricing |
Spotify | iOS, Android | Listeners looking for new shows | Exclusive content plus music integration | Free (podcasts) / $9.99/month Premium (ad-free music + offline) |
Apple Podcasts | iPhone, iPad, Mac, Apple Watch, Apple TV, Web (any browser) | Apple listeners, podcasters with no setup experience | Syncs across all Apple devices. | Free (some shows require a separate subscription) |
Pocket Casts | iOS, Android, web, macOS, Windows | Cross-platform power listeners | Granular playback controls (0.1x speed differences, silence trimming) | Free / $39.99/year Plus (some shows require a separate subscription) |
Spotify
Spotify is one of the best podcast apps for Android and iPhone, combining a massive catalog of podcasts and music to stream in a single app. Discovery is strong and recommends users multiple shows based on their listening history (including Spotify-exclusive shows). Creators can use Spotify for Creators to host and distribute episodes for free, though monetization is limited to 17 eligible countries. It’s also important to note that Spotify takes a 50% cut of ad revenue, so you’ll likely see less income per listener despite the large potential audience.
Apple Podcasts
The best free podcast app for iPhone comes pre-installed on iOS devices and requires no setup. Apple Podcasts syncs across the full Apple ecosystem and gives listeners access to one of the largest podcast catalogs today. For creators, Apple Podcasts Connect handles submissions and basic analytics, though recording and editing require separate tools. Android users can't access Apple Podcasts.
Pocket Casts
Pocket Casts is a podcast player designed for Android and iPhone (and Mac and Windows desktop) users who want to curate their listening experience. Playback controls are granular, with speed adjustments in 0.1x increments, silence trimming, and per-show pre-set preferences. Like the other two listening apps on this list, Pocket Casts doesn't offer recording or publishing tools, so it's better suited for listeners than creators.
FAQ
What are some possible downsides or trade-offs of free podcast apps?
Free tiers usually come with limits, like capped recording time, watermarked exports, and restricted access to editing tools. They're fine for getting started, but most creators hit limits quickly once they're regularly publishing.
Why do some podcasts require a specific platform app to listen to?
Some shows are exclusive to a single platform, usually because of a licensing or distribution deal. Spotify Originals — podcasts created for and only available to listen on Spotify — are a common example. If a podcast isn't available through an open RSS feed, you'll need the platform's own app to access it.
What’s the best podcast recording and editing app?
It depends on your workflow. Riverside is the strongest option for recording remote interviews with separate tracks. Vimeo is the strongest for editing, especially if you'd rather work with text than a traditional audio timeline, and hosting video podcasts. Many creators use a dedicated recording tool and a separate editing tool rather than relying on one app for both.
Take your video podcast further with Vimeo
Choosing the right podcast app handles your audio workflow. What it won't do is host your video podcast in professional quality. That's where Vimeo comes in.
Vimeo’s built-in video recording, AI-powered editing tools, and high-resolution hosting mean you can take a video podcast from capture to distribution in one place. Instant private link sharing keeps your content controlled until you're ready to publish. And once your video podcast has been perfected, you can host, manage, and share your episodes from Vimeo’s centralized video library. For creators who want their video content to look as good as it sounds, Vimeo’s hosting stands up to the test.
