Podcast Apps For The iPhone

Become master of your podcasts

Overview

The iPhone does a great job at syncing with iTunes. Syncing music and movies is a logical thing to do. The problem with syncing podcasts is that new podcasts come out daily and even hourly! It is a real pain to sync your iPhone multiple times a day, just to stay up to date with your favorite podcasts. There are some fantastic apps that can help you listen, download, and sync your favorite podcasts right on your iPhone. As always, let us know if we forgot your favorite one!

Essential Apps

$0.99
Instacast

by Vemedio

Instacast is perhaps the missing app that Apple should have had all along. This podcast manager comes fully loaded with features such as wireless downloading, iCloud support, and Instapaper/Read It Later integration. If you were looking for an app that brings every feature you can think of to the table in a clean way, then Instacast is your answer.
$0.99
Podcaster 4

by Alex Sokirynsky

Podcaster is another great option. The app includes background downloading/playback, no 3G restrictions, new episode push alerts, 2x playback, easy syncing, a sleep timer, and much more. The app has a robust database of podcasts. The developer has also made it very easy to add new podcasts to the database and the app itself includes a URL import feature. The app also is the only way we have found to actually subscribe and sync shows that are password protected! The app features a username and password entry for those special feeds. The app is also very stable and works great no matter how many podcasts you listen to. If you are having problems with stability try doing a reinstall.

Notable Apps

Free
Stitcher Radio

by Stitcher, Inc.

Stitcher Radio is a very unique and powerful app. The app not only does podcast playback, but also live web based radio shows too! The app will “stitch” your favorite podcasts or radio shows together to offer an entire days worth of content without you touching a thing. The app includes tons of podcasts. It does not have every podcast out there, but most of the popular ones can be found. Those looking for a free alternative to Podcaster should give this one a try!
Free
Spreaker Radio

by Spreaker

Spreaker Radio is intuitive and fun way to broadcast any audio content to your Facebook friends and Twitter followers as well as listen to shows that interest you. The app also allows you to follow your favorite shows found through keywords or ones recorded near you. While not a tremendously advanced app, Speaker Radio provides adequate functionality for the average podcast listener, making it a good but not essential app.
$1.99
RSSRadio (Podcast Downloader)

by Dorada Software

RSSRadio Mobile is a very solid offering in the podcast app space. The app is very stable and offers some nice features. The app can download any size episode over 3G and includes audio playback in the background. The app includes some nice search and organizational features as well. The app also does work with password protected podcasts, just like Podcaster. The app is not as full featured as Podcaster, but an option.
$1.99
Pocket Casts

by ShiftyJelly PTY LTD

Pocket Casts is shaping up to be a great alternative to Podcaster. The app has a much more visually appealing interface. The app features a grid of album art rather than a simple list view. The grid view makes it easy to find the show you are looking for. The app is more limited than Podcaster, but we hope future updates solve this issue. The app will download shows in the background and provides push notification of new episodes. The app oddly will only stream shows over Wi-Fi. Pocket Casts is an app to keep your eye on. It is not quite ready for prime time.

Decent Apps

$1.99
Podcatcher

by Auerhaus Development, LLC

Podcatcher attempts to be a replacement for the essential app. The app is very barebones and doesn’t include 95% of the features found in Podcaster. The app is also quite buggy. The app is one to keep your eyes on, but right now is one to steer clear from.
$0.99
Podcast Playlist

by Shaft 10

Podcast Playlist lets you take the podcasts synced from iTunes and make new podcast playlists. The app is an odd one. The majority of podcasts are a decent length and a playlist is not as much of a need. Those that have a need for this kind of app can grab it for $0.99.

Other Podcast Apps

$1.99
PodPoster

by Bottle Rocket

PodPoster is an odd app. The app lets you send audio feedback to a podcast. The app is really an unnecessary one. Any good podcast out there will at the beginning or end of the show tell you how to send in your own audio, video, or text feedback. We are really not sure who this app is for. The price tag of $1.99 makes it an app we really wouldn’t recommend.