Best Android Podcast App suggestion thread, 2021 version

[Nevarre]

I've been using Podcast Addict for a few years, and even spoke well of it in previous years, and prior to that I was a Doggcatcher user. I'm not really happy with either option right now. As always, Android Auto compatibility is a Must.


- After being in constant development, Podcast Addict decided that its previous option of either using it ad-supported *or* paying a one-time fee to support the developer and get rid of ads is not acceptable/sustainable/profitable. I paid for the ad-free version, but now I can either revert back to the ad-supported version *or* pay $10-12/year. in perpetuity. My previous status as a customer apparently gets me a discount for the first year if I ask, but my supposed perpetual license has been yanked out from under me. Also the search tools have gone way down in quality.

- Doggcatcher is abandonware effectively and $2.99 USD (somehow my previous purchase no longer registers.)

- Pocket Casts is apparently doing the same thing as Podcast Addict, where your options are constant ads *or* a subscription. There does not appear to be a perpetual license anymore.

- BeyondPod still exists but gets *abyssmal* reviews, apparently having fallen way behind the competition.


I'm going to try PodcastBean and PlayerFM, but what else is there?

I'm OK with paying the dev, but I do NOT want subscription anything.

 

[kperrier]

oranging.

 

[zelmak]

Oranging too.

I've been using Podcast Addict for a few years, and even spoke well of it in previous years, and prior to that I was a Doggcatcher user. I'm not really happy with either option right now. As always, Android Auto compatibility is a Must.


- After being in constant development, Podcast Addict decided that its previous option of either using it ad-supported *or* paying a one-time fee to support the developer and get rid of ads is not acceptable/sustainable/profitable. I paid for the ad-free version, but now I can either revert back to the ad-supported version *or* pay $10-12/year. in perpetuity. My previous status as a customer apparently gets me a discount for the first year if I ask, but my supposed perpetual license has been yanked out from under me. Also the search tools have gone way down in quality.

- Doggcatcher is abandonware effectively and $2.99 USD (somehow my previous purchase no longer registers.)

- Pocket Casts is apparently doing the same thing as Podcast Addict, where your options are constant ads *or* a subscription. There does not appear to be a perpetual license anymore.

This hasn't hit me yet, I guess; I paid for PocketCasts years ago and they haven't hit me up for a subscription as of yet. This is my current podcast app. If they change their mind and decide to hit me up for subscription cash, I guess I'll have to bail.

- BeyondPod still exists but gets *abyssmal* reviews, apparently having fallen way behind the competition.


I'm going to try PodcastBean and PlayerFM, but what else is there?

I'm OK with paying the dev, but I do NOT want subscription anything.

Ditto on the subscription.

edit: fixed quoting

 

[IHATENAMES]

Antennapod was okay when I was using android. Its opensource has no ads and seems to have a healthy development.

 

[zelmak]

After reading up on the recent changes PocketCasts, the free version seems to be full-featured and the subscription seems to be only for cosmetic upgrades.

I've not seen any ads.

 

[asbath]

My history of podcast apps has been Pocket Casts (paid) -> Podcast Addict (ad free) -> Pocket Casts (lifetime). I started off with Pocket Casts because it was the first major app that dealt with playlists well. Then Podcast Addict easily overtook Pocket Casts for features and overall use. But then they went with the subscription system, even for paid license users, and that pushed me back to Pocket Casts. Since I already bought Pocket Casts many moons ago, I have a lifetime license that doesn't require subscription.

I'm hating that companies are forcing this subscription bullshit, but that's the way the new digital world works.

Oranging too.

I've been using Podcast Addict for a few years, and even spoke well of it in previous years, and prior to that I was a Doggcatcher user. I'm not really happy with either option right now. As always, Android Auto compatibility is a Must.


- After being in constant development, Podcast Addict decided that its previous option of either using it ad-supported *or* paying a one-time fee to support the developer and get rid of ads is not acceptable/sustainable/profitable. I paid for the ad-free version, but now I can either revert back to the ad-supported version *or* pay $10-12/year. in perpetuity. My previous status as a customer apparently gets me a discount for the first year if I ask, but my supposed perpetual license has been yanked out from under me. Also the search tools have gone way down in quality.

- Doggcatcher is abandonware effectively and $2.99 USD (somehow my previous purchase no longer registers.)

- Pocket Casts is apparently doing the same thing as Podcast Addict, where your options are constant ads *or* a subscription. There does not appear to be a perpetual license anymore.

This hasn't hit me yet, I guess; I paid for PocketCasts years ago and they haven't hit me up for a subscription as of yet. This is my current podcast app. If they change their mind and decide to hit me up for subscription cash, I guess I'll have to bail.

Pocket Casts got in deep shit by trying to get paid users to join their subscription system a couple years ago. People paid a steep amount (around $20) for ad-free, and were peeved when they were forced to get on board with a subscription. So as a result, if you bought the full app before a certain date (like 2018 or something like that), then you get ad-free Pocket Casts for life. We'll see if they reneg on this "lifetime membership" though.

 

[Gantry]

It doesn't help OP but I can never go back from using Spotify now for Podcasts. Just so darn convenient, especially since I can start something in my car and have it pick up where I left off on my PC or Amazon echo. Having it sync between all devices is just so handy.

I still use the paid Beyondpod once in awhile and I have no issues with it, but maybe it has fallen behind a bit.

 

[asbath]

It doesn't help OP but I can never go back from using Spotify now for Podcasts. Just so darn convenient, especially since I can start something in my car and have it pick up where I left off on my PC or Amazon echo. Having it sync between all devices is just so handy.

PocketCasts has this with their web player/standalone apps. It's arguably cheaper than Spotify at $10 a year, if you don't already use Spotify for its music streaming purposes.

I just don't like that Spotify doesn't have flexible auto-playlist abilities like actual podcatchers do.

 

[Nevarre]

To partially close the loop, I'm mostly trying out Spotify and AntennaPod, but with less driving time (screw you, Covid!) I'm still not sure either one is an absolute winner.

AntennaPod, to my delight is at least minimally Android Auto compatible, and even supports streaming. The streaming support is not quite fully baked in AA, but it's there. The interface in AA as a whole is not on par with some of the other apps, but having "something usable" is more than I expected. I actually find the cell phone interface a bit awkward as it pushes suggestions over stuff you've already subscribed to.

Spotify is at least very robust in AA, but that was a "known" prior. My problem is verbally searching for the more obscure stuff I like to listen to, as it's not smart about my preferences or necessarily the popularity of a podcast/how current it is. We'll see if the management queue is going to be useful enough. Offline storage works but is not as intuitive/obvious as Podcast Addict but I don't need as much airplane/long car trip streaming ...

 

[zelmak]

Pocket Casts got in deep shit by trying to get paid users to join their subscription system a couple years ago. People paid a steep amount (around $20) for ad-free, and were peeved when they were forced to get on board with a subscription. So as a result, if you bought the full app before a certain date (like 2018 or something like that), then you get ad-free Pocket Casts for life. We'll see if they reneg on this "lifetime membership" though.

They have altered the deal; pray that they don't alter it further...

 

[asbath]

Pocket Casts got in deep shit by trying to get paid users to join their subscription system a couple years ago. People paid a steep amount (around $20) for ad-free, and were peeved when they were forced to get on board with a subscription. So as a result, if you bought the full app before a certain date (like 2018 or something like that), then you get ad-free Pocket Casts for life. We'll see if they reneg on this "lifetime membership" though.

They have altered the deal; pray that they don't alter it further...

To be pedantic about what I mentioned earlier about a lifetime membership, here's the text directly from their website:

Pocket Casts website[/url]":2xqn2sbb]Before you freak out, we want to let you know that we want to do the right thing by everyone who has ever paid for the Web and Desktop apps. It doesn't matter if you paid 5 years ago, or just last month, we're going to gift each and every one of you with lifetime access to Pocket Casts Plus. No strings attached, when you next log in you'll be upgraded automatically and can keep using the apps as you always have, including all of the new features we've added in this release. We hope that shows our commitment to you all and our appreciation for your past financial support.

So I was wrong about paying for the app and getting a lifetime membership: if you paid for the desktop or web app, then you get a lifetime subscription. Because I listen at my desktop at work, I paid for the desktop+web versions, which cost me about $20 back then. So that's why I got the lifetime subscription.