How to listen to podcasts anywhere

2024 Author: Malcolm Clapton | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-17 03:44

Play your favorite shows on your computer, smartphone, and even your TV.

How to listen to podcasts on your computer

VLC

• Platforms: Windows, macOS, Linux, Android, iOS.
• Price: is free.

If you do not want to download a separate podcast application, cluttering your computer with unnecessary programs, you can use the VLC media player. It is truly omnivorous and can play anything - including podcasts.

It is very easy to listen to podcasts on VLC. Click "Media" → "Open URL" and copy the link to the podcast (for example, to ours) into the field that opens. Then click "Play". You can watch all the episodes of the podcast by clicking View → Playlist.

The mobile version of VLC can do that too. Open the side menu, click "Stream" and enter the link there.

There are not very many functions related directly to podcasts in VLC: after all, this is a universal combine, and not a special client. But if you don't need special features and don't want to install extra software, this media player is a great option.

iTunes

• Platforms: Windows, macOS, iOS.
• Price: is free.

iTunes is primarily a tool for Apple fans. It also has a version for Windows, but it is very inconvenient, and somehow I don't want to use it. However, if you mainly sit on macOS and iOS, and use Windows from time to time, it will work too.

iTunes contains a huge collection of podcasts in different languages from around the world. The application has a developed system of recommendations - it is very easy to search for podcasts similar in content and subject matter. The program allows you to subscribe to podcasts using URL links, so if something is missing in iTunes, it can be easily added. If you want to subscribe to us - click here and click "Play on Apple Podcasts". If iTunes is installed, the podcast will open in it automatically.

Podcasts you play in desktop iTunes sync automatically with the Podcasts mobile app on iOS, and are sent to Apple TV. There are also sorting by category and cool recommendations. The interface, as befits programs from Apple, is excellent.

Grover

• Platforms: Windows.
• Price: is free. Grover Pro - $ 2.99

The simplest podcast client for Windows 10, with an interface a bit like the Groove Music player. It can search for podcasts by title or keyword directly through the search bar and contains a built-in directory where entries are sorted into categories.

Grover can sync podcasts between all of your Windows 10 computers, automatically download new episodes, and stream them to other devices. The Grover Pro version also has support for XBox One and mobile devices. But if listening to podcasts on the console seems wild to you, buying a Pro does not make sense: the basic functions are available anyway.

Clementine

• Platforms: Windows, macOS, Linux.
• Price: is free.

Clementine is an open source universal music player. It can play music from a bunch of streaming services - Spotify, Jamendo, SoundCloud, Magnatune - pulls your audio from cloud storage, supports internet radio and has perhaps the coolest built-in music file organizer. And he works with podcasts too.

In the Clementine interface, open the "Internet" section. Here you will see a large list of services compatible with the player. At the end of the list is the "Podcasts" item. Right-click it and choose Add Podcast.

Clementine supports podcasts from RSS, OPML, BBC podcasts, gPodder, and the iTunes catalog. Copy the link to the podcast or search for it by keyword in the Clementine search bar, click Add Podcast, and you can start listening.

MusicBee

• Platforms: Windows.
• Price: is free.

Not a bad music player and organizer, though only for Windows. Plays audio files in both losse and losseless formats. But we are primarily interested in podcasts, and MusicBee is familiar with them too.

Open the player and find the "Podcasts" tab at the top. Right-click the panel on the left, select "Add Subscription Link". Copy the RSS link into the Podcast URL field that appears, name your subscription something, and click OK.

Or, if you don't want to bother with links, right-click the panel on the left and select Search Podcast Directory. Enter a keyword and MusicBee will find all matching entries in the iTunes catalog.

Pocket casts

• Platforms: Windows, Web, unofficial client for macOS, Android, iOS.
• Price: $ 3.99 for each copy of the program.

Pocket Cast is positioned by its creators as the most advanced podcast app in the world. And it really looks like the truth: there are many functions here. And sync between a bunch of your devices, and convenient search, and organize playlists, and automatically download podcasts over Wi-Fi. In some ways, this application even resembles Spotify. By the way, the latter also supports them, but so far it is still unavailable for us.

However, Pocket Cast has one drawback - it asks for money. You can still try the web version and the client for Windows 10 for two weeks for free, but you will have to pay for mobile clients right away.

Pocket Casts Desktop Developer

Pocket Casts - Podcast Player Automattic, Inc

Application not found

Feedly

• Platforms: Web, Android, iOS.
• Price: is free. Feedly Pro - $ 5.41.

Feedly is a great RSS feed reader. Perhaps even the best of its kind. True, first of all, it is focused specifically on reading text, and not on listening to audio. Nevertheless, he can play podcasts too.

To subscribe to a podcast, copy its RSS link, then click the Add Content button and paste it into the field that appears. Now the latest releases can be listened to in a browser window on any device or in mobile clients for Android and iOS.

Feedly lacks a bunch of podcast features like preloading to work without Wi-Fi or a sleep timer, for example. However, for just listening to the episodes, Feedly is quite useful.

Feedly - Smarter News Reader Feedly Team

Feedly - Smart News Reader Feedly Inc.

How to listen to podcasts on your TV or media center

Kodi

• Platforms: Windows, macOS, Linux, Android, iOS.
• Price: is free.

Kodi is a truly versatile program that lets you organize your own media center. She knows how to play and broadcast films, TV series on the big screen, play music, show photographs - a real find for those who want to create a home theater. Plus, Kodi works with podcasts as well.

After installing the program on your media center or home server, open the “Music” section and click “Files” → “Add music” → “Browse” → “Network address”. Select the RSS feed protocol from the drop-down list and copy the URL of the podcast you want to subscribe to. Then click OK, name your new subscription something and click OK again. Voila - you can listen to podcasts from TV. Is it rational? No. Cool? Yes!

Kodi has a fair amount of add-ons that can do everything - including managing podcasts. Nevertheless, the media center may well play your favorite episodes without third-party bells and whistles.

Kodi XBMC Foundation

Kodi Kodi Foundation

Plex

• Platforms: Windows, macOS, Linux, Android, iOS.
• Price: is free. Premium version - $ 4.99.

Plex is a chic alternative to Kodi that is in no way inferior to it. However, sometimes it is a little annoying with reminders that it would be nice to buy the Premium version. Plex can do everything that Kodi can do - show movies and TV shows, play music, organize your media collection. And naturally, it works with.

Plex has a fairly extensive collection of podcasts that you can subscribe to right from the media center interface. But entering links from the TV is very inconvenient. Better to do this using the Plex mobile client, and they will automatically pull up to the device.

Go to the Podcasts tab in Mobile Plex, then click the Add Podcast By URL button. Copy the link there, click OK, and the podcast will appear on all your Plex devices - TVs, computers, and smartphones. Simple and convenient.

Plex: Stream Movies & Live TV Plex, Inc.

How to listen to podcasts on mobile devices

Google Podcasts

• Platforms: Android.
• Price: is free.

Google's podcast player is the simplest and nicest client available, unfortunately, only on Android. Enter the keyword into the search box, press the "Subscribe" button - and you can listen to the episodes from your mobile device. You won't get confused here.

There are only one or two settings in Google Podcasts, and it was not enough - you can only specify when to delete unheard episodes in order to save memory on the device. You won't be able to add arbitrary links here either. But the recommendation system is not bad and the podcast database is very extensive - the search easily finds everything you need.

Google Podcasts Google LLC

Podcast & Radio Addict

• Platforms: Android.
• Price: is free. The ad-free version is $ 3.99.

A universal application that will be useful for users who listen not only to podcasts, but also to Internet radio, audiobooks and music. The program has many settings, there are three interface themes, and podcasts here can be sorted in playlists by type, category, date and other attributes.

Of course, offline playback of pre-downloaded podcasts is also supported, so a permanent internet connection is not necessary. Unless the interface is particularly beautiful, but you can get used to it.

Podcast & Radio Addict Xavier Guillemane - Podcast & Radio Addict

Castbox

• Platforms: Android, iOS, Web.
• Price: is free. Premium subscription - $ 0, 99 per month.

A beautiful client for podcasts. The interface is simple, but there are many possibilities behind it: the program can search and play podcasts by title, keywords, iTunes link, and RSS feeds. Audiobooks and radio stations are also present in Castbox.

There is an automatic download of podcasts in the application, and convenient sorting by categories, and smart rewind, cutting out moments with silence. Supported playback speed regulation, sleep timer and synchronization between devices.

In addition to the Android and iOS versions, Castbox has a web client that runs right in the browser. It also syncs with CarPlay, Android Auto and Apple Watch.

The free version of Castbox has ads and subscriptions are limited to 100. Premium subscriptions will remove these restrictions.

Castbox - Popular Castbox Podcasts - Podcast & AudioBooks

Castbox Guru Network Limited

Player FM Podcasts

• Platforms: Android, iOS, Web.
• Price: is free. Premium subscription - 0, 99 dollars per month.

When you first launch Player FM, the app offers a bunch of themes to choose from. And the program will automatically suggest the most suitable podcasts for you. But of course, you can add the episodes you are interested in manually, and import them from other clients in OPML format, and subscribe to RSS and iTunes links.

All your Player FM subscriptions are synced across devices via the cloud. The app has a useful Play Later feature that saves podcasts added to the corresponding playlist to the device memory for playback without Wi-Fi.

Player FM can also reduce noise, making voices clearer, skip silence and change the playback speed. A sleep timer is also available. In addition, the program supports not only mobile devices, but also TVs with Chromecast, Android Wear and Android Auto.

The main functions of Player FM are free, and the developers assure that this will continue to be so. With a Premium subscription, you can sync your playback history, bookmark podcasts, and download compressed audio files to save bandwidth.

Podcasts for free and offline with Player FM Player FM Podcasts

Player FM - Application for under Perfect Day, LLC.

Podcast republic

• Platforms: Android.
• Price: is free.

A very cool and sophisticated podcast client that can also play music from Internet radio stations. It allows you to add podcasts by URLs and RSS links, or simply search for them by keywords.

There are many settings in Podcast Republic. There is also synchronization between devices, and smart management of downloadable episodes, and the ability to operate with one hand, and a special player mode for the car.

Podcast Republic - Podcast Player & Podcast App Podcast Republic

Finally, so that you have something to listen to, here are the links to our podcasts:

• Lifehacker's podcast:, Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, YouTube,, Yandex. Music, "",.
• "Now it is clear":, "",, "",,,.
• Lifehack: Apple Podcasts, Yandex. Music, Anchor.fm, YouTube, VKontakte,.
• "Look who's Talking":,, "",,, "",,.

Where do you prefer to listen to podcasts and what clients do you use? Share in the comments.