3 Ways to Download Podcasts: to Computer, Android, and iPhone

Best for: saving streaming audio on a computer, capturing streaming videos, webinars, and online calls

G2 rating: 4.5 out of 5 stars, 41 good reviews out of 44

Movavi Screen Recorder is an app for downloading podcasts to your Windows or Mac computer. The program will help you save your favorite podcasts to your computer or mobile device and enjoy them any time – while driving, walking down the street, or just spending time anywhere where there’s no internet connection. Just download the program and read the guide below to learn how to download podcasts using Movavi Screen Recorder.

Pros:

• Multifunctional
• Fast and easy to use
• User-friendly interface
• High-quality output
• Supports saving files in many formats, including all HDs
• Fully-featured free version

Cons:

• Watermark on the video in the free version

Best for: customizable listening experience, searching for favorite shows, free podcast download on Android, and an ad-free experience

Google Play rating: 4.7 out of 5 stars

Users: 400,000+ reviews, 50,000,000+ installs

With Google Podcasts, how to get podcasts on Android is no big deal! You can find all the podcasts you love, customize the way you listen to them, and listen to them no matter where you are. Managing your podcast listening experience has just become a whole lot easier with this app!

With millions of users installing this app, there’s no doubt this company knows what their users want when downloading the trendiest podcasts. This app allows you to subscribe and listen to your favorite podcasts for free.

You can queue up episodes, keep track of all your downloads, and stream for instant playback or keep listening offline later. This app will give you recommendations of podcasts to listen to, and you can use Google Search and Google Assistant to find your favorite podcasts.

Pros:

• Trusted by millions of users
• Can be used on multiple devices (computer and mobile)
• Easy to use
• Multifunctional and free features
• Customizable listening experience

Cons:

• Low-quality interface
• No swiping features for ease of downloading
• No facility to save podcasts on SD

How to download podcasts with Google Podcasts

Step 1. Download the Google Podcasts App and Launch It

To get podcasts on Android devices, go to the Google Play app, enter “Google Podcasts” in the text box, and choose the app from the list. Tap Install and wait for the app to download. Then tap Open.

Step 2. Find the Podcast

Tap the Search icon in the top left corner, enter the name or the topic of the podcast, and tap Search on the keyboard. Find a podcast you like and tap to select it.

Step 3. Download an Episode

In the Available Episodes section, find the episode you wish to download and select it. On the next screen, tap the Download icon below the name of the episode.

The downloaded episode is now on the main interface page in the Downloads section.

Best for: getting the latest recommendations on trending shows

Apple Podcasts can be used on all your Apple devices and is already available on your iPhone, iPad, and Apple Watch in the App Store. It allows you to listen to all your favorite stories and episodes for free. You can save all your data and download podcasts whenever you want to listen offline. This gives you the freedom to listen to your latest podcast wherever you are, at any time.

Search for free podcasts while exploring a wide range of stories from politics to entertainment, sports, and more. You can stream over 1 million shows and be notified when new episodes are available.

Apple Podcasts editors make your browsing experience easier by sending you recommendations on the most exciting and popular shows, keeping you up to date with the latest trends. Categories and collections curated by the editors are constantly updated.

Pros:

• Download feature to Library saves on cellular data
• Available on App Store for iPhone, iPad, and Apple Watch
• All features free
• Instant playback and downloadable for listening later

Cons:

• Can’t share snippets of episodes with friends
• Few options available on playback
• Doesn’t have a password-protected feeds function

How to download podcasts with Apple Podcasts

Step 1. Download and Launch the Podcasts App

To get podcasts on your iPhone or iPod, go to the App Store and open the Search tab. In the text box, enter “Apple Podcasts” and tap the Search button. Then, tap Get. When the app has downloaded, tap Open.

Step 2. Find the Podcast

Go to the Search tab, enter the name of the podcast (or the topic) you’re looking for, and tap Search. Tap See All and choose the desired podcast.

Step 3. Download the Episode

Scroll a bit down and tap Available Episodes. Find the episode you wish to save to your iCloud and add it to your Library by tapping the plus icon. To download the episode, tap the iCloud icon next to it.

To find the downloaded episode, go to the Library tab and choose Downloaded episodes. If you want to listen to the episode using a Mac, you can also download the iTunes podcast.

Best for: connecting on Bluetooth devices, customizable storage feature, and paid ads-free experience

Overall rating: 3.7 out of 5 stars

Users: 60,000+ reviews, 5,000,000+ installs

With over 5 million users, Stitcher is a popular podcast app for downloading your latest and most favorite shows. Plus, it’s free and easy to use. Downloadable features allow you to pick up from where you left, so you never miss what’s happening.

Storing features allow you to custom group your downloads, a nifty feature when looking for a particular show. Other customizable download settings will enable you to search episodes and filter, so you see what you want without the hassle. Fine-tuned playback controls let you listen at your speed too.

Stitcher also recommends the trendiest shows, helping you manage your time while ensuring you’re updated on the latest podcasts. Install this app to your Apple or Android device from either App Store or Google Play. While it’s a free podcast downloader, you can purchase Premium for ad-free listening.

Pros:

• Multifunctional features for most devices
• Queue up and rearrange episodes to personal preference
• Connect on Bluetooth devices
• Functional on web player
• Ad-free experience on Premium

Cons:

• Annoying ads on free mode

Best for: wide range of podcasts with over 95 million available content

Google Play rating: 4.7 out of 5 stars, 230,000+ reviews, 10,000,000+ installs

Castbox app allows you to download podcasts to Android and iOS devices, all for free. You can listen to over 95 million content whether you’re using your Android or Apple iPhone. What’s more, it’s supported by Amazon so use it on your Alexa device.

If you want to listen while wearing your Apple Watch, turn on “Show App on Apple Watch,” and you can hear your podcasts while on the go. Castbox even supports vehicles if you have Apple’s CarPlay or Google Android Auto.

Whenever you’re at your desk, listen to your favorite podcast on your web player while you’re working. With over 10 million users turning to Castbox for easy-to-use podcast listening, you can be sure this app will work for your podcast downloads.

Pros:

• Functional on a wide range of devices
• AI recommendation engine for trending shows
• Free streaming and download
• Easy to navigate interface

Cons:

• Ads interruption in free mode

Best for: iPhone, iPads, and Apple Watch users, cheap ad-free experience option, and personalized recommendations

App Store rating: 4.7 out of 5 stars

Users: 25,000+ reviews

The Overcast app is designed only for iPhone, iPad, and Apple Watch users. It’s a free app and simple to use. Its SmartSpeed feature means you never have to battle with annoying silences in talk shows. You can boost and normalize conversations with its Voice Boost feature, making it easy to listen whether you’re in the car or using the subway.

The free mode does include ads, but you can download Overcast for $10 a year and listen with no interruptions from ads for a nominal fee. You can download and listen anytime, anywhere, even offline. It allows you to search and browse podcasts, plus it gives you personalized recommendations. You can create custom playlists and receive notifications of the latest episodes.

This self-funded, award-winning app with world-class privacy is an excellent option for listening to podcasts without compromising functionality.

Pros:

• Sleep timer to automatically stop playlists
• Supports Apple CarPlay
• Simple and intuitive interface
• Customizable and user-friendly

Cons:

• Only available for Apple devices

Best for: customizable features, smart speakers supported by Sono and Alexa, and tuning in on favorite topics in an episode

Google Play rating: 4.3 out of 5 stars

Users: 69,000+ reviews, 1,000,000+ installs

Downloadable, for free, on both Google Play and App Store, this app allows you to listen to podcasts on most devices. The interface is clean and intuitive, while the discover page features all the latest shows and curated lists.

Pick up where you left, any time, and with powerful filters, you can customize your top casts giving you the exact episodes you want to listen to. The Episode feature simplifies finding that one particular topic you’re interested in. Another great feature is the automatic playback queue from all your favorite shows.

Pocket Casts app also supports smart speakers for Sonos and Alexa. Podcasts and playbacks can be synced across all your devices, making listening easy wherever you go. Auto Archiving makes it easy to store your downloads, and you can manage your playback speed.

Pros:

• Easy to listen to and manage downloads
• Supports Android Auto and Apple CarPlay
• Volume boost without background interference
• Optional notifications for new episodes

Cons:

• Needs more advanced search features
• Fewer playlists available on Up Next
• No setting to schedule times
• Not available for web player on free mode

Best for: sharing features on Facebook and Twitter, automatic download of new episodes, and easy browsing features

Google Play rating: 4.6 out of 5 stars

Users: 16,000+ reviews, 500,000+ installs

You can download the Acast podcast app from both App Store and Google Play. You can also listen directly from your browser using this app. Enable notifications, and you’ll be alerted when your latest episode has been downloaded to your device.

The app can sync all shows across all your devices, and you can pick up from where you left no matter which device you’re using at the time. All podcasts are available on this app, meaning you can stick to your favorites or using the A1-powered recommendations to discover new shows.

You can stream podcasts using either your WiFi or data and save them for later whenever you’re out of reception range. What’s more, you can use your lock screen to hit play, pause, or skip episodes. If you like sharing snippets with your friends, then the Acast app allows you to do exactly that on Facebook and Twitter.

Pros:

• Search and browse by category
• Curated lists for new podcasts
• Regular updates on favorite shows
• Experience images and links embedded in audio

Cons:

• Not as many podcasts available
• Drains mobile batteries quickly