3 Ways to Download Podcasts to PC and Mobile

Here, you’ll learn how to record your own podcast and will find a review of apps with a free podcast download option. Read on to find out how to download podcasts to a computer or mobile device. We’ll review a screen recorder for PC and podcast downloader apps.

Best for: recording podcasts, capturing computer screen and sound

OS: Windows, Mac

Price: free trial version, $57.95 for the full version

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

Movavi Screen Recorder allows you to capture your computer screen and record system sounds or the sound from your microphone. You can use this app to record your own podcast. Movavi Screen Recorder also provides basic editing tools – you can cut out unnecessary segments from your recording. There are several export options, so you can choose the output format you need. The app is available for Windows and Mac.

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: recording video and audio with complete control over the production

OS: Windows, Mac, Linux

Price: free

With OBS Studio, you can easily create professional-grade live broadcasts and stunning video recordings. This powerful software gives you the tools you need to capture audio and video from multiple sources and mix them together seamlessly. Whether you’re streaming a game session or recording a tutorial, OBS Studio makes it easy to produce high-quality content that engages your audience.

Powerful and easy to use configuration options give you complete control over your production. Also, with its Studio Mode previewing feature, you can test out your scenes before going live. And thanks to hotkeys for nearly every action, you'll be able to work quickly and efficiently.

Pros:

• Open source and free to use

• Available on Windows, Mac, and Linux

• Highly customizable with a wide range of features

• Can record from multiple sources simultaneously

Cons:

• A bit complicated for beginners

• Requires some technical knowledge to set up

Download OBS Studio

Best for: recording desktop activity with annotations

OS: Windows, Mac

Price: free version; paid plans start at $29.95 annually

TinyTake is a simple, free, and feature-rich screen recorder that enables you to capture a region, window or entire screen with just a few clicks. You can record video, take screenshots of your desktop, or use your webcam to record videos of yourself. You can also annotate your recordings with text, arrows, and shapes. And if you need to collaborate with others, TinyTake makes it easy to share recordings and screenshots via email or social media.

You can also store your recordings in the cloud for future access or share a link to them instantly. Zoom in or out to get just the right shot, and assign custom short-cut keys for quick recording. TinyTake is proxy server friendly, so you can easily record presentations or webinars without having to worry about disconnections.

Pros:

• Free to use (with paid plans for more features)

• Available on Windows and Mac

• Easy to use with a clean interface

• Can annotate recordings with text, arrows, and shapes

Cons:

• The free version is limited to five minutes of recording time

• The cloud storage is limited to 2 GB

Download TinyTake

Best for: listening to podcasts on Mac and Windows, downloading podcasts to your computer

OS: Mac, Windows

Price: free

There are several apps that can help you download podcasts to a PC or Mac. You can use podcast managers like Juice or gPodder. Another option is to download podcasts using iTunes. This app is available for both Mac and Windows. Follow the guide below to download podcasts with iTunes.

Pros:

• Intuitive interface

• Free to use

• Option to download new episodes automatically

• Option to set the order in which episodes are played

Cons:

• Lacks search filters

Visit the link below to download and install the app.

Get iTunes

Open the app and select Podcasts from the drop-down list in the top-left part of the interface. Then click Store. Go to the search field and enter a word or phrase to find the podcast you need. Click Store in the window with search results and hit Enter. A list of podcasts will appear in the main program window.

Find the episode you want to download and click Get next to it. The audio will be saved on your computer, so you’ll be able to play it offline anytime.

Best for: downloading podcasts within a desktop media player

OS: Windows, Mac, Linux, Android, iOS

Price: free

VLC Media Player is a free and open source media player that can play almost any audio or video file. You can use it to play local media files or stream online radio and TV stations.

VLC offers a number of features that make it a great choice for downloading podcasts. It supports a wide range of audio and video formats, so you can play almost any podcast episode. Plus, with its built-in media library, you can easily organize your episodes and keep track of what you've listened to. And if you're streaming over a slow connection, VLC can automatically adjust the playback quality to avoid buffering.

Pros:

• Can play almost any audio or video file

• Free and open source software

• Can download podcasts directly from the URL

• Available on multiple platforms

Cons:

• UI can be confusing for beginners

• It can be difficult to find the podcast if you don’t know its URL

Download VLC Media Player

Best for: organizing and playing your music collection

OS: Windows

Price: free

MusicBee is a desktop media player that does more than just play your music files. It can also organize them into easy-to-navigate libraries, and provides features like playback speed control, gapless playback, cross-fading, and more. It also supports a wide range of audio formats, including lossless files.

MusicBee also has a number of features that make it ideal for podcasts. You can easily add new episodes to your library, and organize them into playlists. Plus, MusicBee can automatically download episode artwork and show notes.

Pros:

• Supports a wide range of audio formats

• A variety of playback features

• Customizable plugins

Cons:

• Only available on Windows

• The interface can be overwhelming for beginners

Download MusicBee

Finding the best podcast downloader for your Android or iPhone is not always that easy. Having the right software also means you can download and listen to your favorite podcast later. We’ve compiled a list of the seven top podcast downloaders for mobile users based on our personal views.

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

OS: Android

Price: free

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.

Download Google Podcasts

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

OS: iOS

Price: free

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 download 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 been downloaded, tap Open.

Download Apple Podcasts

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

OS: Android, iOS

Price: free version; Premium version for $4.99/month

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

Download Stitcher

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

OS: Android, iOS

Price: free

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

Download Castbox

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

OS: iOS

Price: free with ads (you can disable ads for $10/year)

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

Download Overcast

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

OS: Android, iOS

Price: free with in-app purchases

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 players on free mode

Download Pocket Casts

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

OS: iOS

Price: free

App Store rating: 4.8 out of 5 stars

Users: 2,300+ reviews

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 use 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

Download Acast

Best for: downloading podcasts directly to your mobile device

OS: iOS, Mac

Price: $2.99

Downcast is a great option if you want to download podcasts directly to your iPhone or iPad. With Downcast, you can easily subscribe to your favorite podcasts and have new episodes downloaded automatically. You can also adjust playback speed, choose whether to stream or save episodes, and more.

Downcast also offers a number of features for power users, such as the ability to set up smart playlists and customize episode naming conventions. And if you have an Apple Watch, you can use Downcast to control playback and view show notes on your wrist.

Pros:

• Can download podcasts directly to your mobile device

• CarPlay support

• Customizable playback options

Cons:

• No Windows or Android apps

• Doesn’t have search options by network name

Download Downcast

Getting a free podcast download from the source is simple. Most podcast apps follow similar steps to downloading a podcast, using tabs for searching and finding trending shows and episodes. Search bars are also used to filter through different podcasts.

Using the tab button, you can subscribe to a podcast which saves you from downloading each episode. Depending on the app you’re using, you would tap either on the + symbol or another checkmark next to the selected podcast.

You’ll receive notifications whenever a new episode is available for download. You can do this by clicking on Download or Play displayed next to the episode’s title. Some podcast apps automatically download episodes when the settings are turned on for this feature.

As you can see, there are multiple apps you can use to download podcasts. Here are some factors to consider when choosing the most suitable app for your needs.

Podcasts. Some podcasts are available only on certain platforms. So make sure the app in question has your favorite podcast on the list.

Interface. You don’t want to spend time trying to master the app, so make sure it’s easy for you to navigate the interface.

Price. Find out how much the service costs or whether it’s free to use.

Functions. Pay attention to what features the app provides. Apart from listening to podcasts and downloading them, you can enjoy other functions like AI recommendations, notifications for new episodes, automatic downloads of new episodes, or automatic deletion of played episodes.