5 Best Alternatives to YouTube Podcasts

Now that Google Podcast has officially shut down and migrated to the YouTube Music app, you might be wondering if there are other viable alternatives that actually deliver the basics. The short answer is yes. There are plenty of alternatives, and while many users have moved to cross-platform services like Spotify and YouTube Music, both lack essential features that make them undesirable for many podcast fans.

Spotify would be my recommendation. However, with the company still not including simple essentials, it’s hard to justify it on this list. First of all, the Spotify app lacks features like the ability to show seasons and has a confusing user interface that is not easy to use, to name a few.

1 Pocket Casts

A top choice for many podcast listeners

Pocket Casts are loved by millions of users and it’s easy to see why. It has an intuitive user interface, and most importantly, it’s free — sort of. The user interface makes it easy to use and search for your favorite podcasts, and by default includes all the essential features and more. Episodes can easily be organized by season and downloaded manually or even automatically.

Pocket Casts offers speed control, the ability to shorten silence, a volume booster and, like most apps, the option to set a sleep timer. The only downside to the app is that you’ll have to pay a modest $1 per month to get 10GB of cloud storage and, most importantly, the ability to use desktop and web apps. The subscription will also give you access to themes and a few additional features that could make it an ideal alternative that could support developers.

2 Audibly

There is more to the service than audiobooks

Audible may not be the first choice for many users because many people associate the service with audiobooks. However, the Amazon-owned service has increasingly pushed podcasts in recent years, making it a viable alternative to YouTube podcasts. The service even has a few exclusive shows that are only available on this platform and is a perfectly suitable alternative.

If you’re already an Audible user, you’ll get access to thousands of Podcast channels and even more episodes. The app lets you fast-forward and rewind 30 seconds, change speed, set timers and bookmarks, and even has a dedicated car mode — providing a larger user interface, ideal for traveling or commuting. It requires a subscription to Audible Plus, which will also allow you to listen to audiobooks, making it a great alternative for avid listeners.

3 Castbox

Free and ad-supported, if you’re into that

Castbox may not have the same intuitive interface as Pocket Casts, it is simple enough to understand and navigate. The free version is ad-supported, but still has all the basics you could want. Users can also comment and interact with each other, creating a unique community for their favorite channels.

The free version allows you to follow 100 podcasts, which is enough for most people. The paid version costs $5 per month and lets you follow an unlimited number of podcast channels, removes ads, and even provides more personalized content. It’s one of the most feature-rich podcast services out there, and while it might cost more than other services, it offers even more advanced features.

4 Podcast addict

An oldie, but a goodie

Podcast Addict may have a slightly outdated user interface, but it’s completely free and comes with all the essential features you need. It has an idle timer, advanced search features, automatic download settings, and even the ability to export and import your libraries. If you can ignore the outdated design and want to get access to your favorite shows, Podcast Addict could be a great alternative.

When it comes to pricing, Podcast Addict is a cost-effective alternative to other solutions. It’s completely free, and even its $0.99/month subscription tier only adds features like the ability to mark timestamps, playback statistics, and a few advanced audio settings. Unless you’re an advanced user, the free tier will give you everything you need to start listening to podcasts.

5 AntennaPod

For many, open source is the way to go

If you like open source projects, AntennaPod might be the right choice for you. It is an open source service that allows you to watch your favorite shows and episodes in an orderly manner. The app can even surprise you with a random episode, and users can easily manage their downloads within the app.

Furthermore, the app is completely free with no ads, and users can even import and export RSS feeds using URLs. It has all the basic playback settings you need on the go, like the ability to change playback speed, skip intros and out credits, and tag episodes.

Don’t sleep on these awesome Podcast apps

Whether you’re looking for a free podcast app, an open source project, a community-based platform, or a cross-platform service, there are plenty of viable alternatives to YouTube podcasts that cost very little or nothing. You might also want to check out our own podcast show AndroidPolice, where we discuss the latest trends, smartphones and personal experiences in even more detail.