Ranked 1 of 6 in best podcast apps
Free, built into iPhone, iPad and Mac, with a browser player and a broad catalog of shows browsable by genre and host. It is closed source and works best on Apple devices.
Best for Finding and following shows on Apple devices
About Apple Podcasts
Apple Podcasts lets people browse, subscribe to and listen to podcast shows on Apple devices, and its web player plays them in a browser. Its pages describe shows by genre and host, so new listeners can find shows by topic.
The app is free and is built into Apple's operating systems. It is closed source and works best on Apple devices, which makes it the default for many iPhone users. Readers who want an open-source podcast app should look at AntennaPod, and readers who want Apple Watch and ad-supported free listening may prefer Overcast.
Key features
- Browse by genre and host
- Web player
- Built into Apple devices
- Subscribe to shows
Strengths
- Built into iPhone, iPad and Mac
- Web player for listening in a browser
- Broad catalog of shows
Limits
- Closed source, so the code cannot be checked
- Strongest on Apple devices
Where Apple Podcasts ranks
| List | Rank | Score | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Best Podcast apps | 1 of 6 | 90.0 | Finding and following shows on Apple devices |
Questions about Apple Podcasts
- Is Apple Podcasts free?
- Apple Podcasts can be used without paying: Free app, built into Apple devices. Check the vendor’s pricing page for current limits.
- Is Apple Podcasts open source?
- No. Apple Podcasts is proprietary software; its source code is not public.
- Which platforms does Apple Podcasts support?
- Apple Podcasts is available on: iOS, iPadOS, macOS, Web.
- What is Apple Podcasts best for?
- Finding and following shows on Apple devices. In our ranking of podcast apps it is number 1 of 6 with a score of 90.0.
- What are the best alternatives to Apple Podcasts?
- The highest-ranked alternatives on listme.name are Spotify, Overcast, AntennaPod, Castbox.