Another popular Google product has an impending meeting with the Grim Reaper.
Yes, Google Podcasts is shutting down. Rest in peace with all the other casualties in the Google Graveyard, old friend.
It won’t be kicking the bucket until sometime “later in 2024,” but that’s a shame: It’s a a great app. Google will be migrating all its podcast-related interests to YouTube Music between now and then, so that’s an option to consider. I didn’t include it in the list below because its interface, customization options, and general usability all leave a bit to be desired.
However, there are some other great podcast apps out there. Here are some alternatives to check out.
AntennaPod
My current favorite as a Google Podcasts replacement, AntennaPod wins big marks for being free and fully featured.
It’s an open-source app maintained by volunteers, so there are no annoying greyed-out features trying to upsell you to a premium version.
The app itself is simple yet usable and features some nice customization options—perfect if you’ve just got a handful of podcasts you need to keep tabs on. Unfortunately, it’s not available for Apple devices.
Castbox
If it’s device-support you’re looking for, look no further than Castbox. It’s available for Android, iOS, via the web, on Amazon Echo devices, and for Apple Watch.The interface is nice and straightforward, although the free version contains visual ads sprinkled throughout the app.
Ponying up for the premium version, which starts at a buck a month, removes a 100-podcast subscription limit, adds the ability to personalize your homepage, allows you to set custom playback speeds for individual podcasts, and lets you cut to the front of the line when you need support.
Podbean
Similar to Castbox in terms of device support, Podbean is another well-designed option to check out.
The app itself is free and fully featured, sporting a nice interface and good discovery tools.
Podbean is primarily a podcast-hosting company, so if you’ve gotten the itch to start a podcast, there’s a nice audio recorder built right into the app—complete with background music, group recording, editing features, and more.
Podcast Addict
A wonderful podcast app from a solo developer, Podcast Addict has enough features to keep up with the big players, plus a slick interface to boot.
The app itself is free and fully functional, save for a banner add displayed at the bottom of the screen, which can be removed for a buck a month or $10 per year.
It’s also, unfortunately, Android-only—similar to AntennaPod. But if you’re an Android user, it’s definitely worth checking out for its customization options, cloud-backup features, and Android Auto and Chromecast integrations.
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