Our Criteria for Selecting the Best Podcast Client It’s fine for occasional listening and does integrate directly with Siri, but if you listen to a lot of podcasts, there are definitely better options available. It only has basic playlist management, and the playback controls aren’t nearly as good as several of the other podcatchers we considered. Why Use a Third-Party Podcast App?Īpple has arguably done more for podcasts than anyone else in recent history, but the Apple Podcasts app is a bit stagnant. With podcasts, you can be selective about who you surround yourself with - even if you don’t live in the same location or would never be able to connect in person. You are the average of the 5 people you spend the most time with. The people you listen to on podcasts can become part of your inner circle and is a non-threatening way to join a community - even if you don’t have any prior experience. It creates a feeling of camaraderie that is virtually impossible to recreate in any other medium.īecause of the format, it also allows you to choose who you allow to speak into your life. It feels like you’re part of an exclusive club, or being let in an inside joke just between you and the hosts of the show you’re listening to. Yes, the audio quality must meet an acceptable minimum so as not to be distracting, but the best (most memorable) podcast moments tend to happen when things go off the rails. They make you feel like you’re joining a few friends for coffee or a casual dinner.

They are intimate, informal conversations that make you feel like you are having a casual chat with the host(s).

The best podcasts, in our opinion, are not simply on-demand radio shows. The ability to feel like you are in the same room as the people you look up to. Not that there’s anything wrong with those if that’s your cup of tea, but those shows don’t necessarily exhibit what makes podcasts great:

If you look at our podcast playlists, you probably won’t find the latest true crime drama and only the occasional heavily produced NPR-type show. But more importantly, as creators AND consumers, our perspective on podcasts (and podcasting) is a little bit different. We’ve been listening to (and making!) podcasts for a long time, and we’ve seen numerous podcast clients come and go over the years. We are big fans of podcasts here at The Sweet Setup. Overcast is our favorite because of its powerful playback customization options, the ability to organize your podcasts using smart playlists, a fair and transparent pricing model, and regular app updates that consistently deliver new features and functionality. Fortunately, there are several great third-party podcast clients (or “podcatchers”) for people who want a richer podcast listening experience. Apple has done a lot for the podcast medium over the years, but the default Apple Podcasts app is definitely not the best option for serious podcast listeners.

Best podcast software for mac