How to Download Podcasts on PC, iOS, Android
Try out Movavi Screen Recorder:
Records podcasts in a couple of clicks
High-quality audio output
Customizable recording options
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.
Quick summary
Best for recording podcasts, capturing computer screen and sound.
Best for customizable listening experience, free podcast download on Android.
Best for getting the latest recommendations on trending shows on iOS.
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When selecting products to include in our reviews, we research both demand and popularity.
All products mentioned in this article have been tested by Movavi Content Team.
We have tested all the methods and software to highlight the best features of products and what they’re best suited for.
We study user reviews from popular review platforms and make use of this information when writing our product reviews.
We collect feedback from our users and analyze their opinions of Movavi software as well as products from other companies.
Movavi Screen Recorder
Best for: recording podcasts, capturing computer screen and sound
OS
Windows, Mac
Price
Free trial version, $69.95 for the full version
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:
Schedule to record at any time to watch later
Share links to your videos or upload them directly to the cloud and social media
Save your recordings in any popular file format
Record all sound in high quality
Capture anything from your screen, customize footage and create videos on the go
Easy to set up and record from screen or webcam
Cons:
The full version gives you unlimited creativity
Step 1. Install Movavi Screen Recorder
Run the installation file and follow the onscreen instructions. To launch the recorder, double-click the icon on your desktop.
Step 2. Set the recording parameters
Click the Screen recording button on the program’s sidebar and select a capture area. Even though you don’t need a video recording, the program will capture the screen anyway. But you’ll be able to save the recording in an audio file format later.
Make sure the Microphone icon is activated. The System Audio recording should be disabled.
Step 3. Record your podcast
When everything is ready, hit REC to begin and then start speaking. Once you’ve recorded everything you need, click Stop.
Step 4. Save your podcast
After clicking Stop, the podcast will open in a preview window. Here, you can cut out unnecessary parts if needed. To save the podcast, click Export. In the new window, enter the file’s name and choose the folder you want to save it to. Then select MP3 from the list of formats. Finally, hit the Save button.
And that’s it! Now you know how to record a podcast with Movavi Screen Recorder.
Movavi Screen Recorder
Disclaimer: Please be aware that Movavi Screen Recorder does not allow capture of copy-protected video and audio streams.
OBS Studio
Best for: recording video and audio with complete control over the production
OS
Windows, Mac, Linux
Price
Free
4.6 out of 5 stars, 110 reviews
With OBS Studio, you can easily create professional-grade live broadcasts and stunning video recordings. This powerful podcast download 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
TinyTake
Best for: recording desktop activity with annotations
OS
Windows, Mac
Price
Free version; paid plans start at $29.95 annually
4.3 out of 5 stars, 17 reviews
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
How to download a podcast to your computer with iTunes
If you’re using iTunes to listen to podcasts on your Mac or Windows PC, you can use the same app to save the audio and listen to it later. So, how do you download podcasts from iTunes? Follow these three easy steps.
Step 1. Install iTunes
Visit the link below to download and install the app.
Step 2. Search for podcasts
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.
Step 3. Download an episode
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.
How to download podcasts to iPhone with Apple Podcasts
It’s simple to download podcasts to an iPhone if they’re on Apple Podcasts. The app is really straightforward and easy to use. It has an App Store rating close to a perfect one. So, here’s how to download podcasts using it.
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.
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. Then, choose the desired podcast.
Step 3. Download the episode
Scroll a bit down and find the episode you need. To download the episode, tap the Dots icon next to it and choose Download Episode.
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.
How to download podcasts on Android with Google Podcasts
Just like its competitor, Google has its own podcast app – Google Podcasts. And the variety of shows available is compatible with what Apple has to offer. Here’s how to download podcasts on Android using the app.
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.
Step 2. Find the podcast
Tap the Explore button in the lower part of the screen, 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
Find the list of all available episodes and select the episode you wish to download. On the next screen, tap the Download icon below the episode title.
The downloaded episode is now on the main interface page in the Downloads section of the Library.
Best podcast downloaders
iTunes
Best for: listening to podcasts on Mac and Windows, downloading podcasts to your computer
OS
Mac, Windows
Price
Free
4 out of 5 stars, 246 reviews
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
Apple Podcasts
Best for: getting the latest recommendations on trending shows
OS
iOS
Price
Free
4.9 out of 5 stars, 1.3M ratings
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
Google Podcasts
Best for: customizable listening experience, searching for favorite shows, free podcast download on Android, and an ad-free experience
OS
Android
Price
Free
4.6 out of 5 stars
Users
700,000+ reviews, 500,000,000+ 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
Spotify
Best for: listening and downloading exclusive podcasts
OS
Windows, Mac, Android, iOS
Price
Free, with a Premium subscription of $12.99 per month
4.5 out of 5 stars
Spotify is one of the world’s most popular platforms to listen to music and podcasts. No wonder, since it has multiple extremely famous podcast series exclusive for their platform. Can you download podcasts from Spotify? Yes, if you’re using the official app, you can! With versions for Windows, Mac, Android, iOS, you can save a podcast to your device and listen to it if you don’t have access to the Internet, e.g., on a long trip or flight.
Pros:
Great variety of content
Supported by many devices, including PS4 and PS5, Xbox One and Xbox Series X, Apple TV, etc.
Podcasts and music – all in one app
Student discounts for the Premium subscription
Cons:
Ads in the free version
Only the paid subscription grants you the option to download content
VLC Media Player
Best for: downloading podcasts within a desktop media player
OS
Windows, Mac, Linux, Android, iOS
Price
Free
4.7 out of 5 stars, 564 reviews
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
MusicBee
Best for: organizing and playing your music collection
OS
Windows
Price
Free
4.5 out of 5 stars, 66 reviews
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
Stitcher
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
Castbox
Best for: wide range of podcasts with over 95 million available content
OS
Android, iOS
Price
Free
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
Overcast
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)
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
Pocket Casts
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
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
Downcast
Best for: downloading podcasts directly to your mobile device
OS
iOS, Mac
Price
$2.99
4.3 out of 5 stars, 2.3K ratings
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
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.
How to choose a podcast downloader
As you can see, there are multiple apps you can use to download podcasts from any website. 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.
Conclusion
We hope this article has helped you choose a podcast audio downloader. All of them have different features, so feel free to check out the software from this article to pick the one that suits you best.
Movavi Screen Recorder
Disclaimer: Please be aware that Movavi Screen Recorder does not allow capture of copy-protected video and audio streams.
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