The main places to find podcasts
Podcasts live on dedicated apps, on your phone's built-in podcast player, and on the websites where creators post them. The easiest route depends on what device you use and whether you want to search across thousands of shows or go straight to one you already know about.
If you have an iPhone, Apple Podcasts comes built in — open it and search by show name or topic. Android phones usually come with Google Podcasts (now called Google Play Music on some devices), which works the same way. Both let you subscribe to shows so new episodes download automatically.
If you want more control or a different interface, third-party apps like Spotify, Amazon Music, YouTube Music, Pocket Casts, and Overcast all host podcasts alongside other content. Spotify and Amazon Music are free with ads or paid without them. Pocket Casts and Overcast charge a one-time fee or subscription but offer features like custom playback speed and episode bookmarking.
Key Takeaways
- Apple Podcasts and Google Podcasts are free and built into most phones, making them the simplest starting point if you do not already have a preference.
- Spotify, Amazon Music, and YouTube Music let you listen to podcasts alongside music and other audio, all in one app.
- Podcast creators often post episodes on their own websites or social media, so searching the show name directly can take you straight to the source.
- Most podcast apps let you subscribe to shows so new episodes arrive automatically rather than you having to search each time.
- Some podcasts are exclusive to one platform — for example, certain shows only appear on Spotify or Apple Podcasts — so the show you want may determine which app you need.
Searching by topic versus searching by show name
If you know the podcast you want to listen to, search for it by name in any app or on Google. The show will appear in results, and you can start listening immediately or subscribe so new episodes arrive automatically.
If you want to discover shows on a topic — cooking, true crime, parenting, business — use the browse or search features in Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or Google Podcasts. Each app organizes shows into categories and lets you sort by popularity, newest, or trending. Spotify's algorithm also recommends shows based on what you already listen to.
Word-of-mouth and podcast recommendation sites like Podchaser and Listen Notes also help you find shows by genre or listener reviews. These sites do not host the audio themselves — they point you to where the show actually lives.
Podcast websites and RSS feeds
Many podcast creators maintain their own websites where you can listen to episodes directly in your browser, read show notes, and find links to other platforms. Search the show name plus "podcast" or "episodes" to find the official site.
If you want to follow a podcast through a website rather than an app, look for an RSS feed link — usually marked with an orange icon or the word "RSS". You can paste that link into any podcast app's "add by URL" feature, and the app will pull in new episodes automatically. This method works even if the show is not listed in the app's main directory.
Some creators post episodes on YouTube, their own blog, or social media platforms like Instagram or TikTok. These are usually clips or bonus content rather than full episodes, but they can help you decide whether to subscribe to the full show elsewhere.
Podcast platforms exclusive to one service
A small number of popular shows are exclusive to one platform, meaning they do not appear anywhere else. Spotify hosts exclusive shows and has exclusive episodes of some popular series. Apple Podcasts also has exclusive content. YouTube has exclusive podcast shows as well.
If you search for a show and cannot find it in your usual app, check whether it is exclusive to another platform. The show's official website or social media will say where to listen. You do not need to pay extra for exclusives — they are included in the free tier of most services, though some platforms offer ad-free versions for paid subscribers.
Free versus paid podcast apps
Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Spotify (free tier), Amazon Music (free tier), and YouTube Music (free tier) all let you listen to podcasts without paying. You may hear ads during episodes, and some features like offline downloading or ad-free listening require a paid subscription.
Pocket Casts costs about $10 to $15 per year or $1 per month. Overcast costs about $10 per year. Both are ad-free and offer advanced features like custom playback speed, episode bookmarking, and the ability to skip silence in episodes. Neither charges per podcast or per episode — you pay once and listen to as many shows as you want.
Podcast creators do not charge listeners directly through most apps. Some creators offer bonus episodes or early access through Patreon or their own membership sites, but the main feed is always free.
Listening offline and syncing across devices
Most podcast apps let you download episodes to listen without an internet connection. Open the episode, tap the download button (usually a down arrow), and the app saves it to your phone. Downloaded episodes stay on your device until you delete them, so you can listen on a plane, in a tunnel, or anywhere without signal.
If you switch between devices — phone, tablet, computer — some apps sync your progress across them. Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and Google Podcasts all sync which episodes you have listened to and where you stopped. Pocket Casts and Overcast sync too if you create an account. This means you can start an episode on your phone and pick up where you left off on your tablet.
Troubleshooting: show not found or not updating
If a show does not appear in your app's search, try searching the exact title in Google first. The official website or the creator's social media will tell you which platforms carry the show. Some shows are new and not yet indexed in all apps, or they may be exclusive to one platform.
If you subscribed to a show but new episodes are not appearing, try unsubscribing and subscribing again. Open the app's settings and look for a "refresh feeds" or "update subscriptions" button. If the show has moved to a new RSS feed or changed its name, the old subscription may not update automatically — the creator's website will have the current feed link.
If an episode you remember hearing is no longer available, the creator may have removed it or the show may have moved platforms. Search the episode title in Google to see if it has been reposted elsewhere.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need to pay to listen to podcasts?
No. Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Spotify, Amazon Music, and YouTube Music all let you listen to podcasts for free, though you may hear ads. Paid subscriptions remove ads and unlock features like offline listening or playback speed control, but the shows themselves are free.
Can I listen to the same podcast on different apps?
Yes. Most podcasts appear on multiple platforms — Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Google Podcasts, and others all carry the same shows. You can listen on whichever app you prefer. A few shows are exclusive to one platform, but that is rare.
What is the difference between a podcast app and a music streaming app?
Podcast apps are built specifically for spoken audio and let you control playback speed, bookmark episodes, and manage subscriptions. Music apps like Spotify include podcasts alongside music but may not have all those features. Both work fine — it depends on whether you want podcasts in a separate app or mixed with your music.
How do I know if a podcast is still active or abandoned?
Check the show's website or social media for the most recent episode date. If the last episode was posted months or years ago, the show is likely on hiatus or ended. Many creators post updates about whether a show is returning, so the official channels are the best source.
Can I listen to podcasts on my computer?
Yes. Apple Podcasts works on Mac computers. Spotify, YouTube Music, and Amazon Music work on Windows and Mac. You can also listen in your web browser on most podcast websites. Some people prefer listening on a computer while working, and syncing means your progress carries over to your phone.