Podcasts are surging in popularity. And why not? They give you new ideas, expand your horizons in personal and professional growth, and allow you to learn new things in your areas of interest.
Many people listen to podcasts on mobile. If you use a Windows PC and want to listen to podcasts, then your best option is to use a desktop client. Here are some of the best podcast managers for Windows 10 and every kind of audiophile.
1. iTunes
Even there is a facility for creating a directory of podcast list. One can even import their podcast from other applications which include iTunes and Google Reader. One can even download Podcast for listening to them in offline mode.
- Luckily, there is absolutely no shortage of podcast apps available in the Play Store. If anything, there may just be an overabundance of options, but we've narrowed it down to 5 solid options that should cover any user preferences.
- Apple's default podcast app leaves much to be desired, luckily there are a host of great alternatives in the App Store. Apple's default podcast app leaves much to be desired, luckily there are a.
iTunes is a popular podcast manager for Windows. The iTunes Store has an extraordinary selection of podcasts in every category, including news, sports, philosophy, technology, and more. Its vast catalog and intuitive podcast management features make the app invaluable.
To see the catalog of podcasts, choose Podcasts in the Media Picker and click Store in the navigation bar. Airmail app,for mac, spell check has incorrect suggestions. Find the podcast page in the Store, then click the Subscribe button located just below the icon.
iTunes will periodically check for updates and notify you when new episodes are available. As you start listening, you’ll find better recommendations, new podcasts, or you can browse for the top podcasts if you’re getting started.
Pros
- There is a vast collection of teaching and learning resources. You can subscribe to podcasts in your language, listen to language courses for free, learn grammar, and practice for IELTS or TOEFL.
- iTunes offers you many options to manage and display episodes from the podcast. You can sort episodes, download or delete played items automatically, and more.
- You can create a podcast station to group different types of podcasts or a separate station for video podcasts. By default, iTunes includes only the most recent episodes, but you can tweak this.
Cons
- If you don’t own any iOS devices, using iTunes just for podcasts is overkill. It consumes too much CPU and RAM.
- The smart playlist option for iTunes automatically chooses songs based on your conditions and trigger. Unfortunately, it’s not available for podcasts. You can only create simple/custom playlists.
Download: iTunes from Apple Website or Microsoft Store (Free)
2. Grover Podcast
Grover Podcast is a full-featured podcast player for Windows 10. The app features a standard split-view menu which allows quick access between multiple options, including My Podcasts,Playlist, Unplayed, and Downloaded.
To subscribe, click the +Feed button and paste the valid podcast feed URL. Or, click the Get podcast in Store button and access an extensive library online. The app uses the iTunes API as its search engine.
Go to Settings and toggle the Online Search to enable this feature. It also comes with basic playlists support, which lets you organize the order you want to play your podcasts.
Pros
- If you subscribe to any premium podcast, then check +Feed > Requires user authentication and enter the user name and password.
- You can bulk import or export podcast feeds through OPML. Navigate to Settings and click Import OPML file.
- The app lets you choose a custom folder to save episodes. You can automatically download new episodes and delete the ones you played.
- There’s also a speed button and Cast to device feature. You can cast it to Roku or Xbox One.
Cons
- Grover podcast supports both light and dark themes. Unfortunately, the dark theme is not optimized. It’s difficult to see the episode number.
- The blue playback control is barely visible in the light theme. You must buy the Pro version to get more options.
Download: Grover Podcast (Free) | Grover Pro ($3)
3. CPod
CPod is an open source podcast manager for Windows PC. The app features two large panels to display podcast contents and playback controls. A small bar on the left side of the screen gives you access to multiple options.
Click the Explore button and type in the podcast name in the search bar. CPod uses the iTunes API to search its database. Then click the +Subscribe button to subscribe. The Subscriptions Apple store app for mac. tab shows all the podcasts you subscribed.
The Home tab shows a chronological list of all items. From here, you can download the episode, queue them, or mark them as played.
Pros
- Cpod supports keyboard shortcuts to control the playback. You can customize it as per your needs.
- You can bulk import or export podcast feeds as OPML. Go to the Settings section and scroll down to see this option.
- Cpod supports gpodder.net. If you this web service in other computers, your podcast and episode actions sync with all machines.
- You can sort subscriptions based on length, date, download status, and play progress.
Cons
- CPod is an Electron app. The CPU usage while listening is pretty high. But the developer releases periodic updates.
- If you use a Bluetooth earphone and if you minimize the app, then you might hear crackling sounds.
Download: CPod (Free)
4. MusicBee
MusicBee is both a music manager and podcast player for Windows 10. On launch, the interface looks a bit text-heavy, but it’s configurable. There are plenty of skins to change its look and feel. By default, the left panel includes the list of podcasts you subscribed while the main view consists of episodes.
To subscribe, right-click the Unplayed Episodes option and choose Add Subscription Link. From the dialog box that opens, paste the feed URL and authentication details if any.
Or, if you choose Search Podcast Directory, you can directly search iTunes Store, Digital Podcasts, and NPR Podcasts. Click the episode name in your main panel and start playing.
Pros
- You can directly import the OPML file from other podcast apps. Choose Configure Layout > Main Panel > Import/Export.
- You can move panels around and switch to compact view, theater mode, or mini player. Navigate to the View menu and choose your preferred style.
- It also lets you customize the folder structure and naming template for podcasts. Head to Preferences > Library and use the reorganize button to apply changes for already-downloaded podcasts.
- You can download new items automatically, clean played episodes, and create custom playlists for podcast episodes.
Cons
- Many podcast related options are not discoverable in the first place. You’ll find it scattered everywhere. Also, the location of the menu items is not obvious.
- There is no sorting option available and does not support variable speed while playing an episode.
Download: MusicBee from Microsoft Store | Website (Free)
5. VLC Media Player
VLC is an all-in-one media player to watch videos and listen to music. But did you know that it has an integrated podcast-subscribing feature among its many hidden features7 Top Secret Features of the Free VLC Media Player7 Top Secret Features of the Free VLC Media PlayerVLC should be your media player of choice. The cross-platform tool has a bag full of secret features you can use right now.Read More? To subscribe, open the app and choose View > Playlist (Ctrl + L) to activate the playlist interface.
In the left panel, scroll to Internet > Podcasts. Click on the Plus (+) button to open a new Subscribe box. Enter the feed URL of your podcast and click OK. Wait for a few moments to retrieve the list of episodes. To unsubscribe, click the Minus (-) sign next to the podcast title.
Pros
- If you already use VLC for all media-related activities, it makes sense to use the podcast feature.
- You can download the episode for offline playing. Right-click the item and choose Save. From the dialog box that opens, select Dump raw input.
Cons
- VLC isn’t the most user-friendly option for listening to podcasts. There’s no integrated search feature, and it doesn’t automatically download new episodes.
- It just streams the episode when you start playing them. In some cases, VLC doesn’t show you the artwork of podcasts.
Download: VLC Media Player (Free)
6. gPodder
gPodder is a simple, open source podcast client for Windows 10. With this app, you can play audio and video files from RSS, YouTube, SoundCloud, and Vimeo. The left panel consists of audio and video feeds. And the main view displays a summary, file size, and release date of the episode.
To subscribe, navigate to the Subscriptions tab and paste the URL of your feed. Alternatively, you can import an OPML file from other podcast apps or click Discover new podcasts. gPodder uses its own database and search engine. Right-click an item to stream or download for offline playing.
Pros
Mac Os Podcast App
- If you own multiple PC’s, then gPodder.net keeps your subscriptions and playback progress in sync.
- The app also supports password protected feeds. From the left panel, right-click the podcast name and choose Podcast settings. Under the Advanced tab, enter your credentials.
- You can download new podcasts automatically, or cleanup played episodes. Go to Preferences > Updating to configure actions.
- If you own a portable media device (except iPod), you can choose a mount point and synchronize media files without any effort.
- gPodder extensions provide you some useful options. Check the Desktop Integration to show download progress on the taskbar. You can also stream podcasts to Sonos speakers.
Cons
- The gPodder catalog does not have the variety of shows when you compare it with iTunes.
- The app has lots of options. If you’re getting started, then dedicate a separate time to set up this application.
Download: gPodder (Free)
More Podcast Players to Check Out
Ultimately, your decision on how to listen to podcasts will help choose the podcast manager. Many people prefer iTunes for its integration with the iOS device and rich database. Some people may like VLC for its minimal and lightweight approach to podcasts.
And if you don’t want to install anything, then there are these free online podcast players6 Free Online Podcast Players You Can Use in Any Browser6 Free Online Podcast Players You Can Use in Any BrowserSometimes you want to listen to podcasts on your desktop. Here are the best podcast players that you can play in any browser.Read More too you can pick from.
Explore more about: Media Player, Podcasts, Software Recommendations, VLC Media Player.
- iTunes is bulky, so if you don't use Apple devices, then don't use iTunes
- I've been using Juice for many years now, and it has worked flawlessly or most of that time, but recently, I have had trouble with two podcasts (out of a list of 67 that it checks each day, and finds four or five updated). The ones it is having difficulty with are..
1. Someone Knows Something, from Canada'a CBC. This one is not being updated (by CBC) currently, but for the last several episodes, the titles were read out, which took 10-15 seconds, then the podcast ended.
2. The Skeptics Guide to the Universe, an independent science podcast from the USA. They made some sort of change on Jan-01,2018, and Juice no longer sees the podcast. I have searched the Internet and the SGU forum, and apparently nobody else is having this difficulty.Juice is a bit long in the tooth these days, so maybe it's time for a new downloader. - I still using Winamp as my RSS client for listen podcast and works fine.
- Podpuppy is THE best manager for podcasts on windows again.It turns out that the issue I had with feedburner was down to feedburner not PodPuppy.So if you want THE best software for Podcasts on a PC get PodPuppy.
- PodpuppyOr it used to be until it stopped working the other day with feedburner podcasts.It's 1.3mb when installed and the killer feature, tags to automatically rename the downloaded files:Tag TokensIn order to help customize item tags and filenames, you can use the following special tokens in the tag and filename fields. These tokens will be replaced by the relevant text when the item is saved or tagged. Any text other than these tokens is copied unchanged to item filename or tag. Where required, the file type extension (e.g. .mp3) is added automatically.
Token Will be replaced by..
%t The title of the item.
%p The title of the Podcast that the item belongs to.
%d The publication date of the item, in the date format of your culture.
%D The day of the publication date (00-31).
%M The month of the publication date (01-12).
%Y The year of the publication date.
%n A number that can be used to order items by download time. Later items get higher numbers. If you use this as the first part of the filename or title tag then items will appear in order of download on most portable media players.
%N A number that can be used to order items by download time. Later items get lower numbers. If you use this as the first part of the filename or title tag then items will appear in reverse order of download (latest first) on most portable media players.For example..%n %D.%M.%Y %p - %tCould become..001 16.12.2008 BBC News Podcast - 16th December EditionUNFORTUNATELYPodpuppy hasn't been developed for a few years now so it looks like it's the end of the road for it.The only reason I found this article was while trying to find an alternative. - I'm VERY happy with VLC but in case you want some options, just check Wikipedia: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_podcatchers Best apps for ipad pro.
- HiI am using VLC
- for russian podcasts i use podfm player
http://podfm.ru/blog/1825/ - Media Monkey is fantastic! Downloads subscriptions and syncs with your device. Can set options to only keep x number of podcasts both at the download and sync stages.
- my Itunes constantly keeps freezing and locking up anytime I use any kind of podcast, definitely don't recommend it, came here looking for something better.
- I'm using Uhura(http://uhura.herokuapp.com/) because works online, I can listen my podcast everywhere
- MediaMonkey to me seems to be the best option for now.
- retechie,
gPodder only supports authenticated feeds. It does not support actual authenticated podcasts (ie the audio files are secured, not just the xml) - I agree there is no good software for podcasts. I don't want it to add music from my pc. I just want audio, video, and search for podcasts. Itunes just gets worse and worse, but has the best list layout and search, plus I want to see the description of each podcast episode. I am going back to an old version of iTunes because none of these are very good.
- The comments above about their being no decent podcast manager are correct. I need to subscribe to several authenticated podcasts and simply can't get a solution.Of those suggested above,Juice - claims to support authenticated podcasts, but doesn't work
Miro - doesn't support authenticated podcasts
iTunes - can only support one authenticated podcast per podcast server
gPodder - doesn't support authenticated podcasts
hermespod - doesn't support authenticated podcasts
Clementine - doesn't support authenticated podcasts
VLAN - doesn't support authenticated podcastsRight now my only option appears to be running multiple copies of iTunes in multiple virtual or physical machines! :(- gPodder supports authenticated podcasts. It's buried in the individual podcasts. Right click on the subscribed podcast, select 'Podcast settings' select the 'Advanced' tab.
- I like iTunes the best because I have an iPod Touch.
- I have tried several podcatchers and I have settled on HermesPod (http://hermespod.com), at least for now.
It doesn't have a lot of bells and whistles, but it is faster and easier to use than the ones i have used before. - Looking for best to do list app for mac for self. I have tried them all and found ziepod to be the best.
- If I'm going to listen to a podcast on my computer, I use MusicBee.
- I love Miro! But it has some bugs...I also love VLC but never used the Podcast option..
- Don't like Miro - 'home' page defaults to a chick pick up site which sort of doesn't fit for me.
- http://gpodder.org/ - The best for me.
- The point of a podcast manager is -- in addition to retrieving podcasts -- to sync with your device, whether it's a smart phone or a media player. It should know which podcasts you listened to, so you do not have to manually check the ones you have already heard. This is most likely impossible to do without device integration. For Windows devices (legacy Zune, Windows Phones), Zune has been working relatively well. I assume for Apple devices, iTunes should work. I'm not sure how Android devices work in this respect.
- I agree Alek. I am after a Windows based podcast manager that will synch with my Android. I have been using iTunes with a 3rd party app to synch but iTunes has got too buggy.
- People still use podcasts? LOL.
- I bet you really did laugh out loud at that zinger.
- I use an RSS reader (the digg rss reader now that google reader is dead and feedly is too..heavy) as a podcast manager. Best if you want to stream instead of download.
- You forget include GPODDER, a free, open source and multiplatform nice software:
http://gpodder.org/It is my favourite! ;)- Tried it on Windows, and it apparently needs Python to run.Fail.
- As far as I know, there are no decent podcast managers for Windows. By that, I mean something that's very lightweight, that I actually wouldn't mind running in the background to check for new podcasts. Juice is probably as good as it gets, but that app is kind of buggy, and I don't think it's been updated in 6+ years.
- My experience with Juice over the past 6 years is that has worked very well for me. I originally had it on Windows XP, then on Vista. I was unsuccessful in installing it on Windows 8 (64 bit), but found an installer that worked flawlessly:
http://www.webbie.org.uk/juice/
Juice isn't perfect, but it beats itunes any day. It quietly downloads daily and weekly podcast subscriptions, and files them appropriately under the subscription name. All this happens in the middle of the night at my specified time while I sleep.
Tips
By William Gallagher
Tuesday, November 27, 2018, 08:18 am PT (11:18 am ET)
There's a lot to making a podcast from planning to getting it in front of listeners but it all starts with recording. AppleInsider explains how to pick your equipment and recommends some favourites.Tuesday, November 27, 2018, 08:18 am PT (11:18 am ET)
Blue Yeti microphone in front of a Mac recording in Adobe Audition
Here's one we prepared earlier: AppleInsider has a podcast that you can listen to over iTunes, Soundcloud and via any podcast app you could name. We're not going to go behind the scenes of it, The Making of AppleInsider Podcastis another piece entirely, but producing ours takes precisely the same steps you need for your own one.
We've had to make the same software and hardware choices you face. And we are continually trying new techniques to make a podcast that's better and better both technically and editorially. Here's an overview of what to think about, what issues to consider, and what software plus hardware to use.
First decisions
Before you look at the right microphone or even think about what you're going to say, spend some time on whether you should be saying anything at all. There are quite a few podcasts around already and if your aim is to get information out to people, there are also quicker ways of doing that.
Planning a recording's running order
Then, not to try putting you off, but a podcast is a commitment. You will get quicker at it, yet it will always take time and effort. You can assume that the very simplest of one-hour podcasts with absolutely no problems at all will take at least three hours to make. There's the recording, sure, but also producing, planning and arranging beforehand plus editing afterwards.
Three hours spent now on deciding what you want the show to sound like will help you make a consistently interesting podcast —and make the right equipment choices too.
Standard issue
If you follow what's become the standard format for most podcasts you're going to have yourself and someone else talking. That has the advantage that it's one of the easiest formats to make and it means with two voices, the podcast doesn't sound like a lecture. Choose your co-host carefully though —if you both have the exact same opinions and know the exact same subjects, it isn't going to be a good listen.
That is always the bottom line —you're making a podcast, it should be interesting in topic, and sound interesting, and be entertaining to your audience segment. You're making a show, you're creating something new —don't just read headlines your audience knows anyway.
Detail from the AppleInsider Podcast
Editorial decisions can make or break a podcast. If what is being said and how it's being conveyed are good enough, it even makes up for the odd technical issue. Don't rely on that, though —make the best podcast audio you can.
Your own gear
Given that this is AppleInsider, we'd like you to use a Mac for that, even though it is possible to record and edit a podcast on your iPad with an app such as Ferrite Recording Studio.
That app is excellent for editing. It takes time to get used to how it works, and especially so if you're used to working on Mac audio tools, but it is superb. Certain episodes of the AppleInsider podcast have been edited and produced in Ferrite on iPad, but they were still recorded on Macs. This is because Ferrite can't help you with a limitation on iPads. They are not good for recording your own voice plus that of a co-host at the same time.
You could just sit around the same microphone but more often you'll be doing this with someone who is far away across the world.
Recording using Rogue Amoeba's Audio Hijack
So you need a Mac. Alongside that, you need a microphone, some headphones and software for recording and editing.
Microphone
Your Mac does come with a built-in microphone and you've heard it, you know it's fine on FaceTime or Skype calls. It isn't great for broadcast, however, so you must get something better.
If you're interested in podcasts because of the technical side then this is a topic that could cheerily occupy you for weeks. Assuming you want to get the show made, though, let's cut through the debate and make some decisions.
Get a USB-connected digital microphone that is a cardoid type. We aren't going to delve into what that means at this time —suffice it to say that such microphones are made for you to record on your own while not picking up too much sound around you or behind the mic.
Blue Yeti microphone
One example that we like is the Blue Yeti microphone. This retails for $130 but the Amazon price is typically around $90. As well as the overall sound quality, what we particularly like is that you can change what you use it for.
On the back of the Blue Yeti mic there is a control for switching off the cardoid type of recording and switching on one of three alternatives. When you interview someone in front of your Mac, switch to the Bidirectional Mode and the one mic will record you both well.
Controls on back of Blue Yeti microphone
There's also a stereo mode designed for recording musical instruments and an omnidirectional mode that records everything. That can be superb for capturing the sound and feel of a venue —but more often it's a nuisance because it picks up everything.
As well as the Blue Yeti, we should say that we recently also found a lot to admire in the same firm's smaller Blue Yeti Nano which retails for $99.
Blue Yeti (left) and Nano
It's new enough that we haven't seen any discounts. So, it's currently selling for more than the street price for its older, bigger sibling. Consequently we'd still go for the regular Blue Yeti because of its adaptability. Otherwise, the Nano isn't a compromise, it's just a smaller version of a fine mic.
You can go smaller, though, and we would when travelling. Specifically, we've been using ones such as the Blue Raspberry mic.
Podcasts For Mac
Most recently, there has been a new contender —the AmazonBasics Professional USB Condenser Microphone. It officially sells for $90 but Amazon itself has already discounted it to as low as $40 in the past which is an appealing price for a good mic.
Small, portable mics are obviously handy for travelling as well as just for putting away when you don't need them. If you want to actually record as you travel, however, this one was recommended to us by a BBC Radio Drama producer.
Zoom IQ6 plugged into an iPhone
The Zoom iQ6 is a broadcast-quality stereo microphone for your iPhone or iPad. It's such a high-quality and sensitive microphone that it took us a while to adjust the gain to make it pick up the sounds we wanted and not the hiss we didn't.
Mounted microphones
Speaking of noises we don't want, any mic you get will pick up the vibration of you knocking against your desk or even typing as you talk. You can avoid that by just being conscious of it and taking care not to bump anything, or you could get a mount.
Blue, maker of the Yeti microphone range, sells a Blackout arm that comes with a clamp. It's meant to be clamped to your desk but you could instead have it gripping a second table or a nearby shelf. If you do that, it prevents transmission of knocking on your desk through the mic, and lets you mount a mic, a pop filter and your headphones to the arm for around $145.
Headphones
You've already got headphones, even if only the ones that came with your iPhone. As much as we like those, we prefer AirPods —and neither are good enough for podcasting. It's not that you especially need to hear brilliant sound while you're recording. Your listeners should get that great sound, but you're fine with just enough to be able to hear the other person speaking.
The issue is that you don't want listeners to hear that other person speaking through your headphones. You don't want his or her voice to leak and be recorded on a channel that it didn't originate from.
Jabra Headphones
So don't go wild, but do get over-the-ear headphones, the sort you hear being called cans. If you don't already have any, try the Jabra Move Wireless which typically costs around $50.
Podcast bucket
If you've got an excellent microphone, it will excellently pick up sounds around you as well as your voice. Maybe you can deal with that on the odd occasion by just shushing everybody around you, but to do this regularly you'll need something more.
Some people wheel out what they call a 'podcast bucket.' It has the microphone surrounded by basic soundproofing foam on all sides bar the front. Then when they've recorded the podcast, these people wheel the whole thing away until next time.
Rudimentary podcast bucket (credit: Charles Martin, Space Javelin podcast)
Podcast App For Mac
That costs you the price of a plastic storage box and some foam which makes it a cheap possibility —just not a great one.If you're going to do this a lot, consider outfitting a disused corner as a de facto podcast studio. Here you can spend as much money as you like but that also means you can stop short of recreating Abbey Road in your spare room should funds be a limiting factor.
A DIY podcast studio (Credit: Duane Sibilly, HammerCast)
The purple and black sections of the wall in that image are acoustic foam tiles that provide soundproof insulation. Pictured is the contents of one pack which retails for $19.99 for 12 tiles. This installation used spray adhesive to adhere the tiles to white cardstock, which was then adhered to the wall with Command strips so it wouldn't be a permanent installation.
All set
You've got your podcast studio, you've got your Mac, you're ready. As well as avoiding the sound of bumps or typing while you're recording, though, find a mute switch. Some microphones like the Blue Yeti ones have a hardware button you can press. Skype also has an on-screen button you can click.
You'll need this for certain when you feel a cough coming on. However, it also frees you up to do that typing as you check a fact while your colleague is talking.
Don't go crazy
Keep it simple for now —stick to a mic, a like-minded co-host, and a Mac. You can later go for vastly more complex audio setups such as multiple microphones going through a mixing desk to your Mac, or even to a dedicated digital recorder instead.
What you cannot and must not skimp on, though, is software. Ultimately it's software that records the audio from your microphone and it is most definitely software that you use to edit your podcast with.
It's not true that all podcasts are edited or given much of a post-production pass before uploading them, but it is certainly true that all of them should be. In the second half of this podcast series, we'll show you and how to pick software that will make your show sound better and also cut down the time it takes to make it, where to put your completed tracks, and how to tell Apple where it is so it can be found in iTunes.
How to record, edit, produce, and upload a Podcast on your Mac by Mike Wuerthele on Scribd