The Essential Directory of Fee-Free, High-Quality Audio Player Applications for Android and iOS Devices

10+ Best Podcast Player Apps for iPhone and Android

Benjamin Arango

Mar 27, 2024• Proven solutions

It has been a little over fifteen years since Ben Hammersley coined the term podcast. During this time, radio and TV stations, as well as people from all walks of life, have embraced this new medium of spreading information through either audio or video files.

Even though podcasts often have the form of a talk show, the topics podcasters cover in their shows range from presenting the latest music releases to discussing political topics. Listening to a podcast from a Smartphone without a player is not an option, which is why we made a selection of some of the best podcast player apps for iPhone and Android devices.

Best Free Podcast Player Apps for iOS and Android Devices

Nearly all podcast player apps have similar features. You can discover new shows, limit how many episodes can be downloaded to your device or reduce silences to the very minimum.

The list of features a podcast player provides should help you determine if that app is the right choice for you. Here are some of the best free podcast player apps for iOS and Android devices you can find on the market in 2019.

1. Breaker

Price: Free, but offers in-app purchases

Compatibility: iOS

Discovering new podcasts, connecting with friends who use Breaker or sharing the latest episode of the podcast you’re following on Facebook or Twitter is easy with this podcast player. Moreover, the app lets you see which podcasts your friends like the most so you can send them messages and start conversations about an episode you like.

Breaker enables you to create your own playlists and customize them in any way you want. The Sleep Timer feature can be useful if you’re going to set up the episode playing time before your iPhone goes to the Sleep mode.

2. Castbox

Price: Free, but offers in-app purchases

Compatibility:iOS , Android

Castbox lets you browse through million podcast episodes and choose from a variety of podcast genres. So, if you would like to follow the latest episodes of music and news related podcasts or talk shows, Castbox may be one of the best options on the market.

This cross-platform app is equipped with the tools that enable you to adjust the audio playback speed, trim silence or customize the sleep timer. You can subscribe to any podcast you discover with Castbox with a single tap, but you must make in-app purchases if you want to access to all features.

3. Himalaya

Price: Free

Compatibility:Android , iOS

This app for Android and iOS devices lets you listen to radio shows, audiobooks, podcasts and allows you to stream shows from a single app. You can customize your homepage or create as many playlists as you want. Each podcast you discover with Himalaya can be shared with your accounts on Instagram, Twitter, and other popular social media platforms.

The app grants you access to more than 500, 000 shows that are organized into 30 categories so you can easily choose a topic and search for an episode you’d like to listen to. Himalaya features a sleep timer, which means that you can listen to your favorite podcast before you fall asleep.

4. Downcast

Price: $2,99, offers in-app purchases

Compatibility: iOS

This podcast player provides all the features you are going to need for a superb podcasting experience. Subscribing to a new podcast with this app is a straightforward process which can be completed in an instant. You can also choose if you want to download episodes to your device automatically or browse through old episodes of podcasts you subscribed to.

Downcast also lets you adjust the playback speed, and it offers chapter support for enhanced podcasts. Organizing and customizing podcasts with Downcast requires a minimum amount of effort, which makes this app an excellent choice for anyone who listens or watches a large number of podcasts daily.

5. Stitcher

Price: Free, offers in-app purchases

Compatibility: iOS , Android

Politics, sports, or comedy are just a few topics podcasts available on Stitcher cover. You can use the app’s on-demand feature if you want to follow a particular show. Select your favorite genres and tap on the play button to listen to an episode of your choosing.

The app is compatible with more than fifty car models, which enables you to enjoy podcasts while driving. However, the free version of the app offers limited capabilities, and you must upgrade to the premium version if you want to have the full scope of the app’s options.

6. Pocket Casts

Price: Free, but offers in-app purchases

Compatibility: iOS , Android

The app’s functional design makes it easy to find and manage podcasts by enabling you to create playback queues effortlessly. Trimming silence, skipping intros or streaming episodes without downloading them are just a few among countless options the Pocket Casts app offers.

Moreover, the Car Play feature enables you to play audio and video podcasts wherever you go. You can also download podcasts if you want to listen to them while you are offline.

Besides, you can play all episodes on your TV or your sound system using the Airplay and Chromecast integrations. The only downside is that you have to purchase the annual or monthly plan if you want to use all of the Pocket Casts’ podcasting options.

7. Apple Podcasts

Price: Free

Compatibility: iOS

This is one of the most popular destinations for all iPhone, iPad and Apple Watch owners who listen to podcasts frequently. Apple Podcasts lets you browse through more than 750.000 shows and 20 million episodes that are organized into categories. You can subscribe to any show you find on Apple Podcasts for free, download episodes you like to your Apple devices and listen to them wherever you go.

The platform’s editor recommends the shows based on your browsing history and helps you discover content that you are going to enjoy watching and listening to. Even so, Apple Podcasts lack the tools that enable its users to control the playback speed, skip intros or set timers before they go to sleep.

8. Spotify

Price: Free

Compatibility: web-based , iOS , Android

People from all over the world have been using Spotify to enjoy music from virtually any genre ever created. This Swedish-American company has been investing a lot into its podcasting services in the last couple of years.

Today Spotify offers access to podcasters to one of the most massive online audiences. Finding new shows and following the latest episodes your favorite podcasters share on this platform is as easy as discovering a new band. There are thousands of podcasts to browse through on Spotify, and some of them can only be played through this podcast player, either online or on iPhone or Android devices.

9. Overcast

Price: Free

Compatibility: iOS

Overcast was launched just five years ago, but today it is recognized as one of the best podcast player apps for iPhones, iWatches, and iPads. If you are looking for an app that will shorten the silences in podcasts, normalize the volume of the voices or enable you to adjust the playback speed of the audio files, then Overcast is probably one of your best options.

The app also provides CarPlay support and allows you to listen to your favorite podcasts even while you are on the road. However, Overcast contains ads, and you must purchase the Premium version of the app if you want to remove them.

10. Castro

Price: Free, but offers in-app purchases

Compatibility: iOS

Managing large numbers of episodes with Castro won’t take much more than a few moments of your time. Subscribe to a podcast you like, and all of the latest episodes will land in the New tab. You can then decide if you want to add them to the queue and listen to them while you are driving or on your iPhone.

The free version of the app doesn’t allow you to skip intros, enhance voices or reduce silence, and you must purchase Castro Plus to access these options. Before you decide to install Castro or Castro Plus on your device, you must make sure that the app is compatible with the version of iOS you have.

11. Podbean

Price: Free but offers in-app purchases

Compatibility: iOS , Android

With the selection of over 50 million episodes, Podbean is easily one of the most versatile podcast player apps on this list. You can search for podcasts based on the topic you are interested in, or browse through different categories, and use the name of the podcast, or the author’s name to find the episode you are looking for.

Podbean is equipped with an audio recorder that features a rich selection of audio effects and a versatile set of audio editing tools. Moreover, the app provides support for live audio streaming so you can create or listen to live broadcast directly from your Smartphone.

12. Laughable

Price: Free, offers in-app purchases

Compatibility:iOS , Android

Keeping in touch with the latest trends in the comedy world is going to become easy if you install Laughable on your device. The app hosts the world’s largest database of comedy artist profiles and enables you to discover and follow comedians effortlessly. Each time they release a new episode of their podcast or make a guest appearance, you’ll receive a notification, which enables you to follow their latest work.

Besides an impressive collection of comedy podcasts, Laughable also lets you browse through podcasts featuring celebrities like Jordan Peterson, Barak Obama or Oprah. The app is free for just ten days, afterward, you must upgrade to Laughable Insider if you want to have access to all the shows and episodes this podcast player has to offer.

How to Pick the Right Podcast Player App?

The majority of podcast players offer a similar set of options, which complicates the process of finding an app you can use to listen to podcasts on your Smartphones. The operating system your Smartphone supports or whether the app you’re considering offers podcast streaming options can influence your choice of a podcast player app.

Ultimately, the selection of shows and episodes an app offers, as well as its playback control options can help you determine which podcast player is the best option for you. In case you listen to podcasts on a daily basis, purchasing a monthly or annual subscription is a much better option than listening to podcasts with a free version of the app.

Below is a brief summary of the podcast player app listed above. Hope it can help to find out the best podcast app on your iPhone or Android phone.

Podcast Player	User Rating	Supported OS	Price	Best For
Breaker	4.7	iOS 11.0 or later	Free, offers in-app purchases	Discovering and sharing podcasts
Castbox	4.8	iOS 10.0 or later, Android 5.0 or later	Free, offers in-app purchases	Discovering and listening to podcasts
Himalaya	4.7	iOS 9.1 or later, Android 4.1 or later	Free, offers in-app purchases	Discovering and listening to podcasts
Downcast	4.2	iOS 11.4 or later	$2,99, offers in-app purchases	Discovering and listening to podcasts
Stitcher	3.6	iOS 10.0 or later, Android 4.2 and up	Free, offers in-app purchases	Discovering and listening to podcasts
Pocket Cast	3.9	iOS 11.0 or later, Android 5.0 or up	Free, offers in-app purchases	Discovering and listening to podcasts
Apple Podcast	No information	iOS 10.0 or later	Free	Discovering and listening to podcasts
Spotify	4.8	Web-based, iOS 11.0 or later, varies on device	Free, offers in-app purchases	Discovering and listening to podcasts
Overcast	4.7	iOS 13.0 or later	Free, offers in-app purchases	Discovering and listening to podcasts
Castro	4.7	iOS 12.2 or later	Free, offers in-app purchases	Discovering and listening to podcasts
Podbean	4.8	iOS 10.0 or later	Free, offers in-app purchases	Discovering and listening to podcasts
Laughable	4.8	iOS 11.4 or later, Android 5.0 and up	Free, offers in-app purchases	Discovering comedy podcasts

Conclusion

Listening to your favorite podcasts wherever you are, has never been easier, even if you don’t have access to the Internet. Podcast player apps like Spotify or Himalaya grant you access to millions of episodes, but each app we featured in this article can provide a superb experience. Which app are you using to listen to podcasts on your iOS and Android devices? Leave a comment and let us know.

Benjamin Arango

Benjamin Arango is a writer and a lover of all things video.

Follow @Benjamin Arango

Benjamin Arango

Mar 27, 2024• Proven solutions

It has been a little over fifteen years since Ben Hammersley coined the term podcast. During this time, radio and TV stations, as well as people from all walks of life, have embraced this new medium of spreading information through either audio or video files.

Even though podcasts often have the form of a talk show, the topics podcasters cover in their shows range from presenting the latest music releases to discussing political topics. Listening to a podcast from a Smartphone without a player is not an option, which is why we made a selection of some of the best podcast player apps for iPhone and Android devices.

Best Free Podcast Player Apps for iOS and Android Devices

Nearly all podcast player apps have similar features. You can discover new shows, limit how many episodes can be downloaded to your device or reduce silences to the very minimum.

The list of features a podcast player provides should help you determine if that app is the right choice for you. Here are some of the best free podcast player apps for iOS and Android devices you can find on the market in 2019.

1. Breaker

Price: Free, but offers in-app purchases

Compatibility: iOS

Discovering new podcasts, connecting with friends who use Breaker or sharing the latest episode of the podcast you’re following on Facebook or Twitter is easy with this podcast player. Moreover, the app lets you see which podcasts your friends like the most so you can send them messages and start conversations about an episode you like.

Breaker enables you to create your own playlists and customize them in any way you want. The Sleep Timer feature can be useful if you’re going to set up the episode playing time before your iPhone goes to the Sleep mode.

2. Castbox

Price: Free, but offers in-app purchases

Compatibility:iOS , Android

Castbox lets you browse through million podcast episodes and choose from a variety of podcast genres. So, if you would like to follow the latest episodes of music and news related podcasts or talk shows, Castbox may be one of the best options on the market.

This cross-platform app is equipped with the tools that enable you to adjust the audio playback speed, trim silence or customize the sleep timer. You can subscribe to any podcast you discover with Castbox with a single tap, but you must make in-app purchases if you want to access to all features.

3. Himalaya

Price: Free

Compatibility:Android , iOS

This app for Android and iOS devices lets you listen to radio shows, audiobooks, podcasts and allows you to stream shows from a single app. You can customize your homepage or create as many playlists as you want. Each podcast you discover with Himalaya can be shared with your accounts on Instagram, Twitter, and other popular social media platforms.

The app grants you access to more than 500, 000 shows that are organized into 30 categories so you can easily choose a topic and search for an episode you’d like to listen to. Himalaya features a sleep timer, which means that you can listen to your favorite podcast before you fall asleep.

4. Downcast

Price: $2,99, offers in-app purchases

Compatibility: iOS

This podcast player provides all the features you are going to need for a superb podcasting experience. Subscribing to a new podcast with this app is a straightforward process which can be completed in an instant. You can also choose if you want to download episodes to your device automatically or browse through old episodes of podcasts you subscribed to.

Downcast also lets you adjust the playback speed, and it offers chapter support for enhanced podcasts. Organizing and customizing podcasts with Downcast requires a minimum amount of effort, which makes this app an excellent choice for anyone who listens or watches a large number of podcasts daily.

5. Stitcher

Price: Free, offers in-app purchases

Compatibility: iOS , Android

Politics, sports, or comedy are just a few topics podcasts available on Stitcher cover. You can use the app’s on-demand feature if you want to follow a particular show. Select your favorite genres and tap on the play button to listen to an episode of your choosing.

The app is compatible with more than fifty car models, which enables you to enjoy podcasts while driving. However, the free version of the app offers limited capabilities, and you must upgrade to the premium version if you want to have the full scope of the app’s options.

6. Pocket Casts

Price: Free, but offers in-app purchases

Compatibility: iOS , Android

The app’s functional design makes it easy to find and manage podcasts by enabling you to create playback queues effortlessly. Trimming silence, skipping intros or streaming episodes without downloading them are just a few among countless options the Pocket Casts app offers.

Moreover, the Car Play feature enables you to play audio and video podcasts wherever you go. You can also download podcasts if you want to listen to them while you are offline.

Besides, you can play all episodes on your TV or your sound system using the Airplay and Chromecast integrations. The only downside is that you have to purchase the annual or monthly plan if you want to use all of the Pocket Casts’ podcasting options.

7. Apple Podcasts

Price: Free

Compatibility: iOS

This is one of the most popular destinations for all iPhone, iPad and Apple Watch owners who listen to podcasts frequently. Apple Podcasts lets you browse through more than 750.000 shows and 20 million episodes that are organized into categories. You can subscribe to any show you find on Apple Podcasts for free, download episodes you like to your Apple devices and listen to them wherever you go.

The platform’s editor recommends the shows based on your browsing history and helps you discover content that you are going to enjoy watching and listening to. Even so, Apple Podcasts lack the tools that enable its users to control the playback speed, skip intros or set timers before they go to sleep.

8. Spotify

Price: Free

Compatibility: web-based , iOS , Android

People from all over the world have been using Spotify to enjoy music from virtually any genre ever created. This Swedish-American company has been investing a lot into its podcasting services in the last couple of years.

Today Spotify offers access to podcasters to one of the most massive online audiences. Finding new shows and following the latest episodes your favorite podcasters share on this platform is as easy as discovering a new band. There are thousands of podcasts to browse through on Spotify, and some of them can only be played through this podcast player, either online or on iPhone or Android devices.

9. Overcast

Price: Free

Compatibility: iOS

Overcast was launched just five years ago, but today it is recognized as one of the best podcast player apps for iPhones, iWatches, and iPads. If you are looking for an app that will shorten the silences in podcasts, normalize the volume of the voices or enable you to adjust the playback speed of the audio files, then Overcast is probably one of your best options.

The app also provides CarPlay support and allows you to listen to your favorite podcasts even while you are on the road. However, Overcast contains ads, and you must purchase the Premium version of the app if you want to remove them.

10. Castro

Price: Free, but offers in-app purchases

Compatibility: iOS

Managing large numbers of episodes with Castro won’t take much more than a few moments of your time. Subscribe to a podcast you like, and all of the latest episodes will land in the New tab. You can then decide if you want to add them to the queue and listen to them while you are driving or on your iPhone.

The free version of the app doesn’t allow you to skip intros, enhance voices or reduce silence, and you must purchase Castro Plus to access these options. Before you decide to install Castro or Castro Plus on your device, you must make sure that the app is compatible with the version of iOS you have.

11. Podbean

Price: Free but offers in-app purchases

Compatibility: iOS , Android

With the selection of over 50 million episodes, Podbean is easily one of the most versatile podcast player apps on this list. You can search for podcasts based on the topic you are interested in, or browse through different categories, and use the name of the podcast, or the author’s name to find the episode you are looking for.

Podbean is equipped with an audio recorder that features a rich selection of audio effects and a versatile set of audio editing tools. Moreover, the app provides support for live audio streaming so you can create or listen to live broadcast directly from your Smartphone.

12. Laughable

Price: Free, offers in-app purchases

Compatibility:iOS , Android

Keeping in touch with the latest trends in the comedy world is going to become easy if you install Laughable on your device. The app hosts the world’s largest database of comedy artist profiles and enables you to discover and follow comedians effortlessly. Each time they release a new episode of their podcast or make a guest appearance, you’ll receive a notification, which enables you to follow their latest work.

Besides an impressive collection of comedy podcasts, Laughable also lets you browse through podcasts featuring celebrities like Jordan Peterson, Barak Obama or Oprah. The app is free for just ten days, afterward, you must upgrade to Laughable Insider if you want to have access to all the shows and episodes this podcast player has to offer.

How to Pick the Right Podcast Player App?

The majority of podcast players offer a similar set of options, which complicates the process of finding an app you can use to listen to podcasts on your Smartphones. The operating system your Smartphone supports or whether the app you’re considering offers podcast streaming options can influence your choice of a podcast player app.

Ultimately, the selection of shows and episodes an app offers, as well as its playback control options can help you determine which podcast player is the best option for you. In case you listen to podcasts on a daily basis, purchasing a monthly or annual subscription is a much better option than listening to podcasts with a free version of the app.

Below is a brief summary of the podcast player app listed above. Hope it can help to find out the best podcast app on your iPhone or Android phone.

Podcast Player	User Rating	Supported OS	Price	Best For
Breaker	4.7	iOS 11.0 or later	Free, offers in-app purchases	Discovering and sharing podcasts
Castbox	4.8	iOS 10.0 or later, Android 5.0 or later	Free, offers in-app purchases	Discovering and listening to podcasts
Himalaya	4.7	iOS 9.1 or later, Android 4.1 or later	Free, offers in-app purchases	Discovering and listening to podcasts
Downcast	4.2	iOS 11.4 or later	$2,99, offers in-app purchases	Discovering and listening to podcasts
Stitcher	3.6	iOS 10.0 or later, Android 4.2 and up	Free, offers in-app purchases	Discovering and listening to podcasts
Pocket Cast	3.9	iOS 11.0 or later, Android 5.0 or up	Free, offers in-app purchases	Discovering and listening to podcasts
Apple Podcast	No information	iOS 10.0 or later	Free	Discovering and listening to podcasts
Spotify	4.8	Web-based, iOS 11.0 or later, varies on device	Free, offers in-app purchases	Discovering and listening to podcasts
Overcast	4.7	iOS 13.0 or later	Free, offers in-app purchases	Discovering and listening to podcasts
Castro	4.7	iOS 12.2 or later	Free, offers in-app purchases	Discovering and listening to podcasts
Podbean	4.8	iOS 10.0 or later	Free, offers in-app purchases	Discovering and listening to podcasts
Laughable	4.8	iOS 11.4 or later, Android 5.0 and up	Free, offers in-app purchases	Discovering comedy podcasts

Conclusion

Listening to your favorite podcasts wherever you are, has never been easier, even if you don’t have access to the Internet. Podcast player apps like Spotify or Himalaya grant you access to millions of episodes, but each app we featured in this article can provide a superb experience. Which app are you using to listen to podcasts on your iOS and Android devices? Leave a comment and let us know.

Benjamin Arango

Benjamin Arango is a writer and a lover of all things video.

Follow @Benjamin Arango

Benjamin Arango

Mar 27, 2024• Proven solutions

It has been a little over fifteen years since Ben Hammersley coined the term podcast. During this time, radio and TV stations, as well as people from all walks of life, have embraced this new medium of spreading information through either audio or video files.

Even though podcasts often have the form of a talk show, the topics podcasters cover in their shows range from presenting the latest music releases to discussing political topics. Listening to a podcast from a Smartphone without a player is not an option, which is why we made a selection of some of the best podcast player apps for iPhone and Android devices.

Best Free Podcast Player Apps for iOS and Android Devices

Nearly all podcast player apps have similar features. You can discover new shows, limit how many episodes can be downloaded to your device or reduce silences to the very minimum.

The list of features a podcast player provides should help you determine if that app is the right choice for you. Here are some of the best free podcast player apps for iOS and Android devices you can find on the market in 2019.

1. Breaker

Price: Free, but offers in-app purchases

Compatibility: iOS

Discovering new podcasts, connecting with friends who use Breaker or sharing the latest episode of the podcast you’re following on Facebook or Twitter is easy with this podcast player. Moreover, the app lets you see which podcasts your friends like the most so you can send them messages and start conversations about an episode you like.

Breaker enables you to create your own playlists and customize them in any way you want. The Sleep Timer feature can be useful if you’re going to set up the episode playing time before your iPhone goes to the Sleep mode.

2. Castbox

Price: Free, but offers in-app purchases

Compatibility:iOS , Android

Castbox lets you browse through million podcast episodes and choose from a variety of podcast genres. So, if you would like to follow the latest episodes of music and news related podcasts or talk shows, Castbox may be one of the best options on the market.

This cross-platform app is equipped with the tools that enable you to adjust the audio playback speed, trim silence or customize the sleep timer. You can subscribe to any podcast you discover with Castbox with a single tap, but you must make in-app purchases if you want to access to all features.

3. Himalaya

Price: Free

Compatibility:Android , iOS

This app for Android and iOS devices lets you listen to radio shows, audiobooks, podcasts and allows you to stream shows from a single app. You can customize your homepage or create as many playlists as you want. Each podcast you discover with Himalaya can be shared with your accounts on Instagram, Twitter, and other popular social media platforms.

The app grants you access to more than 500, 000 shows that are organized into 30 categories so you can easily choose a topic and search for an episode you’d like to listen to. Himalaya features a sleep timer, which means that you can listen to your favorite podcast before you fall asleep.

4. Downcast

Price: $2,99, offers in-app purchases

Compatibility: iOS

This podcast player provides all the features you are going to need for a superb podcasting experience. Subscribing to a new podcast with this app is a straightforward process which can be completed in an instant. You can also choose if you want to download episodes to your device automatically or browse through old episodes of podcasts you subscribed to.

Downcast also lets you adjust the playback speed, and it offers chapter support for enhanced podcasts. Organizing and customizing podcasts with Downcast requires a minimum amount of effort, which makes this app an excellent choice for anyone who listens or watches a large number of podcasts daily.

5. Stitcher

Price: Free, offers in-app purchases

Compatibility: iOS , Android

Politics, sports, or comedy are just a few topics podcasts available on Stitcher cover. You can use the app’s on-demand feature if you want to follow a particular show. Select your favorite genres and tap on the play button to listen to an episode of your choosing.

The app is compatible with more than fifty car models, which enables you to enjoy podcasts while driving. However, the free version of the app offers limited capabilities, and you must upgrade to the premium version if you want to have the full scope of the app’s options.

6. Pocket Casts

Price: Free, but offers in-app purchases

Compatibility: iOS , Android

The app’s functional design makes it easy to find and manage podcasts by enabling you to create playback queues effortlessly. Trimming silence, skipping intros or streaming episodes without downloading them are just a few among countless options the Pocket Casts app offers.

Moreover, the Car Play feature enables you to play audio and video podcasts wherever you go. You can also download podcasts if you want to listen to them while you are offline.

Besides, you can play all episodes on your TV or your sound system using the Airplay and Chromecast integrations. The only downside is that you have to purchase the annual or monthly plan if you want to use all of the Pocket Casts’ podcasting options.

7. Apple Podcasts

Price: Free

Compatibility: iOS

This is one of the most popular destinations for all iPhone, iPad and Apple Watch owners who listen to podcasts frequently. Apple Podcasts lets you browse through more than 750.000 shows and 20 million episodes that are organized into categories. You can subscribe to any show you find on Apple Podcasts for free, download episodes you like to your Apple devices and listen to them wherever you go.

The platform’s editor recommends the shows based on your browsing history and helps you discover content that you are going to enjoy watching and listening to. Even so, Apple Podcasts lack the tools that enable its users to control the playback speed, skip intros or set timers before they go to sleep.

8. Spotify

Price: Free

Compatibility: web-based , iOS , Android

People from all over the world have been using Spotify to enjoy music from virtually any genre ever created. This Swedish-American company has been investing a lot into its podcasting services in the last couple of years.

Today Spotify offers access to podcasters to one of the most massive online audiences. Finding new shows and following the latest episodes your favorite podcasters share on this platform is as easy as discovering a new band. There are thousands of podcasts to browse through on Spotify, and some of them can only be played through this podcast player, either online or on iPhone or Android devices.

9. Overcast

Price: Free

Compatibility: iOS

Overcast was launched just five years ago, but today it is recognized as one of the best podcast player apps for iPhones, iWatches, and iPads. If you are looking for an app that will shorten the silences in podcasts, normalize the volume of the voices or enable you to adjust the playback speed of the audio files, then Overcast is probably one of your best options.

The app also provides CarPlay support and allows you to listen to your favorite podcasts even while you are on the road. However, Overcast contains ads, and you must purchase the Premium version of the app if you want to remove them.

10. Castro

Price: Free, but offers in-app purchases

Compatibility: iOS

Managing large numbers of episodes with Castro won’t take much more than a few moments of your time. Subscribe to a podcast you like, and all of the latest episodes will land in the New tab. You can then decide if you want to add them to the queue and listen to them while you are driving or on your iPhone.

The free version of the app doesn’t allow you to skip intros, enhance voices or reduce silence, and you must purchase Castro Plus to access these options. Before you decide to install Castro or Castro Plus on your device, you must make sure that the app is compatible with the version of iOS you have.

11. Podbean

Price: Free but offers in-app purchases

Compatibility: iOS , Android

With the selection of over 50 million episodes, Podbean is easily one of the most versatile podcast player apps on this list. You can search for podcasts based on the topic you are interested in, or browse through different categories, and use the name of the podcast, or the author’s name to find the episode you are looking for.

Podbean is equipped with an audio recorder that features a rich selection of audio effects and a versatile set of audio editing tools. Moreover, the app provides support for live audio streaming so you can create or listen to live broadcast directly from your Smartphone.

12. Laughable

Price: Free, offers in-app purchases

Compatibility:iOS , Android

Keeping in touch with the latest trends in the comedy world is going to become easy if you install Laughable on your device. The app hosts the world’s largest database of comedy artist profiles and enables you to discover and follow comedians effortlessly. Each time they release a new episode of their podcast or make a guest appearance, you’ll receive a notification, which enables you to follow their latest work.

Besides an impressive collection of comedy podcasts, Laughable also lets you browse through podcasts featuring celebrities like Jordan Peterson, Barak Obama or Oprah. The app is free for just ten days, afterward, you must upgrade to Laughable Insider if you want to have access to all the shows and episodes this podcast player has to offer.

How to Pick the Right Podcast Player App?

The majority of podcast players offer a similar set of options, which complicates the process of finding an app you can use to listen to podcasts on your Smartphones. The operating system your Smartphone supports or whether the app you’re considering offers podcast streaming options can influence your choice of a podcast player app.

Ultimately, the selection of shows and episodes an app offers, as well as its playback control options can help you determine which podcast player is the best option for you. In case you listen to podcasts on a daily basis, purchasing a monthly or annual subscription is a much better option than listening to podcasts with a free version of the app.

Below is a brief summary of the podcast player app listed above. Hope it can help to find out the best podcast app on your iPhone or Android phone.

Podcast Player	User Rating	Supported OS	Price	Best For
Breaker	4.7	iOS 11.0 or later	Free, offers in-app purchases	Discovering and sharing podcasts
Castbox	4.8	iOS 10.0 or later, Android 5.0 or later	Free, offers in-app purchases	Discovering and listening to podcasts
Himalaya	4.7	iOS 9.1 or later, Android 4.1 or later	Free, offers in-app purchases	Discovering and listening to podcasts
Downcast	4.2	iOS 11.4 or later	$2,99, offers in-app purchases	Discovering and listening to podcasts
Stitcher	3.6	iOS 10.0 or later, Android 4.2 and up	Free, offers in-app purchases	Discovering and listening to podcasts
Pocket Cast	3.9	iOS 11.0 or later, Android 5.0 or up	Free, offers in-app purchases	Discovering and listening to podcasts
Apple Podcast	No information	iOS 10.0 or later	Free	Discovering and listening to podcasts
Spotify	4.8	Web-based, iOS 11.0 or later, varies on device	Free, offers in-app purchases	Discovering and listening to podcasts
Overcast	4.7	iOS 13.0 or later	Free, offers in-app purchases	Discovering and listening to podcasts
Castro	4.7	iOS 12.2 or later	Free, offers in-app purchases	Discovering and listening to podcasts
Podbean	4.8	iOS 10.0 or later	Free, offers in-app purchases	Discovering and listening to podcasts
Laughable	4.8	iOS 11.4 or later, Android 5.0 and up	Free, offers in-app purchases	Discovering comedy podcasts

Conclusion

Listening to your favorite podcasts wherever you are, has never been easier, even if you don’t have access to the Internet. Podcast player apps like Spotify or Himalaya grant you access to millions of episodes, but each app we featured in this article can provide a superb experience. Which app are you using to listen to podcasts on your iOS and Android devices? Leave a comment and let us know.

Benjamin Arango

Benjamin Arango is a writer and a lover of all things video.

Follow @Benjamin Arango

Benjamin Arango

Mar 27, 2024• Proven solutions

It has been a little over fifteen years since Ben Hammersley coined the term podcast. During this time, radio and TV stations, as well as people from all walks of life, have embraced this new medium of spreading information through either audio or video files.

Even though podcasts often have the form of a talk show, the topics podcasters cover in their shows range from presenting the latest music releases to discussing political topics. Listening to a podcast from a Smartphone without a player is not an option, which is why we made a selection of some of the best podcast player apps for iPhone and Android devices.

Best Free Podcast Player Apps for iOS and Android Devices

Nearly all podcast player apps have similar features. You can discover new shows, limit how many episodes can be downloaded to your device or reduce silences to the very minimum.

The list of features a podcast player provides should help you determine if that app is the right choice for you. Here are some of the best free podcast player apps for iOS and Android devices you can find on the market in 2019.

1. Breaker

Price: Free, but offers in-app purchases

Compatibility: iOS

Discovering new podcasts, connecting with friends who use Breaker or sharing the latest episode of the podcast you’re following on Facebook or Twitter is easy with this podcast player. Moreover, the app lets you see which podcasts your friends like the most so you can send them messages and start conversations about an episode you like.

Breaker enables you to create your own playlists and customize them in any way you want. The Sleep Timer feature can be useful if you’re going to set up the episode playing time before your iPhone goes to the Sleep mode.

2. Castbox

Price: Free, but offers in-app purchases

Compatibility:iOS , Android

Castbox lets you browse through million podcast episodes and choose from a variety of podcast genres. So, if you would like to follow the latest episodes of music and news related podcasts or talk shows, Castbox may be one of the best options on the market.

This cross-platform app is equipped with the tools that enable you to adjust the audio playback speed, trim silence or customize the sleep timer. You can subscribe to any podcast you discover with Castbox with a single tap, but you must make in-app purchases if you want to access to all features.

3. Himalaya

Price: Free

Compatibility:Android , iOS

This app for Android and iOS devices lets you listen to radio shows, audiobooks, podcasts and allows you to stream shows from a single app. You can customize your homepage or create as many playlists as you want. Each podcast you discover with Himalaya can be shared with your accounts on Instagram, Twitter, and other popular social media platforms.

The app grants you access to more than 500, 000 shows that are organized into 30 categories so you can easily choose a topic and search for an episode you’d like to listen to. Himalaya features a sleep timer, which means that you can listen to your favorite podcast before you fall asleep.

4. Downcast

Price: $2,99, offers in-app purchases

Compatibility: iOS

This podcast player provides all the features you are going to need for a superb podcasting experience. Subscribing to a new podcast with this app is a straightforward process which can be completed in an instant. You can also choose if you want to download episodes to your device automatically or browse through old episodes of podcasts you subscribed to.

Downcast also lets you adjust the playback speed, and it offers chapter support for enhanced podcasts. Organizing and customizing podcasts with Downcast requires a minimum amount of effort, which makes this app an excellent choice for anyone who listens or watches a large number of podcasts daily.

5. Stitcher

Price: Free, offers in-app purchases

Compatibility: iOS , Android

Politics, sports, or comedy are just a few topics podcasts available on Stitcher cover. You can use the app’s on-demand feature if you want to follow a particular show. Select your favorite genres and tap on the play button to listen to an episode of your choosing.

The app is compatible with more than fifty car models, which enables you to enjoy podcasts while driving. However, the free version of the app offers limited capabilities, and you must upgrade to the premium version if you want to have the full scope of the app’s options.

6. Pocket Casts

Price: Free, but offers in-app purchases

Compatibility: iOS , Android

The app’s functional design makes it easy to find and manage podcasts by enabling you to create playback queues effortlessly. Trimming silence, skipping intros or streaming episodes without downloading them are just a few among countless options the Pocket Casts app offers.

Moreover, the Car Play feature enables you to play audio and video podcasts wherever you go. You can also download podcasts if you want to listen to them while you are offline.

Besides, you can play all episodes on your TV or your sound system using the Airplay and Chromecast integrations. The only downside is that you have to purchase the annual or monthly plan if you want to use all of the Pocket Casts’ podcasting options.

7. Apple Podcasts

Price: Free

Compatibility: iOS

This is one of the most popular destinations for all iPhone, iPad and Apple Watch owners who listen to podcasts frequently. Apple Podcasts lets you browse through more than 750.000 shows and 20 million episodes that are organized into categories. You can subscribe to any show you find on Apple Podcasts for free, download episodes you like to your Apple devices and listen to them wherever you go.

The platform’s editor recommends the shows based on your browsing history and helps you discover content that you are going to enjoy watching and listening to. Even so, Apple Podcasts lack the tools that enable its users to control the playback speed, skip intros or set timers before they go to sleep.

8. Spotify

Price: Free

Compatibility: web-based , iOS , Android

People from all over the world have been using Spotify to enjoy music from virtually any genre ever created. This Swedish-American company has been investing a lot into its podcasting services in the last couple of years.

Today Spotify offers access to podcasters to one of the most massive online audiences. Finding new shows and following the latest episodes your favorite podcasters share on this platform is as easy as discovering a new band. There are thousands of podcasts to browse through on Spotify, and some of them can only be played through this podcast player, either online or on iPhone or Android devices.

9. Overcast

Price: Free

Compatibility: iOS

Overcast was launched just five years ago, but today it is recognized as one of the best podcast player apps for iPhones, iWatches, and iPads. If you are looking for an app that will shorten the silences in podcasts, normalize the volume of the voices or enable you to adjust the playback speed of the audio files, then Overcast is probably one of your best options.

The app also provides CarPlay support and allows you to listen to your favorite podcasts even while you are on the road. However, Overcast contains ads, and you must purchase the Premium version of the app if you want to remove them.

10. Castro

Price: Free, but offers in-app purchases

Compatibility: iOS

Managing large numbers of episodes with Castro won’t take much more than a few moments of your time. Subscribe to a podcast you like, and all of the latest episodes will land in the New tab. You can then decide if you want to add them to the queue and listen to them while you are driving or on your iPhone.

The free version of the app doesn’t allow you to skip intros, enhance voices or reduce silence, and you must purchase Castro Plus to access these options. Before you decide to install Castro or Castro Plus on your device, you must make sure that the app is compatible with the version of iOS you have.

11. Podbean

Price: Free but offers in-app purchases

Compatibility: iOS , Android

With the selection of over 50 million episodes, Podbean is easily one of the most versatile podcast player apps on this list. You can search for podcasts based on the topic you are interested in, or browse through different categories, and use the name of the podcast, or the author’s name to find the episode you are looking for.

Podbean is equipped with an audio recorder that features a rich selection of audio effects and a versatile set of audio editing tools. Moreover, the app provides support for live audio streaming so you can create or listen to live broadcast directly from your Smartphone.

12. Laughable

Price: Free, offers in-app purchases

Compatibility:iOS , Android

Keeping in touch with the latest trends in the comedy world is going to become easy if you install Laughable on your device. The app hosts the world’s largest database of comedy artist profiles and enables you to discover and follow comedians effortlessly. Each time they release a new episode of their podcast or make a guest appearance, you’ll receive a notification, which enables you to follow their latest work.

Besides an impressive collection of comedy podcasts, Laughable also lets you browse through podcasts featuring celebrities like Jordan Peterson, Barak Obama or Oprah. The app is free for just ten days, afterward, you must upgrade to Laughable Insider if you want to have access to all the shows and episodes this podcast player has to offer.

How to Pick the Right Podcast Player App?

The majority of podcast players offer a similar set of options, which complicates the process of finding an app you can use to listen to podcasts on your Smartphones. The operating system your Smartphone supports or whether the app you’re considering offers podcast streaming options can influence your choice of a podcast player app.

Ultimately, the selection of shows and episodes an app offers, as well as its playback control options can help you determine which podcast player is the best option for you. In case you listen to podcasts on a daily basis, purchasing a monthly or annual subscription is a much better option than listening to podcasts with a free version of the app.

Below is a brief summary of the podcast player app listed above. Hope it can help to find out the best podcast app on your iPhone or Android phone.

Podcast Player	User Rating	Supported OS	Price	Best For
Breaker	4.7	iOS 11.0 or later	Free, offers in-app purchases	Discovering and sharing podcasts
Castbox	4.8	iOS 10.0 or later, Android 5.0 or later	Free, offers in-app purchases	Discovering and listening to podcasts
Himalaya	4.7	iOS 9.1 or later, Android 4.1 or later	Free, offers in-app purchases	Discovering and listening to podcasts
Downcast	4.2	iOS 11.4 or later	$2,99, offers in-app purchases	Discovering and listening to podcasts
Stitcher	3.6	iOS 10.0 or later, Android 4.2 and up	Free, offers in-app purchases	Discovering and listening to podcasts
Pocket Cast	3.9	iOS 11.0 or later, Android 5.0 or up	Free, offers in-app purchases	Discovering and listening to podcasts
Apple Podcast	No information	iOS 10.0 or later	Free	Discovering and listening to podcasts
Spotify	4.8	Web-based, iOS 11.0 or later, varies on device	Free, offers in-app purchases	Discovering and listening to podcasts
Overcast	4.7	iOS 13.0 or later	Free, offers in-app purchases	Discovering and listening to podcasts
Castro	4.7	iOS 12.2 or later	Free, offers in-app purchases	Discovering and listening to podcasts
Podbean	4.8	iOS 10.0 or later	Free, offers in-app purchases	Discovering and listening to podcasts
Laughable	4.8	iOS 11.4 or later, Android 5.0 and up	Free, offers in-app purchases	Discovering comedy podcasts

Conclusion

Listening to your favorite podcasts wherever you are, has never been easier, even if you don’t have access to the Internet. Podcast player apps like Spotify or Himalaya grant you access to millions of episodes, but each app we featured in this article can provide a superb experience. Which app are you using to listen to podcasts on your iOS and Android devices? Leave a comment and let us know.

Benjamin Arango

Benjamin Arango is a writer and a lover of all things video.

Follow @Benjamin Arango

The Beat Makers’ Playbook: Ranking the Top 8 DAW Applications for Contemporary Urban Music

Top 8 Best DAW for Hip Hop Music Production

Benjamin Arango

Mar 27, 2024• Proven solutions

A fully-function DAW software, also known as Digital Audio Workstation, is the essential tool in a music producer’s arsenal. Whether you’re starting your career with your first song or have finally got that break you were looking for, a DAW software will help you handle different elements of music production, including composing, mixing, mastering, etc.

While there are dozens of DAW tools to choose from, it is essential to pick the right one, especially if you’re planning to produce a hip-hop track. Unlike other genres, hip-hop is everything about playing the right beat at the right time. So, it becomes quite essential that you have the best DAW for hip-hop that’ll allow you to master your track perfectly.

To help you in the journey, we’ve put together a list of 8 of the best hip-hop DAWs you can use to mix and master a hip-hop track.

Best Dawfor Hip Hop

1. FL Studio

Image-line’s FL studio is hands-down, the best audio workstation out there. For several years, it has been the go-to tool for music producers across the globe, especially to master hip-hop and EDM tracks.

Being the most popular hip-hop DAW, Image-line always puts in the work to add new features and make it easier for artists to compose their tracks. Thanks to its free upgrade policy, you’ll have access to all the future upgrades for free. The tool is perfect for people who are looking forward to sailing their music careers towards the professional world.

Pros

• Perfect for Hip-Hop & EDM Genres
• Free Upgrades

Cons

• Sluggish User-Interface
• Steep Learning Curve for Beginners

2. Logic Pro

Logic Pro is Apple’s contribution to the world of Digital Audio Workstations. It’s probably the best option if you’re looking for a straightforward DAW for mixing hip-hop tracks on your Macbook.

Having hundreds of built-in plugins, it becomes quite easy to add different audio effects to your track. Moreover, you can use these plugins to take your sound mixing to the next level by adjusting pitch and time for different recordings.

In a nutshell, Logic Pro is one of the most optimal choices for Mac users and a complete value for money.

Pros

• Easy to Manage Workflow
• A variety of built-in plugins

Cons

• Being produced by Apple, Logic Pro is a Mac-only DAW
• Working on large projects can become a bit hectic due to too many windows

3. Cakewalk

If you have just stepped into the world of music production and don’t want to make any investments, Cakewalk is the best DAW for hip-hop you can install on your system. Since 2018, the software has been made free for everyone after it got acquired by BandLab.

Although it might not have advanced features like other professional audio workstations, Cakewalk can help you understand the basics of music composition. With an easy-to-use interface, Cakewalk completely justifies its name. If you’re a beginner, working with this audio station would be a complete cakewalk for sure.

Pros

• Advanced Pro Channel Modules
• Perfect for Novice Music Composers

Cons

• Only Available for Windows
• You’ll have to install BandLab Assistant to Operate Cakewalk

4. Bitwig Studio

Bitwig Studio is yet another professional DAW for composing hip-hop tracks. Bitwig was launched back in 2015, which makes it the modern-day audio station for music composition and mixing.

A modular interface makes it easier to customize the software as per your requirements. Moreover, it offers dozens of user-friendly tools for audio mixing and sound-recording, making it easier to connect different instruments and record sounds.

Pros

• Easy Learning Curve
• Modular Interface

Cons

• Too much resemblance to Ableton Live
• Frequent UI crashes

5. Steinberg Cubase

Cubase has been the best hip-hop DAW in the market ever since digital music production became a reality. Despite being one of the oldest digital audio workstations, Steinberg Cubase has everything you’ll need to compose and mix a hip-hop track.

Recently, the company released Steinberg Cubase version 10, which focuses on automation over everything. With several built-in plugins, you can expect a quick workflow. Also, Cubase offers a user-friendly interface, making it easier to navigate through different features.

Pros

• Quick Workflow
• The latest version includes several bundled plugins

Cons

• The “traditional” design may seem a bit underwhelming for modern-day composer
• Cubase lacks a few features that several modern DAWs offer.

6. Acoustica

Acoustica is a cross-platform hip-hop DAW that can be used on Mac as well as Windows systems. However, cross-platform compatibility is not the reason why you should pick Acoustica. The tool offers several features that make it a reliable tool for composing hip-hop tracks. Spectral editing and multi-channel support are such few features that’ll help you compose the entire track in a hassle-free manner.

Pros

• Easy User Interface
• Advanced functionalities

Cons

• You can only record one track at a time
• Works only with Mac OS X 10.11 and later

7. PreSonus

Presonus can be considered an underdog in the world of hip-hop DAW, which has now started to pick up the pace and match the performance of high-end audio workstations like FL Studio. In the latest version, Presonus offers a variety of features like Harmonic Editing that’ll make your music production a hassle-free task. The latest version also majorly focuses on enhancing the workflow.

Pros

• Easy Workflow
• Perfect for Moderate Audio Mixing

Cons

• The single-window interface can be annoying
• Now Suitable for large projects

8. Mixcraft Pro Studio

There are only a few digital audio workstations that offer a beginner-friendly interface. Fortunately, Acoustica Mixcraft Pro is one of them. With its sleek design, it’ll become quite easier to start composing your tracks, even if it’s your first time working on a DAW. The software also offers a decent amount of plugins that’ll help you add professional-touch to your tracks.

Pros

• Perfect for Beginners
• Enough Built-In plugins to start with music production

Cons

• Fewer software upgrades
• Not an ideal tool for advanced projects

Conclusion

We understand that choosing the best DAW for hip-hop can be a bit hectic, especially when you’re looking forward to starting a career as a professional. The truth is, picking the right tool depends on what you want to achieve. So, analyze your requirements and use the above list to pick the right software accordingly.

Benjamin Arango

Benjamin Arango is a writer and a lover of all things video.

Follow @Benjamin Arango

Benjamin Arango

Mar 27, 2024• Proven solutions

A fully-function DAW software, also known as Digital Audio Workstation, is the essential tool in a music producer’s arsenal. Whether you’re starting your career with your first song or have finally got that break you were looking for, a DAW software will help you handle different elements of music production, including composing, mixing, mastering, etc.

While there are dozens of DAW tools to choose from, it is essential to pick the right one, especially if you’re planning to produce a hip-hop track. Unlike other genres, hip-hop is everything about playing the right beat at the right time. So, it becomes quite essential that you have the best DAW for hip-hop that’ll allow you to master your track perfectly.

To help you in the journey, we’ve put together a list of 8 of the best hip-hop DAWs you can use to mix and master a hip-hop track.

Best Dawfor Hip Hop

1. FL Studio

Image-line’s FL studio is hands-down, the best audio workstation out there. For several years, it has been the go-to tool for music producers across the globe, especially to master hip-hop and EDM tracks.

Being the most popular hip-hop DAW, Image-line always puts in the work to add new features and make it easier for artists to compose their tracks. Thanks to its free upgrade policy, you’ll have access to all the future upgrades for free. The tool is perfect for people who are looking forward to sailing their music careers towards the professional world.

Pros

• Perfect for Hip-Hop & EDM Genres
• Free Upgrades

Cons

• Sluggish User-Interface
• Steep Learning Curve for Beginners

2. Logic Pro

Logic Pro is Apple’s contribution to the world of Digital Audio Workstations. It’s probably the best option if you’re looking for a straightforward DAW for mixing hip-hop tracks on your Macbook.

Having hundreds of built-in plugins, it becomes quite easy to add different audio effects to your track. Moreover, you can use these plugins to take your sound mixing to the next level by adjusting pitch and time for different recordings.

In a nutshell, Logic Pro is one of the most optimal choices for Mac users and a complete value for money.

Pros

• Easy to Manage Workflow
• A variety of built-in plugins

Cons

• Being produced by Apple, Logic Pro is a Mac-only DAW
• Working on large projects can become a bit hectic due to too many windows

3. Cakewalk

If you have just stepped into the world of music production and don’t want to make any investments, Cakewalk is the best DAW for hip-hop you can install on your system. Since 2018, the software has been made free for everyone after it got acquired by BandLab.

Although it might not have advanced features like other professional audio workstations, Cakewalk can help you understand the basics of music composition. With an easy-to-use interface, Cakewalk completely justifies its name. If you’re a beginner, working with this audio station would be a complete cakewalk for sure.

Pros

• Advanced Pro Channel Modules
• Perfect for Novice Music Composers

Cons

• Only Available for Windows
• You’ll have to install BandLab Assistant to Operate Cakewalk

4. Bitwig Studio

Bitwig Studio is yet another professional DAW for composing hip-hop tracks. Bitwig was launched back in 2015, which makes it the modern-day audio station for music composition and mixing.

A modular interface makes it easier to customize the software as per your requirements. Moreover, it offers dozens of user-friendly tools for audio mixing and sound-recording, making it easier to connect different instruments and record sounds.

Pros

• Easy Learning Curve
• Modular Interface

Cons

• Too much resemblance to Ableton Live
• Frequent UI crashes

5. Steinberg Cubase

Cubase has been the best hip-hop DAW in the market ever since digital music production became a reality. Despite being one of the oldest digital audio workstations, Steinberg Cubase has everything you’ll need to compose and mix a hip-hop track.

Recently, the company released Steinberg Cubase version 10, which focuses on automation over everything. With several built-in plugins, you can expect a quick workflow. Also, Cubase offers a user-friendly interface, making it easier to navigate through different features.

Pros

• Quick Workflow
• The latest version includes several bundled plugins

Cons

• The “traditional” design may seem a bit underwhelming for modern-day composer
• Cubase lacks a few features that several modern DAWs offer.

6. Acoustica

Acoustica is a cross-platform hip-hop DAW that can be used on Mac as well as Windows systems. However, cross-platform compatibility is not the reason why you should pick Acoustica. The tool offers several features that make it a reliable tool for composing hip-hop tracks. Spectral editing and multi-channel support are such few features that’ll help you compose the entire track in a hassle-free manner.

Pros

• Easy User Interface
• Advanced functionalities

Cons

• You can only record one track at a time
• Works only with Mac OS X 10.11 and later

7. PreSonus

Presonus can be considered an underdog in the world of hip-hop DAW, which has now started to pick up the pace and match the performance of high-end audio workstations like FL Studio. In the latest version, Presonus offers a variety of features like Harmonic Editing that’ll make your music production a hassle-free task. The latest version also majorly focuses on enhancing the workflow.

Pros

• Easy Workflow
• Perfect for Moderate Audio Mixing

Cons

• The single-window interface can be annoying
• Now Suitable for large projects

8. Mixcraft Pro Studio

There are only a few digital audio workstations that offer a beginner-friendly interface. Fortunately, Acoustica Mixcraft Pro is one of them. With its sleek design, it’ll become quite easier to start composing your tracks, even if it’s your first time working on a DAW. The software also offers a decent amount of plugins that’ll help you add professional-touch to your tracks.

Pros

• Perfect for Beginners
• Enough Built-In plugins to start with music production

Cons

• Fewer software upgrades
• Not an ideal tool for advanced projects

Conclusion

We understand that choosing the best DAW for hip-hop can be a bit hectic, especially when you’re looking forward to starting a career as a professional. The truth is, picking the right tool depends on what you want to achieve. So, analyze your requirements and use the above list to pick the right software accordingly.

Benjamin Arango

Benjamin Arango is a writer and a lover of all things video.

Follow @Benjamin Arango

Benjamin Arango

Mar 27, 2024• Proven solutions

A fully-function DAW software, also known as Digital Audio Workstation, is the essential tool in a music producer’s arsenal. Whether you’re starting your career with your first song or have finally got that break you were looking for, a DAW software will help you handle different elements of music production, including composing, mixing, mastering, etc.

While there are dozens of DAW tools to choose from, it is essential to pick the right one, especially if you’re planning to produce a hip-hop track. Unlike other genres, hip-hop is everything about playing the right beat at the right time. So, it becomes quite essential that you have the best DAW for hip-hop that’ll allow you to master your track perfectly.

To help you in the journey, we’ve put together a list of 8 of the best hip-hop DAWs you can use to mix and master a hip-hop track.

Best Dawfor Hip Hop

1. FL Studio

Image-line’s FL studio is hands-down, the best audio workstation out there. For several years, it has been the go-to tool for music producers across the globe, especially to master hip-hop and EDM tracks.

Being the most popular hip-hop DAW, Image-line always puts in the work to add new features and make it easier for artists to compose their tracks. Thanks to its free upgrade policy, you’ll have access to all the future upgrades for free. The tool is perfect for people who are looking forward to sailing their music careers towards the professional world.

Pros

• Perfect for Hip-Hop & EDM Genres
• Free Upgrades

Cons

• Sluggish User-Interface
• Steep Learning Curve for Beginners

2. Logic Pro

Logic Pro is Apple’s contribution to the world of Digital Audio Workstations. It’s probably the best option if you’re looking for a straightforward DAW for mixing hip-hop tracks on your Macbook.

Having hundreds of built-in plugins, it becomes quite easy to add different audio effects to your track. Moreover, you can use these plugins to take your sound mixing to the next level by adjusting pitch and time for different recordings.

In a nutshell, Logic Pro is one of the most optimal choices for Mac users and a complete value for money.

Pros

• Easy to Manage Workflow
• A variety of built-in plugins

Cons

• Being produced by Apple, Logic Pro is a Mac-only DAW
• Working on large projects can become a bit hectic due to too many windows

3. Cakewalk

If you have just stepped into the world of music production and don’t want to make any investments, Cakewalk is the best DAW for hip-hop you can install on your system. Since 2018, the software has been made free for everyone after it got acquired by BandLab.

Although it might not have advanced features like other professional audio workstations, Cakewalk can help you understand the basics of music composition. With an easy-to-use interface, Cakewalk completely justifies its name. If you’re a beginner, working with this audio station would be a complete cakewalk for sure.

Pros

• Advanced Pro Channel Modules
• Perfect for Novice Music Composers

Cons

• Only Available for Windows
• You’ll have to install BandLab Assistant to Operate Cakewalk

4. Bitwig Studio

Bitwig Studio is yet another professional DAW for composing hip-hop tracks. Bitwig was launched back in 2015, which makes it the modern-day audio station for music composition and mixing.

A modular interface makes it easier to customize the software as per your requirements. Moreover, it offers dozens of user-friendly tools for audio mixing and sound-recording, making it easier to connect different instruments and record sounds.

Pros

• Easy Learning Curve
• Modular Interface

Cons

• Too much resemblance to Ableton Live
• Frequent UI crashes

5. Steinberg Cubase

Cubase has been the best hip-hop DAW in the market ever since digital music production became a reality. Despite being one of the oldest digital audio workstations, Steinberg Cubase has everything you’ll need to compose and mix a hip-hop track.

Recently, the company released Steinberg Cubase version 10, which focuses on automation over everything. With several built-in plugins, you can expect a quick workflow. Also, Cubase offers a user-friendly interface, making it easier to navigate through different features.

Pros

• Quick Workflow
• The latest version includes several bundled plugins

Cons

• The “traditional” design may seem a bit underwhelming for modern-day composer
• Cubase lacks a few features that several modern DAWs offer.

6. Acoustica

Acoustica is a cross-platform hip-hop DAW that can be used on Mac as well as Windows systems. However, cross-platform compatibility is not the reason why you should pick Acoustica. The tool offers several features that make it a reliable tool for composing hip-hop tracks. Spectral editing and multi-channel support are such few features that’ll help you compose the entire track in a hassle-free manner.

Pros

• Easy User Interface
• Advanced functionalities

Cons

• You can only record one track at a time
• Works only with Mac OS X 10.11 and later

7. PreSonus

Presonus can be considered an underdog in the world of hip-hop DAW, which has now started to pick up the pace and match the performance of high-end audio workstations like FL Studio. In the latest version, Presonus offers a variety of features like Harmonic Editing that’ll make your music production a hassle-free task. The latest version also majorly focuses on enhancing the workflow.

Pros

• Easy Workflow
• Perfect for Moderate Audio Mixing

Cons

• The single-window interface can be annoying
• Now Suitable for large projects

8. Mixcraft Pro Studio

There are only a few digital audio workstations that offer a beginner-friendly interface. Fortunately, Acoustica Mixcraft Pro is one of them. With its sleek design, it’ll become quite easier to start composing your tracks, even if it’s your first time working on a DAW. The software also offers a decent amount of plugins that’ll help you add professional-touch to your tracks.

Pros

• Perfect for Beginners
• Enough Built-In plugins to start with music production

Cons

• Fewer software upgrades
• Not an ideal tool for advanced projects

Conclusion

We understand that choosing the best DAW for hip-hop can be a bit hectic, especially when you’re looking forward to starting a career as a professional. The truth is, picking the right tool depends on what you want to achieve. So, analyze your requirements and use the above list to pick the right software accordingly.

Benjamin Arango

Benjamin Arango is a writer and a lover of all things video.

Follow @Benjamin Arango

Benjamin Arango

Mar 27, 2024• Proven solutions

A fully-function DAW software, also known as Digital Audio Workstation, is the essential tool in a music producer’s arsenal. Whether you’re starting your career with your first song or have finally got that break you were looking for, a DAW software will help you handle different elements of music production, including composing, mixing, mastering, etc.

While there are dozens of DAW tools to choose from, it is essential to pick the right one, especially if you’re planning to produce a hip-hop track. Unlike other genres, hip-hop is everything about playing the right beat at the right time. So, it becomes quite essential that you have the best DAW for hip-hop that’ll allow you to master your track perfectly.

To help you in the journey, we’ve put together a list of 8 of the best hip-hop DAWs you can use to mix and master a hip-hop track.

Best Dawfor Hip Hop

1. FL Studio

Image-line’s FL studio is hands-down, the best audio workstation out there. For several years, it has been the go-to tool for music producers across the globe, especially to master hip-hop and EDM tracks.

Being the most popular hip-hop DAW, Image-line always puts in the work to add new features and make it easier for artists to compose their tracks. Thanks to its free upgrade policy, you’ll have access to all the future upgrades for free. The tool is perfect for people who are looking forward to sailing their music careers towards the professional world.

Pros

• Perfect for Hip-Hop & EDM Genres
• Free Upgrades

Cons

• Sluggish User-Interface
• Steep Learning Curve for Beginners

2. Logic Pro

Logic Pro is Apple’s contribution to the world of Digital Audio Workstations. It’s probably the best option if you’re looking for a straightforward DAW for mixing hip-hop tracks on your Macbook.

Having hundreds of built-in plugins, it becomes quite easy to add different audio effects to your track. Moreover, you can use these plugins to take your sound mixing to the next level by adjusting pitch and time for different recordings.

In a nutshell, Logic Pro is one of the most optimal choices for Mac users and a complete value for money.

Pros

• Easy to Manage Workflow
• A variety of built-in plugins

Cons

• Being produced by Apple, Logic Pro is a Mac-only DAW
• Working on large projects can become a bit hectic due to too many windows

3. Cakewalk

If you have just stepped into the world of music production and don’t want to make any investments, Cakewalk is the best DAW for hip-hop you can install on your system. Since 2018, the software has been made free for everyone after it got acquired by BandLab.

Although it might not have advanced features like other professional audio workstations, Cakewalk can help you understand the basics of music composition. With an easy-to-use interface, Cakewalk completely justifies its name. If you’re a beginner, working with this audio station would be a complete cakewalk for sure.

Pros

• Advanced Pro Channel Modules
• Perfect for Novice Music Composers

Cons

• Only Available for Windows
• You’ll have to install BandLab Assistant to Operate Cakewalk

4. Bitwig Studio

Bitwig Studio is yet another professional DAW for composing hip-hop tracks. Bitwig was launched back in 2015, which makes it the modern-day audio station for music composition and mixing.

A modular interface makes it easier to customize the software as per your requirements. Moreover, it offers dozens of user-friendly tools for audio mixing and sound-recording, making it easier to connect different instruments and record sounds.

Pros

• Easy Learning Curve
• Modular Interface

Cons

• Too much resemblance to Ableton Live
• Frequent UI crashes

5. Steinberg Cubase

Cubase has been the best hip-hop DAW in the market ever since digital music production became a reality. Despite being one of the oldest digital audio workstations, Steinberg Cubase has everything you’ll need to compose and mix a hip-hop track.

Recently, the company released Steinberg Cubase version 10, which focuses on automation over everything. With several built-in plugins, you can expect a quick workflow. Also, Cubase offers a user-friendly interface, making it easier to navigate through different features.

Pros

• Quick Workflow
• The latest version includes several bundled plugins

Cons

• The “traditional” design may seem a bit underwhelming for modern-day composer
• Cubase lacks a few features that several modern DAWs offer.

6. Acoustica

Acoustica is a cross-platform hip-hop DAW that can be used on Mac as well as Windows systems. However, cross-platform compatibility is not the reason why you should pick Acoustica. The tool offers several features that make it a reliable tool for composing hip-hop tracks. Spectral editing and multi-channel support are such few features that’ll help you compose the entire track in a hassle-free manner.

Pros

• Easy User Interface
• Advanced functionalities

Cons

• You can only record one track at a time
• Works only with Mac OS X 10.11 and later

7. PreSonus

Presonus can be considered an underdog in the world of hip-hop DAW, which has now started to pick up the pace and match the performance of high-end audio workstations like FL Studio. In the latest version, Presonus offers a variety of features like Harmonic Editing that’ll make your music production a hassle-free task. The latest version also majorly focuses on enhancing the workflow.

Pros

• Easy Workflow
• Perfect for Moderate Audio Mixing

Cons

• The single-window interface can be annoying
• Now Suitable for large projects

8. Mixcraft Pro Studio

There are only a few digital audio workstations that offer a beginner-friendly interface. Fortunately, Acoustica Mixcraft Pro is one of them. With its sleek design, it’ll become quite easier to start composing your tracks, even if it’s your first time working on a DAW. The software also offers a decent amount of plugins that’ll help you add professional-touch to your tracks.

Pros

• Perfect for Beginners
• Enough Built-In plugins to start with music production

Cons

• Fewer software upgrades
• Not an ideal tool for advanced projects

Conclusion

We understand that choosing the best DAW for hip-hop can be a bit hectic, especially when you’re looking forward to starting a career as a professional. The truth is, picking the right tool depends on what you want to achieve. So, analyze your requirements and use the above list to pick the right software accordingly.

Benjamin Arango

Benjamin Arango is a writer and a lover of all things video.

Follow @Benjamin Arango

Expert-Endorsed: The Best 9 Podcast Microphones to Elevate Your Audio (Level 9)

9 Best Podcast Microphones of 2024 for All Levels

Benjamin Arango

Mar 27, 2024• Proven solutions

If you are just starting your podcast or would like to take it to another level, then you need to have the right microphone. After all, the audio quality is the most important thing in your podcast and should not be taken lightly. Thankfully, with the help of a reliable podcast microphone, you can certainly improve the quality of your audio. Since there are so many options out there, I have handpicked the 9 best podcast microphones at entry, intermediate, and pro levels.

• Part 1:What to Consider while Buying a Podcast Microphone?
• Part 2:Top 3 Podcast Microphones at Entry level
• Part 3:Top 3 Podcast Microphones at Intermediate Level
• Part 4:Top 3 Podcast Microphones at Professional Level

What to Consider while Buying a Podcast Microphone?

To select the best podcast microphone to meet your requirements, I would recommend keeping the following things in mind.

Consider the microphone type

Microphones can be classified based on their placement or working. For instance, you need to decide if you want to get a podcast microphone with a stand or a handheld one. Similarly, an omnidirectional microphone would function differently than a cardioid one.

What and where are you recording?

Getting a microphone to record speech would be different than the one to record music. Also, consider your setup and check whether the microphone would work with your other devices. Getting a podcast with polar sensitivity is better in almost every environment.

Check the specifications

Furthermore, make sure that you check specifications like impedance, connectivity, working frequency, ease of use, etc. before you purchasing a microphone.

Budget and user reviews

Lastly, make sure that you stick to a budget while filtering podcast microphones and check the review of its existing users to make up your mind.

The 9 Best Podcast Microphones at All Levels

To make things easier for you, I have listed the 3 best podcast microphones from entry, intermediate, and professional levels.

Top 3 Podcast Microphones at Entry level

1.Blue Snowball iCE USB Microphone

Easy to use and carry, this plug-and-play podcast microphone would meet your basic requirements on a budget.

• This entry-level microphone is ideal to record podcasts and voiceovers.
• It features a custom condenser capsule to deliver clear voices for recordings.
• It is based on the cardioid polar principle with a bit depth of 16-bit.
• The microphone has a frequency response of 40-18 kHz and is compatible with third-party apps (like Skype and Twitch).

Pros

• Seamless USB connectivity for plug-and-play
• Easy to carry and set up

Cons

• No gain control feature
• A mute option is missing

Price: $59.98

2.Samson Go Microphone

This corded electric podcast microphone from Samson is extremely popular and will certainly come in handy for you.

• This best podcast microphone comes on a budget and you can plug it into almost any device.
• It comes with an inbuilt IOGEAR4-Port USB feature for fast connectivity.
• The bundle also comes with its adapter to extend its use.
• It provides quality bass performance to record podcasts and music alike.

Pros

• Extremely easy to connect and use
• Pretty lightweight (only 1.19 pounds)

Cons

• Limited features
• Recording quality is not as good as other microphones

Price: $69.94

3.Audio-Technica ATR2100x

If you are looking for the best podcast microphone with a stand on a budget, then you can also consider ATR2100x.

• The podcast microphone has USB-C connectivity and provides XLR analog output.
• Comes with a stand and a sturdy tripod so that you can easily use it to record podcasts
• Based on cardioid polar pattern recording with automatic noise inhibiting technology
• The microphone supports recording in 24-bit rate with a sampling rate of up to 192 kilohertz.

Pros

• Direct XLR output
• Stand and tripod included

Cons

• No Mute feature
• The stand quality is average

Price: $99

Top 3 Podcast Microphones at Intermediate Level

1.Blue Yeti USB Microphone

One of the most popular podcast microphones of the present time, Blue Yeti comes with an adjustable stand and offers a gain control feature too.

• It features a three-capsule array to record clear audio for podcasts.
• The Blue Yeti microphone supports an audio sensitivity of 120 dB with a frequency range of 20 Hz to 20 kHz.
• You can pick a supported pattern for recording (between cardioid, Omni, bidirectional, or stereo).

Pros

• Gain control and mute features
• Adjustable stand included

Cons

• Some users encounter connectivity issues

Price: $139

2.HyperX QuadCast

QuadCast by HyperX is often considered the best podcast microphone for gaming. You can readily use it on Twitch, Skype, and other services.

• It has an inbuilt shock mount with anti-vibration technology.
• Supports recording in stereo, Omni, cardioid, and bidirectional ways
• One-tap to mute the microphone with an LED indicator
• A dedicated control adjustment for gain control is also included

Pros

• Four pattern recording support
• LED indicator for muting

Cons

• A bit expensive for its features

Price: $175

3.AKG Pro Lyra

AKG Pro has been around for a while and is often considered the best podcast microphone for its multipurpose use.

• Different stereo and front/back polar pattern for recording are supported
• The podcast microphone supports a frequency range of 20 Hz to 20 kHz with 16 Ohm impedance.
• The microphone will let you record in high-definition (24-bit/192 kHz)
• It has a vintage design with all the modern features like mix control and zero latency

Pros

• Easy to use (plug and play)
• Inbuilt control

Cons

• The mounting option is not the best

Price: $149

Top 3 Podcast Microphones at Professional Level

1.Heil PR40 Dynamic Performance

This is a dynamic performance podcast microphone that would certainly provide one of the best recording experiences for you.

• It is a unidirectional microphone that weighs just 0.9 pounds.
• The microphone has an aluminum diaphragm with a frequency range of up to 28 Hz.
• Supports cardioid polar pattern with an inbuilt noise reduction option

Pros

• Premium built
• Dynamic recording

Cons

• Restricted polar patterns are supported

Price: $317

2.Aston Stealth

This is the best podcast microphone that you can easily hide since it doesn’t look like a standard microphone. Though, it is packed with tons of advanced recording features.

• The podcast microphone offers four different recording and polar settings
• Internal gain control feature and noise reduction options
• Also has a Sorbothane internal shock mount and resistive feature to get clear recordings
• Supports a frequency range of 20Hz – 20kHz (+/-3dB) with 1kHz sensitivity

Pros

• Excellent noise reduction
• Active and passive modes

Cons

• A bit complicated to set up

Price: $379

3.Electro-Voice R20

Lastly, if your budget allows, then you can also consider getting Electro-Voice R20. This best podcast microphone is mostly used by professional broadcasters.

• It has a Variable-D design with internal filters to reduce noise and amplify your voice
• The podcast microphone has a hum-bucking coil that is enclosed in a premium steel case.
• It provides a 3-pin XLR output with a cardioid polar pattern (180-degrees off-axis support).
• Other features include a bass roll-off switch and voice tailored frequency.

Pros

• Best in class features
• Internal shock-mount technology

Cons

• Expensive than other microphones

Price: $449

I’m sure that after reading this post, you would be able to pick the best podcast microphone to meet your requirements. Now when you have a suitable podcast microphone, you can start recording your episodes. For this, you can consider using Wondershare Filmora as it comes with tons of audio editing and voiceover features that would make your job a whole lot easier!

Benjamin Arango

Benjamin Arango is a writer and a lover of all things video.

Follow @Benjamin Arango

Benjamin Arango

Mar 27, 2024• Proven solutions

If you are just starting your podcast or would like to take it to another level, then you need to have the right microphone. After all, the audio quality is the most important thing in your podcast and should not be taken lightly. Thankfully, with the help of a reliable podcast microphone, you can certainly improve the quality of your audio. Since there are so many options out there, I have handpicked the 9 best podcast microphones at entry, intermediate, and pro levels.

• Part 1:What to Consider while Buying a Podcast Microphone?
• Part 2:Top 3 Podcast Microphones at Entry level
• Part 3:Top 3 Podcast Microphones at Intermediate Level
• Part 4:Top 3 Podcast Microphones at Professional Level

What to Consider while Buying a Podcast Microphone?

To select the best podcast microphone to meet your requirements, I would recommend keeping the following things in mind.

Consider the microphone type

Microphones can be classified based on their placement or working. For instance, you need to decide if you want to get a podcast microphone with a stand or a handheld one. Similarly, an omnidirectional microphone would function differently than a cardioid one.

What and where are you recording?

Getting a microphone to record speech would be different than the one to record music. Also, consider your setup and check whether the microphone would work with your other devices. Getting a podcast with polar sensitivity is better in almost every environment.

Check the specifications

Furthermore, make sure that you check specifications like impedance, connectivity, working frequency, ease of use, etc. before you purchasing a microphone.

Budget and user reviews

Lastly, make sure that you stick to a budget while filtering podcast microphones and check the review of its existing users to make up your mind.

The 9 Best Podcast Microphones at All Levels

To make things easier for you, I have listed the 3 best podcast microphones from entry, intermediate, and professional levels.

Top 3 Podcast Microphones at Entry level

1.Blue Snowball iCE USB Microphone

Easy to use and carry, this plug-and-play podcast microphone would meet your basic requirements on a budget.

• This entry-level microphone is ideal to record podcasts and voiceovers.
• It features a custom condenser capsule to deliver clear voices for recordings.
• It is based on the cardioid polar principle with a bit depth of 16-bit.
• The microphone has a frequency response of 40-18 kHz and is compatible with third-party apps (like Skype and Twitch).

Pros

• Seamless USB connectivity for plug-and-play
• Easy to carry and set up

Cons

• No gain control feature
• A mute option is missing

Price: $59.98

2.Samson Go Microphone

This corded electric podcast microphone from Samson is extremely popular and will certainly come in handy for you.

• This best podcast microphone comes on a budget and you can plug it into almost any device.
• It comes with an inbuilt IOGEAR4-Port USB feature for fast connectivity.
• The bundle also comes with its adapter to extend its use.
• It provides quality bass performance to record podcasts and music alike.

Pros

• Extremely easy to connect and use
• Pretty lightweight (only 1.19 pounds)

Cons

• Limited features
• Recording quality is not as good as other microphones

Price: $69.94

3.Audio-Technica ATR2100x

If you are looking for the best podcast microphone with a stand on a budget, then you can also consider ATR2100x.

• The podcast microphone has USB-C connectivity and provides XLR analog output.
• Comes with a stand and a sturdy tripod so that you can easily use it to record podcasts
• Based on cardioid polar pattern recording with automatic noise inhibiting technology
• The microphone supports recording in 24-bit rate with a sampling rate of up to 192 kilohertz.

Pros

• Direct XLR output
• Stand and tripod included

Cons

• No Mute feature
• The stand quality is average

Price: $99

Top 3 Podcast Microphones at Intermediate Level

1.Blue Yeti USB Microphone

One of the most popular podcast microphones of the present time, Blue Yeti comes with an adjustable stand and offers a gain control feature too.

• It features a three-capsule array to record clear audio for podcasts.
• The Blue Yeti microphone supports an audio sensitivity of 120 dB with a frequency range of 20 Hz to 20 kHz.
• You can pick a supported pattern for recording (between cardioid, Omni, bidirectional, or stereo).

Pros

• Gain control and mute features
• Adjustable stand included

Cons

• Some users encounter connectivity issues

Price: $139

2.HyperX QuadCast

QuadCast by HyperX is often considered the best podcast microphone for gaming. You can readily use it on Twitch, Skype, and other services.

• It has an inbuilt shock mount with anti-vibration technology.
• Supports recording in stereo, Omni, cardioid, and bidirectional ways
• One-tap to mute the microphone with an LED indicator
• A dedicated control adjustment for gain control is also included

Pros

• Four pattern recording support
• LED indicator for muting

Cons

• A bit expensive for its features

Price: $175

3.AKG Pro Lyra

AKG Pro has been around for a while and is often considered the best podcast microphone for its multipurpose use.

• Different stereo and front/back polar pattern for recording are supported
• The podcast microphone supports a frequency range of 20 Hz to 20 kHz with 16 Ohm impedance.
• The microphone will let you record in high-definition (24-bit/192 kHz)
• It has a vintage design with all the modern features like mix control and zero latency

Pros

• Easy to use (plug and play)
• Inbuilt control

Cons

• The mounting option is not the best

Price: $149

Top 3 Podcast Microphones at Professional Level

1.Heil PR40 Dynamic Performance

This is a dynamic performance podcast microphone that would certainly provide one of the best recording experiences for you.

• It is a unidirectional microphone that weighs just 0.9 pounds.
• The microphone has an aluminum diaphragm with a frequency range of up to 28 Hz.
• Supports cardioid polar pattern with an inbuilt noise reduction option

Pros

• Premium built
• Dynamic recording

Cons

• Restricted polar patterns are supported

Price: $317

2.Aston Stealth

This is the best podcast microphone that you can easily hide since it doesn’t look like a standard microphone. Though, it is packed with tons of advanced recording features.

• The podcast microphone offers four different recording and polar settings
• Internal gain control feature and noise reduction options
• Also has a Sorbothane internal shock mount and resistive feature to get clear recordings
• Supports a frequency range of 20Hz – 20kHz (+/-3dB) with 1kHz sensitivity

Pros

• Excellent noise reduction
• Active and passive modes

Cons

• A bit complicated to set up

Price: $379

3.Electro-Voice R20

Lastly, if your budget allows, then you can also consider getting Electro-Voice R20. This best podcast microphone is mostly used by professional broadcasters.

• It has a Variable-D design with internal filters to reduce noise and amplify your voice
• The podcast microphone has a hum-bucking coil that is enclosed in a premium steel case.
• It provides a 3-pin XLR output with a cardioid polar pattern (180-degrees off-axis support).
• Other features include a bass roll-off switch and voice tailored frequency.

Pros

• Best in class features
• Internal shock-mount technology

Cons

• Expensive than other microphones

Price: $449

I’m sure that after reading this post, you would be able to pick the best podcast microphone to meet your requirements. Now when you have a suitable podcast microphone, you can start recording your episodes. For this, you can consider using Wondershare Filmora as it comes with tons of audio editing and voiceover features that would make your job a whole lot easier!

Benjamin Arango

Benjamin Arango is a writer and a lover of all things video.

Follow @Benjamin Arango

Benjamin Arango

Mar 27, 2024• Proven solutions

If you are just starting your podcast or would like to take it to another level, then you need to have the right microphone. After all, the audio quality is the most important thing in your podcast and should not be taken lightly. Thankfully, with the help of a reliable podcast microphone, you can certainly improve the quality of your audio. Since there are so many options out there, I have handpicked the 9 best podcast microphones at entry, intermediate, and pro levels.

• Part 1:What to Consider while Buying a Podcast Microphone?
• Part 2:Top 3 Podcast Microphones at Entry level
• Part 3:Top 3 Podcast Microphones at Intermediate Level
• Part 4:Top 3 Podcast Microphones at Professional Level

What to Consider while Buying a Podcast Microphone?

To select the best podcast microphone to meet your requirements, I would recommend keeping the following things in mind.

Consider the microphone type

Microphones can be classified based on their placement or working. For instance, you need to decide if you want to get a podcast microphone with a stand or a handheld one. Similarly, an omnidirectional microphone would function differently than a cardioid one.

What and where are you recording?

Getting a microphone to record speech would be different than the one to record music. Also, consider your setup and check whether the microphone would work with your other devices. Getting a podcast with polar sensitivity is better in almost every environment.

Check the specifications

Furthermore, make sure that you check specifications like impedance, connectivity, working frequency, ease of use, etc. before you purchasing a microphone.

Budget and user reviews

Lastly, make sure that you stick to a budget while filtering podcast microphones and check the review of its existing users to make up your mind.

The 9 Best Podcast Microphones at All Levels

To make things easier for you, I have listed the 3 best podcast microphones from entry, intermediate, and professional levels.

Top 3 Podcast Microphones at Entry level

1.Blue Snowball iCE USB Microphone

Easy to use and carry, this plug-and-play podcast microphone would meet your basic requirements on a budget.

• This entry-level microphone is ideal to record podcasts and voiceovers.
• It features a custom condenser capsule to deliver clear voices for recordings.
• It is based on the cardioid polar principle with a bit depth of 16-bit.
• The microphone has a frequency response of 40-18 kHz and is compatible with third-party apps (like Skype and Twitch).

Pros

• Seamless USB connectivity for plug-and-play
• Easy to carry and set up

Cons

• No gain control feature
• A mute option is missing

Price: $59.98

2.Samson Go Microphone

This corded electric podcast microphone from Samson is extremely popular and will certainly come in handy for you.

• This best podcast microphone comes on a budget and you can plug it into almost any device.
• It comes with an inbuilt IOGEAR4-Port USB feature for fast connectivity.
• The bundle also comes with its adapter to extend its use.
• It provides quality bass performance to record podcasts and music alike.

Pros

• Extremely easy to connect and use
• Pretty lightweight (only 1.19 pounds)

Cons

• Limited features
• Recording quality is not as good as other microphones

Price: $69.94

3.Audio-Technica ATR2100x

If you are looking for the best podcast microphone with a stand on a budget, then you can also consider ATR2100x.

• The podcast microphone has USB-C connectivity and provides XLR analog output.
• Comes with a stand and a sturdy tripod so that you can easily use it to record podcasts
• Based on cardioid polar pattern recording with automatic noise inhibiting technology
• The microphone supports recording in 24-bit rate with a sampling rate of up to 192 kilohertz.

Pros

• Direct XLR output
• Stand and tripod included

Cons

• No Mute feature
• The stand quality is average

Price: $99

Top 3 Podcast Microphones at Intermediate Level

1.Blue Yeti USB Microphone

One of the most popular podcast microphones of the present time, Blue Yeti comes with an adjustable stand and offers a gain control feature too.

• It features a three-capsule array to record clear audio for podcasts.
• The Blue Yeti microphone supports an audio sensitivity of 120 dB with a frequency range of 20 Hz to 20 kHz.
• You can pick a supported pattern for recording (between cardioid, Omni, bidirectional, or stereo).

Pros

• Gain control and mute features
• Adjustable stand included

Cons

• Some users encounter connectivity issues

Price: $139

2.HyperX QuadCast

QuadCast by HyperX is often considered the best podcast microphone for gaming. You can readily use it on Twitch, Skype, and other services.

• It has an inbuilt shock mount with anti-vibration technology.
• Supports recording in stereo, Omni, cardioid, and bidirectional ways
• One-tap to mute the microphone with an LED indicator
• A dedicated control adjustment for gain control is also included

Pros

• Four pattern recording support
• LED indicator for muting

Cons

• A bit expensive for its features

Price: $175

3.AKG Pro Lyra

AKG Pro has been around for a while and is often considered the best podcast microphone for its multipurpose use.

• Different stereo and front/back polar pattern for recording are supported
• The podcast microphone supports a frequency range of 20 Hz to 20 kHz with 16 Ohm impedance.
• The microphone will let you record in high-definition (24-bit/192 kHz)
• It has a vintage design with all the modern features like mix control and zero latency

Pros

• Easy to use (plug and play)
• Inbuilt control

Cons

• The mounting option is not the best

Price: $149

Top 3 Podcast Microphones at Professional Level

1.Heil PR40 Dynamic Performance

This is a dynamic performance podcast microphone that would certainly provide one of the best recording experiences for you.

• It is a unidirectional microphone that weighs just 0.9 pounds.
• The microphone has an aluminum diaphragm with a frequency range of up to 28 Hz.
• Supports cardioid polar pattern with an inbuilt noise reduction option

Pros

• Premium built
• Dynamic recording

Cons

• Restricted polar patterns are supported

Price: $317

2.Aston Stealth

This is the best podcast microphone that you can easily hide since it doesn’t look like a standard microphone. Though, it is packed with tons of advanced recording features.

• The podcast microphone offers four different recording and polar settings
• Internal gain control feature and noise reduction options
• Also has a Sorbothane internal shock mount and resistive feature to get clear recordings
• Supports a frequency range of 20Hz – 20kHz (+/-3dB) with 1kHz sensitivity

Pros

• Excellent noise reduction
• Active and passive modes

Cons

• A bit complicated to set up

Price: $379

3.Electro-Voice R20

Lastly, if your budget allows, then you can also consider getting Electro-Voice R20. This best podcast microphone is mostly used by professional broadcasters.

• It has a Variable-D design with internal filters to reduce noise and amplify your voice
• The podcast microphone has a hum-bucking coil that is enclosed in a premium steel case.
• It provides a 3-pin XLR output with a cardioid polar pattern (180-degrees off-axis support).
• Other features include a bass roll-off switch and voice tailored frequency.

Pros

• Best in class features
• Internal shock-mount technology

Cons

• Expensive than other microphones

Price: $449

I’m sure that after reading this post, you would be able to pick the best podcast microphone to meet your requirements. Now when you have a suitable podcast microphone, you can start recording your episodes. For this, you can consider using Wondershare Filmora as it comes with tons of audio editing and voiceover features that would make your job a whole lot easier!

Benjamin Arango

Benjamin Arango is a writer and a lover of all things video.

Follow @Benjamin Arango

Benjamin Arango

Mar 27, 2024• Proven solutions

If you are just starting your podcast or would like to take it to another level, then you need to have the right microphone. After all, the audio quality is the most important thing in your podcast and should not be taken lightly. Thankfully, with the help of a reliable podcast microphone, you can certainly improve the quality of your audio. Since there are so many options out there, I have handpicked the 9 best podcast microphones at entry, intermediate, and pro levels.

• Part 1:What to Consider while Buying a Podcast Microphone?
• Part 2:Top 3 Podcast Microphones at Entry level
• Part 3:Top 3 Podcast Microphones at Intermediate Level
• Part 4:Top 3 Podcast Microphones at Professional Level

What to Consider while Buying a Podcast Microphone?

To select the best podcast microphone to meet your requirements, I would recommend keeping the following things in mind.

Consider the microphone type

Microphones can be classified based on their placement or working. For instance, you need to decide if you want to get a podcast microphone with a stand or a handheld one. Similarly, an omnidirectional microphone would function differently than a cardioid one.

What and where are you recording?

Getting a microphone to record speech would be different than the one to record music. Also, consider your setup and check whether the microphone would work with your other devices. Getting a podcast with polar sensitivity is better in almost every environment.

Check the specifications

Furthermore, make sure that you check specifications like impedance, connectivity, working frequency, ease of use, etc. before you purchasing a microphone.

Budget and user reviews

Lastly, make sure that you stick to a budget while filtering podcast microphones and check the review of its existing users to make up your mind.

The 9 Best Podcast Microphones at All Levels

To make things easier for you, I have listed the 3 best podcast microphones from entry, intermediate, and professional levels.

Top 3 Podcast Microphones at Entry level

1.Blue Snowball iCE USB Microphone

Easy to use and carry, this plug-and-play podcast microphone would meet your basic requirements on a budget.

• This entry-level microphone is ideal to record podcasts and voiceovers.
• It features a custom condenser capsule to deliver clear voices for recordings.
• It is based on the cardioid polar principle with a bit depth of 16-bit.
• The microphone has a frequency response of 40-18 kHz and is compatible with third-party apps (like Skype and Twitch).

Pros

• Seamless USB connectivity for plug-and-play
• Easy to carry and set up

Cons

• No gain control feature
• A mute option is missing

Price: $59.98

2.Samson Go Microphone

This corded electric podcast microphone from Samson is extremely popular and will certainly come in handy for you.

• This best podcast microphone comes on a budget and you can plug it into almost any device.
• It comes with an inbuilt IOGEAR4-Port USB feature for fast connectivity.
• The bundle also comes with its adapter to extend its use.
• It provides quality bass performance to record podcasts and music alike.

Pros

• Extremely easy to connect and use
• Pretty lightweight (only 1.19 pounds)

Cons

• Limited features
• Recording quality is not as good as other microphones

Price: $69.94

3.Audio-Technica ATR2100x

If you are looking for the best podcast microphone with a stand on a budget, then you can also consider ATR2100x.

• The podcast microphone has USB-C connectivity and provides XLR analog output.
• Comes with a stand and a sturdy tripod so that you can easily use it to record podcasts
• Based on cardioid polar pattern recording with automatic noise inhibiting technology
• The microphone supports recording in 24-bit rate with a sampling rate of up to 192 kilohertz.

Pros

• Direct XLR output
• Stand and tripod included

Cons

• No Mute feature
• The stand quality is average

Price: $99

Top 3 Podcast Microphones at Intermediate Level

1.Blue Yeti USB Microphone

One of the most popular podcast microphones of the present time, Blue Yeti comes with an adjustable stand and offers a gain control feature too.

• It features a three-capsule array to record clear audio for podcasts.
• The Blue Yeti microphone supports an audio sensitivity of 120 dB with a frequency range of 20 Hz to 20 kHz.
• You can pick a supported pattern for recording (between cardioid, Omni, bidirectional, or stereo).

Pros

• Gain control and mute features
• Adjustable stand included

Cons

• Some users encounter connectivity issues

Price: $139

2.HyperX QuadCast

QuadCast by HyperX is often considered the best podcast microphone for gaming. You can readily use it on Twitch, Skype, and other services.

• It has an inbuilt shock mount with anti-vibration technology.
• Supports recording in stereo, Omni, cardioid, and bidirectional ways
• One-tap to mute the microphone with an LED indicator
• A dedicated control adjustment for gain control is also included

Pros

• Four pattern recording support
• LED indicator for muting

Cons

• A bit expensive for its features

Price: $175

3.AKG Pro Lyra

AKG Pro has been around for a while and is often considered the best podcast microphone for its multipurpose use.

• Different stereo and front/back polar pattern for recording are supported
• The podcast microphone supports a frequency range of 20 Hz to 20 kHz with 16 Ohm impedance.
• The microphone will let you record in high-definition (24-bit/192 kHz)
• It has a vintage design with all the modern features like mix control and zero latency

Pros

• Easy to use (plug and play)
• Inbuilt control

Cons

• The mounting option is not the best

Price: $149

Top 3 Podcast Microphones at Professional Level

1.Heil PR40 Dynamic Performance

This is a dynamic performance podcast microphone that would certainly provide one of the best recording experiences for you.

• It is a unidirectional microphone that weighs just 0.9 pounds.
• The microphone has an aluminum diaphragm with a frequency range of up to 28 Hz.
• Supports cardioid polar pattern with an inbuilt noise reduction option

Pros

• Premium built
• Dynamic recording

Cons

• Restricted polar patterns are supported

Price: $317

2.Aston Stealth

This is the best podcast microphone that you can easily hide since it doesn’t look like a standard microphone. Though, it is packed with tons of advanced recording features.

• The podcast microphone offers four different recording and polar settings
• Internal gain control feature and noise reduction options
• Also has a Sorbothane internal shock mount and resistive feature to get clear recordings
• Supports a frequency range of 20Hz – 20kHz (+/-3dB) with 1kHz sensitivity

Pros

• Excellent noise reduction
• Active and passive modes

Cons

• A bit complicated to set up

Price: $379

3.Electro-Voice R20

Lastly, if your budget allows, then you can also consider getting Electro-Voice R20. This best podcast microphone is mostly used by professional broadcasters.

• It has a Variable-D design with internal filters to reduce noise and amplify your voice
• The podcast microphone has a hum-bucking coil that is enclosed in a premium steel case.
• It provides a 3-pin XLR output with a cardioid polar pattern (180-degrees off-axis support).
• Other features include a bass roll-off switch and voice tailored frequency.

Pros

• Best in class features
• Internal shock-mount technology

Cons

• Expensive than other microphones

Price: $449

I’m sure that after reading this post, you would be able to pick the best podcast microphone to meet your requirements. Now when you have a suitable podcast microphone, you can start recording your episodes. For this, you can consider using Wondershare Filmora as it comes with tons of audio editing and voiceover features that would make your job a whole lot easier!

Benjamin Arango

Benjamin Arango is a writer and a lover of all things video.

Follow @Benjamin Arango

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