Working on a podcast while on the road and continuing to listen at home on your Mac? With these three apps you are baked.
Mac podcast apps
You probably prefer to listen to a podcast on your iPhone and preferably on the go. That already shows the range of such apps on the Mac, there are simply not many. The best-known apps such as Overcast and Pocket Casts only have a web app and not a separate Mac app. If you do not want to listen via your browser, you can use the apps below.
1. iTunes
First of all, you can subscribe to and listen to podcasts through the iTunes app – which you probably already use anyway. Via the menu where you choose ‘Movies’ or ‘Music’ you will also find the ‘Podcasts’ section. It is handy that you will be offered a lot of titles via the Store, but you can of course also look them up yourself via the search function of iTunes.
When you find a podcast, you can subscribe to it or just download single episodes. They are listed below each other on the podcast page, with titles, length and description. Under popularity you can see which of the episodes have been listened to the most. That’s great if you want to try a new podcast and you’re looking for a good start; then you grab an episode that you know has been well listened to. On iTunes you can also leave reviews and read reviews from others.
2. Downcast
If you prefer not to use iTunes, you can also opt for Downcast. This app is not only available for the Mac, but also for iOS. You will have to pay separately for it: 2.99 euros for iOS and 7.99 euros for Downcast on the Mac. If you have both, you can sync podcasts you have subscribed to.
In the app itself you can of course search for and subscribe to podcasts. In addition to an overview of podcasts you are a member of, you can also sort by episodes that you have not yet played. The app itself doesn’t look very appealing, but it does what it’s supposed to do and is a godsend if you get lost within all of the iTunes functions.
Download Downcast (Mac App Store)
3. Podcast menu
As an Overcast user you are best off with this app. ‘Podcast Menu’ is an app created by a fan of Overcast because he didn’t want to use the web version. As the name suggests, place the app in your Mac’s menu bar. You log in with your Overcast account and your podcasts are immediately synchronized.
The episode list may not be very useful if you follow a lot of podcasts, but otherwise the player looks the same as Overcast. A nice minimalist app for Overcasters.
Download Podcast Menu (GitHub)
