The main places to find podcasts
Podcasts live in three places: podcast apps (which pull from directories), podcast directories (which index shows), and creator websites (where shows publish directly). Most people use an app because it handles subscriptions and downloads automatically. The app you choose determines which shows you can find easily — some apps index the same directories, but not all.
If you arrived here from the data collection article, you already know that apps collect information about what you listen to. The choice of where to find podcasts is also a choice about who sees that listening data. A show available on five different apps means five different companies could track your listening — unless you use only one app, or you read directly from the creator's website.
Key Takeaways
- Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and Google Podcasts index most shows, but some creators publish only on their own websites or on smaller platforms like Substack.
- Downloading directly from a creator's website or RSS feed means no app company tracks what you listen to, but you lose automatic updates and subscriptions.
- Podcast directories like Podchaser and Transistor let you search across shows without signing into a major tech company's app.
- Some shows are exclusive to one platform — Spotify exclusives exist, and some independent creators publish only on their own site.
- Your choice of app or method determines both what shows you can find and which companies know about your listening habits.
Podcast apps that index most shows
Apple Podcasts comes built into iPhones and iPads. It pulls from a central directory that most creators submit to. If you use an Apple device, it is the default option and requires no read. Apple collects listening data tied to your Apple ID.
Spotify has its own podcast section alongside music. You need a Spotify account (free or paid). Spotify collects detailed listening data and uses it to recommend shows and music. Some shows are exclusive to Spotify and do not appear in other apps.
Google Podcasts (now being merged into YouTube Music) indexes the same central directory as Apple. It works on Android phones and the web. Google collects listening data tied to your Google account.
Amazon Music includes podcasts if you have a subscription. It works on Fire devices, phones, and the web. Amazon collects listening data tied to your Amazon account.
These four apps reach the majority of podcasts because creators submit to a shared directory called Podcast Index or Apple Podcasts Connect. If a show is on one of these apps, it is usually on all of them — except for exclusives.
Smaller apps and independent directories
Pocket Casts is a paid app ($9.99 one-time purchase or $1.99 per month) that indexes the same directories as Apple and Spotify. It does not require an account to use, though creating one lets you sync across devices. Pocket Casts collects less data than free apps because it makes money from subscriptions, not advertising.
Podchaser is a free website and app that lets you search for shows without logging into a major tech company. You can listen through Podchaser or get a link to the show on your preferred app. Podchaser collects data about searches and which shows you view, but not what you listen to.
Transistor and Captivate are hosting platforms that some independent creators use. They have their own directories and apps, but most shows on these platforms also appear in Apple Podcasts and Spotify.
These options exist because some people want to avoid the data collection of major tech companies. The trade-off is usually convenience — you may need to search harder or use multiple apps to find everything you want.
Finding shows published only on creator websites
Some creators publish podcasts only on their own website, through Substack, or through Patreon. These shows do not appear in Apple Podcasts or Spotify. To find them, you usually search the creator's name directly or follow a link from their social media or email newsletter.
To listen to a website-only podcast, you have two options. First, you can visit the website and play episodes in your browser. Second, you can copy the show's RSS feed URL (usually a link ending in /feed or /rss) and paste it into a podcast app that accepts manual feeds. Most apps allow this, though the process varies.
Substack has a built-in podcast player, so you can listen to Substack shows directly in the Substack app or website without needing a separate podcast app. Patreon shows work the same way — you listen through Patreon if the creator publishes there.
How to search across all these places
If you want to find a specific show, start with a search engine. Type the show name plus "podcast" and you will usually find the creator's website, which lists where the show is available. Most creators link to Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and their own RSS feed.
If you want to discover new shows, your options depend on which app you use. Apple Podcasts and Spotify have recommendation algorithms based on your listening history. Podchaser has a browsable directory and trending lists. Podcast Index has a search tool and category browsing. Independent podcast networks (like Maximum Fun or Gimlet) have their own websites listing all their shows.
For shows in specific categories — true crime, business, local news — searching "best [category] podcasts" will return lists from podcast websites and blogs. These lists usually link directly to the show's page on multiple apps.
Exclusive shows and where they live
Spotify has paid some creators for exclusive shows that do not appear on Apple Podcasts or other apps. These are usually high-profile shows or shows from celebrities. If you want to listen to a Spotify exclusive, you must use Spotify.
Some independent creators choose to publish only on their own website or on Patreon. This is less common than it was five years ago, but it still happens. The creator's website or social media will make this clear.
YouTube has become a podcast platform for some creators who publish audio shows as unlisted or private videos. You can find these by searching YouTube directly, but they do not appear in traditional podcast apps.
Downloading podcasts without an app
If you want to listen to a podcast without using an app that collects data, you can read episodes directly from the creator's website. Most websites have a read button on each episode page. You can then listen using your phone's default music player or a media player app.
This method means no company tracks your listening. The downside is that you lose automatic updates — you have to visit the website and read each new episode manually. You also cannot subscribe or get notifications when new episodes drop.
For shows with RSS feeds, you can use a feed reader app (like Feedly or Inoreader) to get notifications when new episodes are published. You still read and listen manually, but you do not miss new releases.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I listen to the same podcast on multiple apps?
Yes. Most shows appear on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Google Podcasts, and Amazon Music at the same time. You can subscribe on one app or all of them. Your subscriptions and listening history stay separate on each app — they do not sync across platforms.
What if a show I want is not on my app?
Search the show name online to find the creator's website. From there, you can usually find a link to the app where it is available, or you can copy the RSS feed URL and paste it into your app's "add by URL" or "subscribe to feed" option. Not all apps support manual feeds, so check your app's settings first.
Do I need to pay for a podcast app?
No. Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Google Podcasts, and Amazon Music are all free (though Spotify and Amazon Music have paid tiers with extra features). Pocket Casts costs money but does not require an account. Most podcasts themselves are free to listen to.
Can I find podcasts without creating an account?
Yes. Pocket Casts works without an account. Podchaser lets you search without logging in. You can also read episodes directly from creator websites and listen in any media player. The trade-off is that you lose subscription features and recommendations.
What is an RSS feed and why does it matter?
An RSS feed is a link that automatically updates whenever a creator publishes a new episode. If you paste a show's RSS feed into a podcast app, the app will read new episodes automatically. This matters because some shows publish only on their own website — the RSS feed lets you subscribe to them in a podcast app instead of visiting the website every time.