So, I learned something today: I hate the native podcasts app. I know, I've red the discussions on here; I'm not the only one. It never used to be a big deal, but now I have a podcast with 120 episodes I'm starting from the beginning. With the app constantly refreshing its content, it's easy to lose track of things. All I want is a podcast app where I can see episodes from oldest to newest, rather than the other way around. I know there are others. I am not searching the forum because I want to know what is "currently" the most useful one. Thanks everyone.
By Remy, 4 January, 2019
Forum
iOS and iPadOS
Comments
Overcast Is Excelent!
I keep up with about a dozen podcasts using an app called Overcast.
Not only is it 100% accessible, speech still sounds extremely natural when you use it's player controls to increase the speed. I listen at 150% or 175% with no difficulty whatsoever, and the option to remove short silences helps as well.
Try Downcast
I like Downcast, which is accessible and has some power user features. Not free, though.
Downcast for Me!
I've been a huge fan of Downcast since it came out, and for fun, have even tried various podcast apps, even Overcast, and although Overcast is very accessible and easy to use, I much more prefer Downcast's Power-User features.
I use downcast for now,
I use downcast for now, because it syncs well with the mac app. I did try overcast, which I liked, but I need Downcast for its sync features.
Best
Malthe
iCatcher
I use iCatcher. It is extremely customizable including various sort options for podcast playlist. It is not free but well worth the money. Perhaps best of all it allows 3X playback speed.
Pocketcast
I tried a lot of different options around a year ago, and settled on Pocketcast. I mainly made this choice because Pocketcast has a web app that can be used on Windows and syncs everything with the iOS app. Overcast has the same thing, but from what I remember, there is no way to search for podcasts in the overcast iOS app, and that is a nonstarter for me with over two hundred podcasts in my library. The Pocketcast iOS app had some accessibility issues when I first started using it, but those are all fixed now. If anyone has tried it back in the day and did not stick it with it because of accessibility issues, I think it's worth another look now. It has one or two designe choices that I find less then ideal, but I would rather deal with them then have to use iTunes on my computer while I'm listening at work.
So to clarify
Thanks everyone. It seems like Downcast is a major contender here. I Mainly want a way to display episodes in sequencial order from oldest to newest. I noticed Overcast requires you to sign up with an email, which I assume means it doesn't sync with your Apple ID? And it sounds like Downcast does? I don't mind paying a little if it does what I need it to, and I don't need a web interface for another computer, though that's a really nice feature. I also don't need 3X play speed. I can do 2X depending on the podcast, but while I totally get going faster for swiftness, I'd like to process what I hear. haha.
Yes, Downcast syncs via
Yes, Downcast syncs via iCloud, so there's no additional sign-up process. It also supports sorting of episodes
Another Downcast user
I also use and like Downcast. It does list podcasts from oldest to newest, a good thing because I hang on to some of my favorite Applevis podcasts for reference. I also like that you can configure features like automatic downloads on a per-podcast basis. Of course, it's quite accessible.
Icatcher
I have tried most, and keep coming back to iCatcher. The vast amount of configuration to how my various playlists can be created and used, the quick and dedicated response of the developer to rare issues, and the ease of sync'ing various devices makes it the winner for me.
Native Podcast App?
Hi. I admit I haven't listened to podcasts yet that much on my iPhone, but the native app for doing so works okay. It does seem a tad clunky to me as well, and it seems that there are at times many separate entries for episodes of the same podcast. Same on the Mac, although that has been a bit easier for me. Sero is okay, but kinda outdated.