Podcasts have become one of the most popular ways to stay informed and entertained, but streaming alone isn't always convenient. That's where a reliable podcast downloader comes in. From desktop programs and browser extensions to mobile apps, there are plenty of options, some free and some premium, and finding the one you like best can be overwhelming.
This guide highlights the top 5 podcast downloaders designed for every device. Most are free and capable of downloading podcasts to MP3 or other formats. Whether it is a show from Spotify or Apple Podcasts, these tools can provide a download button for podcasts across platforms. Let's check them out!
#1. ViWizard Podcast Downloader
ViWizard Podcast Downloader (also called ViWizard Streaming Audio Recorder) is an all-in-one tool that downloads podcasts from various music streaming services, including Spotify, Apple Music, Amazon Music, Deezer, SoundCloud, Qobuz, Tidal, Pandora, and Line Music. It supports not only MP3 but also FLAC, WAV, AIFF, M4A, and M4B formats.
One of the best things about ViWizard Podcast Downloader is that it allows you to batch download multiple podcast episodes. Even if it is a two or three-hour-long episode, the download can be completed in just a minute. If you are a podcast lover who wants to build a library from different platforms, ViWizard is a great assistant, as it saves all metadata information, including the title, show notes, cover art, host name, and more.
ViWizard Podcast Downloader is not completely free but does offer a free trial. It works on both Windows and Mac computers, and you can click the download button below to get your free trial and test it out.
Download songs, playlists, albums, podcasts from SoundCloud, Spotify, Apple Music, Tidal, Deezer, Qobuz, Amazon Music, Pandroa, and Line Music as MP3, FLAC, WAV, AIFF, M4A, and M4B foramts with original audio quality and full metadata information.
- Pros
- Download podcasts from multiple streaming platforms
- Support MP3, FLAC, M4A, M4B, AIFF, WAV
- Preserve original audio quality
- Retain metadata information
- Download in batch mode
- Convert long episodes quickly
- Cons
- Require paid license for full version
- Lack mobile app version
Here's how to use ViWizard Podcast Downloader to download podcast episodes. Below, I'll take a podcast from Spotify as an example:
Step 1Set Your Output Preferences
Open ViWizard Podcast Downloader on your computer. Click the menu icon and go to Preferences > Conversion to choose your preferred output format, such as MP3, FLAC, WAV, M4A, or M4B. You can also adjust the audio quality by changing the bitrate and sample rate. Once your preferences are set, click OK to save them.
Step 2Open Spotify in ViWizard
On the main interface, click the Spotify icon to launch the built-in Spotify web player. Log in to your Spotify account and browse for the podcast or episode you want to download.
Step 3Add Spotify Podcasts
If you want to download all episodes of a podcast, stay on the page that lists all episodes. If you only want a specific episode, open that episode's page. Then, click the + icon and ViWizard will display a pop-up window. Check the episodes you want to keep, then click Add to List to prepare them for conversion.
Step 4Start the Download
After adding the podcasts, click the Convert button to start downloading. Once the process is complete, you can find all downloaded files in the History tab. To locate the output files on your computer, click the folder icon next to the episode name.
Wondering how to download podcasts from other platforms, like Audible or Apple, using ViWizard software? Check out the step-by-step guide below:
Read More : How to Download Audible Podcast
Read More : How to Download Apple Podcast
#2. Podbay.fm
Podbay.fm is a web-based podcast player and downloader that works on Safari, Google Chrome, Firefox, Edge, and most other browsers. It offers access to over 70 million podcasts and episodes, allowing you to download them as MP3 files without registration or payment. From the homepage, you can easily discover new shows, trending episodes, and podcasts across different genres. If you create an account, you can also build and manage your own podcast queue. Overall, Podbay.fm is a great place to discover, stream, and download your favorite episodes.
- Pros
- Access a large podcast directory
- Find podcast RSS feeds easily
- Browse a variety of categories
- Download episodes directly in MP3 from the browser
- Cons
- Require downloading each episode manually
- Save files with unclear names (random letters/numbers)
- Lack batch-download functionality
How to Use Podbay.fm to Download Podcasts:
Step 1. Visit Podbay.fm in your browser.
Step 2. On the homepage, enter the name of the podcast in the search box or browse through genres.
Step 3. Click on the podcast to view its list of episodes.
Step 4. Find the episode you want to download and click the three-dot icon on the far right.
Step 5. Select the "Download file" option.
Step 6. Podbay will open a new tab displaying a small player bar.
Step 7. Click the three-dot icon next to the volume control.
Step 8. Select "Download" to save the episode to your device.
#3. Podcasts Chrome Browser Extension
This free podcast MP3 downloader Chrome extension lets you play, download, and view AI-generated summaries and transcriptions (Premium required). Its library is smaller than Podbay.fm and lacks an explore feature, but it excels at organizing your favorite episodes. You can add podcasts via RSS feeds and download all episodes at once for seamless playback, no manual downloads needed.
- Pros
- Easily download individual episodes or all episodes at once
- Download episodes in MP3 format
- Manage podcast subscriptions and automatically track new episodes
- Sync subscriptions across multiple devices
- Transcribe podcasts to text (premium feature)
- Cons
- Require Chrome browser to work
- Save files with unclear names (random letters/numbers)
- Requires a separate premium plan for AI-related features like transcription
- May not support as many languages as other podcast service
How to Use Podcasts Chrome Browser Extension to Download Podcasts:
Step 1. Add the Podcasts extension to your Chrome browser from the Chrome Web Store.
Step 2. Click the extension icon in the toolbar to open the podcast interface.
Step 3. Search for a podcast or paste the RSS feed link into the input box.
Step 4. Select the podcast you want to download and open its list of episodes.
Step 5. Click "Download All Episodes" or hover over an episode and click the Download icon to save it to your device.
Step 6. The downloaded episodes will be saved in MP3 format.
#4. PodcastToMP3
For those who want a minimalist and no-fuss solution, PodcastToMP3 is an excellent online podcast downloader. Unlike the other tools on this list, it's not a player or a directory with playback features; its sole purpose is to convert and download podcast episodes to MP3 format. You can easily find the podcasts you want by searching for their name, and you can even create an account to save your favorite shows for future downloads.
- Pros
- Extremely simple and minimalist
- Direct MP3 download
- Add podcasts to personal favorites (requires login)
- Cons
- Not support playback
- Only download in MP3 format
- Not support batch downloads
- Not support browsing by categories
How to Use PodcastToMP3 for Downloading Podcasts to MP3:
Step 1. Visit the PodcastToMP3 website.
Step 2. Enter the podcast name in the search box.
Step 3. Click the podcast in the dropdown search results.
Step 4. Click the "Download" button located beneath the episode title.
Step 5. The tool will automatically download the episode as an MP3 file to your device.
Step 6. You can find the downloaded files in your browser's Downloads folder.
Step 7. To add podcasts to your favorites, log in with your Google account for easier management.
#5. Podcast Addict
Podcast Addict is a popular podcast manager for Android devices, offering both an Android app and an online version. It allows users to stream and download podcasts, audiobooks, and even live radio stations directly to MP3 for offline listening. You can download the app directly from the Google Play Store. While it provides a rich selection of content, some podcasts may only have partial episodes available, and the free version contains ads.
- Pros
- Download podcasts, audiobooks, and live radio to MP3
- Subscribe and automatically download new episodes
- Customize playback settings (speed, skip silence, volume boost)
- Integrate with various platforms
- Cons
- Display ads in the free version
- Interface can feel cluttered due to the sheer number of features.
- Not support iOS or desktop platforms
How to Use Podcast Addict to Download Podcasts on Android:
Step 1. Download and install Podcast Addict from the Google Play Store.
Step 2. Open the app and use the search function to find your desired podcast.
Step 3. Navigate to the podcast's episode list, tap the download icon next to the episode you want to download.
Step 4. Downloaded episodes are stored within the app and can be accessed offline.
Note: To manage storage locations or change download settings, go to Settings > Download within the app.
Final Thoughts
These five podcast downloaders each have their strengths and are suited to different needs:
- Choose ViWizard Podcast Downloader if you're a desktop user who wants to batch-download podcasts with full metadata from multiple streaming platforms.
- Choose Podbay.fm if you prefer a browser-based tool for streaming and downloading individual episodes without installation.
- Choose Podcasts Chrome Browser Extension if you want to batch-download podcast episodes directly in your Chrome browser and organize them in a personal library.
- Choose PodcastToMP3 if you want a simple, no-frills online tool to download podcasts quickly in MP3 format.
- Choose Podcast Addict if you are an Android user who wants to stream and download podcasts, audiobooks, and live radio for offline playback.
Ultimately, the best podcast downloader is the one that fits your listening habits. By considering what matters most to you, you can easily select the perfect tool to download podcasts and build your ultimate offline podcast library.
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Dave Henry, a multimedia technologist at ViWizard, focuses on delivering the best solutions for digital media challenges, including audio and video conversion, media optimization, and troubleshooting.
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