Top 8 Podcast Apps for Linux: The Best Clients Reviewed
Podcasts have become a significant aspect of media consumption for many individuals. Although most people prefer listening to podcasts on their smartphones, using a desktop provides more space and flexibility, allowing for seamless integration into existing workflows. In this guide, we will explore eight outstanding podcast clients available for Linux users.
1. gPodder
gPodder is a user-friendly, GUI-based podcatcher designed for Linux users. This cross-platform application is compatible with Linux, Windows, and macOS.
Upon launching gPodder for the first time, you’ll be presented with several options: you can choose from a selection of sample podcasts, manually add a podcast using its URL, or retrieve your subscriptions from gpodder.net.
On gpodder.net, you can search, listen, and explore a wide variety of podcasts registered with the service. It facilitates synchronization of your subscriptions across devices and clients. To subscribe to a podcast via gpodder.net, you must register it first in your podcast client and then upload your subscription list.
To enable synchronization in gPodder, navigate to Options Menu -> Preferences -> gpodder.net.
After configuring this, your subscriptions will appear on gpodder.net, where you can manage devices and even export your subscription list in OPML format. Remember, it’s not necessary to utilize the gpodder.net service to enjoy gPodder.
As a dedicated podcatcher, gPodder is lightweight and supports various feed types. However, it doesn’t come with its own media player; playing a podcast from gPodder will open it in your default media player.
2. Amarok
Amarok stands out as a feature-rich music player specifically for KDE, and arguably serves as one of the most comprehensive applications for Linux. While it may be an overkill for casual podcast listening, it could serve well if you also use Amarok for managing your music library.
To navigate the podcast feature in Amarok, select the Podcasts section from the sidebar.
Click on the Add Podcast option and enter the URL of the podcast you wish to add.
After adding, click the Refresh button to retrieve the episodes from your feed.
Verify that your feed is imported correctly by accessing the “Local Podcasts” section.
As a music player, Amarok can play podcasts natively within the app, yet this complicates its usability as a dedicated podcatcher. It lacks support for show notes and presents challenges in browsing podcast feeds, making it more suitable for streaming and downloading episodes.
3. Rhythmbox
Like Amarok, Rhythmbox is a versatile audio player capable of managing podcast feeds and internet radio streams. It typically comes pre-installed on many GNOME-based Linux distributions, which makes it highly accessible for podcast listening.
To access podcasts within Rhythmbox, click the Podcasts option located in the left sidebar.
Click Add on the top panel, then search for the podcast you wish to subscribe to by entering its name in the search field.
Press Subscribe to append the podcast feed to your Rhythmbox library.
To confirm that your new podcasts are loaded, click Close.
Despite being a solid audio player with features to support podcast listening, Rhythmbox has its limitations. Similar to Amarok, it lacks show notes and struggles with navigating lengthy podcast episodes. Nevertheless, Rhythmbox remains an excellent choice for beginners exploring the world of podcasts without requiring a dedicated client.
4. Liferea
Liferea differs from typical music players as it primarily functions as a feed reader that includes podcast support. Upon installation, Liferea provides pre-subscribed feeds and podcasts you can start with immediately. You will find the podcast section neatly organized in the left sidebar, and adding new subscriptions is as simple as entering the feed URL.
Clicking on an entry in Liferea brings up the show notes in the main viewing area. Below the notes, you can hit the Play button to start the latest episode of your selected podcast.
Liferea excels as an RSS reader but falls short as a dedicated podcatcher when compared with other apps. It doesn’t offer options to download or play podcasts, relying instead on external applications. This approach enhances Liferea’s flexibility but necessitates additional tools for a complete podcasting experience.
5. Newsboat and Podboat
Newsboat is a versatile TUI feed reader that operates beautifully on Linux without a graphical interface. Known for its minimalist design, it’s often referred to as “the mutt of RSS readers,”and is fully navigable via keyboard shortcuts.
Before using Newsboat, you’ll need to input your podcast URLs into the “~/.newsboat/urls” file. Alternatively, you can import an OPML file using the command:
Afterward, launch newsboat in your terminal and hit R to refresh the feed list.
Inside the Newsboat interface, you can see episode titles and notes, but you’ll need to use Podboat for downloading media files. The “Podboat” component acts as a download manager for handling media enclosures within feeds.
To download a podcast, select the episode and press Enter, then hit E to enqueue it in Podboat.
Additionally, you’ll want to modify the “~/.newsboat/config” file to set configuration commands, including specifying your media player:
You can also define a download directory (defaulting to your home directory) and set the maximum simultaneous downloads:
Now, open podboat in a new terminal, highlight an episode, and press D to download. You can listen to the downloaded episode by pressing P.
While Newsboat and Podboat may not provide the sleekest experience due to their demand for copy-and-paste actions, they are excellent for users who prefer command-line tools or are already accustomed to Newsboat.
6. MusicPod
MusicPod is an elegant multimedia client that not only plays audio files and internet radio but also manages podcast feeds. Its stunning iTunes-inspired interface makes it easy to browse and manage your content.
To begin using MusicPod, click on the Search button in the sidebar.
Inside the search box, you can choose from “Local Audio,” “Radio,” and “Podcast.” Select Podcast, and then search for the desired feed.
In summary, MusicPod offers a comprehensive podcast client experience. Its user-friendly interface and essential features make it perfect for casual listeners looking for a simple yet effective tool.
7. GNOME Podcasts
GNOME Podcasts is a straightforward podcast player focused on simplicity. Its minimalist layout allows for easy feed searches, importing and exporting OPML files, along with satisfactory playback controls.
To set up GNOME Podcasts, click the + icon in the upper left corner.
Next, adjust the switches for “fyyd.de” and “itunes.apple.com,” then search for the podcast you wish to subscribe to.
To bring in an existing OPML file, hit Ctrl + O to open the file selection window.
Finally, you can click on the New or Shows tabs in the upper bar to view your current subscriptions.
Although GNOME Podcasts lacks extensive features, it compensates with a stable podcasting experience. Its scrubbing tool facilitates easy navigation and it displays show notes in a neat format, making it an excellent choice for anyone seeking a focused podcast player.
8. Box
Kasts is a robust and customizable podcast client available for Android and Linux. Much like gPodder, it provides synchronization of feeds and playback position with gpodder.net. Kasts includes numerous features like the option to modify the default player, monitor connection status, and configure automatic downloads.
To dive into Kasts on Linux, select the Discover section in the sidebar.
This action will lead you to the podcast search feature of Kasts. Type in the podcast you wish to subscribe to and click Search.
You can manually add a podcast feed to Kasts as well. Click the Subscriptions tab, and then hit Add Podcast from the top of the category.
Ensure your subscriptions are active by clicking the Subscriptions category.
Overall, Kasts offers an excellent balance of functionality and user-friendliness. It stands out as a good choice for those looking for enhanced capabilities without overwhelming complexity.
Identifying the top podcast clients available for your Linux desktop is just the beginning of your podcasting adventure. Take the initiative to broaden your horizons and dive into the captivating world of podcasts that are trending right now.
Image credit: Kit (formerly ConvertKit) via Unsplash. All modifications and screenshots are credited to Ramces Red.
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