By AppHub Editorial Team · Updated August 3, 2026
Podcast Player
Overview
News & Magazines
Castbox.FM - Radio & Podcast & AudioBooks
Free
Jan 4, 2016
9.16.1-251202123
6.0
$1.99 - $14.99 per item
No
Dec 4, 2025
Features
The most excellent podcast player app for you to search, subscribe to, stream, play and download all of your favorite podcasts and audiobooks, etc.
You can quickly transfer subscriptions from other podcast apps to our app by using OPML Import feature.
★ 🇺🇸 135 countries Editors' Choice featured by Google Play ★ ★ 👍 Top Trending Apps of Global Best by Google Play ★ ★ 📺 Most Entertaining of Best Apps by Google Play ★
We got everything you want (audio books FM music streaming radio podcasts) fo...
The most excellent podcast player app for you to search, subscribe to, stream, play and download all of your favorite podcasts and audiobooks, etc. You can quickly transfer subscriptions from other podcast apps to our app by using OPML Import feature.★ 🇺🇸 135 countries Editors' Choice featured by Google Play ★ ★ 👍 Top Trending Apps of Global Best by Google Play ★★ 📺 Most Entertaining of Best Apps by Google Play ★We got everything you want (audio books FM music streaming radio podcasts) for free. Podcast is with you by providing audio content covering both entertainment and education during daily playback scenarios (commute, sport, chores, relax, etc.)Listen to the best podcasts on Podcast Player, including News & Politics podcasts, Music-related podcasts, Games & Hobbies podcasts, Sports podcasts, Technology podcasts, and Talk Shows, etc. EDUCATION podcasts
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Official Links
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Ratings breakdown
309,000 reviewsDeveloper contact
Name
GURU NETWORK LIMITED
Address
Rm 805 8/F HARBOUR CRYSTAL CTR 100 GRANVILLE RD 九龍城 Hong Kong
Website
http://castbox.fmPhone
+852 6064 1953
Support
support@castbox.fm
Privacy
View policyFrequently Asked Questions
Is Podcast Player really free? high
Yes, the app is free to download and use. It offers in-app purchases ranging from $1.99 to $14.99 per item. However, based on recent user reviews, the free version includes aggressive ads, including sound-playing ads when you pause and autoplay ads that may lead to unintended app installations.
Source: app_metadata, user_reviews
Does Podcast Player have hidden fees or subscriptions? high
The app description states it is free. The in-app purchases mentioned are $1.99 to $14.99 per item (likely for premium features or removing ads). Recent reviews do not mention unexpected subscription charges, but they do complain heavily about the ad experience.
Source: app_metadata
Are there ads in Podcast Player? high
Yes, based on recent user reviews, the app contains a significant number of ads. Reviewers describe ads that play sound when you pause a podcast, deceptive ad layouts that hide the exit button, and instances of apps being automatically downloaded from ads.
Source: user_reviews
Can I download episodes for offline listening in Podcast Player? high
Yes, the app description explicitly states you can download episode MP3 files for free without additional cost or limitation. This is listed as one of the app's key features.
Source: app_metadata
What content rating does Podcast Player have? high
The app is rated 'Teen' by Google Play, which means it may contain content suitable for ages 13 and older.
Source: app_metadata
How to Use
Podcast Player lets you search, subscribe, stream, play, and download podcasts and audiobooks for free, with support for OPML import to transfer subscriptions from other apps. (app_description)
Getting Started
Source: app_description_and_user_feedback_noted
- Download and open the Podcast Player app from Google Play.
- Use the search function to find your favorite podcasts by name or browse through 16 categories like News, Music, Comedy, or Education.
- Tap a podcast to view its episodes, then subscribe to receive new episodes automatically.
- To transfer your subscriptions from another podcast app, look for the OPML Import feature in the app's settings or menu.
- Download episodes for offline listening by tapping the download button next to each episode. The app stores MP3 files without additional cost.
Key Features (from app listing)
Source: app_description
- Search and subscribe to over 95 million podcast episodes across 70+ countries and languages.
- OPML Import to quickly transfer subscriptions from other podcast apps.
- Free download of episode MP3 files for offline listening.
- Control playback from widgets, notification center, lock screen, headphone buttons, and Bluetooth.
- Create custom playlists for different scenes and moods.
- Share episodes with or without a play-location timestamp.
- Switch between light and dark themes.
- Set a sleep timer for seconds, minutes, or hours.
From recent_review #5, which mentions 'I was provided a fix (clear cache), and it does help in that moment but I ended up having to clear the cache frequently.' This is a user-reported workaround for a bug.
How this content was created
Content type: pattern_analysis_of_user_reviews_and_metadata
AI generated: Yes
- Google Play user reviews (12-20 preferred; may be smaller if source data is limited per app), March 20, 2026 to April 10, 2026
- Google Play ratings distribution
- App Store listing metadata
- Review samples are not statistically representative of all user sentiment
- High-engagement negative reviews can overrepresent complaints
- Claims labeled 'low confidence' are based on single-review observations only
- No real-world app testing was conducted
- Feature availability may vary by region, device, and app version
- Only 5 recent reviews were available; no positive reviews or mixed reviews were provided, so the analysis is heavily skewed toward recent negative feedback.
Pros & Cons
Based on analysis of Google Play user reviews
Pros
- Large selection of available podcasts for free.
Theme 'Good content selection' identified in recent_review #1
Evidence (1)
“The selection of available podcasts is really good and it's free to use so I won't complain much.”Rating: 2★ March 21, 2026 9 likes - Free to use without subscription.
Theme 'Free access' identified in recent_review #1
Evidence (1)
“The selection of available podcasts is really good and it's free to use so I won't complain much.”Rating: 2★ March 21, 2026 9 likes - Helpful customer support provided a fix for a bug.
Theme 'Support response' identified in recent_review #5
Evidence (1)
“I was provided a fix (clear cache), and it does help in that moment”Rating: 2★ March 20, 2026 3 likes
Cons
- Aggressive and deceptive ads that auto-install apps.
Theme 'Malicious ads' identified in recent_review #2, #3, #4
Evidence (3)
“an ad popped up with music and an "instant download" button... this immediately installed some random app”Rating: 1★ April 10, 2026 1 likes“The ads that get thrown on your screen in this app use all of the deceptive tricks to hide the exit button”Rating: 2★ April 03, 2026 1 likes“every app ad automatically installs, even if you only hit the exit button on the ad”Rating: 2★ April 01, 2026 2 likes - Bugs cause player to freeze or skip episodes.
Theme 'Playback bugs' identified in recent_review #1, #5
Evidence (2)
“If you download a podcast show then remove that channel, the whole player stops working... it's essentially frozen”Rating: 2★ March 21, 2026 9 likes“Episodes will either skip back or forward and if it skips forward, there's no way to hear that part”Rating: 2★ March 20, 2026 3 likes - Ads play sound when pausing a podcast.
Theme 'Intrusive ad audio' identified in recent_review #2
Evidence (1)
“Ads when you pause your podcast - and they make sound - is too much”Rating: 1★ April 10, 2026 1 likes
Recent Reviews
Nicholas Colón
2★The selection of available podcasts is really good and it's free to use so I won't complain much. The big issues are bugs not being fixed. If you download a podcast show then remove that channel, the whole player stops working. I've refreshed repeatedly. I've opened and closed the app for things to just keep spinning. it's essentially frozen and doesn't let you play anything or see new episodes.
Caroline Raczenski
1★They added too many ads. Ads when you pause your podcast - and they make sound - is too much. I understand the need for ads, but that is so annoying. update, I went to the app to pause my podcast, however an ad popped up with music and an "instant download" button appeared directly above the pause button I tried to click. this immediately installed some random app when all I wanted to do was pause the podcast.
Zach Burke
2★The ads that get thrown on your screen in this app use all of the deceptive tricks to hide the exit button, throw you to links you had no intention of clicking on and prevent your back button from functioning. It cheapens the feel of the entire app, which is actually a decent podcast player. I don't mind intermittent ads for a free product, but this is different, these are malicious, they are deceptive and they make the whole package feel like a pile of 💩.
Nikkie Spencer
2★Ads are expected, but an auto download for apps in ads is a serious issue. I have had this app for over a year, but in the last two months every app ad automatically installs, even if you only hit the exit button on the ad. I am constantly having to uninstall unwanted apps. Because this app has tracked my podcast listens for so long, ive been hesitant to switch to a different podcast app. However if this auto install issue persists then I guess thats just what I will need to do.
Christi Haltom
2★there are a lot of bugs unfortunately. Episodes will either skip back or forward and if it skips forward, there's no way to hear that part of the episode so you can miss a lot of a story edit to update: I was provided a fix (clear cache), and it does help in that moment but I ended up having to clear the cache at least once every time I listened. I drive while I listen to podcasts so this was super inconvenient. I have now deleted the app but I hope the bugs get fixed for other users' sake.