Commuting by car has become one of the best times to catch up on your favorite podcasts. Thanks to modern in-car platforms like Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, you can safely enjoy podcasting apps in your car without ever picking up your phone.
In this post, we’ll explore how CarPlay and Android Auto make on-the-road podcast listening easy, compare popular podcasting apps (Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, etc.), and show why Podbean is a standout choice for podcast lovers on the move.
CarPlay & Android Auto: Bringing Podcasts to Your Car
Apple CarPlay and Android Auto have transformed in-car entertainment by integrating our phones’ apps with car dashboard displays. If you have an iPhone, CarPlay allows you to connect it to compatible vehicles and access apps through the car’s touchscreen or via Siri voice commands. Similarly, Android users can use Android Auto to get a driver-friendly interface for key apps.
Both platforms support navigation, calling, music, and importantly – podcast apps. This means instead of fumbling with your phone, you can use your car’s controls or voice assistant to play, pause, skip, or search for podcasts.
CarPlay, for example, works with Siri and your car’s knobs/touchscreen so you can stay focused on the road while listening.
Android Auto offers a similar experience with Google Assistant integration, making it easy to listen safely while you drive.
In short, CarPlay and Android Auto bring your favorite podcasting apps to your car in a way that’s convenient and safe – perfect for commutes or road trips.
Podbean: Your Ultimate Podcasting App on the Road
When it comes to podcasting apps for your car, Podbean shines as an all-in-one solution. The Podbean podcast app fully supports both Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, meaning no matter what phone or vehicle you have, Podbean works seamlessly.
Once your phone is connected, you’ll find the Podbean app right on your car’s infotainment screen – just tap the Podbean icon, and you can browse or play podcasts via the car’s touchscreen or steering wheel controls.
Prefer hands-free control? Podbean has you covered with voice command support: use Siri or Google Assistant to control playback on Podbean without taking your hands off the wheel. This drive-safe design is exactly why experts recommend apps that integrate with CarPlay/Android Auto and allow voice control for commuting listeners.
Beyond its car-friendly integration, Podbean offers a fantastic podcast listening experience overall. It’s a free app (with optional upgrades) that gives you access to millions of podcasts – from popular shows to niche topics.
In fact, Podbean’s platform hosts over 600,000+ podcasts and has a rapidly growing listener community, making it one of the top podcast apps on both Android and iOS.
Podbean also comes packed with advanced playback features that podcast enthusiasts love:
Smart audio effects: Features like intelligent speed (which removes long silences in the audio) and volume boost make podcasts easier to listen to in the car by trimming dead air and enhancing sound.
Auto-play and timers: Podbean can automatically skip to the next episode in your playlist, and it has a built-in sleep timer – handy if you’re parked and listening before a rest, or just to avoid draining battery if you forget to pause.
User-friendly controls: Large on-screen buttons and simple swiping gestures in the app mean it’s easy to hit play, pause, or skip, especially when mirrored on a car display. And with CarPlay support on iOS, Podbean even works with your car’s Siri voice commands.
Cross-device syncing: Because Podbean is available on both iPhone and Android, it’s ideal for families or individuals who use multiple devices. Your subscriptions and listening history can sync across devices when you log in, so the podcast you paused at home will be at the same spot when you get in your car.
All these features contribute to Podbean’s high reputation among podcast listeners. The app has over 10 million downloads and an average user rating around 4.7–4.8 out of 5 on app stores.
In other words, podcast fans worldwide trust Podbean for its quality and reliability. It was even named among the best podcast apps of 2022, noted for its expansive library, customizable settings, and flexible controls for a high-quality listening experience.
For a road warrior who loves podcasts, Podbean basically checks all the boxes: huge selection of shows, easy in-car use, powerful features, and no cost to listen.
Podbean vs Other Popular Podcast Apps for Your Car
You might be wondering how Podbean compares to other well-known apps that people use in the car, such as Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or Google Podcasts. Each of these has strengths, but there are key differences to consider – especially if you want the best podcasting experience in your car with CarPlay or Android Auto.
Apple Podcasts (CarPlay)
If you’re an iPhone user, Apple’s built-in Podcasts app is the default option. It does integrate nicely with CarPlay and Siri (no extra app needed), offering a hands-free, native experience for iOS users. It’s a solid app for basic listening and benefits from Apple’s ecosystem (for example, it works with Siri and even Apple Watch).
However, Apple Podcasts is only for Apple devices – there’s no Android version. So if you ever switch to an Android phone or have a second car with an Android head unit, you can’t bring your Apple Podcasts library with you.
Podbean, by contrast, works across both iOS and Android, and also syncs across devices. Additionally, Apple’s app, while user-friendly, lacks some of the advanced features that dedicated podcast apps have (like the silence trimming or playlist customization Podbean offers).
It’s great for casual listeners in the Apple world, but podcast enthusiasts might crave more flexibility than Apple Podcasts provides.
Spotify
Spotify is one of the most popular apps for audio in general, and it supports both CarPlay and Android Auto out of the box. If you already use Spotify for music, it can be convenient to use it for podcasts as well – everything is in one place, and you can stream podcasts for free (with ads in some cases).
Spotify’s CarPlay/Android Auto interface is user-friendly, and it offers voice control via Siri or Google Assistant just like it does for music. That said, because Spotify is a music-first platform, some podcast lovers find it less focused for podcast listening.
For instance, Spotify might mix content or suggest songs after a podcast episode, whereas Podbean keeps the experience all about podcasts.
Podbean’s sole focus on podcasts means its discovery sections, charts, and recommendations are tailored to podcast content, helping you find great new shows more easily. Podbean also provides those podcast-specific playback perks (like the skip silence feature) which Spotify doesn’t have.
In short, Spotify is a fine choice for casual listening, especially if you already have it, but Podbean offers a more specialized podcast experience that hardcore podcast fans appreciate.
Google Podcasts
Google’s own podcast app is a simple, no-frills option that Android users often try (and yes, there’s even an iOS version). It’s free and integrates with Google Assistant, and as of 2020 it even added Apple CarPlay support for iPhone users.
In an Android Auto environment, Google Podcasts is basically plug-and-play, since it’s designed by Google. The app covers the basics: you can subscribe to shows, auto-download new episodes, and it has a clean interface suitable for cars.
However, Google Podcasts has remained pretty basic in terms of features – it doesn’t offer the kind of advanced playback controls or community features that Podbean does. Also, Google has announced plans to eventually fold Google Podcasts into YouTube Music, which leaves some uncertainty about its future.
If you’re looking for longevity and rich features, Podbean may be the better long-term bet. It already offers everything Google Podcasts does and more, within a single app that’s continually updated (and even includes extras like the ability to do live audio streams or record your own podcasts when you’re not driving!).
Aside from those big names, there are other podcast apps out there – Pocket Casts, Overcast, Castbox, and others – many of which also support CarPlay or Android Auto. Each has its loyal users, but most either limit you to one platform (e.g. Overcast is iOS-only) or come with subscription fees for full functionality.
Podbean stands out by offering a truly cross-platform, feature-rich experience for free. It brings together the strengths of various apps: the cross-device syncing and polish of a Pocket Casts, the CarPlay/Android Auto integration of an Apple/Google app, and the advanced audio effects of an enthusiast app like Overcast – all in one place. That makes Podbean a compelling choice for podcast listeners who want flexibility and quality during their drive.
Tips for In-Car Podcasting
Listening to podcasts in the car should be enjoyable and safe. Here are a few quick tips to get the most out of Podbean (or any podcasting app) on CarPlay and Android Auto:
Set up before you drive: Take a moment to queue up episodes or playlists in the Podbean app before you start moving. Both CarPlay and Android Auto will display your queued episodes, so you can simply hit play and go. Pre-downloading your episodes while on Wi-Fi is also a good idea – that way poor cell signal won’t interrupt your show.
Use voice commands: Don’t hesitate to talk to Siri or Google Assistant while on the road. For example, with Podbean on CarPlay you can say “Hey Siri, play my latest episode on Podbean” or “Skip 30 seconds”. On Android Auto, you might say “OK Google, play the next episode”. Voice control means you can keep your eyes on traffic.
Leverage CarPlay/Android Auto controls: Both platforms offer large, simple controls on the car’s display. Use your steering wheel buttons or the dashboard touchscreen to pause or skip if needed, rather than picking up the phone. Podbean’s interface on these platforms is designed for minimal distraction with straightforward buttons.
Mind the volume and enjoy!: Podcasts can vary in volume, especially with road noise. Consider using Podbean’s volume boost feature if a particular show is too quiet. And of course, adjust your car’s audio system to a comfortable level so you can relax and absorb the podcast without straining to hear it.
Ready to Hit Play?
In the world of podcasting apps for your car, Podbean truly stands out as a friendly yet powerful choice. It brings together the ease of CarPlay and Android Auto compatibility, a massive selection of podcasts, and thoughtful features that make listening in the car a joy.
So why not give it a try? Download the Podbean app today (it’s free on both the iOS App Store and Google Play). Set it up with your CarPlay or Android Auto, and transform your next drive into a personalized podcast adventure.
With Podbean by your side, you can hit the road and hit play – knowing that an amazing world of podcasts is just a voice command or touch away. Safe driving and happy listening!
Commuting by car has become one of the best times to catch up on your favorite podcasts. Thanks to modern in-car platforms like Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, you can safely enjoy podcasting apps in your car without ever picking up your phone.
In this post, we’ll explore how CarPlay and Android Auto make on-the-road podcast listening easy, compare popular podcasting apps (Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, etc.), and show why Podbean is a standout choice for podcast lovers on the move.
CarPlay & Android Auto: Bringing Podcasts to Your Car
Apple CarPlay and Android Auto have transformed in-car entertainment by integrating our phones’ apps with car dashboard displays. If you have an iPhone, CarPlay allows you to connect it to compatible vehicles and access apps through the car’s touchscreen or via Siri voice commands. Similarly, Android users can use Android Auto to get a driver-friendly interface for key apps.
Both platforms support navigation, calling, music, and importantly – podcast apps. This means instead of fumbling with your phone, you can use your car’s controls or voice assistant to play, pause, skip, or search for podcasts.
CarPlay, for example, works with Siri and your car’s knobs/touchscreen so you can stay focused on the road while listening.
Android Auto offers a similar experience with Google Assistant integration, making it easy to listen safely while you drive.
In short, CarPlay and Android Auto bring your favorite podcasting apps to your car in a way that’s convenient and safe – perfect for commutes or road trips.
Podbean: Your Ultimate Podcasting App on the Road
When it comes to podcasting apps for your car, Podbean shines as an all-in-one solution. The Podbean podcast app fully supports both Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, meaning no matter what phone or vehicle you have, Podbean works seamlessly.
Once your phone is connected, you’ll find the Podbean app right on your car’s infotainment screen – just tap the Podbean icon, and you can browse or play podcasts via the car’s touchscreen or steering wheel controls.
Prefer hands-free control? Podbean has you covered with voice command support: use Siri or Google Assistant to control playback on Podbean without taking your hands off the wheel. This drive-safe design is exactly why experts recommend apps that integrate with CarPlay/Android Auto and allow voice control for commuting listeners.
Beyond its car-friendly integration, Podbean offers a fantastic podcast listening experience overall. It’s a free app (with optional upgrades) that gives you access to millions of podcasts – from popular shows to niche topics.
In fact, Podbean’s platform hosts over 600,000+ podcasts and has a rapidly growing listener community, making it one of the top podcast apps on both Android and iOS.
Podbean also comes packed with advanced playback features that podcast enthusiasts love:
All these features contribute to Podbean’s high reputation among podcast listeners. The app has over 10 million downloads and an average user rating around 4.7–4.8 out of 5 on app stores.
In other words, podcast fans worldwide trust Podbean for its quality and reliability. It was even named among the best podcast apps of 2022, noted for its expansive library, customizable settings, and flexible controls for a high-quality listening experience.
For a road warrior who loves podcasts, Podbean basically checks all the boxes: huge selection of shows, easy in-car use, powerful features, and no cost to listen.
Podbean vs Other Popular Podcast Apps for Your Car
You might be wondering how Podbean compares to other well-known apps that people use in the car, such as Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or Google Podcasts. Each of these has strengths, but there are key differences to consider – especially if you want the best podcasting experience in your car with CarPlay or Android Auto.
Apple Podcasts (CarPlay)
If you’re an iPhone user, Apple’s built-in Podcasts app is the default option. It does integrate nicely with CarPlay and Siri (no extra app needed), offering a hands-free, native experience for iOS users. It’s a solid app for basic listening and benefits from Apple’s ecosystem (for example, it works with Siri and even Apple Watch).
However, Apple Podcasts is only for Apple devices – there’s no Android version. So if you ever switch to an Android phone or have a second car with an Android head unit, you can’t bring your Apple Podcasts library with you.
Podbean, by contrast, works across both iOS and Android, and also syncs across devices. Additionally, Apple’s app, while user-friendly, lacks some of the advanced features that dedicated podcast apps have (like the silence trimming or playlist customization Podbean offers).
It’s great for casual listeners in the Apple world, but podcast enthusiasts might crave more flexibility than Apple Podcasts provides.
Spotify
Spotify is one of the most popular apps for audio in general, and it supports both CarPlay and Android Auto out of the box. If you already use Spotify for music, it can be convenient to use it for podcasts as well – everything is in one place, and you can stream podcasts for free (with ads in some cases).
Spotify’s CarPlay/Android Auto interface is user-friendly, and it offers voice control via Siri or Google Assistant just like it does for music. That said, because Spotify is a music-first platform, some podcast lovers find it less focused for podcast listening.
For instance, Spotify might mix content or suggest songs after a podcast episode, whereas Podbean keeps the experience all about podcasts.
Podbean’s sole focus on podcasts means its discovery sections, charts, and recommendations are tailored to podcast content, helping you find great new shows more easily. Podbean also provides those podcast-specific playback perks (like the skip silence feature) which Spotify doesn’t have.
In short, Spotify is a fine choice for casual listening, especially if you already have it, but Podbean offers a more specialized podcast experience that hardcore podcast fans appreciate.
Google Podcasts
Google’s own podcast app is a simple, no-frills option that Android users often try (and yes, there’s even an iOS version). It’s free and integrates with Google Assistant, and as of 2020 it even added Apple CarPlay support for iPhone users.
In an Android Auto environment, Google Podcasts is basically plug-and-play, since it’s designed by Google. The app covers the basics: you can subscribe to shows, auto-download new episodes, and it has a clean interface suitable for cars.
However, Google Podcasts has remained pretty basic in terms of features – it doesn’t offer the kind of advanced playback controls or community features that Podbean does. Also, Google has announced plans to eventually fold Google Podcasts into YouTube Music, which leaves some uncertainty about its future.
If you’re looking for longevity and rich features, Podbean may be the better long-term bet. It already offers everything Google Podcasts does and more, within a single app that’s continually updated (and even includes extras like the ability to do live audio streams or record your own podcasts when you’re not driving!).
Aside from those big names, there are other podcast apps out there – Pocket Casts, Overcast, Castbox, and others – many of which also support CarPlay or Android Auto. Each has its loyal users, but most either limit you to one platform (e.g. Overcast is iOS-only) or come with subscription fees for full functionality.
Podbean stands out by offering a truly cross-platform, feature-rich experience for free. It brings together the strengths of various apps: the cross-device syncing and polish of a Pocket Casts, the CarPlay/Android Auto integration of an Apple/Google app, and the advanced audio effects of an enthusiast app like Overcast – all in one place. That makes Podbean a compelling choice for podcast listeners who want flexibility and quality during their drive.
Tips for In-Car Podcasting
Listening to podcasts in the car should be enjoyable and safe. Here are a few quick tips to get the most out of Podbean (or any podcasting app) on CarPlay and Android Auto:
Ready to Hit Play?
In the world of podcasting apps for your car, Podbean truly stands out as a friendly yet powerful choice. It brings together the ease of CarPlay and Android Auto compatibility, a massive selection of podcasts, and thoughtful features that make listening in the car a joy.
So why not give it a try? Download the Podbean app today (it’s free on both the iOS App Store and Google Play). Set it up with your CarPlay or Android Auto, and transform your next drive into a personalized podcast adventure.
With Podbean by your side, you can hit the road and hit play – knowing that an amazing world of podcasts is just a voice command or touch away. Safe driving and happy listening!
Share this: