Want to start podcasting on the go? Android is the perfect mobile platform for podcasting, whether you're using a smartphone or a tablet. But which podcast recording app should you use on your Android device?

How to Start a Podcast on Android

You might be used to recording and editing your podcast on a computer, or you could be completely new to podcasting. Either way, you'll be amazed at how simple it is to record a podcast on Android. All you need is:

  • Your Android device

While a USB microphone and headset might come in useful, the basic device is enough. But which app should you use to record, edit, and upload your podcast?

Let's take a look at the best apps to record a podcast on Android.

1. Spreaker Studio

The most feature-packed podcast recording app for Android, Spreaker Studio offers:

  • Full virtual studio user interface
  • Editable soundboard functionality
  • Live podcast streaming
  • Record feature
  • Multi-channel volume controls
  • Automatic uploading

Prefer to use your own hosting solution? Fine---you can upload the file to your own hosting or a dedicated podcast hosting service like Soundcloud.

Uploading lets you give the podcast a title and set an image, tags, and a description. Spreaker will even let you share the podcast on YouTube and iHeartRadio (the latter with a Pro subscription, starting at $7 a month).

For professional podcasters on the move, Spreaker Studio is the top choice for Android users. You can improve the experience further by connecting a high-quality podcasting microphone over USB OTG.

Download: Spreaker Studio (Free)

2. Anchor: Make Your Own Podcast!

Anchor is not your typical podcast app. Also available on the web at anchor.fm, Anchor offers completely free hosting for creators.

Anchor offers:

  • Voice message import
  • Group chat
  • Spotify music import
  • Transitions
  • Theme tunes and background audio
  • Sound effects

Naturally, it also offers standard recording and a simple editing tool. Once completed, you can upload your podcast for listing on Apple Podcasts and Google Podcasts.

Interestingly, Anchor also has a feature that imports your own existing podcast, but this limits you to using Anchor's hosting. Even if you import an existing library of podcasts, no change is made to your existing setup until you agree to use the hosting.

The option to import music from Spotify, meanwhile, is a game changer; using popular music in podcasts is traditionally difficult. As Spotify owns Anchor, however, you can use tracks from the Spotify library in your show.

To make a multiple-voice podcast, your guests will need to use Anchor on their phones too. You can send invite links via SMS. Once received, your guests can take part using their phone as normal or connecting a headset and mic.

All in all, Anchor is a good choice for recording podcasts on your Android device. After all, who would argue with free hosting?

Download: Anchor (Free)

3. Podbean

Offering a mobile app and hosting package, Podbean starts from $3 a month for 100MB of monthly storage and 100GB of bandwidth. Bigger packages are available, offering unlimited and unmetered options. These also include detailed stats and the ability to have multiple admins, depending on how much you want to spend.

The app itself is straightforward, offering access to the Podbean library of podcasts and managing subscriptions.

For recording, you'll need to sign up for a subscription, which unlocks:

  • Record button
  • Basic trim editing
  • Background music
  • Automatic uploading

Note that you don't have to use Podbean's hosting, even if you're using the app's recording feature. Via the Settings page, you can specify a location for saving podcasts to your Android device. This means you can easily upload your recording to the podcast hosting service of your choice.

Download: Podbean (Free)

4. SoundCloud

Need a podcast recording app that offers uploading to free hosting? SoundCloud is the ideal choice that also provides access to the popular platform's vast library of uploads.

Unfortunately, whole you cannot record a podcast with Soundcloud, the mobile app does offer a useful upload function:

  • Basic editing for track name, genre, description, cover image
  • Set tracks as public or private
  • Simple upload

Remember, you can embed Soundcloud posts and your podcast will be shared to any social accounts connected to SoundCloud.

Related: Reasons to host your podcast on SoundCloud

Download: SoundCloud (Free)

5. Podomatic Podcast Recorder

Another option for recording a podcast on Android, the Podomatic app offers social media sharing, statistics, and cloud storage.

With this tool, you'll find:

  • Easy record option---live or previous recordings
  • Facebook login
  • "Co-cast" invite feature to add another voice to your show
  • 500MB storage and 15GB bandwidth for free accounts (pro hosting plans start at $2.99 a month)
  • Publishing to Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Google Podcasts
  • Statistics
  • Cover art upload

Unfortunately, Podomatic Podcast Recorder does not feature an editing tool. If you need to edit your show---perhaps to add a theme tune or transitions---a different solution is required.

Download: Podomatic (Free)

Maybe You Don't Need a Specialised App to Record a Podcast on Your Phone

If all of this seems a bit overly complicated, rest assured: you don't actually need a dedicated podcasting app.

While the benefits of these apps and hosting services may be obvious, you might already have your hosting sorted. And you might even have a voice recorder installed on your phone or tablet. Even if you don't, for straightforward, basic podcasting, that's really all you need.

Perhaps the best voice recorder app for Android right now is Dolby On. Designed for all manner of recording tasks, Dolby On features:

  • Noise reduction
  • Noise limiting
  • Spatial audio
  • EQ
  • Audio editor
  • Export to social media and Soundcloud

While Dolby On isn't the only voice recorder for Android, it's probably the best option for recording podcasts.

Download: Dolby On (Free)

What Is the Best Podcast App for Android?

With these strong options, your podcast can go fully mobile. In fact, there's no need for you to worry about recording your podcast on a PC ever again! For more hints and tips for podcasting, see our tips to record better audio and our tutorial to create a podcast cover with Photoshop.

Want to know which is the best podcast making app for Android? For ease of use and free hosting, Anchor is a great choice, but ultimately the best app is the one that fulfills your needs the most.