How to Listen to Podcasts Without Ads?
Podcasts are a fantastic way to learn, relax, or stay updated, but constant audio ads on podcasts can ruin the experience. Whether you’re listening to a crime story, a business show, or your favorite comedy, those interruptions can be distracting. Many users are now asking: How do I remove ads from podcasts and enjoy them ad-free?
In this article, we’ll explore why ads in podcasts exist, the best methods to skip or block them, and how tools like AdLock can help you listen to any podcast without ads.
Do Podcasts Have Ads and Why?
Yes, most podcasts include ads. In fact, advertising is the main revenue stream for many creators. Common types of podcast ads include:
- Pre-roll ads – played at the very beginning.
- Mid-roll ads – inserted in the middle of the show.
- Post-roll ads – played at the end.
Why are they there?
- To support creators financially (many podcasts are free to listen to).
- To promote brands or services.
- To help keep platforms like Spotify or Apple Podcasts free.
While ads help creators, they can frustrate listeners who want smooth, uninterrupted playback. That’s why more people are searching for podcasts without ads.
Best Ways to Listen to Ad-Free Podcasts
There’s no single magic button, but there are multiple options to get rid of ads on podcasts. Let’s break them down.
Use a Podcast App That Skips Ads
Some podcast apps automatically skip ads or minimize them. These apps analyze audio markers and cut out segments that contain sponsor messages.
Popular ad-skipping apps include:
- Pocket Casts (Premium)
- Overcast (Smart Speed & Skip)
- AntennaPod (Android, open-source)
This is a great option if you want to listen to podcasts without ads without switching your favorite shows.
Subscribe to Ad-Free or Premium Versions
Many podcast platforms now offer premium subscriptions that remove ads. Examples include:
- Spotify Premium – removes most ads across music and podcasts.
- Apple Podcasts Subscriptions – individual creators can sell ad-free feeds.
- Patreon-supported shows – where creators give paying subscribers a private ad-free RSS feed.
This is the most straightforward way if you’re ready to pay for ad-free podcasts.
Support Podcasts via Donations
If you love a show, consider supporting it directly. Many creators provide ad-free feeds in exchange for donations via:
- Patreon
- Buy Me a Coffee
- Ko-fi
This way, you not only remove ads from podcasts but also support the creators you enjoy.
Manually Skip Ads While Listening
Old-school, but it works: you can always skip 30 seconds forward when an ad starts. Apps like Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, and Spotify have skip buttons built in.
Sure, it requires effort, but for some, it’s the easiest way to get rid of ads on podcasts without subscriptions or apps.
Do Podcasts Know If You Skip Ads?
This is a common question: do podcasts know if you skip ads?
The short answer: No, they don’t know directly. Creators can see download numbers and sometimes completion rates, but they can’t track whether you hit “skip” during an ad.
Ad networks, however, may estimate listener behavior, which can affect how ads are placed in future episodes.
Can You Block Podcast Ads with Adblocker?
Yes, but not every adblocker works. Podcast ads are baked into the audio files, which makes them harder to block compared to web ads.
That’s where AdLock comes in. Unlike simple extensions, AdLock is a system-wide ad blocker that:
- Blocks in-app ads across Android and iOS.
- Reduces sponsored inserts in apps like Spotify.
- Improves performance and saves mobile data.
- Works without jailbreaking or rooting your device.
So while you can’t remove every baked-in ad, AdLock helps you stop ads in podcast apps and enjoy a cleaner experience.
Read also:
Best Apps for Ad-Free Podcast Listening
Here are some apps that either reduce or completely eliminate ads:
- Spotify Premium – fewer ads across podcasts and music.
- Pocket Casts Plus – powerful controls and ad-skipping.
- Overcast – Smart Speed for skipping sponsored content.
- Castbox Premium – removes display ads and offers better features.
If you want a podcast app without ads, these are your best options in 2025.
Conclusion
Ads keep many podcasts free, but they don’t have to ruin your listening. Whether you use premium subscriptions, ad-skipping apps, or a podcasts ad blocker like AdLock, there are plenty of ways to listen to any podcast without ads.
The choice is yours: pay for premium and support creators, or use smart tools to block interruptions. Either way, your podcast experience doesn’t have to include endless ad breaks. Here’s a quick link to iOS ad blocker and adblocker for Android for you to not scroll and seek.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I remove ads from podcasts?
Use ad-free podcast apps, premium subscriptions, or ad blockers like AdLock.
Can I listen to podcasts without ads for free?
Yes — some apps skip ads automatically, and you can also manually skip them.
Do podcasts know if I skip ads?
No. Creators don’t know if you fast-forward ads.
What’s the best podcasts ad blocker?
AdLock, since it works system-wide on Android and iOS.
Is Spotify Premium worth it for ad-free podcasts?
If you use Spotify daily, Premium is a solid choice to remove most ads.
