Stitcher is considered one of the podcast apps that is hugely recommended today. Maybe you enjoy using the unpaid version, but you’re wondering if going premium will be worth the extra bucks. In this review, we’ll walk you through the exclusive features that Stitcher Premium has to offer and help you answer if it is worth the subscription.
Also read: Top 15 podcast apps you need to use
What is Stitcher?
Stitcher is a podcast app that started back in 2008. Through the years, it became popular for its original shows and its user-friendly interface. If you have tried other podcast apps before, you would notice that a good handful of them are quite difficult to navigate. Even the native podcast app that comes preloaded on your device can sometimes get a little confusing to use.
However, you will love Stitcher because it makes things much easier for you to search, manage, and download the podcasts you love and the shows you follow. Unlike a lot of podcast apps, Stitcher is not exclusive to a particular operating system. This means you can enjoy Stitcher whether you are on Android, iOS, or if you’re streaming via web-browser. Another cool feature of the app is that you can listen to saved podcasts even when you’re offline. You just have to download them beforehand, while connected to the Internet.
How Much Is Stitcher Premium?
Stitcher Premium is $4.99 monthly or $34.99 yearly. You get a one-week free trial if you sign up for the monthly subscription, or a one-month trial if you opt for the year-long subscription.
Ever since, Stitcher has been generating revenue by running ads. But in early 2017, they launched Stitcher Premium for users to enjoy perks and ad-free listening.
Features of Stitcher Premium
These are the main features that you get when you sign up for Stitcher Premium.
Premium Podcasts
When you upgrade to Premium, you can access over 60,000 hours of exclusive podcasts and over 350 comedy albums. You will find them under the Premium Menu, in the lower-right corner of the app. Or whichever menu you are on, you will know that a show or an episode is premium content if its thumbnail has a yellow ribbon on its lower-left corner.
You will definitely enjoy the complete collections of shows, bonus episodes, and exclusive archives from the top podcasts on Stitcher Premium.
Ad-Free Listening
If you, like most listeners, want to enjoy podcasts without the interruption of any ads, this is a great reason to go Premium. You can rest assured that for every show or episode that is marked Premium, you can enjoy them completely ad-free. Take note though that some non-Premium shows sometimes squeeze-in ads as formal segments of their podcast. But not to worry, because these won’t be as noticeable compared to the actual ads on the free version.
Early Access
When new episodes or shows are released, Stitcher Premium gives you early access before these become available to non-Premium users. This exclusive feature will be a perfect deal, especially if you’re always drop-dead excited about the latest releases from your favorite shows. Early access basically lets you binge and listen way ahead of everyone else!
Premium Perks
When you discover your favorite shows and hosts, it’s hard to fully enjoy the fandom without grabbing their merch on Podswag. It’s an online store where you can find gifts, apparel, drinkware, and posters–where you can also search through items categorized by podcast, making it easier to find merch by your favorite shows.
The good news is, you can win exclusive tickets and monthly Swag giveaways if you are on Stitcher Premium. And more importantly, being on Premium entitles you to free shipping on all your Podswag purchases.
What Podcasts Are on Stitcher?
Stitcher lets you stream shows from networks like Wondery, NPR, New York Times, and WNYC, among other major networks. As of this writing, they are currently running three original content networks, namely Earwolf (“How Did This Get Made” and “Comedy Bang Bang”), Witness Docs (“Unfinished: Deep South” and “Verified”), and Stitcher Originals (“Science Rules!” and “By The Book”). As of this post, you can enjoy these most popular shows on Premium.
1. Comedy Bang Bang: The Podcast, hosted by writer and comedian Scott Aukerman.
2. Threedom is where Scott Aukerman, Lauren Lapkus, and Paul F Tompkins join forces to be funny together.
3. How Did This Get Made? hosted by Paul Scheer, June Diane Raphael, and Jason Mantzoukas, is a podcast where they invite new guests and touch on the deconstruction and criticisms of bizarre and amazingly bad films.
4. Conan O’Brien Needs a Friend, by Conan O’Brien himself, hangs out with people on the show and sees if they could make lasting connections.
5. The Neighborhood Listen by Join Burnt Millipede (Paul F. Tompkins) and Joan Pedestrian (Nicole Parker) explore their hometown Dignity Falls and interview its most fascinating locals.
Is Stitcher Premium Worth It?
Now that we know its perks, features, and some of its exclusive content, is Stitcher Premium really worth the money? Unfortunately, there is no definite way to answer this question because it ultimately depends on you. Some users struggle in making the decision to upgrade because the app already lets you download and play podcasts offline, even on unpaid listening.
Nonetheless, we’ll now help you decide by laying out three important questions that you should consider.
Do You Need the Premium Content?
Some podcasts on Stitcher Premium, like “Comedy Bang Bang”, have been on-going since 2009. So, if you are an avid follower of such shows that have become exclusive for Premium users, then there’s no other way to enjoy them than to go Premium. Because besides having access to old archives and to all show episodes, you can listen to bonus content that won’t be available anywhere else. That would be a dream for fans and loyal listeners.
Are You Heavy on Podcast Listening?
While some of us listen to podcasts occasionally, you could be among those who grew up listening to talk radio. And if you can’t let a day go by without listening to your favorite shows, then maybe you’re a heavy podcast listener. If you are, then going Premium will definitely be worth your while. Through time, it is inevitable that you will look for new content to listen to. So taking the plunge will let you enjoy listening with no limits.
Do Ads Bother You?
One of the things we all enjoy from paid media services is the content that we love without the ads. Running ads is just a means for the company to earn, but we know that ads get in the way and distract us from fully enjoying our favorite shows. Others say they don’t find it bothersome, but if you really don’t like ads, go get Premium.
How to Cancel Stitcher Premium?
You will be able to cancel Stitcher Premium depending on where you purchased your subscription. This will stop the auto-renewal of your subscription, but you can still enjoy your remaining time on Premium covered by your last payment.
If you subscribed to Stitcher Premium via web-browser:
- Log in to stitcher.com
- Click on the account icon in the upper right corner.
- Choose My Account and go to Manage Payment.
- Then, select Cancel plan.
If you Subscribed to Stitcher Premium via Google Play Store:
- Hit the Google Play Store app and tap on Menu.
- Tap on Subscriptions then select Stitcher.
- You can cancel your subscription from there.
If you Subscribed to Stitcher Premium via the App Store:
- Launch Settings then go to iTunes & App Store.
- Tap your Apple ID, then sign in or use Face/Touch ID.
- Go to Subscriptions > Stitcher, then manage your subscription.
The Verdict
If you answered yes on at least two of these questions, then it shows that Stitcher Premium will be worth it. But if you are not interested in exclusive content, not a heavy podcast listener, and if ads don’t bother you as much, then maybe it’s alright to continue your unpaid listening. But who knows? The free trial might introduce you to undiscovered favorites that will make Stitcher Premium worth it!
