Aggregators / Podcatchers

A distinction can be drawn between an aggregator and a podcatcher. Aggregators group and list your feeds, whereas podcatchers manage the downloads. Usually a single tool handles both tasks.

Compare podcatchers at http://www.podcatchermatrix.org/

Juice (formerly known as iPodder Lemon) Cross platform aggregator / podcatcher – so it works on a Mac. Has a directory as well. You can schedule your downloads or download on demand. Recommended.

iTunes – Directory, aggregator and podcatcher all in one. Because of the massive popularity of iPods, and the fact that iPods rely on iTunes software for file management, this directory has the greatest market reach. Has been unreliable, although may be better now. It can drop feeds or stop downloading in the middle of a file.

jPodder - Much like Juice.

Doppler - Like Juice. They have a version for pocket PCs/PDAs’

iPodder X (Mac) – Combination aggregator / podcatcher for text and media files. Not free, like the others. They are changing their name and brand, so currently unavailable.

Odeo – Aggregator not podcatcher. Free subscription service. You manage your RSS feed list on a webpage, so you can pick up or drop a feed from any internet connected computer. If your aggregator is set to download on schedule, this feature might be handy.

Castpodder – For Linux based users.

FeedStation – An add-on to Newsgator. If there is a media file in a blog you are reading, then with one click you download it, the file gets put in a folder in ‘My Documents’ and then gets pushed over to iTunes if that is your default player.