Cheaper Ways to Follow Show Podcasts: Alternatives When Spotify Raises Rates

Feeling priced out of the podcasts that track your favorite shows? You’re not alone.

Spotify’s 2025–26 price moves left many listeners asking: do I have to pay more to follow the companion podcasts I care about? The short answer: no. Creators — and the podcast ecosystem — have adapted. If you want to keep listening without inflating your Spotify bill, there are practical, cheaper alternatives that also let you support creators more directly.

Top-line options (the short guide)

Before we dig into how-to steps, here are the fastest alternatives to Spotify for show-related podcasts in 2026:

• Direct RSS feeds — the open web backbone of podcasting. Add them to any modern podcast app.
• Apple Podcasts — still a major free distribution channel and increasingly friendly to creator subscriptions.
• YouTube — many companion pods publish video or full-audio uploads here for free.
• Patreon / Member platforms — private RSS or bonus feeds for low-cost tiers (often cheaper than a streaming subscription).
• Open ecosystems (Podcast Index and supported apps) — a decentralised option focused on independent creators and fewer middlemen.

Why this matters now — 2026 podcasting trends

The podcast landscape changed fast after the mid-2020s consolidation and platform fee shifts. By late 2025 and into 2026:

• More creators prioritized direct-to-fan delivery to avoid platform revenue cuts and to preserve relationships with listeners.
• Fan-first platforms (Patreon, Ko-fi, Buy Me — and creator-hosted feeds) grew as alternatives to ad-driven models.
• RSS and open index projects regained attention as the industry pushed back on centralized control of distribution.
• YouTube continued to be a major discovery and hosting channel; many show-pods upload episodes to reach broader audiences outside audio apps.

That means as a fan in 2026 you have more choices — and more ways to support creators directly without carrying higher platform fees.

How to find where a show’s podcast is published

Start here — don’t rely on one app to tell the whole story.

1. Check the show’s official website. Most TV and streaming shows link companion podcasts and bonus feeds on their episode pages.
2. Scan social media. Creators and official accounts often post direct links to episodes and patron-only signups.
3. Look on podcast directories like Apple Podcasts, Podchaser, ListenNotes or Podcast Index for alternate listings.
4. Use search operators — Google the show name plus “podcast RSS” or “private feed.”

Step-by-step: Subscribe using an RSS feed (the most flexible option)

If a creator provides an RSS feed (public or private), you can add it to most podcast apps. Here’s how to find and use one.

Find the RSS feed

• Look for an “RSS” or “subscribe” link on the show page.
• Check the host’s post on Patreon or Memberful; private feeds are often shared as a hidden link after you join a tier.
• If you can’t find it, use directories like ListenNotes or Podcast Index to search for the show’s feed URL.

Add the RSS to your podcast app

Popular apps and how to paste a feed URL:

• Overcast (iOS): Tap +, choose “Add URL” and paste the RSS.
• Pocket Casts (iOS/Android/web): Library → + (Add by URL) → paste feed.
• AntennaPod (Android) (free, open source): Subscriptions → + → paste feed.
• Podcast Addict (Android): Search → RSS feed → paste URL.
• Apple Podcasts (iOS): If a feed has the right Apple tags, opening the feed URL in Safari should show a subscribe link that hands off to Apple Podcasts; otherwise use another app and then share to Apple if needed.

Note: private/patron RSS links act like passwords — treat them as you would any account-only link. Don’t post them publicly.

Patreon and private bonus feeds: low-cost support, big perks

Many creators use platforms like Patreon to host bonus episodes, behind-the-scenes content, and private RSS feeds. These tiers are often priced at a few dollars a month — cheaper than a streaming subscription and more directly beneficial to the creators you love.

How to subscribe and add a patron-only feed

1. Choose a low-cost tier (many creators have $1–$5 tiers specifically for private feeds).
2. After you join, look for a post or membership welcome message with the private RSS link.
3. Copy that link and paste it into your podcast app (see RSS steps above).

Tip: If a show offers multiple small perks, pick a single low-cost tier that includes the private feed rather than paying for several different things.

YouTube: the free (and visible) option

Many companion podcasts upload full episodes or clips to YouTube. It’s a free way to follow a show and often includes timestamps, visuals, or bonus behind-the-scenes footage.

How to subscribe effectively on YouTube

• Subscribe to the channel and hit the bell for uploads and premieres.
• Use the YouTube RSS feed (feeds/videos.xml?channel_id=ID) in RSS-capable apps if you prefer audio-only playback in a podcast app.
• Use YouTube Premium if you want background playback and ad-free listening, but only if it’s cheaper than your current Spotify increase.

Apple Podcasts and Apple Subscriptions in 2026

Apple continues to expand creator tools while keeping most discovery free. If a show distributes to Apple Podcasts, you can usually listen through the free app — sometimes with optional creator subscriptions for bonus content.

If you prefer one ecosystem, check whether the show’s subscription tiers on Apple are cheaper (or comparable) to Patreon. Creators sometimes mirror tiers across platforms; choose the one that gives you the best perks and fees that benefit the creator most.

Open podcasting: Podcast Index and decentralised discovery

Podcast Index and similar projects grew during the industry’s decentralisation push. These projects index RSS feeds and promote an open ecosystem that’s less dependent on large platforms.

• Apps that support Podcast Index often surface independent shows that don’t appear in big directories.
• If you follow indie companion podcasts, use an app that supports open indexing to ensure discoverability and durable subscriptions.

Affordable ways to support creators (beyond subscriptions)

Supporting podcasters doesn’t require a permanent monthly commitment. Here are cost-effective, high-impact options:

• Buy a one-off episode or “tip”: Many platforms and creators accept one-time payments via Ko-fi, Buy Me, or PayPal.
• Choose a low-cost patron tier: $1–$5 tiers often include private feeds and early access.
• Join a seasonal or campaign support window: Some creators run limited-time drives that are easier on your budget than ongoing subscriptions.
• Buy merch or episode-specific bundles: Merch and episode packs can be a one-time way to show value and keep creators funded.
• Share and review: Free but powerful — leaving a review, sharing episodes, or inviting friends increases creators’ reach, translating to more sustainable income.

Case study: How fans of a hit companion pod kept listening (anonymised)

Late 2025: a popular TV companion podcast moved some content behind a low-cost patron tier after ad revenue became unstable. Fans did three things that preserved listening and supported the team:

1. Switched to the public RSS for free episodes via Podcast Index and a free app.
2. Subscribed to the $3/month patron tier for bonus episodes and received a private RSS link for their app.
3. Shared the show’s free episodes on social media during the new season, boosting new listens and patron signups.

Outcome: the creators stayed solvent without relying on a single platform’s paywall, and fans spent less than the extra Spotify fee while getting closer access.

Practical security and etiquette rules

• Private RSS = private access: don’t share patron-only feeds publicly; that undermines creators’ revenue.
• Use reliable apps: not all podcast players support authentication or private feeds. Use apps known to handle patron RSS securely (Overcast, Pocket Casts, AntennaPod, Podcast Addict).
• Verify payments: if you buy a private feed, retain your receipt and follow the creator’s instructions to locate the RSS link (often in welcome messages).

Quick troubleshooting: common roadblocks and fixes

• Private feed won’t add: make sure you copied the entire URL; some platforms embed tokens that must be unbroken. Try a different app if necessary.
• Episodes not updating: refresh subscriptions in your app; some apps poll feeds on intervals you can configure.
• Can’t find the RSS: contact the show’s producer or check directories (Podchaser, ListenNotes, Podcast Index) for alternate links.

Advanced strategies for power listeners

• Create a shared family/pod-club fund: pool a few dollars among friends for a single patron tier and share the benefit responsibly if the creator allows multi-listener licenses.
• Use aggregator tools: apps like Pocket Casts let you create playlists that combine free and patron episodes so you get a linear listening experience.
• Automate discovery: set alerts in ListenNotes or use RSS-to-email services to get notified when shows publish new companion episodes or bonus content.

Quick truth: paying creators directly tends to be cheaper for fans and better for the people who make the shows.

Actionable checklist — switch from Spotify without losing your podcasts

1. List the companion pods you care about and check their official sites for RSS or alternate platforms.
2. Choose one low-cost patron tier if bonus feeds matter; copy the private RSS link when provided.
3. Install a lightweight podcast app (AntennaPod, Overcast, Pocket Casts) and add RSS links via “Add URL.”
4. Subscribe to creators’ YouTube channels for free uploads and enable the bell for premieres.
5. Share and review free episodes to help creators grow — often more valuable than a single high monthly fee.

Final take: smarter listening in 2026

Spotify’s price increases pushed many fans to rethink how they listen — and that’s a good thing for long-term podcast health. By using RSS feeds, Apple and YouTube distribution, and supporting creators directly via affordable patron tiers or one-off gifts, you can keep following show-related podcasts without subsidising middlemen. These options are flexible, often cheaper, and usually better for the people who actually produce the content you love.

Takeaways

• RSS is your friend: it unlocks full control over where you listen.
• Patron tiers can be cheaper: many creators offer $1–$5 feeds that are a direct way to support them.
• YouTube is a viable free option: use the channel or its RSS to follow releases.
• Pick apps that respect private feeds: choose apps that handle authentication and refresh reliably.

Ready to switch or mix your listening habits?

If you want, start by making a list of five companion podcasts you follow. Check their websites for RSS links, and pick one low-cost way to support each creator this month — try a $1 tier, a tip, or a merch purchase. You’ll likely spend less than one extra streaming fee and help keep the creators producing the shows you love.

Want a quick how-to tailored to the apps you use? Click through to our app-specific mini-guides (Overcast, Pocket Casts, AntennaPod, Apple Podcasts) for copy-paste steps and troubleshooting — and start saving today.

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