Name: Wondery: For Podcast Addicts
Rating: 4.74042 (21762 reviews)

User Reviews for Wondery: For Podcast Addicts

4.74 out of 5

21.8K Ratings

3 years ago, Mmontreu

Love the content, hate the app

Edit: with the ability to listen to the premium content on other apps as explained by the developper in reply to my review, I’m changing back to 5 stars! The content available is great, no question about that. But the app, OMG, it’s bad: ergonomics are weak, it gets stuck all the time, when it doesn’t just crash, the ability to download stuff for offline listening is works maybe 50% of the time at best, no CarPlay integration which makes listening in my car on my way to work less safe. I really wish there was a way to subscribe to the premium plan to avoid the ads but listen on the apple native app. Or any other app but the Wondery one.

3 years ago, LexInTheCity1

AMAZING content— the app is another story

(I will preface this by saying I am a former journalist who now works on a UX team, so my feedback is from both a personal and professional standpoint!) I absolutely love Wondery and truly believe this is best team of storytellers out there. The hosts are engaging, informative and creative, and the shows encompass an excellent variety of topics. It is clear the group works REALLY hard to deliver fresh content regularly. The music tracks are nice/not overpowering, the editing is clean, and I find the overall production quality strong, which is so impressive in the era of at-home recording. I was pumped when the app was rolled out because I devour Wondery episodes and wanted to ditch the ads (I do enjoy this perk of the subscription). However, the app is buggy and glitchy. I have to close and relaunch it multiple times per day, sometimes hourly. Playback stalls constantly, shows do not necessarily automatically resume, and the layout/navigation is not intuitive. I do a lot of fumbling and clicking. I think some simple user testing and validation would go a long way in improving the experience, so I have no doubt the developers will continue iterating and improving. For now, though, while they work out the kinks, I am not sure if the value matches the price point. I will conclude by saying it pains me, a total Wondery fanatic, to leave a less-than-glowing review here. BUT, I know the team will nail it, just like they do everything else!

9 months ago, Nohelmet

This app is broken and always has been.

I’m on my final dealing with this app after years of Wondery+. I’m cancelling. Not because I don’t love the podcasts, I do. I’m cancelling because this app is terrible. In its current rev it crashes after about 15 seconds of playing and has for about a week now. This is different from the normal random crashing this app always has, and the joy of having to log back in through the network; not locally. On a remote drive? On a plane? Listening to downloaded episodes? Doesn’t matter. When this app crashes it won’t let you log back in without an internet connection, even to listen to downloads. I can’t even access the content I’m paying for when I want to access it despite planning ahead for a lack of internet access. So now that I can’t even listen at home, with a high speed connection on my own network without the app crashing, I’m done. I’m not giving Wondery any more of my money until this clunky, slow, unreliable app is fixed, and I suggest you don’t either. Edit- lol at the lame boilerplate response to my criticism. Hey guys- if you want to actually fix your lousy app maybe try listening instead of churning out lip service form responses to people complaining about the same problems for years.

2 years ago, Sammyd4491

App is not there yet.

Love the interface but my God this is such a glitchy app. I’m a subscriber and every time I go to play a podcast a pop up comes up asking me if id like to subscribe to Wondery+ and the only way to be able to listen to an episode is to click one of the options. When I click $4.99 a month options Wondery kindly let’s me know “you’re already subscribed to Wondery+” (wow thanks I had no idea). Once I go through that I go to resume the last podcast I was listening to. But wait! Not so fast! The app won’t play the most recent podcast you were listening to so you have to go into ANOTHER podcast episode, let that play for a couple seconds, and THEN you can listen to the episode you really want to hear. I subscribed to Wondery+ back on the Apple podcast app and when I heard Wondery had their own app with a more aesthetically pleasing interface I decided to cancel my subscription through apple and do it directly through the Wondery app. Needless to say I’ll be going back to the OG podcast app. Maybe I’ll check Wondery out again in a year or so to see if they have gotten things together. Kind of crazy a company that prides itself on its content could roll out such a terrible app!

4 years ago, Robert White 74

Great content, terrible app

I want to like this app. I really do. But it’s a hot mess! Several issues plague this app that don’t effect other podcast players. Here’s a few; You’re listening to a podcast & you get a call, the app doesn’t pause & resume after the call. Oh no. It resets itself & you have to reload it from the start. If you’re lucky the show you were listening to held its place. Pause a show to look up something? Full reset. Stay paused for too long? Yep full reset. Here’s another issue. The fast forward & rewind buttons don’t work when playing. You can literally wind up anywhere in a shows timeline if you make the mistake of touching those buttons. The content gets scattered all over the home screen of the app with no sense of organization. It won’t save a playlist of shows you’re listening to. No notifications of new episodes so you have to keep checking. I could go on but it’s in several reviews already. Just read up. Bottom line... I got the subscriber feed from the website & just downloaded them from there in another player. I love the content. The shows are fantastic. I’m a subscriber. But this app isn’t worth the trouble. Fix this Wondery!!!

3 years ago, BGR714

Pretty, but I’d rather hear ads than use this app

This application is pretty, but it is also the least efficient or intuitive of the four podcast applications I have used. It seems to be, primarily, an advertisement for podcasts I don’t listen to, advertising that complicates my ability to enjoy the podcasts I do. The app is not as slow or bloated as it once was. Many of the issues identified in previous two-star reveiws have been fixed. Nevertheless, using this applciation remains a mystifying slog. I discover new frustrations. Most recently, I have found that the latest episode of a podcast disappears for a week after I listen to it... even if I fall asleep and don’t actually hear the end of the episode. I cannot find the episode until the next episode is released. There is no (obvious) way to set a sleep timer or review a listening history, features that seem to be routinely included in other podcast applications. The general problem seems to be a focus on aesthetics and advertising over functionality and all the bug-squashing in the world won’t fix that approach to app design.

1 year ago, adoodley96

Poor Interface & App Development

I love some of the shows on this platform but my lower rating lies solely on the poor app development. It’s clunky and slow. It’s a pain to try and get it to work if you’re offline, even when you’ve downloaded the episodes. I even have Wondery+ and this app is still pretty crappy. It also will kick you out and make you log in again fairly often. Even if you had it open listening to it in the morning, by the afternoon it will make you sign in again which is annoying. I don’t even have it on another device so it’s not like it’s because I was using it somewhere else, it just logs me out. Also I don’t share my account with anyone so again it doesn’t log me out related to any glitches with that. I like the shows but this is probably my least favorite interface to listen on. If I could get the exclusive content elsewhere I probably would just because I hate fighting with this app. Also, this app drains my battery fastest compared to other platforms…

4 years ago, WeAreOnePeople

Echoing Robert Whites review

I was prepped to pay for the content. I really enjoy some of their podcasts. I got so frustrated during my free trial that I cancelled early. Podcasts starting over after anything happens in iOS was already enough to put me over the top. But another super irritating thing is I listen at 1.5x most the time and that would reset and you’d have to cycle back through the speeds to get it fixed but if you do that too fast it wouldn’t pick it up right. It’s like the state management in this app is completely an afterthought. I’m usually pretty forgiving as I myself am a software developer but it’s like there was zero testing done on the features that exist. I think the primary reason I ended up dropping the subscription and why I’m writing this review is because most people listen to podcasts while driving and this app effectively makes it unsafe to use unless you’re okay listening to the same episode repeatedly and slowly due to all the bugs. I’m honestly stunned the app has over 4 stars in aggregate. It currently fails as a podcast player which is a shame because the content is excellent.

4 years ago, Gcauley

Since they keep bugging me to rate the app even though I’m paying monthly for it, here it is...

The content they offer is top notch. I want to get that out of the way. This isn’t a review of a single show or related to multiple shows. I enjoy most of Wondery content. I also wouldn’t have these complaints if they didn’t make you pay for it. This review is based on their app entirely: 1) The app constantly restarts itself and is worthless as far as getting out of the car and getting back in. Every other audio app I have picks up where it left off on car restart. Wondery shuts itself down and you have to restart it on your phone at each stop...then navigate their interface...each time. As when it restarts, it resets what you were listening to previously. 2) This doesn’t help since, their start screen doesn’t make it easy to get back to the show you were on. 3) It also doesn’t help as they push “episodes” over shows so you have to start an episode in order to mute it just to repeatedly click on the title of the program to get to an episode list. Why is it so difficult? Just let me have a quick option to go to shows I listen to if you won’t allow continued listening. 4) I like the Wondery productions, but this app is very flawed. I just want someone who is looking through reviews to know, before they purchase a subscription, that the app will give you more grief than it’s worth. It is easier to listen the normal way.

2 years ago, Aintnoavailablenicknames

Glitchy iOS App for years

I pay for the Wondery+ subscription because I truly do love the style of podcasts put out there. I've continued to subscribe for probably 2+ years because the content is worth it IMO. With that said... The iOS app has been a glitchy mess during the entirety of those 2+ years. It is extremely frustrating when the app decides to close out in the middle of a drive down the freeway or whilst soaking wet in the shower, and trust, it'll happen to you more times than not. I really can't explain why I still find the content worth the frustrating experience of an extremely poor interface but I guess I've found peace in assuming Wondery spends their money on top-tier podcasting professionals, having to skimp on IT specialists as a result….and I guess I'm okay with that! I should add that I was trying to pick a shower podcast about 15 minutes ago and the Wondery app continued to hard close on me, which led me here. Wish me luck!

2 years ago, Mg mommy

This app is complete garbage!

I listen to podcasts all day and I pay for many different podcasts across multiple platforms. I started paying for Wondery Plus because my favorite show recently joined and I was so excited for them. Sadly, that excitement was short lived. Your app crashes constantly and it takes on average 2-3 minutes to start playing a single episode. I understand these are somewhat small issues. But, I know I don’t have to tell you how important it is to have a well function app when people are paying you for its functionality and content. As I said before, I was thrilled when I heard my favorite show was joking your company. They’ve worked so hard to build their brand and audience all while never loosing an ounce of who they are. Sadly, I feel joining your company was a mistake and I know they are loosing listeners and money because of your poorly functioning app. I’m sure I will get the same generic “thank you for your feedback” comment that everyone else gets. I truly hope you take this feedback and make some changes.

4 years ago, ZRHold1989

Content is fine, app is trash

I really like Tides of History, so I figured I’d get the subscription and maybe a little of my money would trickle to him. But the app works so poorly! There is big stuff—it constantly logs me out and doesn’t recognize my credentials until I uninstall and reinstall, and downloaded episodes will regularly disappear for no reason, which is frustrating because I often download big chunks for periods where I’ll be out of reception and then they’re not there. There is also just little stuff that works really poorly—if I’m using it at the same time as google maps, it doesn’t pause when that app takes over audio to give directions. Every other podcast app can do this! Some even rewind a second so you don’t lose context on resumption. This is made even worse because the 15 second rewind button on the lock screen rarely works. All in all, I’ll probably go back to Apple Podcasts and deal with the ads. Especially because the 30 second fast forward button on that app actually works.

4 years ago, ktb224

The podcasts are good, but...

Although there are several Wondery podcasts I’m interested in listening to, the player itself is what is going to keep me from subscribing. Yes, the lack of ads saves time, but the limited options to speed up playback (1x; 1.25x; 1.5x; 1.75x and 2x) most of the time leave me feeling like I’m either listening too fast or too slow. There are several podcast apps and audioplayer apps that offer speed up in increments of .1. A lot of the time 1.3 or 1.4 is perfect when listening to Wondery podcasts on other apps. I really don’t understand the limited options especially from a brand as professional as Wondery. Something else that is very frustrating, is that when you play back episodes on the continuous setting where the next one automatically plays, if you had the speed set to 1.25x the next episode starts playing at 1x speed even though it shows that it’s 1.25. I thought maybe I was crazy so I played something through the end at 1.75x and the next episode automatically started but it was at 1x, not 1.75 as the app was showing. So every time a new episode starts I have to stop what I’m doing, go back to the app and click through the speeds one time until it resets and starts speeding up again. If these issues are addressed and rectified, I would 100% become a long term subscriber. Until then, I’ll probably listen in another app at an optimal speed. It’s not worth the headache and optimal speed is so important to me.

1 year ago, Harper Dagny

Great content, terrible functionality

I love Wondery’s content. It offers a world of amazing stories but the minute a competitor starts offering anything close to Wondery’s content I will probably switch if they have built an app that glitches less than this one does. The featured review discusses the same reasons I love and hate this app but that review was written over a year ago and this app does not function any better. Trying to explore different seasons of one show is nearly impossible cause the minute you try to scroll thru the seasons, it exits off the page. When I listen in my car, it won’t automatically just go to the next episode and it’s not so simple as pressing the play button cause the play button always takes time to load. I just don’t understand how a major app could have some many functionality problems

4 years ago, Laura in the Berkshires

Like others, love content but SO BUGGY

If I try to rewind 15 sec it freezes, or keep playing and then 3 min later rewind 15 sec. Every time I open the app, the player displays the very first podcast series I listened to on Wondery (like 6 shows ago!) and it takes a few minutes for it to refresh. Pretty much anything I do, rewind, try to read episode details, go back to home screen, there is a delay OR more times than not it just freezes and I have to restart app and then go through a series of frustrating deejays to get back to up where I was (which I usually can't). For awhile there it. would freeze 2 min before the end of each episode and because the fast forward doesn't work, I'd end up having to listen to about 10 min I'd already heard. The content is totally up my alley... But I want to smash Wondery thru my phone at least three times an episode. I'm on a free trial now but don't think I can justify paying a monthly fee for this... Total bummer!!

3 years ago, natebassfish

Playback error, laggy user interface

Does not work well when your internet connection is intermittent, such as mobile cell service. If you try to load an episode with bad service and then move to an area with better signal, the episode will remain stuck on playback error cannot load episode please try again later. It will eventually start working, although it seems to be stuck in this state longer than necessary. The error message keeps popping up even after I can switch to other apps and load data. Pressing any button often lags for a few moments before going to the screen. Together with the network issues, it feels like the app overall is not very snappy and untrustworthy. Dowloading multiple episodes sometimes cancels the download of other episodes. I will not be resubscribing to wondery with expection that I will listen through this app.

1 year ago, Cat young

Love the content, hate this app

This is the worst app experience of anywhere I listen to audio content. No notifications of new episodes from shows I follow, no easy way to find new ones. It’s frustrating how many creators I really love are moving to this platform because it means I’m stuck with it, especially since Wondery seems to screw over every other listening platform by having creators release an entire week earlier than anywhere else. There’s no way to queue up next episodes, the multiple pages within a creators profile is super confusing, and I have to remind myself to check the app - then wade through at least 3 pages to even see if there are new episodes up. And I’m paying for this? Please make the basics of this app experience better if you’re going to keep offering creators so much money they can’t say no, the loss in the listener experience is huge.

4 years ago, kccrane

The WORST!!

Bear with me. I subscribed to Wondery so I could download shows to listen to while I was out of service ... no wi-fi, no internet, no nothing ... in the bowels of the Alaskan wilderness. Imagine how disappointed I was to be in the wilderness and try to listen to my “Downloaded Episodes” but noooo ... Wondery wanted me to log in, like I’d never logged in before or even used the app. Ok, no problem ... I’ll play their silly game and log in again EXCEPT since I wasn’t on-line, logging in is impossible and you get the message, “an error occurred.” So I got NOTHING!!! I’d already signed in when I was in civilization so why Wondery needed me to sign in again is beyond me. The second I got BACK into service, Wondery didn’t ask me to sign in ... it just automatically connected me (as it should no matter where I am!!) Another HUGE negative to this app is that EVERY time you launch it, it searches and searches and searches FOREVER before you’ll see anything to listen to. Even if I’m using the Wondery app but switch to any other app (say, I want to look at my texts) switching back to Wondery starts the whole process over again. Fifteen seconds AT LEAST while it “boots up” again. If you don’t leave Wondery in the foreground 100% of the time and do NOTHING ELSE on your phone, it’ll be like the first time you’ve opened the app ... and the process starts all over. Just HORRIBLE. Absolutely the worst app I’ve ever used.

3 years ago, PlayRage

Content? Awesome. App? Degrades the value of the content.

It’s inexcusable to have an app that repeatedly crashes like this one. Want to binge? Be prepared to restart the app multiple times. Clearly the “premium” I’m paying for is the content and not the listening experience. I feel lucky to get through a 25 minute episode and that’s not the kind of feeling I want from a podcast player. This does not happen with any other major podcast app. I don’t want to think about if I’m in the mood to be yanked out of a story when I’m in the mood for a story. And that’s ultimately what I have to consider every time I think about launching this app. Which sometimes leads me to other non-Wondery content. The app owes the content an apology. I’m not asking it to do super fancy superfluous things. I’m asking it to play an audio file without consistently crashing. That’s it. And how bad is it that inconsistent crashing would be an improvement?

2 years ago, thinkagainst

Love the content!

I never thought I would subscribe to a podcast company, my I love their content. I almost exclusively listen to podcasts while driving now, and Wondery has an endless amount of content it seems. There’s always new episodes and options to choose from My only complaint is the app is not the best, I know in my head I’m comparing it to the Apple Podcast app. Little laggy, does not start playing instantly even if I’ve downloaded an episode. Some older episodes I have ads in even though I pay for no ads. I would love a CarPlay app!! Before I could switch podcasts quickly on my car, now I have to actually touch my phone to switch podcasts.

3 years ago, gmailuser13

Great content, awful app

I have written to Wondery support many times over the last year. I am shocked by how awful this app continues to be. As a premium subscriber, I expect at least an app that works. The problems are too many to fully list here. Using an iPhone 11 Pro Max. Examples: open the app, app will take a full half a minute to render the home page (normal for this app). Click an episode to listen to, the app will crash. Force close, re open, click an episode (after waiting for the screen to render as if it’s on dial up internet.....) and it plays! Turn off the screen to pocket phone...content stops. Open phone again and click play. Turn screen back off- content stops again. Only plays if the screen is on. These are only 2 of several regular issues. The only reason I haven’t deleted the app is that I’ve paid for the full year of ad free and love Wondery’s content. They desperately need new app developers though.

3 years ago, ZER0K00L

AMAZING Content, the app is so bad

Updated***I find it hard to believe that with so many users complaining about app issues that they can’t get anything resolved. You are alway asking for feedback to help resolve the issues. Why don’t you just try using it yourself and you will see what everyone else is complaining about. The app has force closed 8 times on me today. Let me start by saying that Wondery has some of the best content out there. But with that being said the app really makes me question whether I should continue to fight with it or delete and go somewhere else. It never picks back up, constantly force closes buffers, and sometimes it just won’t even play. I always having to restart the app. The most recent issue is the app says I’m offline when trying to play any episode even though I’m able to navigate through it and select different podcasts.

2 years ago, Jordynnmt

Y’all make too much money for this.

The content is mostly the same as the rest of the podcast apps except I have to pay.. you would think that means the app would be MORE functional. Yet, every time I got into the app there’s no content and says there’s an issue. I used to troubleshoot this kind of issue for Apple, so I have gone through usual steps like deleting, reinstalling, using a different device, creating an entirely new account. It’s not just me apparently. So I haven’t used it in a while with the hope of getting a bug fix with an update. After all that time, Wondery has a new app icon and the same functionality issues…so back to the free app that doesn’t have persistent issues. Very unfortunate my favorite podcast is only using Wondery to monopolize themselves and I can’t listen, even when I pay.

2 years ago, KyEv11

Horrible App

This app is horrible. I’ve essentially stopped listening to all Wondery podcasts, even the ones I love, because the app is so awful. I originally signed up for the paid subscription on apple so I wouldn’t have adds and episodes would just load indefinitely but never play (an issue I never had until I got the Wondery plus subscription). I switched to the Wondery plus app to see if that would work. I don’t get adds anymore but I would honestly take those over this horrible app any day. I’m counting down for my subscription to end so I can delete this app. I use it once every few weeks to catch up on the pods I love but after just a few episodes I remember why it’s been so long since my last time opening. Major regrets will follow if you choose to use the Wondery plus app… which is very disappointing because the podcasts on the network are great!

3 years ago, MiniMighty

Just got the paid version... what is up with not staying where you left off?

I just got Wondery, the paid version. I’m happy to support a good app, and I believe Wondery is good, as far as content. But there are definitely problems to be fixed right away. 1) Why am I never at the spot I stopped listening when I go back to an unfinished podcast? That’s ridiculous. I’m already getting very irritated by it. Because it’s almost every time. I will press play after having it off for even just a few minutes, and I’m way ahead of where I previously ended. It is very frustrating because then I have to keep going back, trying to find where I was so that I can continue listening from the right spot. AND 2) Your play and pause buttons are also not very responsive. I’ve even tried pressing, then waiting a second before pressing again because the touch doesn’t seem to register until you do it a few times. I really like your content, but this needs fixing right away. Aren’t these issues basically “elementary”? As far as my phone for touch sensitivity, it’s not my phone’s touch sensitivity. Everything else works without a problem. Please fix these issues. Thank you!

4 years ago, Cmcgary

Really want to love it

As many others have said, the content is excellent, but the app itself needs a lot of work. Episodes often take a very long time to load once you press play, once it starts playing often the buttons to pause, ff, and rewind don’t work or have a horrible lag. I have to restart the app entirely to try to get from the currently playing episode screen back to the library if I’m not into a particular episode because the down arrow doesn’t work at all. Listening to only a few episodes with no other apps open or in the background the other day somehow drained my entire phone battery. Also nearly impossible to get it to work with my apple carplay. I’m sure that improvements will come but not sure I want to pay to subscribe until the app is useable.

6 months ago, IloveMatthewxoxo

Pleased

I am pleasantly pleased with Wondery. It has introduced me to my current favorite podcasts. I’m the type of person who needs to listen to something through & through, so paying for no ads was definitely a plus. That said, the reason this isn’t a five star review is because I do hear ads every now and then. I’m not sure if that particular episode needed to be updated or what might have happened, but it occurred on a few different podcasts that I listen too. Still, I am very pleased with this app and the functionality of it is quite easy too. I even introduced it to my parents and they love it too!

4 years ago, AMKimmel

Ads for your podcasts are still ads

I shelled out the yearly subscription cost despite the app being slow, buggy, and not working with Apple car play. I did this because I think wondery makes excellent content, but primarily because I truly hate ads. After the one month free trial, I thought it was a good investment despite the issues, which I wrote off as being par for the course for a new app. Btw, the issues haven’t gotten better, app is still slow and doesn’t work on Apple car play, but I’m lucky enough to be working from home rn so realistically not an issue. But the true cardinal sin... Now there are pop up ads. Full screen with a hidden x you have to hunt for. As previously mentioned, I hate ads, in any form (like most of the free world). Pop ups are some of the most offensive and it interrupts the already lackluster experience of using this app. They are ads for your own content, but they are still ads! Hopefully you read this and make a change to fulfill your promise of an ad free experience (that I paid $35 for!). I suggest using notifications, like every other app does, to advertise new content to your users and ditching the obnoxious full screen pop ups. Please!

12 months ago, Lt.Coffee

Not sure if I want to keep it

I decided to use the Wonderly+ app instead of the Apple podcast subscription just so I can explore for a month and I'm not sure if I want to use it anymore. I have used it for just a few days. The ease of access of marking items played and not played and finding things that you want is not as easy as the Apple podcast. It keeps pausing on me and is not as easy to use in the control center media player sometimes there is no interaction at all there. Yes, I would have to spend more with that subscription, but it might be worth it just to use their app versus this one. Continue of review I used it for a month and this app is horrible. As a matter of fact, I didn't even wait for my subscription month to end before moving back to the Apple podcast.

7 months ago, H-Town 1980

Excellent quality, variety, and production!

I have enjoyed several podcasts, Academy, Bunga Bunga, Suspect, Your Stupid Opinions, and most of all Mr. Ballen. The podcasts are high quality, the audio seems to be high quality. My gripe is the ABSOLUTELY INEXCUSABLE battery drain (2% so far while writing this). The issue seems to be that the app appears to constantly stream the audio rather than download the episode, although I am not certain about this I am not a dev. I work the night shift and used to go home with ~40-50% battery at the end of my shift, now I am going home with less than 35% (23% yesterday) and this is distinctly since installing Wondery.

4 years ago, mg1818

Love Wondery. The app - not so much

I have been listening to Wondery shows for a while. I love the content. I recently subscribed to Wondery + and started using the app instead of the Apple podcast app. I mostly listen to podcasts while driving, my cell phone is connected to my car on Apple CarPlay. Every time I receive a phone call or a text message the app resets itself and will not continue playing the podcast after the call is finished or the text message reading is completed. I have to get my phone, unlock it, open the Wondery app again, push play again to continue listening. Not only is this extremely annoying, it is also dangerous to do while driving. Please fix this. There is no value to Wondery + otherwise: I would prefer to continue to use the Apple podcast app

1 year ago, Beaniebaybee992

Could be better

I want to like this app. I signed up for a year subscription because I thought I would like it. Even on wifi, I find it loads and downloads slower than other apps. I listen often while commuting through low service areas and it takes forever to begin playing episodes that are downloaded onto my phone unless I have my phone on airplane mode, as if it is trying to use data to access the episode. (It should be on my phone…why?) Update: I guess I forgot to mention it’s been nearly a year of using this app and these issues have been constant. To humor the developer’s response, I did delete and redownload. Now I have the added bonus of my active download quitting when I navigate away from the podcast page. It eventually restarts. Eventually.

2 years ago, TXN NYC

Draining iPhone battery and crashing

Update: I ditched the Wondery+ app for the Apple Podcast app using the Wondery+ website direct link for MFM and guess what? No more battery draining and burning hot iPhone. No more crashing multiple times an episode. Plus, the native app is easier to navigate. Definitely an improvement over the terrible Wondery app. The Wondery app is definitely the worst app I’ve ever used. Absolutely pathetic. —————— I hate this app. I only use it for MFM. I really preferred the Stitcher app. Everything is too tiny, there are too many steps to get to the episode description, and downloading episodes is iffy. Plus it’s always crashing, requiring me to login again (almost always at the worst time). It crashes on average 4 times a day. And now it’s seriously draining my iPhone battery and making my phone run super hot.

4 years ago, idonotwanttobeapirate

Like many, awesome content - terrible app!

I really enjoy the content of Wondery. I think they’re podcasts are some of the greatest produced! However, like many others, the app itself is so unreliable. Usually, I have to login every time I want to listen to a podcast. I find that a bit annoying especially if I’m driving to or from work. Now, I’m having an issue where it won’t allow me to login at all. I’ve deleted and redownloaded the app, but it’s still not working. There are other irritating glitches. I wouldn’t pay for the app as is, but if the bugs get fixed I’d definitely pay for the content.

12 months ago, LELeiendecker

Love the content, very buggy.

I think Wondery podcasts are some of the best content. I love the exclusive shows. The app needs work. There is no playlist option which drives me insane. It also unexpectedly shuts down and does not keep the playback speed setting so it’s very annoying to have to open up your app and change the playback speed multiple times when you are listening. I would use the app so much more if it wasn’t so buggy. And please for the love of God, add a playlist function! I really hoped it would update at some point but I’ve had it for months and it’s not improved. I got the year subscription but if it doesn’t get better I’ll not renew.

3 years ago, 8374849201765

Content vs app

The content on Wondery has something for everyone. Hundreds of hours of great stories and history. The app however leaves a lot of room for improvement. I work in areas where coverage is spotty so I download content to listen to. Stories don’t play in order, and they download out of order too. Constantly have to stop and find where I was to find the next episode. The app just shuts down and goes to the Home Screen whenever it wants and gets very slow and sluggish. Likes to constantly go back to the top when scrolling down looking for episodes. Minor inconveniences but they get very annoying. All in all it is worth the cost of Wondery plus.

4 years ago, Lauren Reader

Constantly Shuts Down When Paused

I enjoy the Wondery podcasts and paid for a premium membership to boost their work and avoid commercials. But anytime I pause a podcast for more than ten seconds I lose the ability to restart. I must go to the podcast which restarts and spins for several seconds before showing the pod I was listening to on the bottom. It never goes back to where I was page-wise so I have to go the my library and find the pod I was listening to again in order to access episodes. For such great content, it’s a really poorly designed app. If I hadn’t paid the fee I’d listen on my other podcast app on which I can pause as long as needed before it takes me to exactly where I was. Such a bummer.

4 years ago, Corey Csuhta

Wondery makes great shows, but app needs work

Wondery’s shows are awesome, this feedback is purely about the app: The app is frankly over-designed. Everything transitions in with a slow animation, buttons are often odd sizes and unresponsive for a second or two when you re-open the app. You also have to constantly watch the “Feel the Story” logo animation. The show you were just listening to is not given a higher priority when you re-open at the app. My phone heats up when using the app, probably because of all of the animation and effects. But the biggest annoyance is that the app doesn’t seem able to stay alive in the background while paused. If I stop my show for even a minute or two, the app closes or gets suspended and I have to go back into it again to find my episode to resume. You frequently can’t use system media controls or your headphones to unpause. Phone calls also seem to cause the app to either crash or get suspended in the background. I want to listen to the shows ad-free but all of these problems resuming playback are more annoying than having your Wondery shows on a different app with ads.

3 years ago, kateeffff

App has issues

The app issues are why I’m discontinuing my subscription. I enjoy the content, but the app logs you out, doesn’t save your login info, randomly closes, etc. I haven’t had this many issues with other apps and have tried deleting and re-downloading it a number of times without any improvement. While not a huge deal in my life, I’m writing this as feedback for the developers. Wondery is a relatively large company so I’m kind of surprised that the app quality is consistently poor despite there being a lot of reviews pointing out this issue. It’s doing a disservice to the content creators who work hard to create their work, only to have people not listen due to a frustrating app experience.

4 years ago, Ray The Video Guy

It’s a MESS

First, this is not a review of the content, as they have great content. But the actual app is terrible. It doesn’t work like a normal audio app. Sometimes when an episode ends, the next one starts... often times it does not, and I have no idea why. Sometimes when I open the app, thumbnails do no appear, and there’s no text names, so there’s just big empty spots. If I pause a show while wearing headphones, hitting play does nothing, and I have to go back to the app and manually hit play. And lastly, the app crashes often and many times seems to refresh, so if an episode ends, and nothing plays and I go back to the app, it goes through the opening animation, as if I just opened the app. Not good, to the point where I probably will cancel before the trial ends.

10 months ago, sydney.jen

Slow app, logs you out often,

I don’t like the app itself. It’s very slow, even when connected to good wifi, and logs you out of your account often. In addition to the app being slow, it will try to stream episodes I have already downloaded if it is connected to an internet source. Finally, I’m not sure what about this app drains my battery so quickly, (likely that it is ALWAYS trying to stream) but it burns through it when I use it. I’m only glad for its reasonable price, because based on the apps performance, I would not pay more than I currently am for it. Also discovered it will not play downloaded episodes when you’re in airplane mode! Thanks, Wondery, for a long, boring flight. Updated my review to one star. GET IT TOGETHER FOLKS.

5 months ago, thefreek323

Wondery has achieved the impossible

They’ve created an app that has dozens of wildly successful examples and somehow managed to completely botch it. Podcast apps are a dime a dozen. Doing a podcast app “right” is dead simple because you just have to copy what everyone else has done. Wondery didn’t even do that right. The app constantly crashes. Starting to play a podcast episode takes 30+ seconds sometimes because they force a check with their servers before letting you play anything. The app will just randomly pause for no reason in the middle of an episode. 10% of the time, you’ll load the app to find it entirely unresponsive. Siri hasn’t been configured to take voice commands for the app. How? How is it possible to botch something so simple so horribly? The only reason I stick around and very reluctantly continue to pay them for this abomination is because they have a couple of excellent podcasts that I can’t get anywhere else. Yes, Morbid (and its early releases on Wondery+) is one of them. The other is Killer Psyche. Their podcasts are incredible, but this app is probably the worst that I’m forced to use on a regular basis.

1 year ago, Neezie88

App is glitchy

I only have the app to listen to Morbid. There are a few others that I listen to as well but I get annoyed when I’m listening and if you leave the app to multi task ,sometimes it makes a static noise. Doesn’t happen with other apps. Also, if you close the app all the way you have to go back in your list of podcasts,find the one you were listening to and scroll ALLLLL the way through the other episodes to find where you were. I also have to close and restart the app a lot just to get it to play and I get a lot of “ can’t play this episode “ error messages . Great content but wonky app .

4 years ago, LauraAngel

Pretty frustrating

I wanted to love this app since I upgraded to Wondery Plus to avoid commercials. I am happy with the selection however the app is extremely unreliable. I’ve had it crash a few times and every time I open it an older podcast that I have finished appears as the current episode and I have to search for the actual current podcast AND episode. It doesn’t keep track of what I have or haven’t heard yet so I have to figure out or guess which episode I’m on. I just paused to make a phone call and switched back to the app and it restarted with the old podcast again. Hoping these bugs get worked out soon so it’s a better experience.

4 years ago, samwise412

Needs Work

I love Wondery but won’t be continuing my free trial membership because the app is far too tedious. I’m not paying for ad-free content that I can’t easily listen to. The app is SLOW and glitchy. Crashes all the time esp when I let my screen dim, does not remember my last listening position when rebooted, and does not seamlessly sync across my devices. I can barely get through an episode without an issue, including when I download them. Make this app simpler with less bells and whistles (automatic video previews are extremely unnecessary imo) so that it can be functional for it’s most basic purposes. If you can’t get the basics right then it doesn’t matter how pretty it looks. I’ll probably just listen on a different podcast platform.

1 year ago, SoKal1218

App Crashes

App is a joke. Crashes constantly. Can’t download multiple episodes to be played offline without app crashing. Content will not load or takes extremely long to load and play if you have no service (even if you’ve already downloaded). Once the first show starts, it will continue to play but don’t you dare think about switching to a different show or skipping an episode as that is too much for the app to handle unless you have strong cell service or wifi. Downloading shows to listen to for my work week is a weekly frustration. I have Wondery + but will still listen to shows with ads on other apps because they are more reliable. Content is great; APP needs a lot of work.

4 years ago, Jfjjfjfnf

Constant crashes and not an intuitive GUI

I typically use other apps to listen to podcasts but the ability to listen without commercials is nice. However I wish the app worked all the time. I am using an iPhone 8 max, so I don’t know if the age of my phone is the issue. When I get ready for my morning or afternoon commute I start the podcast that I want to listen to and head out. This morning the app crashed 3 times (just closed) before finally playing through the podcast. Finding and playing podcasts in the correct order is also frustrating. Sometimes I’ll just listen to commercials so I don’t have to deal with the Wondery app. I really want to like this but Wondery still has some work to do.

2 years ago, Skittill

Content great, functionality not so much

My issue with the app is the way the app works. It doesn't, much of the time. I've updated my app, updated my phone, restarted both... after closing the app for instance at bedtime, the next time I open it to continue the episode it will not work. At all. I have to force close and restart several times before the app decides to work again. Then I have to find my spot in my episode again. I am very happy I'm on the free trial because of I had paid for a service that wasn't working I'd be upset. I would love to subscribe for the content, but I cannot and will not do so until the play issue is resolved. Beyond that the content is great. I would amend to five stars if the app worked better.

4 years ago, nikkibabi88

Great content, horrible app

Let me first say that I love Wondery podcasts. The content they put out is great and top notch! The app, though, has lots of bugs that doesn’t seem worth paying premium for at the moment. It often crashes, and freezes when I want to pause or go forward or backward a few seconds. Also, there’s been a couple of episodes that had ads and promoted the Wondery app so I didn’t have to listen to ads.... although I’m in the app so I DON’T listen to ads?? Sometimes it doesn’t keep my place, especially when a call comes in and I go back in the app after my call. Thankfully I got a few months subscription free through my Amex, but I wouldn’t pay for this after my few free months.

4 years ago, review one

Was excited and then tried the app...

I love Wondery podcasts and I finally broke down and committed myself to subscribing. Thankfully there is a free trial because the app is horrible. One, the app could not be controlled via my AirPod pros. I wasn't trying anything fancy, simple pause and play. It wasn't even able to accomplish that. The biggest disappointment is that the app takes minutes to load the episodes and then when I'd pause an episode I wasn't able to get it to play once again. I closed the app, reopened it and I still was unable to pick up where I left off on the episode. The control buttons on the app became unresponsive to the point where I gave up on the app. So disappointing on so many levels. Hope they fix it.

Description

Wondery, an Amazon company, brings the best free app to discover and enjoy your favorite podcasts shows. Explore a library filled with high-quality, emotionally driven and immersive stories. Whether you’re into True Crime, Business, Comedy, Sports, History or Family-Friendly podcasts, we’ve got it all. Join Wondery+ and experience Wondery ad-free, gain early access to podcasts, enjoy exclusive content, unlock a 15% discount on merchandise in the Wondery Shop, participate in IRL and live stream events & more! Try CarPlay for listening on the go. With the Kids & Family View the whole family can enjoy Adventures of Cairo or Melon's House Party. We’ve also got audio shows & seasons that you can listen to ad-free, such as My Favorite Murder, RedHanded, Morbid, Something Was Wrong, Small Town Murder, SmartLess, & This is Actually Happening. And, in iOS, Wondery+ offers podcasts in Dolby Atmos, to heighten your immersive listening experience, whether you’re listening to News, History, True Crime, Comedy or Sports with spatial audio! Binge fan favorite classics like Dr. Death, Over My Dead Body, & The Shrink Next Door, or compelling audiobooks like American History Tellers & Against the Odds. For True Crime junkies & murder-story fanatics, check out Morbid, My Favorite Murder, This Is Actually Happening, & Killer Psyche. For a good LOL, try the hysterical podcasts SmartLess, Bad Dates with Jameela Jamil, Life is Short with Justin Long, Queen of Hearts & Even the Rich. Feed your curiosity with fascinating podcast episodes from The Generation Why Podcast, Business Wars, Flipping the Bird: Elon vs. Twitter & American Scandal. With more than 50 #1 US Apple Podcast Chart hits & thousands of hours of immersive content, there’s something for every podcast addict. The Wondery app also features a Kids & Family View. Feel comfortable browsing, discovering & listening as a whole family. Wondery’s Family-Friendly podcasts empower, spark curiosity & enhance the time you spend together as a family. Other Wondery app perks: • A home screen personalized to your preferences • Binge-mode! Podcast & audio book episodes from the same series play in order • Curated collections of recommended shows, seasons & episodes from across our catalog, as well as Amazon Music shows • Get push notifications for new episodes on the Wondery app • Want to listen offline? Simply download episodes for offline listening • Enjoy a seamless listening experience in your car with CarPlay Take your Wondery+ subscription anywhere: • Prefer to listen to podcasts on a computer? Log in at wondery.com to access all the same content as in the Wondery app. You can also save your favorite shows & listening history across all devices. • If you subscribe to Wondery+ via our website or the Wondery app, you can use your Wondery+ subscription in a variety of free third-party apps by adding the unique feeds of your favorite shows. Payment for your subscription will be charged to your iTunes account at the end of the trial period or at confirmation of purchase if you are not eligible for the trial. If you cancel before the end of your trial period, you will not be charged. If you do not cancel before the end of your trial period, your subscription will renew automatically and your iTunes account will be charged the subscription price plus applicable taxes within 24-hours prior to the end of your trial period. Your subscription will continue to renew automatically each month and you will be charged 24-hours prior to the end of each billing period until you cancel. You can manage your subscription and/or turn off auto-renewal by visiting your iTunes Account Settings after purchase. Subscription fees are non-refundable. Any unused portion of a free trial period, if applicable, will be forfeited when you change your subscription. For help, please visit help.wondery.com. Privacy Policy: https://wondery.com/privacy-policy Terms of Service: https://wondery.com/terms-of-service