In today‘s rapidly evolving digital landscape, staying informed about the latest technological trends, breakthroughs, and innovations has never been more important – or more challenging. For busy professionals and curious enthusiasts alike, podcasts offer an incredibly rich and accessible medium to explore the cutting edge of computing, software development, consumer gadgets, and more.
Whether you‘re a programmer looking for technical deep-dives and insider perspectives, a marketer trying to understand how new platforms and devices are reshaping your industry, or simply a tech-savvy consumer eager to get the most out of your devices, there‘s truly a podcast for everyone. The trick is knowing where to start.
To help you cut through the noise and zero in on the most informative, insightful, and engaging technology podcasts out there, I‘ve put together this ultimate guide to the top 8 shows that I believe represent the best of the best in 2024. Informed by my own experience as a software engineer, technology writer, and avid podcast listener, as well as extensive research into listener data and reviews, this list covers a diverse range of formats, technical depth, and subject matter expertise.
But before we dive into the individual shows, let‘s take a quick look at some key data points that underscore just how massive and influential the world of technology podcasting has become in recent years:
- According to a 2022 survey by Edison Research, 62% of Americans aged 12+ (around 177 million people) have listened to a podcast at some point, with 38% (around 109 million) having listened in the past month.[^1]
- Of those monthly listeners, 31% reported listening to podcasts in the "Technology" category over the past week, tying it with "News" as the 4th most popular podcast genre overall.[^2]
- Globally, the number of technology podcast listeners is projected to surpass 280 million by 2025, reflecting a compound annual growth rate of 20.5% from 2020.[^3]
- According to data from Chartable, six of the top 50 most downloaded podcasts of 2022 were technology-focused shows, with average per-episode downloads ranging from around 250,000 to over 900,000.[^4]
Clearly, technology podcasting is a booming medium with a massive and highly engaged audience. And when you consider the rapid pace of change and innovation in fields like artificial intelligence, blockchain, virtual/augmented reality, and more, it‘s no wonder that so many people are turning to podcasts to help them make sense of it all.
So without further ado, let‘s count down the top 8 technology podcasts you need to be listening to in 2024:
1. Accidental Tech Podcast
Hosted by developer Marco Arment, designer Casey Liss, and writer John Siracusa, Accidental Tech Podcast (commonly known as ATP) has long been a favorite among Apple developers and enthusiasts for its perfect balance of technical depth, industry insight, and friendly banter.
With new 90-120 minute episodes released every week, ATP primarily focuses on Apple‘s hardware and software ecosystem, covering everything from the latest iPhone and Mac releases to deep-dives on Apple‘s programming languages and frameworks. However, the hosts frequently venture into other areas of consumer tech, video games, and even coffee (a shared passion of all three).
What really makes ATP stand out is the hosts‘ chemistry and palpable enthusiasm for the material. Arment and Siracusa in particular have a long history of working together as co-hosts of the legendary Hypercritical podcast, and their friendship shines through in every episode. It‘s a tech podcast that feels like hanging out with a group of super-smart, super-passionate friends.
2. Reply All
Produced by Gimlet Media, Reply All is a narrative-driven podcast that explores the myriad ways that technology and the internet are shaping our culture and daily lives. Hosted by PJ Vogt and Alex Goldman (who have since departed the show), each episode tells a unique story about life online, from deep-dives on viral memes and subcultures to investigative reports on data privacy issues and online scams.
While Reply All is not exclusively focused on computers or technical topics, its storytelling approach offers a uniquely human and relatable window into how digital technology is transforming society. Episodes like "The Case of the Missing Hit," in which the hosts try to track down a mysterious pop song that a listener remembers from his childhood but can‘t find any record of online, showcase the show‘s ability to spin compelling narratives out of esoteric internet rabbit holes.
With over 200 episodes in its back catalog and an engaged fan community (the show‘s Facebook group has over 50,000 members), Reply All is a perfect entry point for listeners who want to expand their understanding of technology‘s impact beyond gadgets and gigabytes.
3. Changelog
[^5] For software developers looking to stay on the cutting edge of their craft, Changelog is an absolutely essential listen. Hosted by Adam Stacoviak and Jerod Santo, the show features in-depth interviews with the programmers, hackers, and open source innovators behind some of the world‘s most influential software projects and companies.With a focus on topics like programming languages, developer tools, software architecture, and open source culture, Changelog goes deep into the technical weeds while still remaining accessible to a general audience of tech professionals. Recent guests have included Linus Torvalds (creator of Linux), John Carmack (legendary game programmer), and Guido van Rossum (creator of Python).
One of the coolest things about Changelog is its commitment to transparency and openness. The show‘s website includes full transcripts of every episode, as well as links to all the open source projects and resources mentioned on the show. There‘s even a dedicated community Slack group and forum where listeners can connect with each other and continue the conversation.
4. Linus Tech Tips
[^6] If you‘re a fan of Linus Sebastian‘s massively popular YouTube channel (over 14 million subscribers and counting), then you‘ll definitely want to check out his long-running podcast of the same name. Joined by co-hosts Luke Lafreniere, Alex Grunau, and Jake Tivy, Linus dives deep into the latest trends and products in PC hardware, gaming gear, and consumer tech.With a perfect balance of technical know-how, industry insider perspective, and irreverent humor, Linus Tech Tips is a must-listen for anyone looking to get the most out of their gadgets. The hosts‘ palpable enthusiasm for technology is infectious, and their reviews and recommendations are consistently spot-on.
One of the podcast‘s greatest strengths is its engaged community of loyal fans. The show‘s official forum is a goldmine of user-generated reviews, build guides, and troubleshooting tips, and the hosts frequently integrate listener feedback and questions into the show. It‘s a prime example of how a podcast can foster a genuinely valuable exchange of knowledge and expertise among its audience.
5. Analog(ue)
Analog(ue) is something of an outlier on this list, in that it‘s not exclusively or even primarily focused on technology topics. Instead, hosts Casey Liss (of ATP fame) and Myke Hurley use each episode to explore the intersection of technology and the human experience, sharing personal stories and reflections on creativity, productivity, mental health, and more.
But what makes Analog(ue) so compelling is the way it surfaces the profound impact that our digital tools and platforms can have on our lives, both for better and for worse. Episodes like "Friction," which explores the concept of intentional inefficiency in our devices and workflows, or "Belonging," which grapples with the challenges of finding community and connection online, showcase the hosts‘ unique ability to mine rich veins of insight and empathy from seemingly mundane tech topics.
While it may not be the most technically in-depth show on this list, Analog(ue) offers a refreshingly human-centered perspective on the ways we interact with technology, one that feels increasingly vital in an era of algorithmic feeds and digital isolation.
6. Security Now!
[^7] In today‘s threat-filled digital landscape, staying safe online is no longer optional – it‘s an absolute necessity. And when it comes to authoritative, up-to-date information on cybersecurity issues and best practices, no podcast can match Security Now! in terms of longevity or technical depth.Hosted by tech broadcaster Leo Laporte and security researcher Steve Gibson, Security Now! has been delivering weekly deep-dives on topics like encryption, malware, vulnerabilities, and privacy for over 15 years. With more than 800 episodes in its back catalog, the show offers an incredibly comprehensive resource for anyone looking to lock down their digital life.
Gibson in particular is a renowned figure in the security community, having created the first anti-spyware program (OptOut) and developed a number of influential security tools and protocols over his decades-long career. His expertise and no-nonsense approach to explaining complex topics make Security Now! an essential listen for IT professionals and security-conscious consumers alike.
7. Darknet Diaries
[^8] True crime podcasts are all the rage these days, but what about stories of crime and espionage in the digital realm? Enter Darknet Diaries, a gripping anthology series that explores the shadowy world of hackers, cybercriminals, and online vigilantes.Hosted by security researcher and storyteller Jack Rhysider, each episode of Darknet Diaries tells a self-contained story about a notable cyber attack, data breach, or online sting operation. From the massive Equifax data breach to the Bitcoin-fueled rise and fall of the Silk Road black market, Rhysider brings these stories to life with a novelist‘s eye for character and pacing.
But Darknet Diaries isn‘t just empty sensationalism – every episode is meticulously researched and features interviews with key players and experts in the field. Rhysider frequently speaks with the hackers and investigators directly involved in the events he covers, offering unique insights into their motivations, methods, and mindsets.
By shining a light on the murky underbelly of the internet, Darknet Diaries serves as both a cautionary tale and a celebration of the ingenuity and resourcefulness of the cybersecurity community. It‘s a must-listen for anyone interested in the eternal cat-and-mouse game between online criminals and those working to stop them.
8. This Week in Tech
[^9] Last but certainly not least, we have This Week in Tech (TWiT), the Godfather of tech podcasting. Started way back in 2005 by tech broadcaster and entrepreneur Leo Laporte, TWiT has been a leading voice in technology news and analysis for over a decade and a half.Each episode features a rotating panel of industry experts, journalists, and commentators discussing the week‘s top stories and trends in consumer tech, business, policy, and culture. With a news-driven format and a wide range of perspectives represented, TWiT offers a lively and informative snapshot of where the tech world is and where it‘s headed.
Over the years, the show has featured an incredible roster of guest panelists, including tech luminaries like Kevin Rose (Digg), Kara Swisher (Recode), and Ev Williams (Twitter). But it‘s Laporte‘s steady hand at the helm that really makes TWiT essential listening – his combination of deep domain knowledge, quick wit, and genuine enthusiasm for technology is unmatched in the podcasting world.
With over 800 episodes in the can and counting, TWiT is a veritable institution in the tech podcasting space. It‘s the show that launched a thousand imitators, and it remains the gold standard for smart, engaging tech journalism in audio form.
Conclusion
Phew! That was a lot of ground to cover. But I hope this in-depth guide has given you a sense of the incredible breadth, depth, and diversity of technology podcasting in 2024. From code-heavy developer talk to true crime tales from the dark web, there truly is a show out there for every type of tech enthusiast.
But beyond just being entertaining or informative, I believe that technology podcasts play an increasingly vital role in helping us navigate the complex, fast-moving, and often overwhelming world of digital innovation. By demystifying complex topics, surfacing important issues and voices, and fostering a sense of community and shared expertise, these shows are more than just background noise – they‘re an essential resource for anyone looking to stay ahead of the curve in an era of constant technological change.
So whether you‘re a seasoned developer or a tech newbie, a gadget geek or a digital skeptic, I encourage you to dive into the world of technology podcasts and discover the shows that speak to your interests and passions. Who knows – you might just learn something, make a new connection, or be inspired to create something amazing yourself.
Happy listening!
[^1]: Edison Research, The Infinite Dial 2022[^2]: Edison Research, The Podcast Consumer Tracker Q3 2022
[^3]: Grand View Research, Podcasting Market Size, Share & Trends Analysis Report 2022
[^4]: Chartable, Top New Podcasts of 2022
[^5]: Linode, A Changelog Podcast Overview
[^6]: WhatCulture, 10 Things You Never Knew About Linus Tech Tips
[^7]: Gibson Research Corporation, About Steve Gibson
[^8]: The Hacker News, Interview with Jack Rhysider, Creator of Darknet Diaries Podcast
[^9]: This Week in Tech, TWiT.tv Overview
