Best Podcasts (True Crime) in 2025
The true crime podcast genre has exploded in popularity, captivating audiences with its exploration of real-life mysteries, investigations, and courtroom dramas. Podcasts offer an engaging way to delve into complex cases, hear directly from those involved, and analyze evidence in a digestible format. This buying guide provides an overview of the best true crime podcasts available, helping you navigate the vast landscape and find shows that match your interests and listening preferences. True crime encompasses various subgenres, including narrative storytelling, investigative journalism, and discussions of forensic psychology, each offering a distinct perspective on criminal cases. Some podcasts focus on solved cases, revisiting the details and impact, while others delve into ongoing investigations, building suspense alongside the listener. Many feature exclusive interviews, archival audio, and expert commentary, adding unique value to the content and heightening listening value and engagement.
What's In This Guide
- •Our Selection Methodology
- •Selection Criteria
- •Crime Junkie - Best for Immersive Storytelling
- •Casefile - Best for In-Depth Investigations
- •My Favorite Murder - Best for Blending True Crime and Comedy
- •Sword and Scale - Best Raw Approach
- •Morbid: A True Crime Podcast - Best for ease of listening
- •Conclusion & Recommendations
- •Frequently Asked Questions
Our Selection Methodology
Our selection process utilized an AI-powered algorithm that analyzed thousands of data points, including user reviews from various podcast platforms, ratings, expert recommendations from media outlets, and metrics such as download figures and subscriber counts. The AI also processed transcripts of the podcasts to assess storytelling quality, accuracy, and research depth. Each podcast was evaluated across the defined criteria, and scores were aggregated to determine the final rankings. The algorithm was adjusted to weigh the criteria based on their relative importance, with storytelling quality and accuracy being the most heavily weighted factors.
Selection Criteria
Storytelling Quality
This assesses how effectively the podcast presents its content. Factors include narrative structure, pacing, and the ability to create suspense and maintain listener interest.
Accuracy and Research
This focuses on the reliability of the information. Podcasts with meticulous research, fact-checking, and credible sourcing score higher.
Production Quality
This examines the technical aspects of the podcast, including audio clarity (sound quality), editing, and overall polish. This contributes significantly to the listener's experience.
Host Presentation
This pertains to the host's personality, communication style, and ability to engage the audience. A compelling host can significantly enhance a podcast's appeal.
Originality and Perspective
This considers the unique approach of the podcast. Does it offer fresh insights, new angles on known cases, or exclusive content?
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Top 5 Podcasts (True Crime) in 2025
Pros
- Engaging storytelling
- Well-researched cases
- Accessible format for new listeners
Cons
- Episodes can sometimes be long, requiring a significant time commitment.
Key Specifications
Crime Junkie is a narrative storytelling podcast that focuses on the listener's experience. The hosts, Ashley Flowers and Brit, present well-researched cases, prioritizing storytelling that keeps listeners engaged. The podcast's popularity shows its ability to captivate audiences with its delivery style. Focus on storytelling helps keep the content accessible. The cases range from well-known to lesser-known, offering variety for the audience. The podcast does receive criticism regarding the lack of original reporting; however, its accessibility and engaging approach make it an accessible option for those new to true crime.
Pros
- Exhaustive research and accuracy
- Focuses on facts over sensationalism
- Anonymous host allows focus to be on the cases
Cons
- The deep dives can be time-consuming, requiring a considerable investment for each case.
Key Specifications
Casefile is known for its detailed and well-researched coverage of true crime cases. Hosted anonymously, Casefile offers a serious portrayal of both domestic and international cases, building each episode carefully. The podcast is lauded for its meticulous consideration of the evidence and its commitment to presenting the facts. The focus on investigative journalism, combined with a lack of host chatter, delivers a very serious true crime experience. The podcast is known for taking its time to delve deeply into each case, often spanning multiple episodes, providing a thorough examination of the crimes and their impact.
Pros
- Entertaining and engaging
- Cultivated strong community
- Combines serious content with comedy
Cons
- Coverage can be uneven, with some cases benefiting from better production.
- The formula-driven approach can become repetitive.
Key Specifications
My Favorite Murder is a pioneering true crime comedy podcast where hosts Karen Kilgariff and Georgia Hardstark discuss specific true crime cases while sharing their personal lives and perspectives with the audience. Their conversational style and use of humor have cultivated a dedicated fandom. While the cases are well-researched, the focus is not always the case itself, as the emphasis is on the hosts' rapport. The format blends true crime with comedy, offering some levity to otherwise dark subject matter, which helps to broaden the audience appeal. The format makes for a listen with less heavy topics than other true crime podcasts.
Pros
- Raw, unfiltered content
- Immersive listening experience
- Focus on first-person accounts
Cons
- Sound quality varies across different interviewees.
Key Specifications
Sword and Scale takes a dark route into the true crime genre through a combination of narrative, audio clips, and first-person accounts. The show is known for presenting chilling 911 calls, interviews, and other raw audio files to immerse the listener in the actual events of the crimes. The podcast prioritizes raw and unfiltered content and features minimal host interaction, providing a somewhat different experience. Because Sword and Scale focuses on the raw emotion, the podcast can at times be intense, making it well-suited to listeners more interested in getting an unfiltered glimpse into the reality of true crime.
Pros
- Conversational Approach
- Strong Chemistry between hosts
Cons
- The podcast heavily relies on the hosts' discussions, which can be controversial.
- Content may not be for everyone due to the nature of the content.
Key Specifications
Morbid: A True Crime Podcast is co-hosted by Alaina Urquhart and Ash Kelley. The hosts are an aunt and niece duo who take different approaches to their respective case reviews. Their back-and-forth, conversational approach to true crime makes for easy listening for audiences. With a deep library of content, from serial murders to unsolved mysteries.
Conclusion
Choosing the best true crime podcast depends on individual preferences, with factors like in-depth investigations, storytelling style, and host personalities playing key roles. The podcasts recommended here provide a diverse range of approaches to the genre, ensuring there's something for every true crime enthusiast. Ultimately, the ideal podcast is the one that keeps you engaged and informed.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is meant by 'production quality' in a true crime podcast?
Production quality refers to the audio and editing standards of the podcast. This includes clarity of audio, seamless transitions, and overall polish. Higher production quality often leads to a more immersive listening experience.
What does 'listener discretion advised' mean in a true crime podcast?
Many true crime podcasts cover sensitive topics, including violence, trauma, and death. Listener discretion advisories are warnings provided at the beginning of an episode, alerting listeners to potentially disturbing content. Podcasts without this can still be considered, provided the content is handled responsibly, and the podcast delivers content that adds value.
How can I discover new true crime podcasts?
To find new podcasts, check out podcast directories, search for specific true crime cases or hosts, and follow recommendations from friends or online communities. Many platforms suggest new shows based on your listening history.