S-Town
From Serial Productions: a man convinced his Alabama town is covering up a murder pulls host Brian Reed into a story that becomes something else entirely.
Podcasts Like S-Town
If you loved S-Town, here are the best podcasts to try next. Matched by case type, storytelling style, and community ratings from our database of Investigative, Psychological Crime shows.
Why listeners love S-Town
The first podcast ever to win a Peabody Award — still one of the genre's most singular pieces of audio storytelling. With a binge factor of 9/10, it sits among the most compulsively listenable shows in the genre. It follows a serialized format — each season covers one case in depth, building suspense across episodes.
Binge Factor
9/10
Community-rated compulsive listenability
Format
Serialized
One story told across multiple episodes
Style
Novelistic, immersive, compelling
Presentation approach
Episode Length
45-60 min
Typical episode duration
Host Style
Solo narrator
Presentation format
Verdict
Must listen
Our editorial rating
Recommendations
12 podcasts like S-Town
The Missing Cryptoqueen
BBC journalist Jamie Bartlett tracks down Dr Ruja Ignatova, who persuaded millions to invest in OneCoin before vanishing without a trace.
The Trial of Erin Patterson
The Crime Desk's courtroom coverage of the Erin Patterson 'mushroom murders' trial — one of the biggest cases of the decade.
Pipeline
The Crime Desk's investigation into four professional divers sucked hundreds of feet into a Caribbean oil pipeline in 2022 — and the failing safety standards that put them there.
We Call Her Emma
Tortoise Investigates and The Observer trace how a high-achieving west London woman ended up at the centre of the Emma Caldwell case.
The Nobody Zone
RTÉ's award-winning investigation into Kieran Kelly, believed to be Ireland's first identified serial killer.
Inside Murder Trial: Girl in the River
Journalist Jane MacSorley and advocate Thomas Ross KC unpack each day of the Caroline Glachan murder trial as it happens, live from BBC Radio Scotland.
True Crime South Africa
South Africa's flagship true crime podcast, hosted by award-winning journalist Nicole Engelbrecht — the country's most popular true crime show even against international competition.
Matched with a Predator
BBC Disclosure's investigation into a predator who used dating apps to target and abuse women — the 2026 Best Serialised Podcast winner.
Murder Mile UK True Crime
London-focused true crime where the host physically walks the streets where each murder happened — seven-time award nominee.
I'm Not a Monster
A multi-award-winning BBC investigation into ISIS recruitment, told through the people who were pulled in.
Spiral: Murder in Detroit
The Free Press investigates the 2023 stabbing death of Detroit community leader Samantha Woll, and the fraught questions the case raised about antisemitism and justice.
Crime World
Ireland's flagship crime podcast, led by Sunday World journalist Nicola Tallant — deep, ongoing coverage of Irish organised crime.
How they compare
| Podcast | Format | Country | Binge |
|---|---|---|---|
| S-Town (original) | Serialized | United States | 9/10 |
| The Missing Cryptoqueen | Serialized | United Kingdom | 9/10 |
| The Trial of Erin Patterson | Serialized | United Kingdom | 9/10 |
| Pipeline | Serialized | United Kingdom | 9/10 |
| We Call Her Emma | Serialized | United Kingdom | 8/10 |
| The Nobody Zone | Serialized | Ireland | 8/10 |
| Inside Murder Trial: Girl in the River | Serialized | United Kingdom | 8/10 |
| True Crime South Africa | Episodic | South Africa | 8/10 |
| Matched with a Predator | Serialized | United Kingdom | 8/10 |
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Frequently Asked Questions
What podcasts are similar to S-Town?
The best alternatives to S-Town are podcasts that share its Investigative, Psychological Crime focus and serialized format. We've matched alternatives based on case types, storytelling format, and community ratings from our database.
Why do people love S-Town?
S-Town is known for its novelistic, immersive, compelling approach to Investigative and Psychological Crime. It scores 9/10 on our binge factor rating, reflecting how compulsively listenable listeners find it. It has earned a "Must Listen" rating from our editorial team.
How long are episodes of S-Town?
Episodes of S-Town are typically 45-60 min long. It follows a serialized format, covering one story across multiple episodes.
Where can I listen to S-Town?
S-Town is available on Apple Podcasts, Spotify. You can find it by searching the show name on any of those platforms.
What is the best episode of S-Town to start with?
New listeners are recommended to start with Chapter I. As a serialized podcast, it's best to start from the beginning of a season.