Head-to-head · Podcast Apps
Castbox vs AntennaPod
Castbox leads on 0 checks, AntennaPod on 0, and 6 are even. Who comes out ahead on the 6 yes/no, price and count checks where we have data for both products. The editor score weighs everything else too.
Our verdict
- Highest scoreCastbox · 8.7/10
- Free planboth
- Most featuresAntennaPod · 4 of 5
Castbox scores higher on our rubric for podcast apps: 8.7 against 8.0 out of 10; our editors rank them #4 and #8.
Castbox is the better fit for recommendation-led podcast listening. AntennaPod is the better fit for free open-source Android listening.
- Castbox fits best
Recommendation-led podcast listening
- AntennaPod fits best
Free open-source Android listening
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Side by side
| Feature | Castbox 8.7/10 Visit ↗ | AntennaPod 8.0/10 Visit ↗ |
|---|---|---|
| At a glance | ||
| Editor score | 8.7 | 8.0 |
| Ranking | #4 in Podcast Apps | #8 in Podcast Apps |
| Best for | Recommendation-led podcast listening | Free open-source Android listening |
| Pricing model | Free plan + paid | Free |
| Starting price | — | Free |
| Free plan | ✓ | ✓ |
| Free trial | — | — |
| Deployment | Cloud, Mobile | Mobile |
| Platforms | Web, iOS, Android | Android |
| Support | Email, Community, Docs | Community, Docs |
| Integrations | 6 integrations | 2 integrations |
| Built for | Solo, Small business | Solo |
| Features Castbox 3/5 · AntennaPod 4/5 | ||
| Offline downloads | ✓ | ✓ |
| Video podcasts | Not checked yet | ✓ (best) |
| Episode transcripts | — | Not checked yet |
| Private feed support | ✓ | ✓ |
| Cross-device sync | ✓ | ✓ |
| Specs | ||
| Supported platforms | iOS, Android, web, PWA, Amazon Alexa, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, Apple Watch | Android |
| Our review | ||
| Pros |
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| Cons |
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| Our verdict | Castbox is a podcast listening service for discovering, subscribing to, streaming, and downloading podcasts, audiobooks, radio, and other audio content. It suits listeners who want recommendation-led discovery alongside practical… Read the review → |
AntennaPod is a free, open-source podcast player for Android, maintained by a volunteer community without commercial interest. It is suited to listeners who want RSS and Atom feed subscriptions, an ad-free application experience, and… Read the review → |
Strengths and trade-offs
Castbox — where it wins
- Search spans podcasts, audiobooks, radio, and RSS feeds
- Offline downloads, automatic downloads, and flexible playback controls
- Syncs subscriptions, progress, favorites, and history across devices
Where it doesn't
- Does not provide podcast transcript display
- The free experience includes visual and video ads
- Video support is not part of the stated offering
AntennaPod — where it wins
- Free, open-source app with no in-app advertising
- Downloads, automatic episode management, and offline listening
- Supports private feeds, video podcasts, and playback controls
Where it doesn't
- Available only on Android
- Synchronization requires a separate server or service
- Integration options center on gpodder.net and Nextcloud
- Castbox8.7/10 · Free plan
A broad, recommendation-led podcast app with strong offline listening and device synchronization.
Visit CastboxFull verdict → - AntennaPod8.0/10 · Free plan
A capable ad-free Android podcast app with offline listening, video, and RSS support.
Visit AntennaPodFull verdict →
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Reviewed by iTechGuides Editors · Editorial team · Updated Oct 2026
Last updated · How we research and update