Pocket Casts vs Castro

Pocket Casts8.8Visit Castro8.1Visit

Higher score Pocket Casts #3 in Podcast Apps 8.8/10 Free plan Free plan✓ 5 of 5 features Visit Pocket Casts

vs

Castro #7 in Podcast Apps 8.1/10 Free plan Free plan✓ 4 of 5 features Visit Castro

• Pocket Casts fits best

  Cross-platform power users

• Castro fits best

  Queue-focused Apple listening

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Side by side

Feature	Pocket Casts 8.8/10 Visit ↗	Castro 8.1/10 Visit ↗
At a glance
Editor score	8.8	8.1
Ranking	#3 in Podcast Apps	#7 in Podcast Apps
Best for	Cross-platform power users	Queue-focused Apple listening
Pricing model	Free plan + paid	Free plan + paid
Starting price	$39.99/yr	$24.99/yr
Free plan	✓	✓
Free trial	—	—
Deployment	Cloud, Desktop, Mobile	Desktop, Mobile
Platforms	Web, Windows, macOS, iOS, Android	macOS, iOS
Support	Email, Community, Docs	Email
Integrations	9 integrations	2 integrations
Built for	Solo, Small business, Mid-market, Enterprise	Solo, Small business
Features Pocket Casts 5/5 · Castro 4/5
Offline downloads	✓	✓
Video podcasts	✓ (best)	Not checked yet
Episode transcripts	✓	✓
Private feed support	✓	✓
Cross-device sync	✓	✓
Specs
Supported platforms	Web, Windows, macOS, iOS, Android; also Apple TV, Apple Watch, Wear OS, CarPlay, Android Auto, Android Automotive, Sonos, Alexa, and Chromecast	iOS, iPadOS, macOS, Apple Watch
Our review
Pros	Supports web, Windows, macOS, iOS, and Android Syncs follows, queues, playback position, and history across devices Handles video, private feeds, transcripts, offline downloads, and car platforms	Inbox triage keeps new episodes organized Queue workflow supports focused listening and downloads Transcripts, CarPlay, and playback enhancement tools
Cons	Transcript features apply only to supported episodes Folders, bookmarks, themes, and wearable apps require Plus Plus costs $3.99 monthly or $39.99 annually	Available across Apple platforms only Device synchronization requires a Plus plan Advanced playback features require a paid plan
Our verdict	Pocket Casts is a podcast listening, discovery, and management app for people who move between mobile, desktop, web, and connected playback devices. It supports podcast search, episode downloads for offline playback, video episodes,… Read the review →	Castro is a podcast player for iPhone, iPad, Mac, and Apple Watch users who manage many shows. Its core workflow centers on an inbox for reviewing and triaging new episodes, followed by a queue for deciding what to hear next. Automatic and… Read the review →

Strengths and trade-offs

• Pocket Casts — where it wins

  • Supports web, Windows, macOS, iOS, and Android
  • Syncs follows, queues, playback position, and history across devices
  • Handles video, private feeds, transcripts, offline downloads, and car platforms

  Where it doesn't

  • Transcript features apply only to supported episodes
  • Folders, bookmarks, themes, and wearable apps require Plus
  • Plus costs $3.99 monthly or $39.99 annually

• Castro — where it wins

  • Inbox triage keeps new episodes organized
  • Queue workflow supports focused listening and downloads
  • Transcripts, CarPlay, and playback enhancement tools

  Where it doesn't

  • Available across Apple platforms only
  • Device synchronization requires a Plus plan
  • Advanced playback features require a paid plan

• Pocket Casts8.8/10 · Free plan

  A broad podcast app with free cross-device access and focused Plus upgrades.

  Visit Pocket CastsFull verdict →
• Castro8.1/10 · Free plan

  A queue-first podcast app for Apple users who want structured listening.

  Visit CastroFull verdict →