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Apple Podcasts Connect vs Castos

Apple Podcasts Connect logo

Apple Podcasts Connect

Software

Manage and distribute your podcast on Apple Podcasts

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite
Castos logo

Castos

Software

Simple podcast hosting for WordPress sites

From
$13/month
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite

The short version

  • Only Apple Podcasts Connect has a free tier, so it costs nothing to try first.
  • Each has a real cost: Apple Podcasts Connect requires an Apple account, and a show has to be claimed before it can be managed; Castos transcripts are metered by tier, at 10 a month on Essentials and 100 on Pro
  • They diverge on capability: Apple Podcasts Connect covers Podcast submission, Castos covers Unlimited hosting.

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which Apple Podcasts Connect and Castos actually diverge.

Attributes where Apple Podcasts Connect and Castos differ
AttributeApple Podcasts ConnectCastos
Starting priceFree$13/month
Pricing modelfreesubscription
Free tierYesNo
PlatformsWeb, Ios, MacosWeb, Wordpress
Founded19762016

Identical on both: user rating (Not yet rated), category (Unknown).

What each one covers

Drawn from each product's published feature list. An absence here means we hold no record of it - not that the product lacks it.

Only in Apple Podcasts Connect

  • Podcast submission
  • Episode management
  • Subscription monetization
  • Show optimization
  • Multi-show management
  • RSS feeds
  • Hosting platforms
  • Apple ecosystem

Only in Castos

  • Unlimited hosting
  • WordPress integration
  • Distribution
  • Monetization
  • Email marketing
  • WordPress
  • All podcast platforms
  • Email services

Both cover

  • Analytics
  • Web support

What people use each for

The jobs each tool is most often brought in to do.

Apple Podcasts Connect

  • Submitting a new podcast to Apple Podcastsnot Castos
  • Claiming an existing show so it is registered to your accountnot Castos
  • Reviewing Apple Podcasts listener trends and analyticsnot Castos
  • Managing show artwork and metadatanot Castos

Castos

  • Podcast hosting with unlimited episodes and downloadsnot Apple Podcasts Connect
  • Private and subscriber-only podcastsnot Apple Podcasts Connect
  • Automatic transcription of episodesnot Apple Podcasts Connect
  • Republishing episodes to YouTubenot Apple Podcasts Connect
  • WordPress-integrated podcast publishingnot Apple Podcasts Connect

Where each one falls short

Documented limitations, not opinions. Every one is a constraint you would hit in normal use.

Apple Podcasts Connect

  • Requires an Apple account, and a show has to be claimed before it can be managed
  • Only reports listening that happens inside Apple Podcasts, so it is not a whole-audience view
  • Does not host audio; the show still needs a hosting provider elsewhere

Castos

  • Transcripts are metered by tier, at 10 a month on Essentials and 100 on Pro
  • Private podcast subscribers are capped, at 100 on Essentials and 500 on Pro
  • Video hosting and the uptime SLA require the Pro tier at $99 a month
  • SSO and a dedicated account manager are Premium only, from $499 a month
  • Team seats are limited by tier, at 5 on Growth and 10 on Pro

Pricing, plan by plan

Apple Podcasts Connect

Free
  • FreeFree
    • Podcast submission
    • Analytics dashboard
    • Episode management
  • Subscriptions Program$19.99/year
    • Premium subscriptions
    • Paid content
    • Subscriber management

Castos

$13/month
  • Podcaster$13/month
    • Unlimited hosting
    • Automatic distribution
    • Basic analytics
  • Professional$29/month
    • All Podcaster features
    • Advanced analytics
    • Email marketing

Which should you pick?

Choose Apple Podcasts Connect if

  • You need podcast submission.
  • You want to start without paying.
  • You work on Web, Ios, Macos.
  • You also want episode management.
Apple Podcasts Connect review

Choose Castos if

  • You need unlimited hosting.
  • You work on Web, Wordpress.
  • You also want wordpress integration.
Castos review

Questions people ask

Is Apple Podcasts Connect or Castos better?
Neither clearly leads. Apple Podcasts Connect starts at Free and Castos at $13/month, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, Apple Podcasts Connect or Castos?
Apple Podcasts Connect has a free tier; the other does not. Paid plans start at Free for Apple Podcasts Connect and $13/month for Castos.
Does Apple Podcasts Connect or Castos run on more platforms?
Apple Podcasts Connect runs on Web, Ios, Macos. Castos runs on Web, Wordpress.
Can I use Apple Podcasts Connect for free?
Yes. Apple Podcasts Connect has a free tier, so you can try it without paying. Castos starts at $13/month.
What is Apple Podcasts Connect best used for?
Apple Podcasts Connect is most often used for submitting a new podcast to apple podcasts, claiming an existing show so it is registered to your account, reviewing apple podcasts listener trends and analytics, managing show artwork and metadata. Of those, submitting a new podcast to apple podcasts and claiming an existing show so it is registered to your account are not what Castos is typically brought in for.
What can Apple Podcasts Connect do that Castos cannot?
Apple Podcasts Connect covers Podcast submission, Episode management, Subscription monetization, Show optimization. Castos covers Unlimited hosting, WordPress integration, Distribution, Monetization. Both handle Analytics, Web support.
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Related pages

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