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Buzzsprout vs Castro

Buzzsprout logo

Buzzsprout

Software

Simple and powerful podcast hosting made easy

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite
Castro logo

Castro

Software

Podcast app with episode inbox

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite

The short version

  • Each has a real cost: Buzzsprout upload hours do not carry over monthly; unused allocation lost; Castro iOS/Apple-only, no Android support
  • They diverge on capability: Buzzsprout covers Audio optimization, Castro covers Podcast app.

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which Buzzsprout and Castro actually diverge.

Attributes where Buzzsprout and Castro differ
AttributeBuzzsproutCastro
Pricing modelfreemiumUnknown
PlatformsWeb, MobileiOS, Apple Watch, iPad
Founded20092013

Identical on both: starting price (Free), free tier (Yes), 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 Buzzsprout

  • Audio optimization
  • Automatic distribution
  • Episode transcription
  • Custom podcast website
  • Analytics dashboard
  • Magic Mastering
  • Apple Podcasts
  • Spotify

Only in Castro

  • Podcast app
  • Inbox system
  • Triage view
  • Playback
  • Discovery
  • Podcast services
  • Apple services
  • Account security

Both cover

  • Privacy controls
  • Web support
  • Ios support

What people use each for

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

Buzzsprout

  • Podcast hostingnot Castro
  • Audio and video podcast distributionnot Castro
  • Transcription and show notes generationnot Castro
  • Podcast analytics and monetisationnot Castro

Castro

  • Podcast managementnot Buzzsprout
  • Listeningnot Buzzsprout

Where each one falls short

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

Buzzsprout

  • Upload hours do not carry over monthly; unused allocation lost
  • Overage charges apply at plan rate for additional uploads

Castro

  • iOS/Apple-only, no Android support
  • No unified inbox for managing multiple podcast accounts
  • Recent ownership change (2024) may affect long-term development

Pricing, plan by plan

Buzzsprout

Free

No published plan breakdown. See the Buzzsprout review.

Castro

Free
  • FreeFree
    • Core podcast management
    • Inbox/queue/archive
    • CarPlay support
  • Castro Plus$24.99/year
    • Custom per-podcast settings
    • Trim Silence
    • Enhance Voices

Which should you pick?

Choose Buzzsprout if

  • You need audio optimization.
  • You want to start without paying.
  • You work on Web, Mobile.
  • You also want automatic distribution.
Buzzsprout review

Choose Castro if

  • You need podcast app.
  • You want to start without paying.
  • You work on iOS, Apple Watch, iPad.
  • You also want inbox system.
Castro review

Questions people ask

Is Buzzsprout or Castro better?
Neither clearly leads. Buzzsprout starts at Free and Castro at Free, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, Buzzsprout or Castro?
Buzzsprout starts at Free and Castro at Free.
Does Buzzsprout or Castro run on more platforms?
Buzzsprout runs on Web, Mobile. Castro runs on iOS, Apple Watch, iPad.
Can I use Buzzsprout for free?
Both have a free tier, so you can try either at no cost before committing.
What is Buzzsprout best used for?
Buzzsprout is most often used for podcast hosting, audio and video podcast distribution, transcription and show notes generation, podcast analytics and monetisation. Of those, podcast hosting and audio and video podcast distribution are not what Castro is typically brought in for.
What can Buzzsprout do that Castro cannot?
Buzzsprout covers Audio optimization, Automatic distribution, Episode transcription, Custom podcast website. Castro covers Podcast app, Inbox system, Triage view, Playback. Both handle Privacy controls, Web support, Ios support.

Answered from the vendors’ own pages

Castro: How much does Castro cost?

Castro 3 is free to download with optional Castro Plus subscription at $24.99/year (includes one-week free trial).

Source
Castro: What platforms does Castro support?

Castro is available on iPhone with an Apple Watch app and is expanding to iPad (launched August 4, 2025). There is no Android version.

Source
Castro: What are the key features of Castro Plus premium subscription?

Castro Plus adds custom per-podcast settings including Episode Limit, Trim Silence, Enhance Voices, Mono Mix, Skip Intros, and variable playback speed.

Source
Castro: How does Castro organize podcasts?

Castro uses an inbox/queue/archive split system where the inbox contains notifications of new episodes and the queue serves as an active playlist.

Source
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Related pages

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