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Castbox vs Chartable

Castbox logo

Castbox

Software

Podcast & radio app for everyone

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite
Chartable logo

Chartable

Software

Podcast analytics and attribution platform

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite

The short version

  • Each has a real cost: Castbox app frequently crashes, requiring users to reload it to continue listening; Chartable shut down on 12 December 2024. Spotify, which acquired Chartable in February 2022, announced the closure on 27 September 2024 and folded parts of it into Spotify for Podcasters
  • They diverge on capability: Castbox covers Podcast app, Chartable covers Download analytics.

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which Castbox and Chartable actually diverge.

Attributes where Castbox and Chartable differ
AttributeCastboxChartable
Pricing modelUnknownfreemium
PlatformsiOS, Android, Web, Radio, AudiobooksWeb
Founded20162017

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 Castbox

  • Podcast app
  • Radio
  • Discovery
  • Offline listening
  • Sync
  • Smart devices
  • Podcast services
  • Account security

Only in Chartable

  • Download analytics
  • Chart rankings
  • SmartLinks tracking
  • Attribution
  • SmartPromos
  • Cross-promotion analytics
  • All podcast platforms
  • Advertising networks

Both cover

  • Web support

What people use each for

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

Castbox

  • Podcast listeningnot Chartable
  • Radio streamingnot Chartable

Chartable

  • Podcast analyticsnot Castbox
  • Marketing attributionnot Castbox
  • Chart trackingnot Castbox
  • Growth measurementnot Castbox

Where each one falls short

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

Castbox

  • App frequently crashes, requiring users to reload it to continue listening
  • Approximately half of saved podcasts do not automatically refresh or send notifications for new episodes
  • Free version displays unskippable minute-long ads that sometimes play as blank screens
  • Interface is described as cluttered with excessive focus on mainstream podcast recommendations
  • Tracking requirements for certain features like background playback limit privacy

Chartable

  • Shut down on 12 December 2024. Spotify, which acquired Chartable in February 2022, announced the closure on 27 September 2024 and folded parts of it into Spotify for Podcasters
  • The tracking prefixes no longer function, and shows still carrying one need it removed
  • chartable.com now redirects to Spotify's Megaphone site

Pricing, plan by plan

Castbox

Free
  • FreeFree
    • 50+ million podcasts
    • On-demand radio
    • Audiobooks
  • Premium$null/custom
    • Ad-free listening
    • Advanced features
    • Contact for pricing

Chartable

Free
  • FreeFree
    • Chart tracking
    • Basic analytics
    • 1 podcast
  • Indie$20/month
    • Advanced analytics
    • SmartLinks
    • Attribution
  • Team$100/month
    • Multiple podcasts
    • SmartPromos
    • Team access
  • Enterprise$undefined/month
    • Unlimited podcasts
    • Custom integrations
    • API access

Which should you pick?

Choose Castbox if

  • You need podcast app.
  • You want to start without paying.
  • You work on iOS, Android, Web, Radio, Audiobooks.
  • You also want radio.
Castbox review

Choose Chartable if

  • You need download analytics.
  • You want to start without paying.
  • You also want chart rankings.
Chartable review

Questions people ask

Is Castbox or Chartable better?
Neither clearly leads. Castbox starts at Free and Chartable at Free, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, Castbox or Chartable?
Castbox starts at Free and Chartable at Free.
Does Castbox or Chartable run on more platforms?
Castbox runs on iOS, Android, Web, Radio, Audiobooks. Chartable runs on Web.
Can I use Castbox for free?
Both have a free tier, so you can try either at no cost before committing.
What is Castbox best used for?
Castbox is most often used for podcast listening, radio streaming. Of those, podcast listening and radio streaming are not what Chartable is typically brought in for.
What can Castbox do that Chartable cannot?
Castbox covers Podcast app, Radio, Discovery, Offline listening. Chartable covers Download analytics, Chart rankings, SmartLinks tracking, Attribution. Both handle Web support.

Answered from the vendors’ own pages

Castbox: Is Castbox free and does it have paid tiers?

Castbox offers a free version with ads and limited features. A premium subscription is available but details on pricing were not disclosed on the main site. Free tier includes access to 50+ million podcasts, radio programs, and audiobooks.

Source
Castbox: What languages and regions does Castbox support?

Castbox supports content in 70 languages from 175 countries, making it one of the most internationally accessible podcast platforms.

Source
Castbox: Can I search for specific content across all episodes with Castbox?

Yes, Castbox pioneered an in-audio search feature using natural language processing that lets listeners search for keywords and topics across more than 50 million episodes.

Source
Castbox: What tools does Castbox offer for podcasters?

Castbox provides a Creator Studio with robust analytics for creators to measure subscribers, streams, and downloads. However, creators requiring comprehensive editing and production tools may find Castbox limited compared to specialized production software.

Source
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Related pages

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