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Entertainment · head to head

Castbox vs MUBI

Castbox logo

Castbox

Entertainment

Podcast & radio app for everyone

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite
MUBI logo

MUBI

Entertainment

Discover extraordinary cinema

From
$7.99/month
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite

The short version

  • Only Castbox has a free tier, so it costs nothing to try first.
  • Each has a real cost: Castbox app frequently crashes, requiring users to reload it to continue listening; MUBI curated, rotating catalogue - films leave the service on a schedule rather than staying permanently available
  • They diverge on capability: Castbox covers Podcast app, MUBI covers Curated films.
  • Prices and features above were last checked on 30 August 2026.

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which Castbox and MUBI actually diverge.

Attributes where Castbox and MUBI differ
AttributeCastboxMUBI
Starting priceFree$7.99/month
Pricing modelUnknownsubscription
Free tierYesNo
PlatformsiOS, Android, Web, Radio, AudiobooksWeb, iOS, Android
Founded20162007

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

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
  • Privacy controls

Only in MUBI

  • Curated films
  • World cinema
  • Documentaries
  • Classics
  • New releases
  • Smart TVs
  • Streaming devices
  • Content access

Both cover

  • Account security
  • Web support
  • Ios support
  • Android support

What people use each for

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

Castbox

  • Podcast listeningnot MUBI
  • Radio streamingnot MUBI

MUBI

  • Watching curated arthouse, independent, and classic international cinemanot Castbox
  • Discovering festival and awards-circuit films not on mainstream platformsnot Castbox
  • Getting a free weekly theatrical ticket via MUBI GO in eligible citiesnot Castbox
  • Reading editorial film notes and curation alongside streamingnot 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

MUBI

  • Curated, rotating catalogue - films leave the service on a schedule rather than staying permanently available
  • No live TV or broad back-catalogue - deliberately small, curated library rather than a comprehensive on-demand one
  • MUBI GO (free theater ticket plus streaming) is limited to select cities

Pricing, plan by plan

Castbox

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

MUBI

$7.99/month
  • Monthly$7.99/month
    • Unlimited streaming access to curated films
    • Download capability via iOS and Android apps
    • Ad-free viewing

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 MUBI if

  • You need curated films.
  • You work on Web, iOS, Android.
  • You also want world cinema.
MUBI review

Questions people ask

Is Castbox or MUBI better?
Neither clearly leads. Castbox starts at Free and MUBI at $7.99/month, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, Castbox or MUBI?
Castbox has a free tier; the other does not. Paid plans start at Free for Castbox and $7.99/month for MUBI.
Does Castbox or MUBI run on more platforms?
Castbox runs on iOS, Android, Web, Radio, Audiobooks. MUBI runs on Web, iOS, Android.
Can I use Castbox for free?
Yes. Castbox has a free tier, so you can try it without paying. MUBI starts at $7.99/month.
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 MUBI is typically brought in for.
What can Castbox do that MUBI cannot?
Castbox covers Podcast app, Radio, Discovery, Offline listening. MUBI covers Curated films, World cinema, Documentaries, Classics. Both handle Account security, Web support, Ios support, Android 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
MUBI: How much does MUBI cost?

MUBI costs $7.99 per month USD on a monthly plan. An annual plan is available that saves 38% compared to monthly billing, though the exact annual price is not shown on the pricing page.

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
MUBI: Is there a free trial for MUBI?

Yes, MUBI offers a 7-day free trial with no credit card required. After the trial ends, the membership converts to paid status.

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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