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Podcasting · head to head

Apple Podcasts Connect vs Castos

Apple Podcasts Connect logo

Apple Podcasts Connect

Podcasting

Manage and distribute your podcast on Apple Podcasts

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite
Castos logo

Castos

Podcasting

Simple podcast hosting for WordPress sites

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite

The short version

  • 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.
  • Prices and features above were last checked on 30 August 2026.

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
Pricing modelfreesubscription
PlatformsWeb, Ios, MacosWeb, Wordpress
Founded19762016

Identical on both: starting price (Free), free tier (Yes), user rating (Not yet rated), category (Podcasting).

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

Free
  • Essentials$19/month
    • unlimited podcasts/episodes
    • 10 transcripts/month
  • Growth$49/month
    • advanced analytics
    • 25 transcripts/month
  • Pro$99/month
    • video hosting
    • 100 transcripts/month
  • Premium$499/month
    • unlimited transcripts
    • dedicated account management

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 want to start without paying.
  • 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 Free, 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 starts at Free and Castos at Free.
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?
Both have a free tier, so you can try either at no cost before committing.
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.

Answered from the vendors’ own pages

Castos: How much does Castos cost?

Castos plans range from USD 19/month for Essentials to USD 499+/month for Premium, with annual billing offering 2 months free discount.

Source
Castos: Is there a free trial for Castos?

Yes, Castos offers a 14-day free trial on the Essentials plan with no credit card required to get started.

Source
Castos: How many transcripts are included per plan?

Essentials includes 10 transcripts/month, Growth includes 25, Pro includes 100, and Premium includes unlimited transcripts.

Source
Castos: What are Castos add-ons and how much do they cost?

Add-ons include AI Assistant at USD 10/month and extra private subscribers at USD 50/month per 500 additional subscribers.

Source
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Related pages

More on Apple Podcasts Connect

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