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Castro vs Criterion Channel

Castro logo

Castro

Entertainment

Podcast app with episode inbox

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite
Criterion Channel logo

Criterion Channel

Entertainment

Criterion Collection curated films

From
$10.99/month
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite

The short version

  • Only Castro has a free tier, so it costs nothing to try first.
  • Each has a real cost: Castro iOS/Apple-only, no Android support; Criterion Channel maximum streaming quality is HD, no 4K or Ultra HD
  • They diverge on capability: Castro covers Podcast app, Criterion Channel covers Criterion films.
  • Prices and features above were last checked on 30 August 2026.

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which Castro and Criterion Channel actually diverge.

Attributes where Castro and Criterion Channel differ
AttributeCastroCriterion Channel
Starting priceFree$10.99/month
Free tierYesNo
PlatformsiOS, Apple Watch, iPadWeb, Android, Apple TV, iOS, Roku, Samsung TV, Amazon Fire TV, Xbox
Founded20131984

Identical on both: pricing model (Unknown), 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 Castro

  • Podcast app
  • Inbox system
  • Triage view
  • Playback
  • Discovery
  • Podcast services
  • Apple services
  • Privacy controls

Only in Criterion Channel

  • Criterion films
  • 4K restoration
  • Essays
  • Special features
  • Curated selections
  • Smart TVs
  • Streaming devices
  • Content access

Both cover

  • Account security
  • Ios support
  • Web support

What people use each for

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

Castro

  • Podcast managementnot Criterion Channel
  • Listeningnot Criterion Channel

Criterion Channel

  • Streaming classic, foreign, and independent films with curated collections and retrospectivesnot Castro
  • Watching filmmaker interviews, commentary tracks, and bonus/supplemental contentnot Castro
  • Following themed programming such as double features and director/actor spotlightsnot Castro
  • Educational and film-study use due to curated context and extrasnot Castro

Where each one falls short

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

Castro

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

Criterion Channel

  • Maximum streaming quality is HD, no 4K or Ultra HD
  • No PlayStation 4 app available
  • HDCP compatibility issues reported on some devices like Chromebooks and Xbox One
  • No live chat or phone support for customer service
  • Limited library compared to mainstream services like Netflix and Hulu

Pricing, plan by plan

Castro

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

Criterion Channel

$10.99/month
  • Monthly$10.99/month
  • Annual$99.99/year

Which should you pick?

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

Choose Criterion Channel if

  • You need criterion films.
  • You work on Web, Android, Apple TV, iOS, Roku, Samsung TV, Amazon Fire TV, Xbox.
  • You also want 4k restoration.
Criterion Channel review

Questions people ask

Is Castro or Criterion Channel better?
Neither clearly leads. Castro starts at Free and Criterion Channel at $10.99/month, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, Castro or Criterion Channel?
Castro has a free tier; the other does not. Paid plans start at Free for Castro and $10.99/month for Criterion Channel.
Does Castro or Criterion Channel run on more platforms?
Castro runs on iOS, Apple Watch, iPad. Criterion Channel runs on Web, Android, Apple TV, iOS, Roku, Samsung TV, Amazon Fire TV, Xbox.
Can I use Castro for free?
Yes. Castro has a free tier, so you can try it without paying. Criterion Channel starts at $10.99/month.
What is Castro best used for?
Castro is most often used for podcast management, listening. Of those, podcast management and listening are not what Criterion Channel is typically brought in for.
What can Castro do that Criterion Channel cannot?
Castro covers Podcast app, Inbox system, Triage view, Playback. Criterion Channel covers Criterion films, 4K restoration, Essays, Special features. Both handle Account security, Ios support, Web 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
Criterion Channel: Can I watch Criterion Channel offline?

No, Criterion Channel requires an active internet connection for streaming. The service does not offer offline viewing or download capabilities.

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
Criterion Channel: What devices does Criterion Channel work on?

Criterion Channel works on Amazon Fire TV, Android, Apple TV, iOS, Roku, Samsung TV, and Xbox. There is no PlayStation app or dedicated mobile app for iOS/Android.

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
Criterion Channel: How much does Criterion Channel cost?

Criterion Channel costs $10.99/month or $99.99/year with a 7-day free trial for new subscribers.

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
Criterion Channel: What is the maximum video quality on Criterion Channel?

Criterion Channel streams in HD quality only. The service does not offer 4K or Ultra HD resolution.

Source
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