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Media & Entertainment · head to head

Castro vs Kodi

Castro logo

Castro

Media & Entertainment

Podcast app with episode inbox

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite
Kodi logo

Kodi

Media & Entertainment

The ultimate entertainment center

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite

The short version

  • Each has a real cost: Castro iOS/Apple-only, no Android support; Kodi licensed under GPLv2, entirely free and open source with no commercial edition
  • They diverge on capability: Castro covers Podcast app, Kodi covers Media playback.

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which Castro and Kodi actually diverge.

Attributes where Castro and Kodi differ
AttributeCastroKodi
Pricing modelUnknownfree
PlatformsiOS, Apple Watch, iPadWindows, Mac, Linux, Android, Ios, Smart-tv
Founded20132003

Identical on both: starting price (Free), free tier (Yes), user rating (Not yet rated), category (Media & 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
  • Account security

Only in Kodi

  • Media playback
  • Library management
  • Add-ons
  • Customization
  • Remote control
  • Smart home
  • Streaming services
  • Add-ons

Both cover

  • Ios support

What people use each for

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

Castro

  • Podcast managementnot Kodi
  • Listeningnot Kodi

Kodi

  • Media centernot Castro
  • Home entertainmentnot 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

Kodi

  • Licensed under GPLv2, entirely free and open source with no commercial edition

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

Kodi

Free
  • FreeFree
    • Open source
    • All features
    • Add-ons

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 Kodi if

  • You need media playback.
  • You want to start without paying.
  • You work on Windows, Mac, Linux, Android, Ios, Smart-tv.
  • You also want library management.
Kodi review

Questions people ask

Is Castro or Kodi better?
Neither clearly leads. Castro starts at Free and Kodi at Free, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, Castro or Kodi?
Castro starts at Free and Kodi at Free.
Does Castro or Kodi run on more platforms?
Castro runs on iOS, Apple Watch, iPad. Kodi runs on Windows, Mac, Linux, Android, Ios, Smart-tv.
Can I use Castro for free?
Both have a free tier, so you can try either at no cost before committing.
What is Castro best used for?
Castro is most often used for podcast management, listening. Of those, podcast management and listening are not what Kodi is typically brought in for.
What can Castro do that Kodi cannot?
Castro covers Podcast app, Inbox system, Triage view, Playback. Kodi covers Media playback, Library management, Add-ons, Customization. Both handle 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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