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Entertainment · head to head

Castro vs MUBI

Castro logo

Castro

Entertainment

Podcast app with episode inbox

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite
MUBI logo

MUBI

Entertainment

Discover extraordinary cinema

From
$7.99/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; MUBI curated, rotating catalogue - films leave the service on a schedule rather than staying permanently available
  • They diverge on capability: Castro 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 Castro and MUBI actually diverge.

Attributes where Castro and MUBI differ
AttributeCastroMUBI
Starting priceFree$7.99/month
Pricing modelUnknownsubscription
Free tierYesNo
PlatformsiOS, Apple Watch, iPadWeb, iOS, Android
Founded20132007

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 Castro

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

Only in MUBI

  • Curated films
  • World cinema
  • Documentaries
  • Classics
  • New releases
  • 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 MUBI
  • Listeningnot MUBI

MUBI

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

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

Castro

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

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 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 MUBI if

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

Questions people ask

Is Castro or MUBI better?
Neither clearly leads. Castro 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, Castro or MUBI?
Castro has a free tier; the other does not. Paid plans start at Free for Castro and $7.99/month for MUBI.
Does Castro or MUBI run on more platforms?
Castro runs on iOS, Apple Watch, iPad. MUBI runs on Web, iOS, Android.
Can I use Castro for free?
Yes. Castro has a free tier, so you can try it without paying. MUBI starts at $7.99/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 MUBI is typically brought in for.
What can Castro do that MUBI cannot?
Castro covers Podcast app, Inbox system, Triage view, Playback. MUBI covers Curated films, World cinema, Documentaries, Classics. 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
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
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
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
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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