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Entertainment · head to head

Castro vs Stitcher

Castro logo

Castro

Entertainment

Podcast app with episode inbox

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite
S

Stitcher

Entertainment

Premium podcast subscription service

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite

The short version

  • Each has a real cost: Castro iOS/Apple-only, no Android support; Stitcher service discontinued August 29, 2023
  • They diverge on capability: Castro covers Podcast app, Stitcher covers Podcast streaming.
  • Prices and features above were last checked on 30 August 2026.

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which Castro and Stitcher actually diverge.

Attributes where Castro and Stitcher differ
AttributeCastroStitcher
Pricing modelUnknownfreemium
PlatformsiOS, Apple Watch, iPadWeb, Ios, Android, Smart-speakers
Founded20132007

Identical on both: starting price (Free), free tier (Yes), 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 Stitcher

  • Podcast streaming
  • Original content
  • Ad-free
  • Offline listening
  • Recommendations
  • Smart speakers
  • Car systems
  • Content controls

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 Stitcher
  • Listeningnot Stitcher

Stitcher

  • Podcast listeningnot Castro
  • Audio 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

Stitcher

  • Service discontinued August 29, 2023
  • No longer available for download or use

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

Stitcher

Free
  • FreeFree
    • Free podcasts
    • Ad-supported
  • Stitcher Premium$4.99/month
    • Ad-free
    • Exclusives

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 Stitcher if

  • You need podcast streaming.
  • You want to start without paying.
  • You work on Web, Ios, Android, Smart-speakers.
  • You also want original content.
Stitcher review

Questions people ask

Is Castro or Stitcher better?
Neither clearly leads. Castro starts at Free and Stitcher at Free, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, Castro or Stitcher?
Castro starts at Free and Stitcher at Free.
Does Castro or Stitcher run on more platforms?
Castro runs on iOS, Apple Watch, iPad. Stitcher runs on Web, Ios, Android, Smart-speakers.
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 Stitcher is typically brought in for.
What can Castro do that Stitcher cannot?
Castro covers Podcast app, Inbox system, Triage view, Playback. Stitcher covers Podcast streaming, Original content, Ad-free, Offline listening. 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
Stitcher: Is Stitcher still available?

No. Stitcher shut down on August 29, 2023. SiriusXM, which acquired Stitcher in 2020, discontinued the app to consolidate podcasts into its flagship SiriusXM subscription. Users can listen to podcasts via the SiriusXM app instead.

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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