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Jellyfin vs Castro

Jellyfin logo

Jellyfin

Media & Entertainment

The free software media system

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite
Castro logo

Castro

Media & Entertainment

Podcast app with episode inbox

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite

The short version

  • Each has a real cost: Jellyfin jellyfin is free open source software under the GNU GPL with no paid tier or vendor support contract available; Castro iOS/Apple-only, no Android support
  • They diverge on capability: Jellyfin covers Media server, Castro covers Podcast app.

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which Jellyfin and Castro actually diverge.

Attributes where Jellyfin and Castro differ
AttributeJellyfinCastro
Pricing modelfreeUnknown
PlatformsWeb, Ios, Android, Smart-tv, Desktop, DockeriOS, Apple Watch, iPad
Founded20182013

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 Jellyfin

  • Media server
  • Streaming
  • Library management
  • Open source
  • Self-hosted
  • Smart TVs
  • Streaming devices
  • Mobile devices

Only in Castro

  • Podcast app
  • Inbox system
  • Triage view
  • Playback
  • Discovery
  • Podcast services
  • Apple services
  • Account security

Both cover

  • Web support
  • Ios support

What people use each for

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

Jellyfin

  • Open-source media streamingnot Castro
  • Self-hosted librarynot Castro

Castro

  • Podcast managementnot Jellyfin
  • Listeningnot Jellyfin

Where each one falls short

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

Jellyfin

  • Jellyfin is free open source software under the GNU GPL with no paid tier or vendor support contract available

Castro

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

Pricing, plan by plan

Jellyfin

Free
  • FreeFree
    • Unlimited streaming
    • Open source
    • No ads

Castro

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

Which should you pick?

Choose Jellyfin if

  • You need media server.
  • You want to start without paying.
  • You work on Web, Ios, Android, Smart-tv, Desktop, Docker.
  • You also want streaming.
Jellyfin review

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

Questions people ask

Is Jellyfin or Castro better?
Neither clearly leads. Jellyfin starts at Free and Castro at Free, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, Jellyfin or Castro?
Jellyfin starts at Free and Castro at Free.
Does Jellyfin or Castro run on more platforms?
Jellyfin runs on Web, Ios, Android, Smart-tv, Desktop, Docker. Castro runs on iOS, Apple Watch, iPad.
Can I use Jellyfin for free?
Both have a free tier, so you can try either at no cost before committing.
What is Jellyfin best used for?
Jellyfin is most often used for open-source media streaming, self-hosted library. Of those, open-source media streaming and self-hosted library are not what Castro is typically brought in for.
What can Jellyfin do that Castro cannot?
Jellyfin covers Media server, Streaming, Library management, Open source. Castro covers Podcast app, Inbox system, Triage view, Playback. Both handle Web support, 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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Related pages

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