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Stitcher vs Castro

S

Stitcher

Software

Premium podcast subscription service

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite
Castro logo

Castro

Software

Podcast app with episode inbox

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite

The short version

  • Each has a real cost: Stitcher service discontinued August 29, 2023; Castro iOS/Apple-only, no Android support
  • They diverge on capability: Stitcher covers Podcast streaming, Castro covers Podcast app.

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which Stitcher and Castro actually diverge.

Attributes where Stitcher and Castro differ
AttributeStitcherCastro
Pricing modelfreemiumUnknown
PlatformsWeb, Ios, Android, Smart-speakersiOS, Apple Watch, iPad
Founded20072013

Identical on both: starting price (Free), free tier (Yes), user rating (Not yet rated), category (Unknown).

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 Stitcher

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

Only in Castro

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

Both cover

  • Account security
  • Web support
  • Ios support

What people use each for

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

Stitcher

  • Podcast listeningnot Castro
  • Audio entertainmentnot Castro

Castro

  • Podcast managementnot Stitcher
  • Listeningnot Stitcher

Where each one falls short

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

Stitcher

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

Pricing, plan by plan

Stitcher

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

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 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

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 Stitcher or Castro better?
Neither clearly leads. Stitcher 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, Stitcher or Castro?
Stitcher starts at Free and Castro at Free.
Does Stitcher or Castro run on more platforms?
Stitcher runs on Web, Ios, Android, Smart-speakers. Castro runs on iOS, Apple Watch, iPad.
Can I use Stitcher for free?
Both have a free tier, so you can try either at no cost before committing.
What is Stitcher best used for?
Stitcher is most often used for podcast listening, audio entertainment. Of those, podcast listening and audio entertainment are not what Castro is typically brought in for.
What can Stitcher do that Castro cannot?
Stitcher covers Podcast streaming, Original content, Ad-free, Offline listening. Castro covers Podcast app, Inbox system, Triage view, Playback. Both handle Account security, Web support, Ios support.

Answered from the vendors’ own pages

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: 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

More on Stitcher

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