Comparison · Podcast apps
AntennaPod vs Castro: which is better in 2026?
AntennaPod ranks higher in our list of podcast apps (#5 against #6, score 82.5 against 81.0), but the gap is small and the better choice depends on what you need.
- 82.5Editorial score81.0
- 1Platforms1
- YesFree to useYes
- YesOpen sourceNo
Which should you choose?
Choose AntennaPod if you want
Open-source podcasts on Android.
Open-source GPL-3.0 player for Android that subscribes to any RSS feed and contains no ads of its own. It runs only on Android and depends on volunteers for its features.
Choose Castro if you want
iPhone listeners who manage many shows with a queue.
An iPhone podcast app with one shared queue, auto-queue for favorite shows, episode limits for frequent publishers and custom playback speeds. Castro Plus at $24.99 a year adds advanced playback, and the app is iPhone-only.
The main differences
- Only Castro runs on iOS.
- Only AntennaPod runs on Android.
- AntennaPod is open source; Castro is not.
Side by side
 AntennaPod |  Castro | |
|---|---|---|
| Score | 82.5 | 81.0 |
| Rank in list | #5 of 10 | #6 of 10 |
| Price | Free and open sourceFree and open source under GPL-3.0; no ads in the app | Free plan, paid upgradesFree app; Castro Plus subscription at $24.99 a year |
| Free to use | Yes | Yes |
| Open source | Yes | No |
| Platforms | AndroidAndroid | iOSiOS |
| Made by | Not stated | Not stated |
| Any RSS feed | Yes | Yes |
| Best for | Open-source podcasts on Android | iPhone listeners who manage many shows with a queue |
| Strengths |
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| Limits |
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| Links | Visit site | Visit site |
Questions about AntennaPod vs Castro
- Is AntennaPod better than Castro?
- AntennaPod ranks higher in our list of podcast apps (#5 against #6, score 82.5 against 81.0), but the gap is small and the better choice depends on what you need. AntennaPod is best for: open-source podcasts on Android. Castro is best for: iPhone listeners who manage many shows with a queue.
- Which is cheaper, AntennaPod or Castro?
- AntennaPod: Free and open source under GPL-3.0; no ads in the app. Castro: Free app; Castro Plus subscription at $24.99 a year.
- Do AntennaPod and Castro run on the same platforms?
- AntennaPod supports Android. Castro supports iOS.
Choosing between the two
Learning Center
1:17How to decide between two good optionsSettle a close call by sorting it by how hard it is to undo, setting a deadline, scoring the criteria as a tie-breaker and writing down why you chose.
1:20How to compare products fairly: what to keep in mindDefine the job, cap the must-haves, compare like with like, count total cost over one period and weigh the criteria. Includes a worked example.
