# Alternatives to Castbox

Podcast discovery with in-audio search.

Castbox ranks #4 of 8 in Podcast apps, with an Alt Score of 82. It is proprietary, freemium from $3.99/month and available on iOS, Android and Web. 10 of 10 checklist rows are verified against a public source.

Source: https://altcatalog.com/alternatives/castbox/
Category: Podcast apps

## Overview

- **Who it's for**: Podcast and audiobook listeners who want one app to find and follow shows across genres like news, true crime, business, and entertainment, whether on phone, smart speaker, or car system.
- **What you get**: A cross-platform app (iOS, Android, web, plus CarPlay/Android Auto and smart speakers) with search and browsable categories to discover shows, personalized recommendations, and subscriptions to keep up with new episodes. It also includes audiobook access and a separate creator toolset for podcasters to distribute and manage their shows.
- **How it works**: Search or browse curated categories to find a show, subscribe to add it to your library, then stream or download episodes and continue listening across supported devices.

## Profile

- **License**: Proprietary (verified 2026-07-10)
- **Pricing model**: Freemium (verified 2026-07-10)
- **Starts at**: $3.99/month (verified 2026-07-10)
- **Platforms**: iOS, Android, Web
- **Status**: active (verified 2026-07-10)

## Ranked alternatives

| # | App | Alt Score | Licence | Platforms |
|---|-----|-----------|---------|-----------|
| 1 | [Pocket Casts](https://altcatalog.com/alternatives/pocket-casts.md) | 91 | MPL-2.0 | Windows, macOS, iOS, Android |
| 2 | [Castro](https://altcatalog.com/alternatives/castro.md) | 86 | Proprietary | iOS |
| 3 | [Overcast](https://altcatalog.com/alternatives/overcast.md) | 86 | Proprietary | iOS |
| 4 | [AntennaPod](https://altcatalog.com/alternatives/antennapod.md) | 78 | GPL-3.0 | Android |
| 5 | [Snipd](https://altcatalog.com/alternatives/snipd.md) | 73 | Proprietary | iOS, Android |
| 6 | [Apple Podcasts](https://altcatalog.com/alternatives/apple-podcasts.md) | 68 | Proprietary | macOS, iOS, Web |
| 7 | [Podcast Addict](https://altcatalog.com/alternatives/podcast-addict.md) | 28 | ? | Android |

Alt Score = Verified coverage (90%) + Visibility (10%). See https://altcatalog.com/how-alt-score-works/

## Feature comparison

Legend: Yes / No / Partial / ? (not verified).

| Podcast apps checklist | Castbox | Pocket Casts | Castro | Overcast | AntennaPod | Snipd |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pricing model | Freemium | Freemium | Freemium | Freemium | Free | Freemium |
| Starts at | $3.99/month | $3.99/month | $3.99/month | $14.99 | Free | $6.99/month |
| License | Proprietary | MPL-2.0 | Proprietary | Proprietary | GPL-3.0 | Proprietary |
| Platforms | iOS, Android, Web | Windows, macOS, iOS, Android, Web | iOS | iOS | Android | iOS, Android |
| Cross-device sync | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Trim silence / speed | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Partial | ? |
| Chapters support | No | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Transcripts | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | ? | Yes |
| Queue management | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Downloads & auto-delete | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| OPML import/export | Yes | Yes | Partial | Yes | Yes | Partial |
| Open source | No | Yes | No | No | Yes | No |
| No account required | Yes | ? | Yes | Partial | Yes | Partial |
| Watch app | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | ? | Yes |

## Sources

Sources for Castbox. Each alternative is sourced on its own page.

- **Starts at**: $3.99/month — <https://apps.apple.com/us/app/podcast-player-app-castbox/id1243410543> (verified 2026-07-10)
  - Note: leadingText":"Castbox Premium","trailingText":"$3.99"" — No price published on castbox.fm; from Castbox's own App Store IAP listing.
- **License**: Proprietary — <https://castbox.fm/download> (verified 2026-07-10)
  - Note: No OSS license/repo on any official domain; proprietary per copyright footer.
  - Quote: “© Guru Network 2026”
- **Pricing model**: Freemium — <https://helpcenter.castbox.fm/portal/en/kb/articles/castbox-premium> (verified 2026-07-10)
  - Quote: “Castbox Premium is the paid version of the app with the following premium features. a) No ads (visual)... b) Unlimited subscriptions. Free users are limited to subscribe to 100 channels only”
- **Platforms**: iOS, Android, Web — <https://castbox.fm/download> (verified 2026-07-10)
  - Quote: “iOS Listen to your favorite podcasts on your iphone... Android Finding your favorite shows is simple on your Android... Web Stay connected with podcast on your personal computer. Castbox web player is”
- **Status**: active — <https://castbox.fm/blog/5-hidden-ai-features-in-castbox-youre-probably-not-using-yet/> (verified 2026-07-10)
  - Quote: “5 Hidden AI Features in Castbox You're Probably Not Using Yet Posted on May 9, 2026”
- **Cross-device sync**: Yes — <https://helpcenter.castbox.fm/portal/en/kb/articles/sync-across-devices> (verified 2026-07-10)
  - Quote: “Yes, if you are using Castbox on Android, iOS or web system, by logging in with the same account, your subscriptions, playback progress, favorites, history could be synced across devices.”
- **Trim silence / speed**: Yes — <https://helpcenter.castbox.fm/portal/en/kb/articles/trim-silence> (verified 2026-07-10)
  - Quote: “you may tap the adjustment button... and enable the “Trim Silence” feature. This feature will help reduce the length of episodes by cutting out pauses and other gaps at the beginning/end.”
- **Chapters support**: No — <https://helpcenter.castbox.fm/portal/en/kb/articles/bookmark-chapter-alarm-subtitle-and-equalizer> (verified 2026-07-10)
  - Quote: “Requests regarding bookmark, chapter, alarm, subtitle, and equalizer... Sorry, we don't have these features yet.”
- **Transcripts**: Yes — <https://castbox.fm/blog/5-hidden-ai-features-in-castbox-youre-probably-not-using-yet/> (verified 2026-07-10)
  - Note: Newer blog (May 2026) supersedes an older help article that said transcripts were unavailable.
  - Quote: “Castbox uses AI to generate full-text transcripts of podcast episodes in real time.”
- **Queue management**: Yes — <https://helpcenter.castbox.fm/portal/en/kb/articles/difference-between-playlist-and-next-up> (verified 2026-07-10)
  - Note: Playlist" and "Next Up"/"Up Next"?" — Confirms a 'Next Up'/'Up Next' play-queue distinct from Playlists; body is JS-rendered so only the title is quotable.
  - Quote: “What is the difference between ”
- **Downloads & auto-delete**: Yes — <https://helpcenter.castbox.fm/portal/en/kb/articles/can-t-stop-auto-download> (verified 2026-07-10)
  - Quote: “The “Auto delete” feature will work within 1 hour after an episode is played in full.”
- **OPML import/export**: Yes — <https://helpcenter.castbox.fm/portal/en/kb/articles/settings-on-the-personal-tab-android> (verified 2026-07-10)
  - Quote: “OPML Export Click it, and your OPML file will be downloaded and exported successfully.”
- **Open source**: No — <https://castbox.fm/download> (verified 2026-07-10)
  - Note: No OSS repository/license on any official Castbox domain.
  - Quote: “© Guru Network 2026”
- **No account required**: Yes — <https://helpcenter.castbox.fm/portal/en/kb/articles/log-in-and-log-out> (verified 2026-07-10)
  - Note: Login optional for basic listening; account only needed for sync/Premium.
  - Quote: “When you first open Castbox, the app will ask you to log in via Gmail, Facebook, Twitter, or choose to login later.”
- **Watch app**: Yes — <https://castbox.fm/download> (verified 2026-07-10)
  - Note: Show App on Apple Watch" to enjoy podcasts on your Apple Watch."
  - Quote: “Watch Castbox is supported by Apple Watch. Download Castbox on your iPhone, go to the Watch App and turn on ”

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Ranked by verified data, never by who paid. https://altcatalog.com/trust/