Castbox review

Castbox casts a wide net. Its catalog covers more than 95 million audio items, including podcasts, audiobooks, FM radio, white noise and guided meditation from 27 countries, and you can play them on iPhone, Apple Watch, CarPlay, Apple HomePod or Amazon Alexa. The player covers the basics well, with personalized recommendations, a daily top podcasts list, one-tap subscribe, playback speed, volume boost, trim silence and a sleep timer. OPML import pulls in your shows from Apple Podcasts, Pocket Casts, Overcast, Spotify and others, so switching is quick. Zen mode collects sleep and relaxation audio. Premium is sold through many App Store products, from short promo offers to a $34.99 yearly plan, which makes the real price harder to read than with most rivals. Organization tools such as filters and queues are simpler than in Pocket Casts or Castro, and community and sleep sections make the app busier than a dedicated player.

Who it is for

Listeners who want podcasts, radio and sleep audio in one free app.

Price

Free app; Castbox Premium Yearly $34.99 (about $2.92 per month) on the US App Store.

Castbox Premium Yearly $34.99
Quoted from the vendor pricing page on November 9, 2026.

Key features

• More than 95 million audio items, including podcasts, audiobooks and FM radio
• Volume boost, trim silence and a sleep timer
• OPML import from other podcast apps
• Support for Apple HomePod, Amazon Alexa, CarPlay and Apple Watch
• Zen mode for sleep and relaxation audio

Strengths and weaknesses

• Strength: Wide mix of audio types in one app
• Strength: Free tier covers the basics
• Strength: Easy OPML import from other apps
• Weakness: Premium pricing in the App Store is confusing, with many promo tiers
• Weakness: Less polished queue management than Pocket Casts or Castro
• Weakness: Community and sleep features add clutter

Key facts

• Catalog: 95 million+ audio items from 27 countries
• Free plan: Yes
• US price: Castbox Premium Yearly $34.99
• Platforms: iPhone, iPad, Apple Watch, Android
• Ratings: 4.9 out of 5 from 201K ratings on the US App Store

Where it ranks

Castbox is No. 8 in our Best Podcast Apps verdict.