Castaway
by Castaway
What Castaway is
Castaway is a free Android podcast player focused on listening through RSS feeds. Users can search for shows, subscribe, and read show notes with clickable timestamps. Playback speed is adjustable from 0.5x to 2.0x, with skip controls plus lock-screen and Bluetooth controls. Episodes can be downloaded for offline listening, and downloads resume automatically. With an account, subscriptions, playback position, and played state synchronize across devices. The app listing says Castaway has no ads or trackers and does not use algorithmic recommendations to promote sponsored content. Its privacy policy says account creation collects an email address and encrypted password, while subscriptions, playback history, and listening progress are stored. The service says it has no third-party analytics, tracking, or crash-reporting SDKs, does not sell personal information, and does not share data with analytics or advertising providers. Podcast media comes directly from publisher RSS feeds and CDNs rather than being hosted or cached by Castaway. The Free plan costs nothing.
Who it suits
Castaway suits Android listeners who want RSS podcast subscriptions, offline downloads, adjustable playback, and cross-device synchronization. It may also appeal to listeners seeking an app without ads, trackers, or sponsored recommendations.
What it does well
- Free Android podcast player
- Offline downloads resume automatically
- Playback speed from 0.5x to 2.0x
- Cross-device subscription and playback sync
- No ads, trackers, or sponsored recommendations
What to know first
- Available on Android only
- Account creation stores email and encrypted password
- Podcast media is fetched from publisher feeds and CDNs
Plans
| Plan | Billed and limits | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Free | Free podcast player | Free |
As cast-away.dev lists them, read 11 Oct 2026. The maker's own page has the final word.
Verdict
Castaway provides core podcast discovery, RSS subscriptions, playback controls, downloads, and account synchronization at no listed cost. Its stated privacy approach limits advertising and third-party tracking, while podcast files remain sourced from publishers.
Facts from Castaway's own pages
- Account data
- The privacy policy says account creation collects an email address and encrypted password, and the service stores subscriptions, playback history, and listening progress. · cast-away.dev, 11 Oct 2026
- Ads and recommendations
- The app listing says it has no ads or trackers and no algorithmic recommendations pushing sponsored content. · play.google.com, 11 Oct 2026
- Analytics and sharing
- The privacy policy says Castaway includes no third-party analytics, tracking, or crash-reporting SDKs, and does not sell personal information or share data with analytics or advertising providers. · cast-away.dev, 11 Oct 2026
- Deletion
- Users can delete their account in app settings or through the web deletion page, which the policy says permanently removes account data, subscriptions, and listening history. · cast-away.dev, 11 Oct 2026
- Developer
- Google Play identifies the developer as FGTL LLC and lists an address in Jersey City, New Jersey. · play.google.com, 11 Oct 2026
- Cross-device sync
- Yes · cast-away.dev, 22 Sept 2026
- Discovery
- Users can search podcasts and browse show notes with clickable timestamps. · play.google.com, 11 Oct 2026
- Free plan
- Yes · cast-away.dev, 22 Sept 2026
- Headquarters
- Jersey City, New Jersey, United States · cast-away.dev, 28 Sept 2026
- Offline downloads
- Yes · cast-away.dev, 22 Sept 2026
- Offline listening
- Episodes can be downloaded for offline listening, and downloads resume automatically. · play.google.com, 11 Oct 2026
- Playback
- Playback speed is adjustable from 0.5x to 2.0x, with skip controls and lock-screen and Bluetooth controls. · play.google.com, 11 Oct 2026
- Podcast media
- Castaway says it does not host, serve, or cache podcast media; episodes are fetched directly from publisher RSS feeds and CDNs. · cast-away.dev, 11 Oct 2026
- Purpose
- Castaway is a free Android podcast player designed for a clean, distraction-free listening experience. · play.google.com, 11 Oct 2026
- RSS podcasts
- The service lets users subscribe to and listen to podcasts from RSS feeds. · cast-away.dev, 11 Oct 2026
- Support
- The app listing directs users to [email protected] for feature requests and bug reports and says every message gets a response. · play.google.com, 11 Oct 2026
- Supported platforms
- Android · cast-away.dev, 22 Sept 2026
- Sync
- Playback position, subscriptions, and played state sync across devices for users with an account. · play.google.com, 11 Oct 2026
Where Castaway stands on Freedom251
- Podcast apps#50 of 55