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Castaway vs Podliner

Both stand on podcast apps. Which one you can start free with, which one lets you read the code, and what each costs once you pay.

Castaway

Free plan Android

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.

Visit Castaway

Podliner

Paid LinuxMacWindows

Podliner combines terminal navigation, offline playback, chapter support, and gPodder synchronization across three desktop platforms. Check its terminal requirement and audio-engine control differences before choosing it.

Visit Podliner

The facts

CastawayPodliner
Free planYesNot published
Open sourceNot publishedNot published
Runs onAndroidLinux, Mac, Windows
Lowest paid planFree or on requestNot published
Plans published1None
MakerCastawayNot published
Websitecast-away.devgithub.com
On podcast apps#50 of 55#54 of 55

Castaway: 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

Podliner: what it does well

  • Free and open source under GPLv3
  • Works on Linux, macOS, and Windows
  • Downloads episodes for offline listening
  • Syncs subscriptions and play history
  • Supports keyboard, Vim-style, and mouse controls

What to know first

  • Full-screen interface requires a terminal
  • Playback controls vary by audio engine
  • Plaintext credential fallback if keyring unavailable

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