Head-to-head comparison
Beacons vs Castbox
Two of the distribution tools podcasters reach for. Here's how they differ on pricing, features, audience, and the trade-offs that actually matter day-to-day.
Creator-first link-in-bio with embeds for podcast players.
Best for:
Global listening app with deep discovery and built-in monetization for hosts.
Best for: Global listening reach
At a glance
The honest trade-offs
Beacons
Pros
- Native podcast embeds on the free plan
- Built-in email capture and storefront
- Strong mobile design defaults
Watch-outs
- Free tier shows Beacons branding
- Edits can queue up on free plan
- Less SEO benefit than a dedicated podcast site
Castbox
Pros
- Free distribution to a global listening audience
- Built-in paywall and premium subscriptions
- Strong listener presence across Asia-Pacific
Watch-outs
- Creator features require a Premium account
- Paid-content buyer pool is small vs. Patreon
- Discovery algorithm is opaque for new shows
Which one should you pick?
Pick Beacons if
You’re building around . Beacons is a Linktree alternative with podcast embeds, email capture, and storefront on the free tier. Mobile design out of the box is genuinely good.
Pick Castbox if
You’re building around global listening reach. Castbox is trying to be both a listening app and a creator monetization stack, which means it's a decent place to be discovered and a mediocre place to actually earn. Premium content gating works, but the buyer base is small.
Also worth comparing
Or see all Beacons alternatives.
Frequently asked
What does Beacons do better than Castbox?
Beacons's standout is "Native podcast embeds on the free plan". Castbox doesn't make that promise — it leans into "Free distribution to a global listening audience" instead. If the first sentence describes your workflow, pick Beacons; if the second does, pick Castbox.
What are the trade-offs?
Beacons: free tier shows beacons branding. Castbox: creator features require a premium account. Whether either matters depends entirely on what you actually need — neither is a deal-breaker by itself.
Do they support the same platforms?
Castbox works on iOS, Android where Beacons doesn't. If you're on a specific OS or device, that may decide for you.
Can I use Beacons and Castbox together?
Both are distribution tools so most teams pick one. Some workflows do combine them — for example, using Beacons for one show or episode type and Castbox for another. Worth trying both free tiers before committing.