Castanet vs WatchTower
Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.
Castanet
Access local and national news, classifieds, events, and more from the Okanagan region. Features include direct messaging for classifieds, posting ads, webcams, and an airport arrivals/departures page.
- Local and national news
- Classifieds with messaging
- Post classified ads
- Scenic and traffic webcams
- Airport arrivals/departures
- Events listings
- Obituaries
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Since launching in November 2000, Castanet has become one of the most visited media websites in Western Canada. The free Castanet.net app is the B.C. Interior's source for the latest local, national and world news, classifieds, events, webcams and more. The Castanet.net site is visited by 600,000 people every week. The Castanet.net app has all the features our desktop and mobile sites have with improved usability for smartphones.
WatchTower
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Stay Alert with WatchTower – Live Safety Updates WatchTower is your go-to safety app for Toronto. Get real-time alerts from Toronto Police and Fire Service. From crimes and fires to natural disasters and protests, WatchTower keeps you updated on what’s happening nearby with instant alerts right on your device. Whether you're at home, commuting, or out exploring the city, you’ll get notified about things like property crimes, collision , robberies, wildfires, and more — as they happen. Heads up: WatchTower might alert you before police even arrive. It's all about helping you stay aware — use it wisely! Why You'll Love It: Instant Alerts: Get live updates on local crimes and emergencies from both the Toronto Police and Fire Service. Missing Alerts: Help reunite lost pets or missing loved ones with their families. Download WatchTower now — and feel safer, more aware, and connected to your city. *** Important: This app is not affiliated with or endorsed by the Toronto Police Service or Fire Services. Reports submitted through this app are not monitored by emergency services. For immediate assistance, contact 911 or your local authorities directly.
Screenshots
Verdict
The clearest difference is iOS requirement: Castanet at 15 against WatchTower's 17.6. On price, update cadence, ads and in-app purchases there is nothing between them.
Scored on Price · Rating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings · Update frequency · Ads · In-app purchases · Monetization · Best chart rank · Devices · Requires iOS
Both are free to download. Neither carries in-app purchases, so what you see is what you pay.
Castanet ships an update every 6 weeks, WatchTower every 2 months. The most recent releases landed on September 26, 2026 and September 17, 2026 respectively.
| Parameter | Castanet | WatchTower |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | 5.0 (1 ratings) — better | — |
| Positive reviews | 19.4% of reviews | — |
| Number of ratings | 1 — better | — |
| Update frequency | Every 6 weeks — better | Every 2 months |
| Ads | No | No |
| In-app purchases | No | No |
| Monetization | Free | — |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad, iPod — better | iPhone, iPad |
| Requires iOS | 15 — better | 17.6 |
| Further details — not scored | ||
| Size | 31 MB | 49 MB |
| Age rating | 4+ | 12+ |
| Developer | Castanet Media Ltd. | Kenneth Tang |
In-app purchases
Castanet
No in-app purchases
WatchTower
No in-app purchases
