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Criterion Channel vs Overcast

Criterion Channel logo

Criterion Channel

Media & Entertainment

Criterion Collection curated films

From
$10.99/month
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite
Overcast logo

Overcast

Media & Entertainment

The best podcast app for iPhone

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite

The short version

  • Only Overcast has a free tier, so it costs nothing to try first.
  • Each has a real cost: Criterion Channel maximum streaming quality is HD, no 4K or Ultra HD; Overcast iOS and Mac only, with no Android version or plans for one
  • They diverge on capability: Criterion Channel covers Criterion films, Overcast covers Podcast app.

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which Criterion Channel and Overcast actually diverge.

Attributes where Criterion Channel and Overcast differ
AttributeCriterion ChannelOvercast
Starting price$10.99/monthFree
Free tierNoYes
PlatformsWeb, Android, Apple TV, iOS, Roku, Samsung TV, Amazon Fire TV, XboxiOS, macOS, watchOS
Founded19842014

Identical on both: pricing model (Unknown), user rating (Not yet rated), category (Media & Entertainment).

What each one covers

Drawn from each product's published feature list. An absence here means we hold no record of it - not that the product lacks it.

Only in Criterion Channel

  • Criterion films
  • 4K restoration
  • Essays
  • Special features
  • Curated selections
  • Smart TVs
  • Streaming devices
  • Account security

Only in Overcast

  • Podcast app
  • Smart Speed
  • Voice Boost
  • Sync
  • Discovery
  • Apple services
  • Podcast services
  • Privacy-focused

Both cover

  • Web support
  • Ios support

What people use each for

The jobs each tool is most often brought in to do.

Criterion Channel

  • Streaming classic, foreign, and independent films with curated collections and retrospectivesnot Overcast
  • Watching filmmaker interviews, commentary tracks, and bonus/supplemental contentnot Overcast
  • Following themed programming such as double features and director/actor spotlightsnot Overcast
  • Educational and film-study use due to curated context and extrasnot Overcast

Overcast

  • Podcast listeningnot Criterion Channel
  • Apple integrationnot Criterion Channel

Where each one falls short

Documented limitations, not opinions. Every one is a constraint you would hit in normal use.

Criterion Channel

  • Maximum streaming quality is HD, no 4K or Ultra HD
  • No PlayStation 4 app available
  • HDCP compatibility issues reported on some devices like Chromebooks and Xbox One
  • No live chat or phone support for customer service
  • Limited library compared to mainstream services like Netflix and Hulu

Overcast

  • iOS and Mac only, with no Android version or plans for one
  • No web version for accessing podcasts across browsers
  • Dependent on Apple ecosystem, limiting accessibility for Windows and Android users

Pricing, plan by plan

Criterion Channel

$10.99/month
  • Monthly$10.99/month
  • Annual$99.99/year

Overcast

Free
  • FreeFree
    • Podcast playback
    • Smart Speed
    • Voice Boost
  • Premium$9.95/year
    • No ads
    • Custom icons
    • Upload personal audio

Which should you pick?

Choose Criterion Channel if

  • You need criterion films.
  • You work on Web, Android, Apple TV, iOS, Roku, Samsung TV, Amazon Fire TV, Xbox.
  • You also want 4k restoration.
Criterion Channel review

Choose Overcast if

  • You need podcast app.
  • You want to start without paying.
  • You work on iOS, macOS, watchOS.
  • You also want smart speed.
Overcast review

Questions people ask

Is Criterion Channel or Overcast better?
Neither clearly leads. Criterion Channel starts at $10.99/month and Overcast at Free, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, Criterion Channel or Overcast?
Overcast has a free tier; the other does not. Paid plans start at $10.99/month for Criterion Channel and Free for Overcast.
Does Criterion Channel or Overcast run on more platforms?
Criterion Channel runs on Web, Android, Apple TV, iOS, Roku, Samsung TV, Amazon Fire TV, Xbox. Overcast runs on iOS, macOS, watchOS.
Can I use Overcast for free?
Yes. Overcast has a free tier, so you can try it without paying. Criterion Channel starts at $10.99/month.
What is Criterion Channel best used for?
Criterion Channel is most often used for streaming classic, foreign, and independent films with curated collections and retrospectives, watching filmmaker interviews, commentary tracks, and bonus/supplemental content, following themed programming such as double features and director/actor spotlights, educational and film-study use due to curated context and extras. Of those, streaming classic, foreign, and independent films with curated collections and retrospectives and watching filmmaker interviews, commentary tracks, and bonus/supplemental content are not what Overcast is typically brought in for.
What can Criterion Channel do that Overcast cannot?
Criterion Channel covers Criterion films, 4K restoration, Essays, Special features. Overcast covers Podcast app, Smart Speed, Voice Boost, Sync. Both handle Web support, Ios support.

Answered from the vendors’ own pages

Criterion Channel: Can I watch Criterion Channel offline?

No, Criterion Channel requires an active internet connection for streaming. The service does not offer offline viewing or download capabilities.

Source
Overcast: Is Overcast free or paid?

Overcast is free with ad banners promoting podcasts. Premium subscription of $9.95 per year removes ads, enables custom icons, and allows uploading personal audio files.

Source
Criterion Channel: What devices does Criterion Channel work on?

Criterion Channel works on Amazon Fire TV, Android, Apple TV, iOS, Roku, Samsung TV, and Xbox. There is no PlayStation app or dedicated mobile app for iOS/Android.

Source
Overcast: What platforms does Overcast support?

Overcast is available on iOS (iPhone, iPad) and Mac with Apple M1 or later. It is not available on Android, Windows, or web.

Source
Criterion Channel: How much does Criterion Channel cost?

Criterion Channel costs $10.99/month or $99.99/year with a 7-day free trial for new subscribers.

Source
Overcast: What are Overcast's signature features?

Overcast features Smart Speed, which dynamically shortens silences in podcasts while maintaining natural sound, and Voice Boost, which normalizes audio levels across episodes.

Source
Criterion Channel: What is the maximum video quality on Criterion Channel?

Criterion Channel streams in HD quality only. The service does not offer 4K or Ultra HD resolution.

Source
Overcast: Who develops Overcast?

Overcast is developed and maintained by Marco Arment, a software developer who previously created Instapaper and served as CTO of Tumblr.

Source
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