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Software · head to head

Overcast vs Audible

Overcast logo

Overcast

Software

The best podcast app for iPhone

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite
Audible logo

Audible

Software

Audiobooks as you've never experienced them

From
$7.95/month
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite

The short version

  • Only Overcast has a free tier, so it costs nothing to try first.
  • Each has a real cost: Overcast iOS and Mac only, with no Android version or plans for one; Audible auto renews monthly and must be cancelled at least 24 hours before the end of the current membership period, per the App Store listing
  • They diverge on capability: Overcast covers Podcast app, Audible covers Audiobooks.

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which Overcast and Audible actually diverge.

Attributes where Overcast and Audible differ
AttributeOvercastAudible
Starting priceFree$7.95/month
Pricing modelUnknownsubscription
Free tierYesNo
PlatformsiOS, macOS, watchOSIos, Android, Desktop, Kindle
Founded20141995

Identical on both: user rating (Not yet rated), category (Unknown).

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 Overcast

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

Only in Audible

  • Audiobooks
  • Podcasts
  • Originals
  • Offline listening
  • Amazon Echo
  • Kindle
  • Apple Watch
  • Family library

Both cover

  • Ios support

What people use each for

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

Overcast

  • Podcast listeningnot Audible
  • Apple integrationnot Audible

Audible

  • Audiobook listeningnot Overcast
  • Podcast consumptionnot Overcast

Where each one falls short

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

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

Audible

  • Auto renews monthly and must be cancelled at least 24 hours before the end of the current membership period, per the App Store listing
  • Renewal is charged at the rate of the selected plan within 24 hours before the end of each membership period, per the App Store listing

Pricing, plan by plan

Overcast

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

Audible

$7.95/month
  • Plus$7.95/month
    • Plus catalog
    • Podcasts
  • Premium Plus$14.95/month
    • 1 credit/month
    • Plus catalog

Which should you pick?

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

Choose Audible if

  • You need audiobooks.
  • You work on Ios, Android, Desktop, Kindle.
  • You also want podcasts.
Audible review

Questions people ask

Is Overcast or Audible better?
Neither clearly leads. Overcast starts at Free and Audible at $7.95/month, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, Overcast or Audible?
Overcast has a free tier; the other does not. Paid plans start at Free for Overcast and $7.95/month for Audible.
Does Overcast or Audible run on more platforms?
Overcast runs on iOS, macOS, watchOS. Audible runs on Ios, Android, Desktop, Kindle.
Can I use Overcast for free?
Yes. Overcast has a free tier, so you can try it without paying. Audible starts at $7.95/month.
What is Overcast best used for?
Overcast is most often used for podcast listening, apple integration. Of those, podcast listening and apple integration are not what Audible is typically brought in for.
What can Overcast do that Audible cannot?
Overcast covers Podcast app, Smart Speed, Voice Boost, Sync. Audible covers Audiobooks, Podcasts, Originals, Offline listening. Both handle Ios support.

Answered from the vendors’ own pages

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
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
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
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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Related pages

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