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Software · head to head

Overcast vs Hulu

Overcast logo

Overcast

Software

The best podcast app for iPhone

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite
Hulu logo

Hulu

Software

Stream TV and movies live and online

From
$7.99/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; Hulu the App Store listing states Hulu offers three plans, Hulu with Ads, Hulu No Ads, and Hulu plus Live TV, and caps simultaneous streaming at two screens at once while allowing up to six profiles per account, without stating any plan price in the visible description.
  • They diverge on capability: Overcast covers Podcast app, Hulu covers On-demand streaming.

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which Overcast and Hulu actually diverge.

Attributes where Overcast and Hulu differ
AttributeOvercastHulu
Starting priceFree$7.99/month
Pricing modelUnknownsubscription
Free tierYesNo
PlatformsiOS, macOS, watchOSWeb, Ios, Android, Smart-tv, Gaming-consoles
Founded20142007

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 Hulu

  • On-demand streaming
  • Live TV
  • Cloud DVR
  • Downloads
  • Current episodes
  • Smart TVs
  • Gaming consoles
  • Mobile devices

Both cover

  • Ios support
  • Web support

What people use each for

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

Overcast

  • Podcast listeningnot Hulu
  • Apple integrationnot Hulu

Hulu

  • TV streamingnot Overcast
  • Live TVnot Overcast
  • Next-day episodesnot Overcast
  • Sportsnot 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

Hulu

  • The App Store listing states Hulu offers three plans, Hulu with Ads, Hulu No Ads, and Hulu plus Live TV, and caps simultaneous streaming at two screens at once while allowing up to six profiles per account, without stating any plan price in the visible description.
  • The App Store listing states premium network add-ons such as MAX, Paramount+ with SHOWTIME, CINEMAX, and STARZ are each available only for an additional monthly fee on top of a Hulu plan.

Pricing, plan by plan

Overcast

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

Hulu

$7.99/month
  • Hulu (With Ads)$7.99/month
    • Full library
    • Ad-supported
  • Hulu (No Ads)$17.99/month
    • Full library
    • Ad-free
    • Downloads
  • Hulu + Live TV$76.99/month
    • Live TV
    • On-demand
    • Cloud DVR

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 Hulu if

  • You need on-demand streaming.
  • You work on Web, Ios, Android, Smart-tv, Gaming-consoles.
  • You also want live tv.
Hulu review

Questions people ask

Is Overcast or Hulu better?
Neither clearly leads. Overcast starts at Free and Hulu at $7.99/month, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, Overcast or Hulu?
Overcast has a free tier; the other does not. Paid plans start at Free for Overcast and $7.99/month for Hulu.
Does Overcast or Hulu run on more platforms?
Overcast runs on iOS, macOS, watchOS. Hulu runs on Web, Ios, Android, Smart-tv, Gaming-consoles.
Can I use Overcast for free?
Yes. Overcast has a free tier, so you can try it without paying. Hulu starts at $7.99/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 Hulu is typically brought in for.
What can Overcast do that Hulu cannot?
Overcast covers Podcast app, Smart Speed, Voice Boost, Sync. Hulu covers On-demand streaming, Live TV, Cloud DVR, Downloads. Both handle Ios support, Web 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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