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Media & Entertainment · head to head

Overcast vs Patreon

Overcast logo

Overcast

Media & Entertainment

The best podcast app for iPhone

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite
Patreon logo

Patreon

Podcast & Audio Publishing

Membership platform for creators

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite

The short version

  • Each has a real cost: Overcast iOS and Mac only, with no Android version or plans for one; Patreon takes 10% of the income a creator earns on the platform
  • They diverge on capability: Overcast covers Podcast app, Patreon covers Membership tiers.

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which Overcast and Patreon actually diverge.

Attributes where Overcast and Patreon differ
AttributeOvercastPatreon
Pricing modelUnknownfreemium
PlatformsiOS, macOS, watchOSWeb, Ios, Android
CategoryMedia & EntertainmentPodcast & Audio Publishing
Founded20142013

Identical on both: starting price (Free), free tier (Yes), user rating (Not yet rated).

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 Patreon

  • Membership tiers
  • Exclusive content
  • Private podcast feeds
  • Community features
  • Analytics
  • Payment processing
  • Discord
  • Podcast apps

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 Patreon
  • Apple integrationnot Patreon

Patreon

  • Running a paid membership for fans of a creator or podcastnot Overcast
  • Selling recurring access to exclusive content and communitynot 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

Patreon

  • Takes 10% of the income a creator earns on the platform
  • Payment processing, currency conversion and payout fees are charged on top of that 10% and are not quantified on the pricing page
  • The total deduction is therefore not calculable from the pricing page alone, and requires reading a separate support article

Pricing, plan by plan

Overcast

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

Patreon

Free
  • FreeFree
    • Free membership page
    • Basic features
    • Community tools
  • ProFree
    • All free features
    • Analytics dashboard
    • Priority support
  • PremiumFree
    • All Pro features
    • Dedicated partner manager
    • Custom onboarding

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 Patreon if

  • You need membership tiers.
  • You want to start without paying.
  • You work on Web, Ios, Android.
  • You also want exclusive content.
Patreon review

Questions people ask

Is Overcast or Patreon better?
Neither clearly leads. Overcast starts at Free and Patreon at Free, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, Overcast or Patreon?
Overcast starts at Free and Patreon at Free.
Does Overcast or Patreon run on more platforms?
Overcast runs on iOS, macOS, watchOS. Patreon runs on Web, Ios, Android.
Can I use Overcast for free?
Both have a free tier, so you can try either at no cost before committing.
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 Patreon is typically brought in for.
What can Overcast do that Patreon cannot?
Overcast covers Podcast app, Smart Speed, Voice Boost, Sync. Patreon covers Membership tiers, Exclusive content, Private podcast feeds, Community features. 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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Related pages

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