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Software · head to head

Overcast vs Showtime

Overcast logo

Overcast

Software

The best podcast app for iPhone

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite
S

Showtime

Software

Signature entertainment and sports

From
$10.99/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; Showtime showtime is now offered only as part of Paramount+'s Premium plan, per the App Store listing (Paramount+ by CBS Mobile)
  • They diverge on capability: Overcast covers Podcast app, Showtime covers Streaming.

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which Overcast and Showtime actually diverge.

Attributes where Overcast and Showtime differ
AttributeOvercastShowtime
Starting priceFree$10.99/month
Pricing modelUnknownsubscription
Free tierYesNo
PlatformsiOS, macOS, watchOSWeb, Ios, Android, Smart-tv
Founded20141983

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 Showtime

  • Streaming
  • Original series
  • Movies
  • Sports
  • Live events
  • Smart TVs
  • Streaming devices
  • Account security

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 Showtime
  • Apple integrationnot Showtime

Showtime

  • Premium streamingnot Overcast
  • Sports watchingnot 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

Showtime

  • Showtime is now offered only as part of Paramount+'s Premium plan, per the App Store listing (Paramount+ by CBS Mobile)
  • Cancellation takes effect at the end of the current subscription period rather than immediately, with continued access through the paid 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

Showtime

$10.99/month
  • Showtime Standalone$10.99/month
    • Original content
    • Ad-free

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 Showtime if

  • You need streaming.
  • You work on Web, Ios, Android, Smart-tv.
  • You also want original series.
Showtime review

Questions people ask

Is Overcast or Showtime better?
Neither clearly leads. Overcast starts at Free and Showtime at $10.99/month, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, Overcast or Showtime?
Overcast has a free tier; the other does not. Paid plans start at Free for Overcast and $10.99/month for Showtime.
Does Overcast or Showtime run on more platforms?
Overcast runs on iOS, macOS, watchOS. Showtime runs on Web, Ios, Android, Smart-tv.
Can I use Overcast for free?
Yes. Overcast has a free tier, so you can try it without paying. Showtime starts at $10.99/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 Showtime is typically brought in for.
What can Overcast do that Showtime cannot?
Overcast covers Podcast app, Smart Speed, Voice Boost, Sync. Showtime covers Streaming, Original series, Movies, Sports. 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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