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Entertainment · head to head

Overcast vs Starz

Overcast logo

Overcast

Entertainment

The best podcast app for iPhone

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite
Starz logo

Starz

Entertainment

Premium originals and hit series

From
$6.99/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; Starz standard monthly rate after 3-month promotion not disclosed on landing page; requires signup to see renewal pricing
  • They diverge on capability: Overcast covers Podcast app, Starz covers Streaming.
  • Prices and features above were last checked on 30 August 2026.

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which Overcast and Starz actually diverge.

Attributes where Overcast and Starz differ
AttributeOvercastStarz
Starting priceFree$6.99/month
Pricing modelUnknownsubscription
Free tierYesNo
PlatformsiOS, macOS, watchOSWeb, Ios, Android, Smart-tv, Roku, Fire-tv
Founded20141994

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

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

Only in Starz

  • Streaming
  • Original series
  • Movies
  • Exclusive content
  • Downloads
  • 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 Starz
  • Apple integrationnot Starz

Starz

  • Drama streamingnot Overcast
  • Original series 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

Starz

  • Standard monthly rate after 3-month promotion not disclosed on landing page; requires signup to see renewal pricing

Pricing, plan by plan

Overcast

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

Starz

$6.99/month
  • Standard$6.99/month
    • HD
    • Ad-supported
  • Premium$12.99/month
    • 4K
    • Ad-free
    • Downloads

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 Starz if

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

Questions people ask

Is Overcast or Starz better?
Neither clearly leads. Overcast starts at Free and Starz at $6.99/month, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, Overcast or Starz?
Overcast has a free tier; the other does not. Paid plans start at Free for Overcast and $6.99/month for Starz.
Does Overcast or Starz run on more platforms?
Overcast runs on iOS, macOS, watchOS. Starz runs on Web, Ios, Android, Smart-tv, Roku, Fire-tv.
Can I use Overcast for free?
Yes. Overcast has a free tier, so you can try it without paying. Starz starts at $6.99/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 Starz is typically brought in for.
What can Overcast do that Starz cannot?
Overcast covers Podcast app, Smart Speed, Voice Boost, Sync. Starz covers Streaming, Original series, Movies, Exclusive content. 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
Starz: What is the current STARZ subscription cost?

STARZ offers a limited-time promotional rate of $4 per month for the first three months. The standard monthly rate after this period is not displayed on the website and appears during signup.

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
Starz: How many devices can stream simultaneously on STARZ?

STARZ subscriptions allow streaming on up to 4 devices at the same time, with unlimited HD streaming and downloads included.

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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