Softwr

Software · head to head

VLC vs Overcast

VLC logo

VLC

Software

The free and open source media player

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite
Overcast logo

Overcast

Software

The best podcast app for iPhone

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite

The short version

  • Each has a real cost: VLC vLC is completely free open source software with no paid tier, ads, or vendor support contract; Overcast iOS and Mac only, with no Android version or plans for one
  • They diverge on capability: VLC covers Media playback, Overcast covers Podcast app.

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which VLC and Overcast actually diverge.

Attributes where VLC and Overcast differ
AttributeVLCOvercast
Pricing modelfreeUnknown
PlatformsWindows, Mac, Linux, Ios, Android, WebiOS, macOS, watchOS
Founded19982014

Identical on both: starting price (Free), free tier (Yes), 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 VLC

  • Media playback
  • Codec support
  • Streaming
  • Conversion
  • Plugins
  • Network streaming
  • DVD playback
  • Open source

Only in Overcast

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

Both cover

  • Ios support
  • Web support

What people use each for

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

VLC

  • Media playbacknot Overcast
  • Video conversionnot Overcast

Overcast

  • Podcast listeningnot VLC
  • Apple integrationnot VLC

Where each one falls short

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

VLC

  • VLC is completely free open source software with no paid tier, ads, or vendor support contract

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

Pricing, plan by plan

VLC

Free
  • FreeFree
    • All codecs
    • No ads
    • Open source

Overcast

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

Which should you pick?

Choose VLC if

  • You need media playback.
  • You want to start without paying.
  • You work on Windows, Mac, Linux, Ios, Android, Web.
  • You also want codec support.
VLC review

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

Questions people ask

Is VLC or Overcast better?
Neither clearly leads. VLC starts at Free and Overcast at Free, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, VLC or Overcast?
VLC starts at Free and Overcast at Free.
Does VLC or Overcast run on more platforms?
VLC runs on Windows, Mac, Linux, Ios, Android, Web. Overcast runs on iOS, macOS, watchOS.
Can I use VLC for free?
Both have a free tier, so you can try either at no cost before committing.
What is VLC best used for?
VLC is most often used for media playback, video conversion. Of those, media playback and video conversion are not what Overcast is typically brought in for.
What can VLC do that Overcast cannot?
VLC covers Media playback, Codec support, Streaming, Conversion. Overcast covers Podcast app, Smart Speed, Voice Boost, Sync. 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
ShareXLinkedInRedditWhatsAppEmail

Related pages

More on VLC

More on Overcast

Keep looking

Other head to heads