Overcast vs Pocket Casts 2024: Best iPhone Podcast Apps Showdown!

[@dlr3163]

This is exactly what I’ve been waiting for since the overcast redesign 😂 thanks a ton

[@beardfm]

Hope I did it justice!

[@ojntk]

First time I’ve seen your channel and this was super helpful! I am a huge Overcast fan but have been scared to get the new update. I might still wait just a little for more bugs to get worked out, but I’m excited to try it now!

[@beardfm]

Glad you found the channel!

[@tonyb92681]

the showdown I was asking for!

[@UncleSinger-33]

Thanks for sharing! My Pocket Casts life time subscription is still valid after 8 years! I tried a few times Overcast but I prefer Pocket Casts, I find it easier to use. I really loved Castro that now has new owners and developers, I think I will keep checking what they will do with it.

[@beardfm]

I have the lifetime subscription too! Love it

[@nathanshaw4189]

Thanks for giving me exactly the perspective I wanted. Found out about you from your debut guest on MacBreak Weekly and have enjoyed your stuff ever since. One bit of feedback--I found myself wishing you had something that stated which app you were showing. You were always very clear, but I just couldn't keep focus, so I would rewind to figure it out. I wouldn't want you to have to do all of that in post, so I figured maybe you could just have a physical label sitting next to your phone in each of your shots. All good though, thanks for doing what you do.

[@Ykodi01234]

Thank you for your great videos❤ Can you please review the changes for Apple Podcasts on iOS18? 🙏

[@beardfm]

Thanks! I show it a little here but the only change I’ve noticed so far is the chapter markers when scrubbing through the play bar

[@DannyLeonardMusic]

And the fact that turning off continuous playback is broken

[@fede777]

I see this video was done before the latest updates to OC that made a lot of changes and improvements. In the latest update PC goes to 5x now, but only using the + button. Another thing about OC is that the "Smart Resume" feature is so good, going back a few seconds and resuming playback in between words. PC has this too, but it never worked well for me.

[@beardfm]

I didn’t see that PC update! Will follow-up once the Overcast watch app launches.

[@bondicraig37]

Been a PC user for years. Looked at OC and others but the functionality of PC makes it still the winner.

[@RuanViljoen]

Redesigned sharing, including clip sharing, is being worked on in Pocket Casts🥳 Transcripts are also in the works.

[@beardfm]

Would love to see it! If you're on the team, it would be great to get on the beta releases

[@RuanViljoen]

@@beardfm I’m not on the team, but there is a public TestFlight. You can just drop their support team an email and they will hook you up.

[@spasticatadisco9571]

Hi there is there any way to download the old overcast the new update is bloody awful

[@dvdaltizer]

One thing I have noticed with new Overcast is the serious danger it presents as I use it in the car. I don't sit there and read show notes or anything, but the quick swipe on the middle screen and big chunky chapters were so much easier to safely navigate in my vehicle. I really don't like the extra taps this has, specifically for the chapters.

[@beardfm]

Same. Pocket Casts swiping in the car helps a ton

[@DeathandCo]

I’m team pocketcast but I’ve switched back to apple’s podcast app. Love the smart folders

[@beardfm]

Still love the Apple Podcasts design too

[@DanG15803]

Throwing my two cents in. Aren’t we all spending most of our time listening to a podcast in the background as opposed to be being actively engaged with the UI of the app we’re using to listen to the podcasts? Overcast’s sound quality is superior to Pocketcast’s along with any other podcast apps I’ve tested on iOS. That to me is what keeps me as a ten year user of Overcast, and the rest is gravy. Thoughts?

[@DanG15803]

Slight update! I just realized that I didn’t have Spatial Audio head tracking somehow configured while using Pocketcasts, but it has been configured for Overcast. The audio quality is now quite comparable, so, it might be worth reconsidering!

[@beardfm]

Fair point, but most often when I'm listening to podcasts I'm in the car or busy with tasks, grocery shopping, etc. So when I want to change episode or manage what comes up next, doing that quickly is important to me. Also, if there's a link in the show notes I want to get at quickly, the swipe gestures in pocket casts makes that easier. But some people really like to manage those multiple playlists like in Overcast!

[@DanG15803]

@@beardfmalso good points, Stephen!

[@gerawan]

​@@beardfm I agree with you. Audio quality is important, but changing and managing episodes efficiently is also a high priority, as is being able to frequently change things like playback speed without having to do too many taps (or use both hands) to get there. The new Overcast makes that less efficient, so I hope it's improved. Since the new Overcast was released, I've been comparing it to Apple's podcast app, and I'm not sure Overcast is good enough to stick with anymore. It still has bugs, and there's no indication if those bugs are on the developer's radar. For example, I will open one of my playlists several times during the day, and deleted episodes will start downloading again. Three times, sometimes. There's also no way to swipe down to select multiple episodes to delete (like there was with old Overcast), so for those of us who delete more episodes than we listen to, it has become quite a chore to get those episodes off a playlist. And, speaking of deleting episodes, it's true that many users didn't complain (at first) that new Overcast doesn't stream, but now that we've been using it for several days, it's become clear that lack of streaming is a significant problem. Lack of streaming compels us to follow fewer podcasts, since no one wants such a huge volume of unnecessary data on their phone, so following fewer podcasts means a diminished podcast experience overall. I'm going to try Pocket Casts again, as well as Castro. I used to use both, and might switch back to one of them, or just stick with Apple's podcast player which will likely win out eventually anyway.

[@DanG15803]

@@gerawanwell said!

[@Xeronimo74]

Pocket Casts FTW!

[@on2a]

A few months ago I switched from pocketcasts to Apple Podcasts for the transcript feature alone, after using pocketcasts for about a decade. I may just switch back to pocketcasts as it does so much more besides

[@beardfm]

I did like the transcript, but I can always jump over there if I want to search an episode. The overall queue is so much better in Pocket Casts it won me back.

[@on2a]

@@beardfm I figured thesame. Transcript is an awesome feature but is so episode specific you can get away without needing it in the main

[@RuanViljoen]

@on2a Transcripts are coming to Pocket Casts as well 🥳

[@dannymaliana]

Pocket Casts can go upto 5x speed if you keep tapping the + icon rather than the middle bar.

[@beardfm]

Didn't know that! Pretty cool, but 5x 😳

[@leonkreuzi]

Why does my Optimized Charging not Work? I did everything you said in the videos, i also have a alarm in the morning set. Can someone please help me? Thanks

[@beardfm]

What's it not doing?

[@EvilSammy]

Even though there was no mention of an annual subscription (Overcast > Pocket Casts) or the myriad bugs in the new Overcast update, I think the comparison was fair. I do think the single best feature Overcast has over Pocket Casts is the ability to assign an exact podcast priority in any order per playlist. That said, I also think Pocket Casts is easier to navigate and is aesthetically superior to Overcast. A lot of it depends on whether you're a "playlist" person (Overcast) or a "add to queue" person (Pocket Casts).

[@beardfm]

The last part is a key element, turns out I’m very much an add to queue person.

[@moneymant6541]

Hey Love your channel! Curious can you make an shortcut to where your phone takes you to a app that notified you, like perhaps a discord automatically (if you tho to specific channel on discord) but just the app also works fine. I know kinda weird 😂

[@beardfm]

Like, when a notification comes in, that app automatically opens? Unfortunately there aren't automations for third party notifications like that.

[@TheSlowpC]

Been an overcast user since day one and was very happy with the new update.

[@beardfm]

Good to hear!

[@wheelsandrevs]

I really like refresh but they broke the 3D Touch actions from the new show available notifications. I have to go inside the app each time to toggle delete or download the podcast.

[@beardfm]

Ah I missed that, that stinks.

[@JimFantazzia]

Overcast user since day one, premium user also...I like the update, I miss the swiping between screens to get to chapters...Also, it seems as soon as the podcast is done, it does not play the next one and it stays out there as if I have that episode still to play, it takes a bot or force quit removes a played podcast. Hopefully, bug fix updates removes that issue.

[@imkaladin]

I just use whatever Viticci uses lol so I’m on Castro

[@beardfm]

Haha fair

[@liam6658]

Thanks for this overview! Unless I'm missing it, the new Overcast took away the option to only see the shows that have unplayed episodes. I don't use queues: I just look at the podcasts with new episodes and choose the next one I want to hear. But the "current" tab now shows all podcasts that the app decided are active, whether there are episodes available or not. Meanwhile, "All Episodes" can't be organized by podcast. If there is a way to replicate that using smart playlists, I would love to know how to do that. For now I will stick with Castro, buggy and precarious as it is.

[@beardfm]

I don't see an unplayed filter in the Queue settings actually, so maybe not

[@bbbb-yq5tj]

hello, is it possible to change the country of the podcast, I noticed that there is this option in pocket cast but I can't find it in overcast, thanks

[@beardfm]

I’m not sure about that, you mean the country that you’re listening *from*?

[@bbbb-yq5tj]

@@beardfm Hello Stephen, im from Poland i can listen podcast in english but if quite handy search podcast in polish

[@mconwell]

In Overcast, can you have more than 4 Playists and if so, how do you see more than 4? Are they listed vertically or do I need to swipe left and right? Can they be reordered?

[@gerawan]

Yes, you can have more than four playlists, and yes they can be reordered. They’re listed horizontally and that can’t be changed.

[@beardfm]

You swipe left to right to access more playlists, but they're listed alphabetically and you can't change that.

[@gerawan]

@@beardfm Actually, you CAN change that with the latest release.

[@micahwinston6003]

Can you do Spotify vs. Pocket Casts?

[@codysroomofficial]

This version of Overcast feels like what Apple Podcasts SHOULD be.

[@gerawan]

The bugs and loss of functionality don't bother you?

[@codysroomofficial]

@@gerawan yes they do. I’m not an Overcast user. But Overcast has always felt like something Apple could’ve/should’ve made Apple Podcasts, which also leaves a lot to be desired. With this new design, that’s only become more true in my opinion. It could be that I’m just spoiled to Pocket Casts. It’s amazing. Minus the new look of their widgets 🫠 hate that.

[@jeffhale1189]

Thanks for sharing. I use Overcast and like the changes. Blessings on your day.

[@beardfm]

Good to hear from a regular user!

[@jamesfhIII]

After using Overcast since 2014, most of my recent listening has shifted to Apple Podcasts. I haven’t tried Pocket Casts in quite some time, so I’ll give it another look. However, $40-$99 a year, versus $10 for Overcast, seems a bit steep!

[@Entariows75]

I'm currently using Overcast, but I'm surprised iOS shortcuts weren't mentioned in connection with it, given the multitude available. I'm also curious: what's your favorite podcast, aside from Primary Technology, of course?

[@beardfm]

I should've mentioned, but Pocket Casts also has many Shortcuts actions. May revisit once the Apple Watch app comes out. And favorite podcast...that's a tough one! I've really enjoyed Decoder lately, and I listen to every SmartLess, Cortex, and Vergecast. Would be difficult to choose, but I'd go with one of them!

[@MinimaLune]

I was an Overcast user for years, however, Apple Podcast's transcription made me replace the app. If Overcast could do that, I might return.

[@beardfm]

Transcripts are super nice for sure

[@Bearsediter2024]

How do I delete all downloaded episodes on overcast?? I can’t find it anywhere.

[@gerawan]

Old Overcast allowed quick swipe-down selection of podcasts to easily delete them, but that feature was removed and is no longer available in new Overcast. As for deleting all downloaded episodes, I couldn't find that either, and since now Overcast doesn't stream, it's using 60GB of iPhone storage.

[@lraroarr]

I must delete a massive amount of downloads and I can’t find a way to do it. Surely I don’t have to delete one by one?

[@lraroarr]

67 GB

[@Bearsediter2024]

Had 50 gb and had to delete app to get rid of and re install.

[@gerawan]

@@lraroarr Other than deleting the app, I don't know of a way. Please let us know if you find a way. It's shocking to see how many Overcast features have been removed and how many bugs still exist.

[@chezchezchezchez]

You didn’t mention the cost of each app. Why not?

[@vctrsigma]

Probalby becuase both are free at a baseline? Overcast's subscription only unlocks a web portal for uploading your own files and the ability to remove a banner ad (and possibly a custom app icon setting?). So overcast is pretty much the same experience as a player whether or not you pay.

[@beardfm]

Costs change over time and often don’t age well in videos. In-app purchase amounts are very transparent in the App Store, and I couldn’t cover all the currencies people may be using either.

[@hxrdcxrx]

No mention of the unbelievable laundry list of foundational bugs in the app, many of which are still present after 2 additional hurried updates? Also, 3x is the best speed for listening to podcast.

[@beardfm]

3x?? What do you watch KZbin videos at?

[@hxrdcxrx]

@@beardfm Overcast is doing some algorithm magic in the way it manages speed, so 3x is perfectly intelligible after a few days of practice. KZbin (and most other media players) simply increase the speed (audio pitches up significantly, sounds choppy/bubbly), so, at least for me, 2x on KZbin is less intelligible than 3x in Overcast. If the visual component isn’t important, I’ll try 1.5-2x. If the visual component is importent, it’s mostly 1x and occasionally 1.25x.

[@paralytaatylarap9715]

@@hxrdcxrxExactly! The sound quality of 2x, 2,5x and 3x is really good on Overcast. I use it for listening to foreign language podcasts, first at 0,5x and then progressively faster. Most of the other podcast apps fail even at 1,5x and more. Unfortunately the new version completely broke Overcast. In its current state it is barely useable. Bugs, missing and broken features, horrible UI.

[@tomhuffinton5193]

hey, I listen to my podcasts at 3x speed!

[@beardfm]

For real?? But what about KZbin videos? 😏

[@interwurx]

It is a great way to "skip" commercials as well if the listener doesn't know how long the commercial will be.

[@tomhuffinton5193]

@@beardfm Yup, if I listen any slower, the voices sound drunk. KZbin, I have a plug in that I watch/listen 2.1x to 4x.

[@alexandergrigorov2594]

Indeed Apple podcast is not my cup of tea and yes I miss Google podcast. Thanks Stephen I’ll give it a try on both Pocket Casts and Overcast.

[@beardfm]

Pocket Casts is my fav for sure

[@claybwagner]

Downcast for the win

[@beardfm]

👀

[@alant8553]

I have used Overcast for years but I’m about to delete it off of my iPhone. They recently did a redesign and made it more cumbersome to use. In the older version if he wanted to speed up up the play all you had to do was swipe right. If you wanted to see information about what you’re listening to swipe left, they did away with that. And now it’s constantly freezing up… and then stopping the play. And when I look, it’s making me start the episode all over again. I just don’t understand why they can’t just leave one of the best podcast apps alone.

[@supereldian]

Do you pay for the Pocket Casts subscription? If so, which tier?

[@beardfm]

I paid for it years ago when it first came out, same with Overcast, so I’m grandfathered in with that one time purchase.

[@supereldian]

@@beardfm lucky!

[@RonaldHeiby]

Pocket Casts - Settings, Appearance, Use Episode Artwork - a relatively recent feature

[@beardfm]

Hm I actually have that enabled already.

[@kg6sxy]

The redesign of overcast has been a dumpster fire. I was originally using pocket casts before I switched to overcast many years ago because I was having issues as a voiceover user and was not getting any responses back from the pocket casts team regarding bugs I was encountering. The latest release of overcast has become completely unusable for someone like me that requires voiceover plus voice control. While some of the bugs will eventually get fixed, it takes a lot of effort to switch podcast players especially since the new version of overcast no longer includes a way to export your podcast list. After spending two days getting everything manually ported over to pocket casts, I don't plan to switch again anytime soon.

[@_noahbanks]

Just a thought: Marco would probably really, really value your feedback and insight, if you have the time and space to give it. I know he values making Overcast accessible, even if this new release was not good.

[@kg6sxy]

@@_noahbanks I have sent all of my feedback to him by email from the first day that I downloaded the major overhaul.

[@paralytaatylarap9715]

Marco butchered Overcast. The new version is absolutely garbage. The UI is horrible. Features are gone or broken. It is unusable for me and many other Overcast users. Many people are unhappy and are leaving the sinking ship.

[@gerawan]

@@_noahbanksMarco knows. Marco has also made it clear that product quality is not his priority.

[@raggedrobin2341]

I didn’t have any feature problems with the new Overcast, but the UI redesign was a head-scratcher. I’m now using Apple Podcasts.

[@agentfletcher]

How does Overcast still not support video podcast? More and more podcast are produced with a video first mindset or have a video counterpart to the audio version. I understand that still the majority are audio focused but compared to 10 years ago when all my podcast was audio only now it’s about 50/50 which eliminates Overcast for me and many others.

[@Nik_tech000]

Wallpaper¿

[@beardfm]

Here! renzssadiwa.gumroad.com/l/xhvpsh

[@zehph]

There are people that speak at 0.25x so listening at 3x is just listening in normal speed 😅

[@beardfm]

haha fair enough

[@DanMills7]

One key comparison not covered is the cost. For paid tiers, Overcast is only ¼ the cost per year of Pocket Casts. That is a compelling difference.

[@beardfm]

I should've included cost comparison, but that also can change over time so I always wrestle with whether to include it. Good points though.

[@MM-pg2wq]

IMPORTANT DETAIL MISSED IN THIS VIDEO....... Overcast works with Carplay, Pocket Casts does not.

[@beardfm]

Pocket Casts has a great CarPlay app, not sure what you mean.

[@paralytaatylarap9715]

Marco butchered Overcast. The new version is absolutely garbage. The UI is horrible. Features are gone or broken. It is unusable for me and many other Overcast users. Many people are unhappy and are leaving the sinking ship.

[@spasticatadisco9571]

Totally agree the latest update is terrible I wish I could go back to the old overcast

[@chezchezchezchez]

“ Marco is a self proclaimed audiophile ” Wow dude. That’s condescending. I don’t think he’s actually claimed an expert. I don’t know where you got that from. But before I would make a negative statement like that. I would have to have some real evidence.

[@hxrdcxrx]

How is this a negative statement?

[@EvilSammy]

I took that as a compliment, the context that audio quality is important to him.

[@hxrdcxrx]

@@EvilSammy agreed.

[@beardfm]

I truly meant it as a compliment as I’ve referred to his headphone and mic reviews on marco.org many many times. I meant he cares about audio and has a better ear for it than I do. He’s also very honest about “audiophile” culture, and I do wish I chose my words differently here. marco.org/2015/06/03/npr-audio-quality-test