# Overcast podcast app

17 Hacker News commenters recommended Overcast podcast app and 3 criticized it, November 2025 to November 2026. It was recommended in 11 of 13 months. It meets the Hacker Approved badge rule.

**Verdict:** Recommended as a polished, well-crafted podcast app with strong playback features like Smart Speed and per-podcast speeds. Most common caveat: the interface feels illogical and not native.

## Why people recommend it

- Smart Speed and per-podcast speeds (3 comments): "Smart Speed has saved you 419 hours beyond speed adjustments alone" ([source](https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=49163955)) "which in some ways is even better than the raw speedup" ([source](https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=48193889)) "Overcast has per-podcast default speeds." ([source](https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=47420601))
- Attention to detail and craftsmanship (2 comments): "there is an attention to detail and craftsmanship, not to mention soul" ([source](https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=50088155)) "I still think Overcast is nicer to use than Antenna Pod." ([source](https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=46755830))
- Finds new podcasts through ads (2 comments): "I found his ads good and I found other interesting podcasts because of it." ([source](https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=46325424)) "I've found a lot of useful podcasts from the ads." ([source](https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=47753977))
- Used daily on phone (2 comments): "Those are easily two of the absolute best and most used apps on my phone." ([source](https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=47995010)) "I'm ok with the app as my daily podcast driver right now" ([source](https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=47850381))

## What people warn about

- Interface feels illogical or non-native (3 comments): "Overcast more and more looks like some kind of slapped together non native app" ([source](https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=47853144)) "fixing the UX abomination that Overcast has become" ([source](https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=47848071)) "I've always found its UI completely illogical." ([source](https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=47219489))

## Alternatives hackers recommend

- [AntennaPod](https://hackerapproved.com/p/antennapod.md): 18 recommend
- [Apple Podcasts](https://hackerapproved.com/p/apple-podcasts.md): 10 recommend
- [Pocket Casts](https://hackerapproved.com/p/pocket-casts.md): 9 recommend

## Where to get it

- [Visit the official site](https://overcast.fm/)

## Cite as

Hacker Approved, "Overcast podcast app", https://hackerapproved.com/p/overcast/ (counts from 1,795,640 Hacker News comments, November 2025 to November 2026).