Downcast vs Outcast for Watch
Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.
Downcast
Manage and listen to podcasts with a powerful, feature-rich player. Offers extensive download and playback options, including variable speed and CarPlay support. Syncs across devices via iCloud.
- Search, subscribe, and download podcasts
- Manual subscription via URL
- Automatic downloads and background downloading
- Variable playback speed
- AirPlay and Google Cast support
- iCloud syncing for subscriptions and settings
- Smart playlist creation
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A powerful, complete, and easy to use podcast player that will help you manage and listen to podcasts the way you want to. Now with CarPlay support! "Downcast: Probably The Best Podcast Downloader for iPad and iPhone" - Wired Gadget Lab Subscription Features • Search, subscribe to and download audio and video podcasts of any size • Manually subscribe to podcasts via URL • Download podcasts automatically • Continue podcast downloads in the background* • Browse and download older podcast episodes • Auto-refresh podcast feeds • Settings for auto-download and episode retention • Import and export podcast feeds via OPML • Import supported audio/video media files • Support for password-protected podcasts • Create and edit "smart" playlists • View podcast details and episode show notes • Rename podcast titles iCloud Syncing with other iOS devices or Macs** • Podcast subscriptions • Playlists • Settings • Episode information Playback Features • Video and audio AirPlay support • .5x, 1x, 1.25x, 1.5x, 2x, 2.25x, 2.5x and 3x speed playback • Chapters support for enhanced podcasts • Stream episodes without downloading • Playback control from external devices • Bluetooth devices • Headphone remote controls • Devices connected via Lightning/dock connector • View embedded images in podcast episodes • Gesture support • Sleep timer • Google Cast™ Ready ----------------------------------------- For support, please search our support site at http://support.downcastapp.com or email us at support@downcastapp.com! For the latest information about Downcast, please follow @downcastapp on Twitter! * Per iOS restrictions ** iCloud syncing with Macs requires Downcast for Mac, which is a separate purchase from the Mac App Store
Outcast for Watch
Listen to podcasts directly from your Apple Watch without your phone. Search, download, and stream episodes, manage playlists, and view episode chapters. Sync with your phone for easier management and add complications to your watch face.
- Standalone Apple Watch podcast player
- Search podcasts on watch
- Download/stream episodes
- Playlist creation
- View episode chapters
- Phone management
- Watch face complication
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A standalone podcast player for Apple Watch. Leave your phone at home and browse, download and play podcasts while you're on the go. * Search for podcasts directly on your Apple Watch * Download or stream episodes over wi-fi or cellular* * Play podcasts when you have AirPods or compatible Bluetooth headphones/speaker connected. * Create a playlist, so the next episode automatically starts playing, even when Outcast is in the background. * View episode chapters (for podcasts that support chapters) Additionally, you can: * Browse and manage episodes directly from your phone * Add the complication to your Apple Watch face for real-time progress and full color artwork * Adjust skip forward/backward duration * Adjust playback speed * Export/import your list of podcasts in OPML format Note: Downloading over cellular when not connected to your phone requires cellular Apple Watch and activated data plan. Question? Email support@outcast.app
Screenshots
Verdict
The clearest difference is device support: Downcast at 4 against Outcast for Watch's 2. Downcast also leads on chart position (#3 vs #13) and iOS requirement (14.7 vs 17.6). On price, rating, review sentiment and ratings volume there is nothing between them.
Scored on Price · Rating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings · Update frequency · Ads · In-app purchases · Monetization · Best chart rank · Devices · Requires iOS
Downcast costs $2.99 and Outcast for Watch $2.99 up front. Downcast sells 4 one-off in-app purchases and Outcast for Watch sells 3 one-off in-app purchases. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.
On the App Store both sit at effectively the same score — 4.3 for Downcast against 4.2 for Outcast for Watch. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 2.7K and 970 respectively. Written reviews are what separate them: 71% of Downcast's written reviews are positive against 66% of Outcast for Watch's.
Both ship on a similar rhythm, roughly monthly. The most recent releases landed on November 1, 2026 and October 29, 2026 respectively.
| Parameter | Downcast | Outcast for Watch |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $2.99 | $2.99 |
| Rating | 4.3 (2.7K ratings) — better | 4.2 (970 ratings) |
| Positive reviews | 70.8% of reviews — better | 65.9% of reviews |
| Number of ratings | 2.7K — better | 970 |
| Update frequency | Monthly | Monthly |
| Ads | No | No |
| In-app purchases | Yes | Yes |
| Monetization | Free with in-app purchases | Free with in-app purchases |
| Best chart rank | #3 — better | #13 |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad, iPod, Apple Watch — better | iPhone, Apple Watch |
| Requires iOS | 14.7 — better | 17.6 |
| Further details — not scored | ||
| Size | 45 MB | 23 MB |
| Age rating | 4+ | 9+ |
| Developer | Jamawkinaw Enterprises LLC | Crunchy Bagel |
Customer experience
Downcast
Outcast for Watch
User reviews
Downcast
From 2.7K App Store ratingsWhat we love
- 🚀 Powerful features
- 👍 Highly customizable
- 💡 Granular podcast management
- 🚀 Reliable performance
- 👍 Great organization and playlists
Room to improve
- 🐛 Crashes and bugs
- 🔋 Battery drain issues
- 🔍 Subpar search functionality
- 👎 Outdated user interface
- 👎 Syncing problems
Outcast for Watch
From 970 App Store ratingsWhat we love
- 🚀 Fast downloads
- 👍 Standalone Apple Watch app
- 👍 Intuitive user interface
- 🚀 Efficient use of WiFi
- 👍 Podcast management on watch
Room to improve
- 🐛 Unreliable downloads/playback
- 🔋 High battery drain
- 👎 Requires keeping watch screen on during downloads
- 👎 Difficult to manage podcasts on watch
Bugs and requests
Downcast
Reported bugs
5 issues- Podcast downloads failing
- Playback position not saved correctly
- Podcast artwork and information mix-ups
- Continuous play issues
- Crashing on startup
Requested features
5 requests- Bookmark feature
- Playback speed of 1.75x
- Podcast triage/management tools
- Improved CarPlay integration
- Apple Watch app with volume control
Outcast for Watch
Reported bugs
3 issues- Crashes when searching/browsing podcasts
- Podcast downloads randomly pause or fail
- Playback issues with Bluetooth headphones
Requested features
5 requests- Add variable playback speed
- Sync podcast progress between watch and phone
- Automatic podcast downloads
- Ability to control volume from app
- Improve search and podcast discovery
In-app purchases
Downcast
- Encouraging Tip$2.99
- Motivating Tip$5.99
- Galvanizing Tip$8.99
Show 1 moreShow fewer
- Inspiring Tip$11.99
Outcast for Watch
- Tip - Small$0.99
- Tip - Medium$4.99
- Tip - Large$9.99
Questions
Is Downcast free?
Is Outcast for Watch free?
Which has better reviews, Downcast or Outcast for Watch?
Do Downcast or Outcast for Watch have ads?
Which is updated more often, Downcast or Outcast for Watch?
Which is more popular, Downcast or Outcast for Watch?
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