Comparison

Now vs DuoCast

Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.

Head to head
About

Now

Features
Read full description

Features - Quick notes, anytime: chat-style capture as fast as sending a message. - Text and images: capture faster, with images managed in one place and reused in notes. - Markdown: Edit and Preview to grow quick notes into clear structure. - Merge conversations: fold scattered notes in a thread into one piece when you’re ready. - Groups and pins: organize by topic and keep what matters in view. - iCloud sync across iPhone and Mac so capture and deep work stay in one loop. - Shared editing with iCloud: collaborate on the same conversation. - Privacy-first: Your notes stay on your device and in your own iCloud. Now offers separate native apps for iPhone and Mac. On Mac you can also use Files Workspace for real folders (see Now for Mac). All features in this iPhone version are available without an in-app subscription. Privacy policy: https://fivehow.com/legal/now/privacy

About

DuoCast

This app transforms global podcasts into a bilingual reading experience. Follow along with synchronized transcripts, access on-screen translations, and look up words instantly. Download episodes for offline learning and enjoy features like playback speed control.

Highlights
  • Bilingual podcast listening
  • Timed synchronized transcripts
  • On-screen translations
  • Tap-to-lookup words
  • Offline episode downloads
  • Adjustable playback speed
Features
Read full description

Read the world’s podcasts in your own language. DuoCast turns global podcasts into a bilingual book you can read, hear translated, and learn from. Follow along with timed transcripts, on-screen translations, tap-to-look-up words, and optional bilingual sync readout. Features • Discover and subscribe by interest—tech, business, news, learning, and more • Timed transcripts that stay in sync as you play • On-screen translations for easier comprehension • Bilingual sync readout (simultaneous interpretation–style playback) • Tap words to look them up while you listen • Subscribe, resume, and follow new episodes • Download episodes for offline listening • Playback speed, mini player, and Lock Screen controls • Interface in English, 简体中文, 日本語, 한국어, and more Whether you’re commuting or studying, DuoCast makes real podcasts readable, translatable, and learnable—in your language.

Screenshots

Now4 screens
DuoCast3 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is price: DuoCast at Free against Now's $0.99. DuoCast also leads on in-app purchases (none vs 3) and update cadence (every 4 days vs every 8 days). On ads, device support and iOS requirement 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

CostPrice · In-app purchases · Ads · Monetization

DuoCast is free to download; Now costs $0.99 up front. Now sells 3 in-app purchases, starting at $0.99 per month. DuoCast asks for nothing beyond the download.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Now ships an update every 8 days, DuoCast every 4 days. Both last shipped on October 31, 2026.

Scorecard3 real differences · 6 level
Now versus DuoCast: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterNowDuoCast
Price$0.99Free — better
Rating—5.0 (1 ratings) — better
Number of ratings—1 — better
Update frequencyEvery 8 daysEvery 4 days — better
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesYesNo — better
Monetization—Free
DevicesiPhone, iPadiPhone, iPad
Requires iOS18.518.0 — better
Further details — not scored
Size22 MB6 MB
Age rating4+12+
Developer浩 吴江武 李

In-app purchases

3 purchases

Now

Subscriptions2
  • Monthly Membership$0.991 Month
  • Annual Membership$3.991 Year
One-time1
  • Permanent Membership$19.99
None

DuoCast

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is Now free?
Now costs $0.99, and also offers in-app purchases.
Is DuoCast free?
DuoCast is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Do Now or DuoCast have ads?
Neither Now nor DuoCast shows ads.
Which is updated more often, Now or DuoCast?
Now ships an update every 8 days, and DuoCast every 4 days. Most recently, Now was updated on October 31, 2026 and DuoCast on October 31, 2026.

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