Acast vs Libsyn
Acast and Libsyn are both podcast & audio tools. Acast is aimed at creators and enterprise, while Libsyn is aimed at creators and small businesses. Libsyn costs less, from $8/mo versus $25/mo for Acast. Only Acast has a free plan.
Hosting with built-in ad marketplace
Veteran podcast host with IAB stats, video and ad monetization
| Pricing | Freemium · $25 | Paid · $8 |
| Starting price | $25/mo | $8/mo |
| Free plan | Yes | No |
| Free trial | — | 30 days |
| Built for | Creators, Enterprise | Creators, Small businesses, Enterprise |
| Platforms | web | web |
| Country | SE · 2014 | US · 2004 |
| Rating | — | — |
Choose Acast if
Podcasters seeking ad revenue at scale.
- Strong monetization network
- Free starter plan
- Large advertiser reach
Look elsewhere if: Private or internal podcasts (Transistor).
Choose Libsyn if
Established podcasters and small networks that want proven hosting, IAB stats and access to ad revenue.
- Two decades of reliable hosting and feed stability
- IAB-verified stats that advertisers trust
- Built-in access to a large podcast ad marketplace
Look elsewhere if: Beginners who want a free start or unlimited uploads at a flat price (Buzzsprout, Captivate, Transistor).
Acast vs Libsyn pricing
Acast
- Starter$01 show, 5 episodes; ad monetization included
- Essential$25/mo$14.99/mo billed annually; multiple shows, unlimited episodes
- Pro$40/mo$29.99/mo billed annually; team management, publishing API
- Video$50/mo$39.99/mo billed annually; video to Apple Podcasts, 10k views/mo
Libsyn
- $8 Plan$8/moBare-essentials tier; limits shown at signup
- Basic$12/mo3 hrs audio/month, basic IAB stats, YouTube video
- Advanced$25/mo10 hrs audio/month, advanced IAB stats, Spotify video
- Max$150/mo55 hrs audio/month, social calendar, advanced stats
- ProfessionalCustomDynamic ad insertion, API, network RSS feed
Acast · Key features
- Free hosting and distribution
- Ad marketplace and dynamic insertion
- Acast+ subscriptions
- Analytics
- Sponsorship opportunities
- Podcast website
Cons
- Revenue share on ads
- Less control over ads
- Advanced features paid
Libsyn · Key features
- Audio and video podcast hosting with RSS feed management
- IAB-certified download statistics on every plan
- One-click distribution to Apple Podcasts, Spotify, YouTube and 20+ apps
- Video publishing to YouTube and Spotify on higher tiers
- Customizable podcast website and embeddable player
- Automatic podcast ads, PodRoll and host-read ad marketplace
Cons
- Upload-hour limits feel restrictive next to unlimited hosts
- No permanent free plan
- Dashboard is less intuitive than Buzzsprout or Captivate
Acast vs Libsyn: FAQ
Which is cheaper, Acast or Libsyn?
Libsyn starts at $8/mo and Acast at $25/mo. Both prices are checked on the vendors' own pricing pages.
Do Acast and Libsyn have a free plan?
Acast has a free plan. Libsyn has no free plan, a 30-day free trial.
Which is better for small businesses, Acast or Libsyn?
Libsyn lists small businesses as a core audience, while Acast is aimed more at creators and enterprise.