Acast is a podcast & audio tool for Creators and Enterprise, offered as freemium ($25/mo). Founded in Sweden in 2014. Popular alternatives include Simplecast, Spreaker.
About Acast
Acast is a podcast hosting and monetization company founded in Stockholm, Sweden, and listed on Nasdaq First North. Its core job is to host shows, distribute them to Apple Podcasts, Spotify and every other directory, and then turn listens into revenue through one of the largest podcast advertising marketplaces in the world.
The free Starter plan covers hosting and distribution. Paid tiers (Essential, Pro and Video) add multiple shows, unlimited episodes, team management, a publishing API and video publishing to Apple Podcasts. Acast inserts dynamic ads sold by its own sales teams and programmatic partners into back catalog episodes, so older episodes keep earning. Acast+ lets creators sell premium subscriptions with bonus or ad-free episodes, and sponsorship tools connect shows with brands directly.
Acast fits independent and network podcasters for whom advertising is the business model and who want access to advertisers they could not reach alone. The trade-off is a revenue share on ads and less control over which ads appear. Transistor is a better choice for companies running private or branded shows, Buzzsprout is simpler for hobbyists, and Spotify for Creators offers free hosting tied closely to Spotify. For shows with real audiences that want to be paid, Acast remains one of the strongest options.
Key features of Acast
- Free hosting and distribution
- Ad marketplace and dynamic insertion
- Acast+ subscriptions
- Analytics
- Sponsorship opportunities
- Podcast website
Pros and cons
Pros
- Strong monetization network
- Free starter plan
- Large advertiser reach
- Premium subscriptions
Cons
- Revenue share on ads
- Less control over ads
- Advanced features paid
- Analytics vary
Acast pricing
Acast uses a freemium model.
| Plan | Price | Includes |
|---|---|---|
| Starter | $0 | 1 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 |
Source: www.acast.com · checked on Oct 20, 2026
How Acast compares in Podcast & audio
- Rank by votes
- #1 / 16
- Starting price
- $25
- Free alternatives
- 1
0 votes from members
43% above the category median ($18/mo)
Free or open-source tools in Podcast & audio
Acast ranks #1 of 16 podcast & audio tools by community votes and is priced above most tools in the category.
Common use cases
- 1Podcast earning from ads
- 2Network monetization
- 3Premium bonus episodes
- 4Brand podcasts
Best for
Podcasters seeking ad revenue at scale.
Not ideal for
Private or internal podcasts (Transistor).
Integrations
- Apple Podcasts
- Spotify
- YouTube
- Patreon
- Acast+
- Ad marketplace
Our take
Acast is the hosting choice when ads are the business model.
FAQ
- What is Acast?
- Acast is a Podcast & audio tool: Hosting with built-in ad marketplace.
- How much does Acast cost?
- Acast uses a Freemium model; paid plans start at $25 per month.
- What are the best alternatives to Acast?
- Community-listed alternatives to Acast include Simplecast, Spreaker.
- What does Acast integrate with?
- Acast integrates with Apple Podcasts, Spotify, YouTube, Patreon, Acast+, Ad marketplace and more.
- Which platforms does Acast support?
- Acast is available on web.
- Who is Acast for?
- Podcasters seeking ad revenue at scale.
Alternatives to Acast
Simplecast
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Paid · $15CreatorsSmall businessesSpreaker
▲ 0iHeartMedia podcast hosting with built-in ad and listener monetisation
Freemium · $20CreatorsSmall businesses
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Paid · $8CreatorsSmall businesses
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