Acast
Podcast hosting built around actually getting paid
Best for: Independent podcasters and mid-size networks who want advertising revenue built into their hosting
Free tier Visit AcastAcast is a podcast hosting, distribution, and monetization platform founded in Stockholm in 2014. It hosts over 140,000 shows globally and routes them to every major directory while connecting creators to brand advertising and premium listener subscriptions. Its selling point is monetization infrastructure - Acast claims to have paid out over $600 million to creators since launch.
Key features
- One-click distribution to Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Amazon Music, and all major directories
- Dynamic ad insertion with brand marketplace access
- Premium listener subscriptions and paid content
- Real-time analytics: downloads, revenue, listener location
- Audio-to-video clip generation via Headliner integration
- Custom podcast website and embeddable player
Our take
Acast is legitimately one of the stronger monetization platforms in podcasting - if you have an audience and want to work with real brands, this is a credible path. The free Starter tier is genuinely useful but caps you at 5 episodes unless you opt into their ad marketplace, which is a push toward their ecosystem. Pricing is in euros, so USD-based creators will see exchange rate fluctuation in their bills. The Creator Network tier for established shows is invite-only, which is fine, but the public tiers can feel like a funnel toward that goal rather than a complete product in themselves.
Pros
- Strong monetization infrastructure with real brand partners
- Free tier includes distribution and basic analytics
- Over $600M paid to creators - track record is real
Cons
- Pricing is in euros, not USD - adds friction for US creators
- Free tier limited to 5 episodes unless you join the ad marketplace
- Less control over ad placements compared to self-managed sponsorships
Acast pricing
| Plan | Monthly | Annual | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Starter | - | - | Free plan; GBP-denominated. 1 show, 5 episodes (unlimited when monetizing with ads in Acast's ad marketplace). Not billed in USD. |
| Influencer | - | - | GBP 25/mo billed monthly, or GBP 14.99/mo billed annually. Multiple shows, unlimited episodes, sponsorship monetization tools. Not billed in USD. |
| Ace | - | - | GBP 40/mo billed monthly, or GBP 29.99/mo billed annually. Professional/network tier with team management, prioritized support, and publishing API. Not billed in USD. |
