Acast review

Acast is a hosting platform with an ad business attached, and its plans are built around earning. The free Starter plan allows 1 show and 5 episodes, but episodes become unlimited when you make the show available in Acast's advertising marketplace, so a new podcaster can host for free in exchange for running Acast ads. Essential, listed from $14.99 per month, adds multiple shows, unlimited episodes, sponsorships, premium subscriptions, dynamic intros and outros, and a customizable website and player. Pro adds team management, prioritized support and a publishing API, and the Video plan publishes video episodes to Apple Podcasts with automatic video to audio conversion and 10,000 monthly views. Acast states it does not own your content and will redirect your RSS feed if you leave. The downsides: card details are required even on the free tier, and the free plan's episode cap pushes you toward ads. For shows that want ad revenue from the start, it is a natural fit.

Who it is for

podcasters focused on advertising and sponsorship income

Price

Free Starter plan; Essential from $14.99 per month.

$14.99 / Month
Quoted from the vendor pricing page on November 12, 2026.

Key features

• Free Starter plan with 1 show and 5 episodes, unlimited when the show joins Acast's advertising marketplace
• Essential adds multiple shows, unlimited episodes, sponsorships and advanced analytics
• Premium subscriptions and dynamic intros and outros on paid plans
• Pro adds team management, prioritized support and a publishing API
• Video plan publishes video episodes to Apple Podcasts with 10,000 monthly views

Strengths and weaknesses

• Strength: Free plan can monetize with ads
• Strength: No set-up fees or hidden charges, per Acast's FAQ
• Strength: Acast redirects your RSS feed promptly if you leave
• Weakness: Free Starter is capped at 5 episodes unless the show runs Acast ads
• Weakness: Card details are required at sign-up even for the free tier
• Weakness: Video publishing starts on the top self-serve plan

Key facts

• Free plan: Yes, 1 show and 5 episodes
• Cheapest paid plan: Essential, from $14.99 per month
• Video: Video plan, up to 10,000 views a month
• Content ownership: Stays with the creator

Where it ranks

Acast is No. 7 in our Best Podcast Hosting Platforms verdict.