Acast Review 2026
Acast has a free Starter plan and paid plans from $14.99 to $50 a month. Starter is free but caps you at one show and 5 episodes, unless you make the show available in Acast's advertising marketplace, which lifts the episode limit. Essential is $25/month, or $14.99/month billed yearly; Pro is $40/month, or $29.99 yearly; Video is $50/month, or $39.99 yearly, and adds video episodes on Apple Podcasts. The invitation-only Acast Creator Network is quoted individually. Transcriptions start at Essential, not on the free plan.
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Free tier: Starter: 1 show, 5 episodes, or unlimited episodes with ads enabled
Starter
$0
- 1 show
- 5 episodes, or unlimited with ads enabled
- Advanced podcast analytics
- Basic podcast website and embed player
- Distribution to every podcast app
Essential
$25/mo
- Multiple shows and unlimited episodes
- $14.99/month if billed yearly
- Monetize with ads and sponsorships
- Transcriptions
- Premium subscriptions, customizable website and player
Pro
$40/mo
- Everything in Essential
- $29.99/month if billed yearly
- Team and network management
- Publishing API
- Prioritized support
Video
$50/mo
- Everything in Pro
- $39.99/month if billed yearly
- Publish video episodes to Apple Podcasts
- Automatic video-to-audio conversion
- 10,000 monthly video views included
Acast Creator Network
Custom
- Invitation only
- Premium benefits and services
- Dedicated support
Pros
- Free Starter plan with advanced analytics included
- Yearly billing cuts Essential to $14.99/month and Pro to $29.99/month
- Global infrastructure and support
- Industry-leading dynamic ad insertion
- Apple Podcasts video on the dedicated Video plan
Cons
- Free Starter plan stops at 5 episodes unless you enable ads
- Transcriptions require Essential or above, not the free plan
- Acast does not publish its ad revenue split on its pricing pages
- Publishing API requires the Pro tier
- Apple Podcasts video requires the $50/mo Video plan
Best For
- Shows seeking premium advertising deals
- International podcasters
- Creators wanting transcription included
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Frequently asked questions
- How much does Acast cost?
- Acast costs nothing on the free Starter plan and $14.99 to $50 a month on paid plans. Essential is $25/month, or $14.99/month billed yearly. Pro is $40/month, or $29.99/month yearly. Video is $50/month, or $39.99/month yearly. The Acast Creator Network is invitation only and quoted individually.
- Is Acast free?
- Yes, up to a point. The free Starter plan covers one show, 5 episodes, distribution to every podcast app, a basic website and embed player, and advanced analytics. The 5-episode cap lifts if you make the show available in Acast's advertising marketplace. Transcriptions, multiple shows, sponsorship monetization, and premium subscriptions all require Essential at $25/month, or $14.99/month billed yearly. A card is requested at signup but is not charged on the free tier.
- What's the difference between Acast's plans?
- Starter is free: one show, 5 episodes, advanced analytics, ad monetization. Essential ($25/mo, or $14.99 yearly) unlocks multiple shows, unlimited episodes, transcriptions, sponsorships, premium subscriptions, and a customizable website and player. Pro ($40/mo, or $29.99 yearly) adds team and network management, the publishing API, webhooks, and prioritized support. Video ($50/mo, or $39.99 yearly) adds video episodes on Apple Podcasts, automatic video-to-audio conversion, and 10,000 monthly video views.
- How many episodes can you host on Acast for free?
- Five, on one podcast. Acast lifts the cap to unlimited episodes if you make the show available in its advertising marketplace. Advanced analytics are included on the free tier, but transcriptions are not; those start at Essential.
Turn Episodes Into Content
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