---
title: Acast
canonical: https://saasranked.com/software/acast/
category: Podcast Hosting Platforms
points: 67
rank: 4 of 10
facts_checked: 2026-10-08
---

# Acast

Podcast host with a free Starter plan, paid plans with unlimited shows and episodes, and an ad marketplace.

67 points out of 100. #4 of 10 podcast hosts. Vendor: Acast. Website: https://www.acast.com/

- The free Starter plan allows 1 show and 5 episodes; shows that qualify for the Acast ad marketplace can get unlimited episodes [1][3].
- Essential costs $14.99 a month on the yearly option ($25 on the monthly option) [1].
- Essential, Pro and Video plans list unlimited shows and unlimited episodes [1].
- The publishing API and team management start on Pro, $29.99 a month on the yearly option [1][11].
- The Video plan, $39.99 a month on the yearly option, adds video uploads for Apple Podcasts [1][5].

Verdict: Acast suits creators who want a free start, a low-priced plan with unlimited shows, or ads sold through its marketplace [1][3][6]. It states that its download counts are IAB 2.2 certified and offers an import tool and feed redirect [4][8][12]. The catch: the pages do not state upload or download limits for paid plans, and private podcasts and file downloads are not documented [1][13]. Best for: Creators who want free hosting or plan to sell ads through the host's marketplace.

## Points

| Criterion | Line | Value | Points | Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hosting limits | Unlimited episodes | Yes | 4/4 | Essential lists unlimited shows and episodes; no storage limit stated [1]. |
| Hosting limits | No monthly upload cap | Not published | 0/6 | Not published on the vendor's pricing page, features page or help articles [1][2][3]. |
| Hosting limits | No download cap | Not published | 0/6 | Not published for Essential on the pricing page; the Starter help article states unlimited listener downloads for Starter [1][3]. |
| Hosting limits | More than one show | Yes | 4/4 | Essential lists unlimited shows; the FAQ says multiple shows run from one account [1]. |
| Publishing | Directory submission guides | Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Amazon Music | 3/4 | Help article covers Apple Podcasts Connect and one-click Spotify and Amazon submission. YouTube Music is not documented [7]. |
| Publishing | Private podcasts | Not published | 0/6 | on the vendor's pricing, features or help pages [1][2][13]. |
| Publishing | Video podcasts | Yes | 4/4 | Video plan publishes video to Apple Podcasts and extracts audio for other apps; launch announced August 5, 2026 [5]. |
| Publishing | Automatic transcripts | Yes | 3/3 | Essential and above list transcriptions; help says paid plans only, generated on request [1][10]. |
| Publishing | Team members | Yes | 4/4 | Pro lists team management; owners and admins invite other users [1][9]. |
| Publishing | Public API | Yes | 3/3 | Public docs at developers.acast.com cover creating, updating and deleting episodes; Pro plan [11]. |
| Publishing | Show website and player | Yes | 4/4 | Every plan lists a basic podcast website and basic embed player; no extra fee [1]. |
| Ads and stats | Dynamic ad insertion | Yes | 7/7 | Help says Acast uses dynamic ad insertion to add ads and sponsorships at download time [6]. |
| Ads and stats | IAB-certified downloads | Yes | 6/6 | Help article says Acast is fully IAB 2.2 certified for podcast download filtering [12]. |
| Your data | Import from another host | Yes | 7/7 | Dashboard option 'I want to import my existing show' finds the show by RSS feed and brings in episodes [8]. |
| Your data | Redirect when you leave | Yes | 8/8 | Show redirection setting sends the feed to the new host's RSS URL; help does not use the term 301 [4]. |
| Your data | Download your files | Not published | 0/6 | on the vendor's help pages; the redirect article describes no audio download [4][13]. |
| Price | Free plan that publishes | Yes | 8/8 | Starter is free, with 1 show, 5 episodes and distribution to every podcast app [1][3]. |
| Price | Cheapest paid plan | $14.99/mo | 2/10 | Essential, $14.99 a month on the yearly option ($25 monthly) [1]. |

## Plans

| Plan | Price | Per month (USD) |
|---|---|---|
| Starter | Free [1][3] | $0 |
| Essential | $14.99/month (yearly option); $25 monthly [1] | $14.99 |
| Pro | $29.99/month (yearly option); $40 monthly [1] | $29.99 |
| Video | $39.99/month (yearly option); $50 monthly [1][5] | $39.99 |

The pricing page toggles between monthly and yearly per-month prices and does not say whether yearly plans are charged once a year [1].

## Strengths

- Free Starter plan sends the show to every podcast app [3].
- Essential, Pro and Video list unlimited shows and episodes [1].
- Acast says its download measurement is IAB 2.2 certified [12].
- Import tool brings a show over from its RSS feed [8].
- Show redirection is a self-service setting [4].

## Limits

- Free Starter allows only 5 episodes unless the show joins the ad marketplace [1][3].
- Private podcasts and downloading your own audio files are not documented on the vendor's pages [13].
- Video uploads cannot go to Spotify, because Spotify does not accept a separate video version of a show hosted with Acast [14].
- Pages do not state whether yearly prices are billed once a year [1].
- The publishing API needs the Pro plan or Creator Network membership [11].

## Vendor claims (not scored)

- Acast says it is fully IAB 2.2 certified for podcast download filtering [12].

## Sources

1. [Acast pricing](https://www.acast.com/en/pricing), Acast, accessed 2026-10-08
2. [Acast features](https://www.acast.com/en/features), Acast, accessed 2026-10-08
3. [Acast's free Starter plan](https://learn.acast.com/en/articles/9823206-acast-s-free-starter-plan), Acast Learning Center, accessed 2026-10-08
4. [How to redirect your podcast, cancel your subscription or delete your account](https://learn.acast.com/en/articles/5087325-how-to-redirect-your-podcast-cancel-your-subscription-or-delete-your-account), Acast Learning Center, accessed 2026-10-08
5. [Introducing the Acast Video Plan](https://learn.acast.com/en/articles/16072924-introducing-the-acast-video-plan-distribute-and-monetize-your-video-podcast), Acast Learning Center, accessed 2026-10-08
6. [How does Acast insert ads into episodes?](https://learn.acast.com/en/articles/7321815-how-does-acast-insert-ads-into-episodes), Acast Learning Center, accessed 2026-10-08
7. [Submitting Your Podcast for Distribution](https://learn.acast.com/en/articles/3727368-submitting-your-podcast-for-distribution), Acast Learning Center, accessed 2026-10-08
8. [Checklist to import an existing show to Acast](https://learn.acast.com/en/articles/7792724-checklist-to-import-an-existing-show-to-acast), Acast Learning Center, accessed 2026-10-08
9. [Introduction to User Management](https://learn.acast.com/en/articles/4705730-introduction-to-user-management), Acast Learning Center, accessed 2026-10-08
10. [Get Started with Transcripts](https://learn.acast.com/en/articles/12220293-get-started-with-transcripts), Acast Learning Center, accessed 2026-10-08
11. [Acast Publishing API](https://learn.acast.com/en/articles/5790019-acast-publishing-api), Acast Learning Center, accessed 2026-10-08
12. [How does Acast measure podcast download data? (IAB 2.2)](https://learn.acast.com/en/articles/4231372-how-does-acast-measure-podcast-download-data-iab-2-2), Acast Learning Center, accessed 2026-10-08
13. [Acast Learning Center](https://learn.acast.com/), Acast Learning Center, accessed 2026-10-08
14. [Spotify and Video Podcasts](https://learn.acast.com/en/articles/8140608-spotify-and-video-podcasts), Acast Learning Center, accessed 2026-10-08