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Software · head to head

Acast vs Castbox

Acast logo

Acast

Software

Enterprise podcast hosting and advertising

From
On request
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite
Castbox logo

Castbox

Software

Podcast & radio app for everyone

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite

The short version

  • Only Castbox has a free tier, so it costs nothing to try first.
  • Each has a real cost: Acast the free Starter tier is limited to 1 show and 5 episodes; unlimited episodes require making the show available in Acast's advertising marketplace; Castbox app frequently crashes, requiring users to reload it to continue listening
  • They diverge on capability: Acast covers Enterprise hosting, Castbox covers Podcast app.

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which Acast and Castbox actually diverge.

Attributes where Acast and Castbox differ
AttributeAcastCastbox
Starting priceOn requestFree
Pricing modelquoteUnknown
Free tierNoYes
PlatformsWebiOS, Android, Web, Radio, Audiobooks
Founded20142016

Identical on both: user rating (Not yet rated), category (Unknown).

What each one covers

Drawn from each product's published feature list. An absence here means we hold no record of it - not that the product lacks it.

Only in Acast

  • Enterprise hosting
  • Dynamic ad insertion
  • Sponsorship platform
  • Analytics
  • Monetization
  • API access
  • All podcast platforms
  • Advertising networks

Only in Castbox

  • Podcast app
  • Radio
  • Discovery
  • Offline listening
  • Sync
  • Smart devices
  • Podcast services
  • Account security

Both cover

  • Web support

What people use each for

The jobs each tool is most often brought in to do.

Acast

  • Hosting and distributing a podcast to all major listening appsnot Castbox
  • Monetising episodes through the Acast advertising marketplace and sponsorshipsnot Castbox
  • Publishing video podcast episodes alongside audionot Castbox

Castbox

  • Podcast listeningnot Acast
  • Radio streamingnot Acast

Where each one falls short

Documented limitations, not opinions. Every one is a constraint you would hit in normal use.

Acast

  • The free Starter tier is limited to 1 show and 5 episodes; unlimited episodes require making the show available in Acast's advertising marketplace
  • Multiple shows require the paid Influencer plan at $14.99 per month billed annually or $25 per month billed monthly
  • Team management, prioritised support and the Publishing API require the Pro plan at $29.99 per month billed annually or $40 per month monthly
  • Publishing video episodes to Apple Podcasts requires the Video plan at $39.99 per month billed annually or $50 per month monthly
  • The Video plan includes only 10,000 monthly video views
  • A payment card is required to sign up even for the free tier
  • The Creator Network tier is quote only with no published price

Castbox

  • App frequently crashes, requiring users to reload it to continue listening
  • Approximately half of saved podcasts do not automatically refresh or send notifications for new episodes
  • Free version displays unskippable minute-long ads that sometimes play as blank screens
  • Interface is described as cluttered with excessive focus on mainstream podcast recommendations
  • Tracking requirements for certain features like background playback limit privacy

Pricing, plan by plan

Acast

On request
  • Enterprise$undefined/month
    • Unlimited hosting
    • Dynamic ad insertion
    • Sponsorship marketplace

Castbox

Free
  • FreeFree
    • 50+ million podcasts
    • On-demand radio
    • Audiobooks
  • Premium$null/custom
    • Ad-free listening
    • Advanced features
    • Contact for pricing

Which should you pick?

Choose Acast if

  • You need enterprise hosting.
  • You also want dynamic ad insertion.
Acast review

Choose Castbox if

  • You need podcast app.
  • You want to start without paying.
  • You work on iOS, Android, Web, Radio, Audiobooks.
  • You also want radio.
Castbox review

Questions people ask

Is Acast or Castbox better?
Neither clearly leads. Acast starts at On request and Castbox at Free, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, Acast or Castbox?
Castbox has a free tier; the other does not. Paid plans start at On request for Acast and Free for Castbox.
Does Acast or Castbox run on more platforms?
Acast runs on Web. Castbox runs on iOS, Android, Web, Radio, Audiobooks.
Can I use Castbox for free?
Yes. Castbox has a free tier, so you can try it without paying. Acast starts at On request.
What is Acast best used for?
Acast is most often used for hosting and distributing a podcast to all major listening apps, monetising episodes through the acast advertising marketplace and sponsorships, publishing video podcast episodes alongside audio. Of those, hosting and distributing a podcast to all major listening apps and monetising episodes through the acast advertising marketplace and sponsorships are not what Castbox is typically brought in for.
What can Acast do that Castbox cannot?
Acast covers Enterprise hosting, Dynamic ad insertion, Sponsorship platform, Analytics. Castbox covers Podcast app, Radio, Discovery, Offline listening. Both handle Web support.

Answered from the vendors’ own pages

Castbox: Is Castbox free and does it have paid tiers?

Castbox offers a free version with ads and limited features. A premium subscription is available but details on pricing were not disclosed on the main site. Free tier includes access to 50+ million podcasts, radio programs, and audiobooks.

Source
Castbox: What languages and regions does Castbox support?

Castbox supports content in 70 languages from 175 countries, making it one of the most internationally accessible podcast platforms.

Source
Castbox: Can I search for specific content across all episodes with Castbox?

Yes, Castbox pioneered an in-audio search feature using natural language processing that lets listeners search for keywords and topics across more than 50 million episodes.

Source
Castbox: What tools does Castbox offer for podcasters?

Castbox provides a Creator Studio with robust analytics for creators to measure subscribers, streams, and downloads. However, creators requiring comprehensive editing and production tools may find Castbox limited compared to specialized production software.

Source
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Related pages

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