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Podcast & Audio Publishing · head to head

Acast vs Descript

Acast logo

Acast

Podcast & Audio Publishing

Enterprise podcast hosting and advertising

From
On request
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite
Descript logo

Descript

Video & Audio Production

AI-powered video and podcast editing

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite

The short version

  • Only Descript 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; Descript the free plan watermarks exports and caps them at 720p
  • They diverge on capability: Acast covers Enterprise hosting, Descript covers Auto-transcription.

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which Acast and Descript actually diverge.

Attributes where Acast and Descript differ
AttributeAcastDescript
Starting priceOn requestFree
Pricing modelquotefreemium
Free tierNoYes
PlatformsWebWeb, Desktop, Mobile
CategoryPodcast & Audio PublishingVideo & Audio Production
Founded20142017

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

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 Descript

  • Auto-transcription
  • Word-level editing
  • Filler word removal
  • Screen recording
  • YouTube
  • Podcast platforms
  • Cloud storage
  • Desktop support

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 Descript
  • Monetising episodes through the Acast advertising marketplace and sponsorshipsnot Descript
  • Publishing video podcast episodes alongside audionot Descript

Descript

  • Editing video and podcasts by editing the transcript rather than a timelinenot Acast
  • Transcribing recordings and producing clips for publishingnot 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

Descript

  • The free plan watermarks exports and caps them at 720p
  • Media hours are metered monthly, at 60 minutes on free, 10 hours on Hobbyist and 30 on Creator
  • 4K export requires the Creator plan at $24 a month
  • AI features run on a separate monthly credit allowance, from 400 to 1,500 by plan
  • The Business plan at $50 a month includes fewer media hours per dollar than Creator, at 40 hours against 30
  • Priority support carries an SLA only from the Business plan

Pricing, plan by plan

Acast

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

Descript

Free
  • FreeFree
    • 1 hour transcription
    • 1 watermark-free export
  • Hobbyist$12/month
    • 10 hours transcription
    • Unlimited exports
  • Creator$24/month
    • 30 hours transcription
    • 4K export

Which should you pick?

Choose Acast if

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

Choose Descript if

  • You need auto-transcription.
  • You want to start without paying.
  • You work on Web, Desktop, Mobile.
  • You also want word-level editing.
Descript review

Questions people ask

Is Acast or Descript better?
Neither clearly leads. Acast starts at On request and Descript at Free, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, Acast or Descript?
Descript has a free tier; the other does not. Paid plans start at On request for Acast and Free for Descript.
Does Acast or Descript run on more platforms?
Acast runs on Web. Descript runs on Web, Desktop, Mobile.
Can I use Descript for free?
Yes. Descript 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 Descript is typically brought in for.
What can Acast do that Descript cannot?
Acast covers Enterprise hosting, Dynamic ad insertion, Sponsorship platform, Analytics. Descript covers Auto-transcription, Word-level editing, Filler word removal, Screen recording. Both handle Web support.
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