Softwr

Podcast & Audio Publishing · head to head

Acast vs HBO Max

Acast logo

Acast

Podcast & Audio Publishing

Enterprise podcast hosting and advertising

From
On request
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite
HBO Max logo

HBO Max

Media & Entertainment

Stream iconic series, movies, and Max Originals

From
$9.99/month
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite

The short version

  • 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; HBO Max three subscription tiers: Basic With Ads at 10.99 USD/month, Standard at 18.49 USD/month, Premium at 22.99 USD/month
  • They diverge on capability: Acast covers Enterprise hosting, HBO Max covers Streaming.

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which Acast and HBO Max actually diverge.

Attributes where Acast and HBO Max differ
AttributeAcastHBO Max
Starting priceOn request$9.99/month
Pricing modelquotesubscription
PlatformsWebWeb, Ios, Android, Smart-tv, Gaming-consoles
CategoryPodcast & Audio PublishingMedia & Entertainment
Founded20142020

Identical on both: free tier (No), 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 HBO Max

  • Streaming
  • Downloads
  • Profiles
  • HBO content
  • Max Originals
  • Smart TVs
  • Gaming consoles
  • Mobile devices

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

HBO Max

  • Premium streamingnot Acast
  • HBO contentnot Acast
  • Original seriesnot 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

HBO Max

  • Three subscription tiers: Basic With Ads at 10.99 USD/month, Standard at 18.49 USD/month, Premium at 22.99 USD/month
  • The cheapest tier is ad supported; ad-free viewing requires the Standard tier or above

Pricing, plan by plan

Acast

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

HBO Max

$9.99/month
  • With Ads$9.99/month
    • Full HD
    • Ad-supported
    • 2 devices
  • Ad-Free$15.99/month
    • Full HD
    • Ad-free
    • 2 devices
  • Ultimate Ad-Free$19.99/month
    • 4K UHD
    • Dolby Atmos
    • 4 devices

Which should you pick?

Choose Acast if

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

Choose HBO Max if

  • You need streaming.
  • You work on Web, Ios, Android, Smart-tv, Gaming-consoles.
  • You also want downloads.
HBO Max review

Questions people ask

Is Acast or HBO Max better?
Neither clearly leads. Acast starts at On request and HBO Max at $9.99/month, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, Acast or HBO Max?
Acast starts at On request and HBO Max at $9.99/month.
Does Acast or HBO Max run on more platforms?
Acast runs on Web. HBO Max runs on Web, Ios, Android, Smart-tv, Gaming-consoles.
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 HBO Max is typically brought in for.
What can Acast do that HBO Max cannot?
Acast covers Enterprise hosting, Dynamic ad insertion, Sponsorship platform, Analytics. HBO Max covers Streaming, Downloads, Profiles, HBO content. Both handle Web support.
ShareXLinkedInRedditWhatsAppEmail

Related pages

More on Acast

More on HBO Max

Keep looking

Other head to heads