Softwr

Software · head to head

Apple Podcasts Connect vs Acast

Apple Podcasts Connect logo

Apple Podcasts Connect

Software

Manage and distribute your podcast on Apple Podcasts

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite
Acast logo

Acast

Software

Enterprise podcast hosting and advertising

From
On request
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite

The short version

  • Only Apple Podcasts Connect has a free tier, so it costs nothing to try first.
  • Each has a real cost: Apple Podcasts Connect requires an Apple account, and a show has to be claimed before it can be managed; 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
  • They diverge on capability: Apple Podcasts Connect covers Podcast submission, Acast covers Enterprise hosting.

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which Apple Podcasts Connect and Acast actually diverge.

Attributes where Apple Podcasts Connect and Acast differ
AttributeApple Podcasts ConnectAcast
Starting priceFreeOn request
Pricing modelfreequote
Free tierYesNo
PlatformsWeb, Ios, MacosWeb
Founded19762014

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 Apple Podcasts Connect

  • Podcast submission
  • Episode management
  • Subscription monetization
  • Show optimization
  • Multi-show management
  • RSS feeds
  • Hosting platforms
  • Apple ecosystem

Only in Acast

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

Both cover

  • Analytics
  • Web support

What people use each for

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

Apple Podcasts Connect

  • Submitting a new podcast to Apple Podcastsnot Acast
  • Claiming an existing show so it is registered to your accountnot Acast
  • Reviewing Apple Podcasts listener trends and analyticsnot Acast
  • Managing show artwork and metadatanot Acast

Acast

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

Where each one falls short

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

Apple Podcasts Connect

  • Requires an Apple account, and a show has to be claimed before it can be managed
  • Only reports listening that happens inside Apple Podcasts, so it is not a whole-audience view
  • Does not host audio; the show still needs a hosting provider elsewhere

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

Pricing, plan by plan

Apple Podcasts Connect

Free
  • FreeFree
    • Podcast submission
    • Analytics dashboard
    • Episode management
  • Subscriptions Program$19.99/year
    • Premium subscriptions
    • Paid content
    • Subscriber management

Acast

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

Which should you pick?

Choose Apple Podcasts Connect if

  • You need podcast submission.
  • You want to start without paying.
  • You work on Web, Ios, Macos.
  • You also want episode management.
Apple Podcasts Connect review

Choose Acast if

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

Questions people ask

Is Apple Podcasts Connect or Acast better?
Neither clearly leads. Apple Podcasts Connect starts at Free and Acast at On request, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, Apple Podcasts Connect or Acast?
Apple Podcasts Connect has a free tier; the other does not. Paid plans start at Free for Apple Podcasts Connect and On request for Acast.
Does Apple Podcasts Connect or Acast run on more platforms?
Apple Podcasts Connect runs on Web, Ios, Macos. Acast runs on Web.
Can I use Apple Podcasts Connect for free?
Yes. Apple Podcasts Connect has a free tier, so you can try it without paying. Acast starts at On request.
What is Apple Podcasts Connect best used for?
Apple Podcasts Connect is most often used for submitting a new podcast to apple podcasts, claiming an existing show so it is registered to your account, reviewing apple podcasts listener trends and analytics, managing show artwork and metadata. Of those, submitting a new podcast to apple podcasts and claiming an existing show so it is registered to your account are not what Acast is typically brought in for.
What can Apple Podcasts Connect do that Acast cannot?
Apple Podcasts Connect covers Podcast submission, Episode management, Subscription monetization, Show optimization. Acast covers Enterprise hosting, Dynamic ad insertion, Sponsorship platform, Monetization. Both handle Analytics, Web support.
ShareXLinkedInRedditWhatsAppEmail

Related pages

More on Apple Podcasts Connect

More on Acast

Keep looking

Other head to heads