Software · head to head
Buzzsprout vs Acast
The short version
- Only Buzzsprout has a free tier, so it costs nothing to try first.
- Each has a real cost: Buzzsprout upload hours do not carry over monthly; unused allocation lost; 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: Buzzsprout covers Audio optimization, Acast covers Enterprise hosting.
Where they differ
Only the attributes on which Buzzsprout and Acast actually diverge.
| Attribute | Buzzsprout | Acast |
|---|---|---|
| Starting price | Free | On request |
| Pricing model | freemium | quote |
| Free tier | Yes | No |
| Platforms | Web, Mobile | Web |
| Founded | 2009 | 2014 |
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 Buzzsprout
- Audio optimization
- Automatic distribution
- Episode transcription
- Custom podcast website
- Analytics dashboard
- Magic Mastering
- Apple Podcasts
- Spotify
Only in Acast
- Enterprise hosting
- Dynamic ad insertion
- Sponsorship platform
- Analytics
- Monetization
- API access
- All podcast platforms
- Advertising networks
Both cover
- Web support
What people use each for
The jobs each tool is most often brought in to do.
Buzzsprout
- Podcast hostingnot Acast
- Audio and video podcast distributionnot Acast
- Transcription and show notes generationnot Acast
- Podcast analytics and monetisationnot Acast
Acast
- Hosting and distributing a podcast to all major listening appsnot Buzzsprout
- Monetising episodes through the Acast advertising marketplace and sponsorshipsnot Buzzsprout
- Publishing video podcast episodes alongside audionot Buzzsprout
Where each one falls short
Documented limitations, not opinions. Every one is a constraint you would hit in normal use.
Buzzsprout
- Upload hours do not carry over monthly; unused allocation lost
- Overage charges apply at plan rate for additional uploads
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 $50 per month monthly
- The Video plan includes only 10,000 monthly video views
- A payment card is required to sign up even for the free tier
- The Creator Network tier is quote only with no published price
Pricing, plan by plan
Buzzsprout
FreeNo published plan breakdown. See the Buzzsprout review.
Acast
On request- Enterprise$undefined/month
- Unlimited hosting
- Dynamic ad insertion
- Sponsorship marketplace
Which should you pick?
Choose Buzzsprout if
- You need audio optimization.
- You want to start without paying.
- You work on Web, Mobile.
- You also want automatic distribution.
Questions people ask
- Is Buzzsprout or Acast better?
- Neither clearly leads. Buzzsprout 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, Buzzsprout or Acast?
- Buzzsprout has a free tier; the other does not. Paid plans start at Free for Buzzsprout and On request for Acast.
- Does Buzzsprout or Acast run on more platforms?
- Buzzsprout runs on Web, Mobile. Acast runs on Web.
- Can I use Buzzsprout for free?
- Yes. Buzzsprout has a free tier, so you can try it without paying. Acast starts at On request.
- What is Buzzsprout best used for?
- Buzzsprout is most often used for podcast hosting, audio and video podcast distribution, transcription and show notes generation, podcast analytics and monetisation. Of those, podcast hosting and audio and video podcast distribution are not what Acast is typically brought in for.
- What can Buzzsprout do that Acast cannot?
- Buzzsprout covers Audio optimization, Automatic distribution, Episode transcription, Custom podcast website. Acast covers Enterprise hosting, Dynamic ad insertion, Sponsorship platform, Analytics. Both handle Web support.