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Podcasting · head to head

Acast vs Libsyn

Acast logo

Acast

Podcasting

Enterprise podcast hosting and advertising

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite
Libsyn logo

Libsyn

Podcasting

The original podcast hosting platform since 2004

From
Free
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; Libsyn basic plan at $12 per month allows only 3 hours of audio upload per month
  • They diverge on capability: Acast covers Enterprise hosting, Libsyn covers Reliable hosting.
  • Prices and features above were last checked on 30 August 2026.

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which Acast and Libsyn actually diverge.

Attributes where Acast and Libsyn differ
AttributeAcastLibsyn
Pricing modelfreemiumsubscription
PlatformsWebWeb, Ios, Android
Founded20142004

Identical on both: starting price (Free), free tier (Yes), user rating (Not yet rated), category (Podcasting).

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
  • CMS systems

Only in Libsyn

  • Reliable hosting
  • Advanced analytics
  • Monetization platform
  • Distribution network
  • Custom website
  • Ad insertion
  • Apple Podcasts
  • Spotify

Both cover

  • Advertising networks
  • Web support

What people use each for

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

Acast

  • Podcast distribution and monetizationnot Libsyn
  • Ad network managementnot Libsyn
  • Listener analytics trackingnot Libsyn
  • Multi-platform publishingnot Libsyn

Libsyn

  • Hosting podcast audio and distributing it to Apple Podcasts, Spotify and YouTubenot Acast
  • Measuring audience with IAB certified download statisticsnot Acast
  • Monetising shows through advertising on enterprise plansnot 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

Libsyn

  • Basic plan at $12 per month allows only 3 hours of audio upload per month
  • Advanced IAB verified stats require the $25 per month Advanced plan; Basic gets basic stats only
  • Spotify video distribution requires the Advanced or Max plan
  • Dynamic ad insertion sits on Professional and Enterprise plans that are quoted by sales with no published rate
  • The top published tier, Max at $150 per month, still caps audio uploads at 55 hours per month

Pricing, plan by plan

Acast

Free
  • StarterFree
    • 1 show
    • 5 episodes (unlimited with monetization)
    • Basic podcast website
  • Essential$25/month
    • Unlimited shows
    • Unlimited episodes
    • All Starter features
  • Pro$40/month
    • Unlimited shows
    • Unlimited episodes
    • All Essential features
  • Video$50/month
    • Unlimited shows
    • Unlimited episodes
    • All Pro features

Libsyn

Free
  • Starter Plan$8/month
    • Basic plan for bare essentials
  • Basic$12/month
    • 3 hours audio uploads/month
    • Video uploads up to 100GB/month (~50 hours)
    • Basic IAB verified analytics
  • Advanced$25/month
    • 10 hours audio uploads/month
    • Video uploads up to 100GB/month (~50 hours)
    • Advanced IAB verified analytics
  • Max$150/month
    • 55 hours audio uploads/month
    • Video uploads up to 100GB/month (~50 hours)
    • Optimized for high-volume

Which should you pick?

Choose Acast if

  • You need enterprise hosting.
  • You want to start without paying.
  • You also want dynamic ad insertion.
Acast review

Choose Libsyn if

  • You need reliable hosting.
  • You want to start without paying.
  • You work on Web, Ios, Android.
  • You also want advanced analytics.
Libsyn review

Questions people ask

Is Acast or Libsyn better?
Neither clearly leads. Acast starts at Free and Libsyn at Free, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, Acast or Libsyn?
Acast starts at Free and Libsyn at Free.
Does Acast or Libsyn run on more platforms?
Acast runs on Web. Libsyn runs on Web, Ios, Android.
Can I use Acast for free?
Both have a free tier, so you can try either at no cost before committing.
What is Acast best used for?
Acast is most often used for podcast distribution and monetization, ad network management, listener analytics tracking, multi-platform publishing. Of those, podcast distribution and monetization and ad network management are not what Libsyn is typically brought in for.
What can Acast do that Libsyn cannot?
Acast covers Enterprise hosting, Dynamic ad insertion, Sponsorship platform, Analytics. Libsyn covers Reliable hosting, Advanced analytics, Monetization platform, Distribution network. Both handle Advertising networks, Web support.

Answered from the vendors’ own pages

Acast: What is the minimum cost to publish a podcast on Acast?

Acast offers a free Starter plan that allows publishing 1 show with up to 5 episodes. To unlock unlimited episodes and multiple shows, the Essential plan starts at EUR 25 per month.

Source
Libsyn: How much does Libsyn cost?

Libsyn pricing starts at $8/month for basic use, $12/month for Basic plan, $25/month for Advanced (most popular), and $150/month for Max. Professional and Enterprise plans are available upon request.

Source
Acast: How does Acast's annual billing discount work?

Annual plans are discounted versus monthly billing. Essential plan costs EUR 14.99 per month when billed yearly, Pro costs EUR 29.99 monthly when annual, and Video costs EUR 39.99 monthly when annual.

Source
Libsyn: Does Libsyn offer a free trial?

Yes, Libsyn offers a 30-day free trial for every plan with no promo code required. You can cancel anytime.

Source
Acast: Which Acast plan includes team management and API access?

The Pro plan (EUR 40 per month) includes team management, prioritized support, and publishing API access. Pricing is for monthly billing.

Source
Libsyn: What is the difference between audio and video uploads?

Basic plan includes 3 hours of audio uploads per month, Advanced includes 10 hours, and Max includes 55 hours. All plans allow up to 100GB/month video uploads (~50 hours).

Source
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