Software · head to head
Libsyn vs Acast
The short version
- Each has a real cost: Libsyn basic plan at $12 per month allows only 3 hours of audio upload per month; 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: Libsyn covers Reliable hosting, Acast covers Enterprise hosting.
Where they differ
Only the attributes on which Libsyn and Acast actually diverge.
Identical on both: free tier (No), 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 Libsyn
- Reliable hosting
- Advanced analytics
- Monetization platform
- Distribution network
- Custom website
- Ad insertion
- Apple Podcasts
- Spotify
Only in Acast
- Enterprise hosting
- Dynamic ad insertion
- Sponsorship platform
- Analytics
- Monetization
- API access
- All podcast platforms
- CMS systems
Both cover
- Advertising networks
- Web support
What people use each for
The jobs each tool is most often brought in to do.
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
Acast
- Hosting and distributing a podcast to all major listening appsnot Libsyn
- Monetising episodes through the Acast advertising marketplace and sponsorshipsnot Libsyn
- Publishing video podcast episodes alongside audionot Libsyn
Where each one falls short
Documented limitations, not opinions. Every one is a constraint you would hit in normal use.
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
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
Libsyn
$5/month- Classic 50$5/month
- 50 MB monthly storage
- Basic statistics
- Podcast page
- Classic 150$15/month
- 150 MB monthly storage
- Advanced statistics
- Custom website
- Advanced 400$20/month
- 400 MB monthly storage
- Premium analytics
- Multiple shows
- Advanced 800$40/month
- 800 MB monthly storage
- Full analytics suite
- Priority support
Acast
On request- Enterprise$undefined/month
- Unlimited hosting
- Dynamic ad insertion
- Sponsorship marketplace
Which should you pick?
Choose Libsyn if
- You need reliable hosting.
- You work on Web, Ios, Android.
- You also want advanced analytics.
Questions people ask
- Is Libsyn or Acast better?
- Neither clearly leads. Libsyn starts at $5/month and Acast at On request, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
- Which is cheaper, Libsyn or Acast?
- Libsyn starts at $5/month and Acast at On request.
- Does Libsyn or Acast run on more platforms?
- Libsyn runs on Web, Ios, Android. Acast runs on Web.
- What is Libsyn best used for?
- Libsyn is most often used for hosting podcast audio and distributing it to apple podcasts, spotify and youtube, measuring audience with iab certified download statistics, monetising shows through advertising on enterprise plans. Of those, hosting podcast audio and distributing it to apple podcasts, spotify and youtube and measuring audience with iab certified download statistics are not what Acast is typically brought in for.
- What can Libsyn do that Acast cannot?
- Libsyn covers Reliable hosting, Advanced analytics, Monetization platform, Distribution network. Acast covers Enterprise hosting, Dynamic ad insertion, Sponsorship platform, Analytics. Both handle Advertising networks, Web support.