Softwr

Podcast & Audio Publishing · head to head

Zencastr vs Acast

Zencastr logo

Zencastr

Podcast & Audio Publishing

Free podcast recording in your browser

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite
Acast logo

Acast

Podcast & Audio Publishing

Enterprise podcast hosting and advertising

From
On request
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite

The short version

  • Only Zencastr has a free tier, so it costs nothing to try first.
  • Each has a real cost: Zencastr the pricing page lists no dollar amount for any tier; the paid Enterprise tier is marked Custom and requires contacting sales; 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: Zencastr covers Browser-based recording, Acast covers Enterprise hosting.

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which Zencastr and Acast actually diverge.

Attributes where Zencastr and Acast differ
AttributeZencastrAcast
Starting priceFreeOn request
Pricing modelfreemiumquote
Free tierYesNo
Founded20152014

Identical on both: platforms (Web), user rating (Not yet rated), category (Podcast & Audio Publishing).

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 Zencastr

  • Browser-based recording
  • Separate tracks
  • Automatic postproduction
  • Video recording
  • Lossless audio
  • Cloud storage
  • Dropbox
  • Google Drive

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.

Zencastr

  • Recording remote podcast interviews with separate local tracks per guestnot Acast
  • Recording video podcasts in the browser without guest software installsnot Acast
  • Publishing recorded episodes and clips from one workspacenot Acast

Acast

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

Where each one falls short

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

Zencastr

  • The pricing page lists no dollar amount for any tier; the paid Enterprise tier is marked Custom and requires contacting sales
  • The free tier caps a session at 6 participants
  • The free tier caps video streaming quality at 1080p
  • The free tier is limited to 5 podcast shows and 4 seats

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

Zencastr

Free
  • HobbyistFree
    • 8 hours/month audio
    • MP3 quality
    • Up to 2 guests
  • Professional$20/month
    • Unlimited recording
    • WAV lossless quality
    • Video recording

Acast

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

Which should you pick?

Choose Zencastr if

  • You need browser-based recording.
  • You want to start without paying.
  • You also want separate tracks.
Zencastr review

Choose Acast if

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

Questions people ask

Is Zencastr or Acast better?
Neither clearly leads. Zencastr 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, Zencastr or Acast?
Zencastr has a free tier; the other does not. Paid plans start at Free for Zencastr and On request for Acast.
Does Zencastr or Acast run on more platforms?
Both run on Web, so platform support will not decide this one for you.
Can I use Zencastr for free?
Yes. Zencastr has a free tier, so you can try it without paying. Acast starts at On request.
What is Zencastr best used for?
Zencastr is most often used for recording remote podcast interviews with separate local tracks per guest, recording video podcasts in the browser without guest software installs, publishing recorded episodes and clips from one workspace. Of those, recording remote podcast interviews with separate local tracks per guest and recording video podcasts in the browser without guest software installs are not what Acast is typically brought in for.
What can Zencastr do that Acast cannot?
Zencastr covers Browser-based recording, Separate tracks, Automatic postproduction, Video recording. Acast covers Enterprise hosting, Dynamic ad insertion, Sponsorship platform, Analytics. Both handle Web support.
ShareXLinkedInRedditWhatsAppEmail

Related pages

More on Zencastr

More on Acast

Keep looking

Other head to heads