Head-to-head comparison
Acast vs Castos Private Podcasts
Two of the hosting tools podcasters reach for. Here's how they differ on pricing, features, audience, and the trade-offs that actually matter day-to-day.
Podcast host built around monetization, with a real ad marketplace behind it.
Best for: Monetization-focused podcasters
Castos's private podcast tier for businesses
Best for: Companies running internal podcasts or paid course delivery on top of an existing host.
At a glance
The honest trade-offs
Acast
Pros
- Real ad marketplace with creator payouts
- Free Starter plan to begin
- Multiple shows on higher tiers
Watch-outs
- 50% ad revenue share is steep
- Free tier capped at 5 episodes without ads
- Less control over brand placements
Castos Private Podcasts
Pros
- Private feeds added to existing Castos plans
- Cheaper entry than Hello Audio for small teams
- Tight WordPress integration via Seriously Simple
Watch-outs
- Less specialised than Hello Audio for coaches
- Subscriber gating UX is rougher
- Bundled rather than standalone
Which one should you pick?
Pick Acast if
You’re building around monetization-focused podcasters. Acast's strength is the ad marketplace — they actually have advertisers and they actually pay out. The free Starter is a nice on-ramp, the revenue share is steep (around 50%), and the platform is more hands-on about brand fit than some creators want.
Pick Castos Private Podcasts if
You’re building around companies running internal podcasts or paid course delivery on top of an existing host.. Castos Private Podcasts is the private-feed product bolted onto Castos's main hosting. Cheaper to start than Hello Audio or Supercast, and the natural choice if you already run a public show on Castos.
Also worth comparing
Or see all Acast alternatives.
Frequently asked
What does Acast do better than Castos Private Podcasts?
Acast's standout is "Real ad marketplace with creator payouts". Castos Private Podcasts doesn't make that promise — it leans into "Private feeds added to existing Castos plans" instead. If the first sentence describes your workflow, pick Acast; if the second does, pick Castos Private Podcasts.
What are the trade-offs?
Acast: 50% ad revenue share is steep. Castos Private Podcasts: less specialised than hello audio for coaches. Whether either matters depends entirely on what you actually need — neither is a deal-breaker by itself.
Do they support the same platforms?
Acast works on iOS where Castos Private Podcasts doesn't. If you're on a specific OS or device, that may decide for you.
Can I use Acast and Castos Private Podcasts together?
Both are hosting tools so most teams pick one. Some workflows do combine them — for example, using Acast for one show or episode type and Castos Private Podcasts for another. Worth trying both free tiers before committing.