Head-to-head comparison
Acast vs Castos
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
WordPress-friendly host bundling private feeds and a production service.
Best for: Private podcasts and members
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
Pros
- Free WordPress plugin (Seriously Simple Podcasting)
- Private feeds with email-based access
- Auto-republish to YouTube on higher tiers
Watch-outs
- Private subscriber overages stack up fast
- More expensive than entry-tier rivals
- Production service is separate pricing
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 if
You’re building around private podcasts and members. Castos is the host that goes after WordPress podcasters and private-feed use cases at the same time. The bundled production service is a clever agency upsell.
Also worth comparing
Or see all Acast alternatives.
Frequently asked
What does Acast do better than Castos?
Acast's standout is "Real ad marketplace with creator payouts". Castos doesn't make that promise — it leans into "Free WordPress plugin (Seriously Simple Podcasting)" instead. If the first sentence describes your workflow, pick Acast; if the second does, pick Castos.
What are the trade-offs?
Acast: 50% ad revenue share is steep. Castos: private subscriber overages stack up fast. 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 doesn't. If you're on a specific OS or device, that may decide for you.
Can I use Acast and Castos 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 for another. Worth trying both free tiers before committing.