Head-to-head comparison
Acast vs Spreaker
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
Hosting and live broadcasting with a built-in dynamic ad marketplace.
Best for: Monetization-focused shows
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
Spreaker
Pros
- Ad marketplace works on every plan
- Live broadcasting built into the platform
- Supporters Club for paid subscriptions
Watch-outs
- Big jump from Broadcaster to Anchorman tier
- Dated dashboard versus modern hosts
- Episode count caps on lower tiers
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 Spreaker if
You’re building around monetization-focused shows. Spreaker is the rare host that takes monetization seriously at every tier — automatic ad insertion powered by iHeart's network kicks in right from the free plan, which most competitors lock behind enterprise sales calls. The pricing jumps get steep fast, and the UI still feels like 2018 compared to Transistor or Captivate.
Also worth comparing
Or see all Acast alternatives.
Frequently asked
What does Acast do better than Spreaker?
Acast's standout is "Real ad marketplace with creator payouts". Spreaker doesn't make that promise — it leans into "Ad marketplace works on every plan" instead. If the first sentence describes your workflow, pick Acast; if the second does, pick Spreaker.
What are the trade-offs?
Acast: 50% ad revenue share is steep. Spreaker: big jump from broadcaster to anchorman tier. Whether either matters depends entirely on what you actually need — neither is a deal-breaker by itself.
Do they support the same platforms?
Spreaker works on Android where Acast doesn't. If you're on a specific OS or device, that may decide for you.
Can I use Acast and Spreaker 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 Spreaker for another. Worth trying both free tiers before committing.