Acast vs Pinecast
Acast
acast.com
Pinecast
pinecast.comSide by side
| Figure | Acast | Pinecast |
|---|---|---|
| Price from | $14.99/mo | $10/mo |
| Free plan | Yes | Yes |
| Free trial | — | Yes |
| Open source | — | — |
| Web | Yes | Yes |
| iOS | Yes | — |
| Android | Yes | — |
| API | Yes | — |
| Plans published | 5 | 7 |
| Spec score · Podcast hosting platforms | 9.4 (#1) | 8.5 (#17) |
| Spec score · Podcast Monetization Platforms | 9.4 (#1) | 8.3 (#15) |
| Analytics | Acast provides advanced listener analytics, including downloads, geographic breakdowns, listening platforms and engagement data, plus revenue data. | Its analytics provide near-realtime data, adjustable time ranges and granularity, chart explanations, and CSV downloads. |
| Directory distribution | major directories | major directories |
| Distribution | Acast supports one-click publishing to Spotify and Apple Podcasts and distribution to every major podcast directory. | Pinecast supports show submission to podcast apps including Apple Podcasts, Spotify, YouTube Music, Amazon Music, Pandora, and Pocket Casts. |
| Founded | 2014 | 2015 |
| Free plan | Yes | Yes |
| Headquarters | Stockholm, Sweden | Raleigh, United States |
| Monetization tools | Yes | Yes |
| Privacy | Acast's GDPR policy states that Acast AB is the data controller for EEA, Switzerland and UK users and provides rights including access, rectification and erasure. | Pinecast says payment card data is sent directly from the browser to Stripe and does not pass through Pinecast servers. |
| Private podcasts | Yes | Yes |
| Product | Acast describes its product as an all-in-one podcasting platform and CMS for managing, publishing, distributing and monetizing podcasts. | Pinecast describes itself as a batteries-included podcast hosting platform. |
| RSS feed | Yes | Yes |
| Security | Acast's security portal lists audit logging, access monitoring, data backups, data erasure, AWS hosting, anti-DDoS protection, separate production environments, disk encryption, firewalls and IDS/IPS. | Pinecast says all its properties use HTTPS to encrypt data in transit and that its infrastructure follows industry best practices for securing sensitive information. |
| Paid from | 14.99 | 10 |
| Support | Acast provides support through [email protected] and Intercom chat, while the Pro plan includes prioritized support. | Pinecast directs users to email support, a message form in the signed-in dashboard, or its help center. |
Plans
Acast
- Essential$14.99 a month
- Pro$29.99 a month
- Video$39.99 a month
- Acast Creator NetworkPrice not published
- StarterFree
Pinecast
- Free planFree
- Starter plan$10 a month
- Pro Analytics add-on$10 a month
- Crew add-on$10 a month
- Growth add-on$10 a month
- Hi-Fi add-on$15 a month
- Free planPrice not published
In their own words
Acast
Acast is a podcasting platform and content management system for publishing, distributing and monetizing shows. One-click publishing sends episodes to Spotify and Apple Podcasts, with distribution to major podcast directories. Tools include episode scheduling, automated ad placement, bulk editing, dynamic intros and outros, and management of multiple shows. Advanced analytics cover downloads, listener geography, listening platforms, engagement and revenue. Creators can also make a customizable podcast website and web player, and create video clips for social sharing. The Starter plan is limited to one show and five episodes; unlimited episodes are available when a show joins Acast’s advertising marketplace. Acast has a free plan, with Essential at $14.99 per month billed yearly, Pro at $29.99 per month billed yearly, and Video at $39.99 per month billed yearly. Apple Podcasts video publishing is a limited beta for selected creators. Acast was founded in 2014 and is headquartered in Stockholm, Sweden.
Pinecast
Pinecast is a web-based podcast hosting platform with RSS distribution, monetization tools and private podcasts. It supports submitting shows to apps including Apple Podcasts, Spotify, YouTube Music, Amazon Music, Pandora and Pocket Casts. Analytics offer near-real-time data, adjustable time ranges and detail, chart explanations and CSV downloads. The Tip Jar supports recurring or one-month subscriptions, private premium episodes, subscriber messages and payouts to a bank or debit card. A customizable podcast website can be created without coding, and a WordPress Sync plugin creates posts for podcast episodes. Notifications can go by email, Slack, Discord or webhooks. The free plan is free, with no time limit, and includes 2 shows, 10 episodes and 48MB file sizes. Starter is $10 a month, billed $110 / Year, with unlimited shows, no episode limit, 80MB file sizes plus a bonus, premium analytics, free transcripts and a podcast website. Add-ons are listed separately, including Pro Analytics, Crew and Growth at $10 a month each, and Hi-Fi at $15 a month.