Acast vs iHeartMedia Advertising

Acast8.2Visit iHeartMedia Advertising7.1Visit

Higher score Acast #2 in Digital Audio Advertising Software 8.2/10 Free plan · paid from $14.99/mo (annual) Free plan Visit Acast

vs

iHeartMedia Advertising #5 in Digital Audio Advertising Software 7.1/10 Pricing on request Contact iHeartMedia

• Acast fits best

  Podcasters seeking low-cost hosting with monetization tools

• iHeartMedia Advertising fits best

  Brands seeking managed radio and digital audio reach

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Side by side

Feature	Acast 8.2/10 Visit ↗	iHeartMedia Advertising 7.1/10 Visit ↗
At a glance
Editor score	8.2	7.1
Ranking	#2 in Digital Audio Advertising Software	#5 in Digital Audio Advertising Software
Best for	Podcasters seeking low-cost hosting with monetization tools	Brands seeking managed radio and digital audio reach
Pricing model	Free plan + paid	Paid
Starting price	$14.99/mo	Not published
Free plan	✓ (best)	—
Free trial	—	—
Support	Email, Live chat	Phone
Integrations	12 integrations	6 integrations
Built for	Solo, Small business, Mid-market, Enterprise	Small business, Mid-market, Enterprise
Specs
Audio inventory	Not published	Both
Buying method	Not published	Managed
Targeting options	Not published	ID-based audience segments; first-party client data; identity-based audience intelligence; predictive listening models for station and daypart selection
Measurement features	Not published	Brand lift; web visits and online conversions; app downloads and leads; store visitation lift; retail and CPG sales lift; ROAS; reach and frequency; in-flight optimization
Supported ad formats	Not published	Radio spots; streaming audio ads; podcast host-read ads; podcast endorsements; sponsorships
Minimum campaign spend	Not published	Not published
Our review
Pros	Free hosting with distribution to major podcast apps and directories Advanced audience analytics, scheduling, and bulk editing Private RSS feeds, subscriptions, migration tools, and embeddable players	Plans local and national campaigns across radio, streaming and podcasts Uses audience segments and listening models to guide station and daypart selection Measures brand lift, conversions, store visits, sales lift and ROAS
Cons	Multiple shows and unlimited episodes require the Essential tier Video publishing is currently distributed to Apple Podcasts A card is required for a trial	Buying is managed rather than fully self-serve Campaigns require contacting iHeartMedia to buy Planning and measurement options may require working with representatives
Our verdict	Acast is a cloud-based podcast hosting and monetization platform for independent creators, publishers, and podcast networks. It manages RSS feeds, distributes episodes to major listening directories, provides podcast websites and embed… Read the review →	iHeartMedia Advertising gives brands and agencies access to broadcast radio, iHeartRadio streaming, podcasts and other media assets. Its managed campaigns can be local or national, and the product is aimed at advertisers seeking reach… Read the review →

Strengths and trade-offs

• Acast — where it wins

  • Free hosting with distribution to major podcast apps and directories
  • Advanced audience analytics, scheduling, and bulk editing
  • Private RSS feeds, subscriptions, migration tools, and embeddable players

  Where it doesn't

  • Multiple shows and unlimited episodes require the Essential tier
  • Video publishing is currently distributed to Apple Podcasts
  • A card is required for a trial

• iHeartMedia Advertising — where it wins

  • Plans local and national campaigns across radio, streaming and podcasts
  • Uses audience segments and listening models to guide station and daypart selection
  • Measures brand lift, conversions, store visits, sales lift and ROAS

  Where it doesn't

  • Buying is managed rather than fully self-serve
  • Campaigns require contacting iHeartMedia to buy
  • Planning and measurement options may require working with representatives

• Acast8.2/10 · Free plan · paid from $14.99/mo (annual)

  Acast combines podcast publishing, analytics, distribution, and creator monetization tools.

  Visit AcastFull verdict →
• iHeartMedia Advertising7.1/10 · Pricing on request

  Managed campaigns span broadcast and digital audio, with audience planning and measurement.

  Contact iHeartMediaFull verdict →