Acast introduces free option to host podcasts

Acast is now offering its services for free via a new Starter option geared towards podcasters looking for a place to host their audio.

Acast Open is a new product for anyone looking to create their own podcast for the first time, or who want to take the next step in their podcasting journey. They can choose from Acast Open’s three service tiers, one of which — ‘Starter’ — is free.

Podcasters using Acast Open will get an RSS feed for distribution, basic analytics and a basic podcast website.

The news follows Acast’s acquisition of technology company Pippa earlier this year, which has now been integrated into the Acast platform. The Pippa brand will no longer exist.

All Acast Open subscribers — including former Pippa users who have been automatically migrated to the platform — will receive access to Acast’s tech stack, which now includes the product suite built by Pippa.

Johan Billgren, Acast co-founder and CPTO, said: “Acast is the only truly global, end-to-end podcast platform that can take creators from bedroom heroes to worldwide success stories. Now we’re putting the same tools we’ve built for the world’s biggest and best podcasts and publishers into the hands of every podcaster on the planet.”

“With Acast Open we’re combining the simplest, smartest way to host and share your show with the might of the world’s biggest podcast company.”

Acast currently hosts podcasts such as My Dad Wrote a Porno, David Tennant Does A Podcast With and The Earios Network, and podcasts from publishers like the BBC, the Guardian, The Economist, VICE and Vogue.