Acast
Acast is a Stockholm-headquartered, Nasdaq Stockholm-listed podcast platform serving 140,000+ podcasts globally with all-in-one hosting, distribution, and monetization tools, monetizing through advertising marketplace, SaaS subscriptions, and branded content for creators, networks, and enterprise advertisers.
- Company typePublic
- Founded2014
- HeadquartersStockholm, Sweden
- Headcount251–500
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingSoftware
What Acast does
Acast AB (publ) is a Stockholm-headquartered, publicly listed (Nasdaq Stockholm Mid Cap; ticker ACASF) audio-on-demand and podcast platform founded in 2014 and operating across 12+ markets including the US, UK, France, Germany, Australia, Spain, and Brazil. The company provides an all-in-one content management system for hosting, distributing, and monetizing podcasts, offering a tiered SaaS product (Starter free, Influencer at $25/mo, Ace at $40/mo, and a custom-priced Creator Network) complemented by the Acast Marketplace (programmatic and dynamic ad insertion), AdCollab sponsorship management, Acast+ premium subscriptions (powered by Supercast), the Acast Ad Manager self-serve platform for advertisers, and Acast Creative Studios for branded original content production.
The platform's underlying technology combines dynamic ad insertion, IAB-verified analytics dashboards, an AI-driven matchmaking engine that pairs podcasts to advertisers, audio-to-video repurposing via Headliner, and proprietary HLS video distribution infrastructure that has positioned Acast as a launch hosting partner for both Apple Podcasts' new HLS video experience (Feb 2026) and Spotify's Distribution API (Jan 2026). Acast generates revenue primarily through advertising (marketplace programmatic and host-read sponsorships), supplemented by creator SaaS subscriptions, Acast+ listener subscriptions, and branded content production services; the company has cumulatively paid out over $600 million to creators across its 140,000+ hosted podcasts.
Acast monetizes through a hybrid go-to-market combining a product-led self-serve motion for podcasters with a direct sales force for enterprise advertisers and high-value network deals, supported by embedded distribution partnerships with Apple, Spotify, Amazon Music, and YouTube (via Little Dot Studios in the UK). The company recently uplisted to the Nasdaq Stockholm Main Market (November 2025), acquired Wake Word Studios to launch Acast Creative Studios Germany (December 2025), and reported 41% sales growth in Q3 2025 driven by enterprise advertiser wins including Capital One, Coca-Cola, State Farm, and T-Mobile. Its primary customer segments are independent podcasters, podcast networks/publishers, brand advertisers, and listeners; key enterprise partners on the supply side include Apple, Spotify, BetterHelp, and Supercast.
Acast firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Acast
- Legal name
- Acast AB (publ)
- Website
- https://acast.com
- Company type
- Public
- Founded year
- 2014
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 251–500 employees
- Short description
- Acast is a Stockholm-headquartered, Nasdaq Stockholm-listed podcast platform serving 140,000+ podcasts globally with all-in-one hosting, distribution, and monetization tools, monetizing through advertising marketplace, SaaS subscriptions, and branded content for creators, networks, and enterprise advertisers.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Acast industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Podcast Advertising Technology
- NAICS
- Advertising, Public Relations, and Related Services (5418), Computing Infrastructure Providers, Data Processing, Web Hosting, and Related Services (51821)
- SIC
- Services-Prepackaged Software (7372), Services-Advertising (7310)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Podcast Hosting Platforms (RSS, Analytics, Distribution) (MPACADAA)
- akta.pro secondary industry
- Podcast Ad Sales Networks & Monetization Platforms (MPACADAD)
Keywords
Where Acast is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Stockholm
- HQ country
- Sweden
- HQ region
- Europe
Offices4 records
Markets served
Acast business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Software
- Cost components
- Technology or R&D, Personnel, Marketing or Sales, Operations, Infrastructure
Revenue model
- Podcast Marketplace Advertising (Programmatic & Dynamic Ad Insertion): Automated pre-recorded audio ads dynamically inserted into podcasts via Acast's marketplace. Acast matches podcasts to advertisers and inserts ads to generate revenue shared with creators.
- Host-Read Sponsorships & Enhanced Sponsorships: Direct and enhanced (cross-show) host-read sponsorships managed through AdCollab, where creators read brand endorsements and earn revenue from per-campaign or per-spot sponsorships.
- Branded Content Production: Revenue from Acast Creative Studios producing exclusive branded podcast episodes and segments in partnership with brands such as BetterHelp's 'Mind If We Talk?' (Acast Creative Studios original production).
- Acast+ Premium Subscriptions: Recurring revenue from premium podcast subscriptions powered by Supercast, giving listeners access to exclusive content and giving creators a recurring revenue stream.
- SaaS Podcaster Plans (Starter, Influencer, Ace, Creator Network): Tiered subscription fees paid by podcasters for hosting, distribution, analytics, monetization tools, and team management — Starter (Free), Influencer ($25/mo or $14.99/mo yearly), Ace ($40/mo or $29.99/mo yearly), Creator Network (contact-based).
- Self-Serve Advertiser Platform: Revenue from advertisers using Acast's self-serve ad platform (selfserve.acast.com) to run targeted, programmatic audio and video podcast ad campaigns on demand.
- Video Podcast Advertising (HLS / Apple Podcasts): First integrated video advertising on Apple Podcasts' HLS infrastructure — a commercial evolution consolidating audio and video podcast buys into a single measurable campaign, with State Farm and T-Mobile as inaugural brand partners.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Freemium | Pay-as-you-go | Starter — Free plan for new podcasters with 1 show and 5 episodes; monetization with ads unlocked when show joins Acast's advertising marketplace. |
| Subscription | Monthly | Influencer — Mid-tier plan for growing podcasters needing advanced tools and sponsorship monetization. |
| Subscription | Monthly | Ace — Pro tier for professional podcasters and networks scaling their podcast business. |
| Other | Multi-year contract | Acast Creator Network — Custom enterprise-grade tier for established creators with significant audiences. |
Go-to-market motion5 records
Distribution channels8 records
Marketing channels9 records
Acast product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Acast is a podcast hosting, distribution, and monetization platform that provides an all-in-one content management system, dynamic ad-insertion technology, and a two-sided marketplace connecting independent podcasters, networks, and YouTube-first creators with advertisers. Its offering combines a SaaS hosting platform (Acast Open Platform) with an advertising marketplace, a sponsorship management tool (AdCollab), a listener premium subscription product (Acast+), and creative/production studios for branded content.
Product overview
Acast is a single unified platform-plus-modules podcasting ecosystem. The core product is the Acast Open Platform (open.acast.com), a podcast hosting, distribution, and monetization CMS available across three paid tiers — Starter (free), Influencer, and Ace (Ace adds a Publishing API and team management). Layered on top of the platform are specialized modules and sub-products: the Acast Marketplace for advertising matchmaking, AdCollab for sponsorship management, the Acast Ad Manager (self-serve platform for advertisers), Acast+ for premium subscriptions (powered by Supercast), the Acast Creator Network for established creators, and Acast Creative Studios (including the Germany studio launched via the December 2025 Wake Word Studios acquisition). Acast Studios London is a physical studio offering. In August 2022, Acast also acquired Podchaser Inc., a podcast metadata and discoverability database, which extends the platform's intelligence layer. The whole platform is supported by Acast's own Insights analytics dashboards and a Publishing API for programmatic integration.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Brands
- Acast+: Premium subscription product for listeners offering exclusive content via Acast+ and Acast+ Access, powered by Supercast technology.
- Acast Ad Manager
- Acast Studios London
- Acast Creative Studios
- Acast Creator Network
Products and services
- Acast Open Platform
- Acast Marketplace
- Acast+
- Acast Ad Manager
- AdCollab
- Acast Publishing API
- Acast Creative Studios (Germany)
- Acast Studios London
Quantifiable outcome
- $600,000,000 paid to creators cumulatively since launch
- +6 more outcomes
Companies that use Acast
Customer profileNamed customers27 records
Segments6 records
Ideal customer profiles4 records
Acast technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed Yes
API detail
- Has API
- Yes
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Integration10 records
AI capability9 records
Feature8 records
Acast partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
16 partnerships are on record, tiered core, flagship and minor.
- Spain's Audio AcademycoreAcast became the first global platform to join Spain's Audio Academy, reinforcing its commitment to professionalizing the Spanish podcast sector and securing its status as a recognized cultural industry.
- Apple (Apple Podcasts)flagshipAcast is a launch hosting partner for the new Apple Podcasts HLS video podcast experience (announced Feb 16, 2026). Acast distributes and monetizes video podcasts through Apple's HLS infrastructure, with Apple charging ad networks impression-based fees. The video ad deployment (May 2026) spans 117 shows and 1,000+ video episodes across global markets.
- ART19 (Amazon), Triton/Omny Studio, SiriusXM, SimplecastcoreCo-launch hosting partners alongside Acast for Apple Podcasts' new HLS video podcast experience. The four major hosting partners provide substantial market coverage for the feature arriving in spring across 170+ countries.
- SpotifyflagshipAcast is a launch partner for Spotify's Distribution API, enabling Acast-hosted creators to publish and monetize video content on Spotify without switching services. Announced alongside the lowering of Spotify Partner Program eligibility thresholds.
- Wake Word StudioscoreAcquired Wake Word Studios — a leading German audio studio and original content producer — and launched Acast Creative Studios in Germany to bolster market position and supercharge omnichannel campaign capabilities.
- Little Dot StudioscoreUK-based joint program with Little Dot Studios to monetize YouTube podcasts for UK creators, creating the UK's largest premium audio and video podcast offering. Beta launched in January 2026, expanding later in 2026.
- CederquistminorLaw firm Cederquist advised Acast on the uplisting to Nasdaq Stockholm Mid Cap on the Main Market.
- AWS (Amazon Web Services)coreAWS is Acast's hosting cloud infrastructure provider, hosting the Acast Services.
- AdsWizz, ArtsAI, Lucid, Magellan AI, Podscribe, SoundCast, VeritoniccoreAdvertising partners — ad servers, SSPs, DSPs, DMPs, ad targeting and ad measurement partners — that store, deliver, manage, track and target ads as well as analyze and measure the effectiveness of podcast ads on Acast.
- Auth0, Akismet, Datadog, Google reCAPTCHA, Spur.us, TwiliocoreIT service management partners providing user authentication (Auth0), spam detection (Akismet), log monitoring (Datadog), bot protection (reCAPTCHA), fraud detection (Spur.us), and communications (Twilio) for Acast Services.
- Salesforce, Intercom, Mailchimp, Mailgun, Google Workspace, Tipalti, Stripe, NetsuitecoreService providers for CRM (Salesforce), customer support (Intercom), email marketing (Mailchimp, Mailgun), communications (Google Workspace), invoicing/payments (Tipalti, Stripe, Netsuite).
- Equity Mates MediacoreMulti-year agreement with Equity Mates Media, one of Australia's most influential finance podcast publishers, to host, distribute, and monetize their network of shows.
- BetterHelpcoreAcast Creative Studios' first original production — 'Mind If We Talk?' — an eight-part podcast developed in partnership with BetterHelp, the world's largest online therapy platform.
- Audio AlwaysminorPartnership to host, distribute, and monetize Angela Scanlon and Vicky Pattison's Get A Grip Podcast across audio and video via Acast's global marketplace.
- SupercastflagshipStrategic partnership to help podcasters maximize subscription revenue. Supercast powers Acast+ premium subscriptions and offers best-in-class subscription tools and services to Acast podcasters.
- Podchaser Inc.coreAcquired Podchaser Inc. for USD 27.2 million plus potential add-ons based on performance. Podchaser is a podcast database company, and the deal enhanced Acast's podcast metadata, discoverability, and advertising capabilities. Finalized by August 1, 2022.
Scale indicators12 records
Recent moves10 records
Expansion highlights6 records
Acast competitors and assessment
Company assessmentBroad incumbents
- Spotify: Operates a competing podcast hosting and monetization stack via Megaphone and Spotify for Podcasters, and is one of Acast's largest distribution partners via the Distribution API. The most consequential incumbent competing for the same creators, advertisers, and listeners.
- Amazon Music / Wondery: Amazon's podcast ecosystem combines Wondery's owned shows with ART19 hosting and Amazon Music distribution. Competes with Acast on both the hosting/monetization side and the enterprise audio ad-buying side.
- SiriusXM Podcast Network: SiriusXM operates a sizable podcast hosting and monetization network following its Stitcher acquisition, overlapping with Acast on advertiser demand and creator monetization. A co-launch partner with Acast for Apple Podcasts HLS video.
Direct peers
- iHeartPodcasts: iHeartMedia's podcast network hosts, monetizes, and distributes shows at scale in the US market with a comparable creator monetization and ad-sales model. Directly comparable on the network/publisher side of Acast's business.
- Triton Digital (Omny Studio): Provides podcast hosting, dynamic ad insertion, and audience measurement — directly comparable to Acast's core hosting and marketplace stack. A co-launch partner for Apple Podcasts HLS video.
- ART19: Podcast hosting and monetization platform owned by Amazon, targeting enterprise publishers with dynamic ad insertion and analytics. Direct competitor to Acast on hosting and ad tech, and a co-launch partner for Apple HLS video.
- Simplecast: Podcast hosting and analytics platform owned by SiriusXM, offering similar CMS, distribution, and monetization features to Acast. A co-launch partner for Apple Podcasts HLS video distribution.
- Libsyn: One of the longest-standing podcast hosting platforms, serving independent creators with hosting, distribution, and monetization tools. Direct competitor to Acast on the SMB podcaster side of the market.
- Podbean: Podcast hosting and monetization platform with its own apps, advertising, and live audio offerings. Comparable to Acast on the creator-facing hosting and monetization value proposition.
- Buzzsprout: Popular podcast hosting platform focused on independent creators with tiered SaaS pricing comparable to Acast's Starter/Influencer/Ace plans. Direct competitor at the lower end of the creator market.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat5 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
Acast social profiles
Digital presenceAcast compliance and trust
Trust signalCompliance6 records
Acast financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Acast leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles12 records
Acast subsidiaries and ownership
Company hierarchySubsidiaries4 records
Acast funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds9 records
Investors12 records
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Acast M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A6 records
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about Acast
What does Acast do?
Acast is a podcast hosting, distribution, and monetization platform that provides an all-in-one content management system, dynamic ad-insertion technology, and a two-sided marketplace connecting independent podcasters, networks, and YouTube-first creators with advertisers. Its offering combines a SaaS hosting platform (Acast Open Platform) with an advertising marketplace, a sponsorship management tool (AdCollab), a listener premium subscription product (Acast+), and creative/production studios for branded content.
Is Acast a public or private company?
Acast is a public company. It is classified as public and is currently operating.
When was Acast founded?
Acast was founded in 2014. It employs 251 to 500 people.
Where is Acast based?
Acast is headquartered in Stockholm, Sweden, in the Europe region.
How does Acast make money?
Seven revenue lines are on record. Podcast Marketplace Advertising (Programmatic & Dynamic Ad Insertion) is the primary driver. The others are host-Read Sponsorships & Enhanced Sponsorships, branded Content Production, acast+ Premium Subscriptions, saaS Podcaster Plans (Starter, Influencer, Ace, Creator Network), self-Serve Advertiser Platform and video Podcast Advertising (HLS / Apple Podcasts).
Who are Acast's main competitors?
Broad incumbents on record are Spotify, Amazon Music / Wondery and SiriusXM Podcast Network. Direct peers are iHeartPodcasts, Triton Digital (Omny Studio), ART19, Simplecast, Libsyn, Podbean and Buzzsprout.
Does Acast have an API?
Yes. Acast offers a Publishing API available on the "Ace" pricing tier, providing podcasters with publishing capabilities. Additionally, the platform supports webhooks for event notifications and an Import RSS tool to switch from another host. The API supports automated publishing workflows for podcasters.
What industry is Acast in?
Acast's product category is Podcast Advertising Technology. Its primary akta.pro industry code is MPACADAA, Podcast Hosting Platforms (RSS, Analytics, Distribution), with a secondary code of MPACADAD, Podcast Ad Sales Networks & Monetization Platforms. Its NAICS code is 5418 and its SIC code is 7372.