Hello Audio vs Acast: Private Podcast Features and Pricing

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You’ve recorded the lessons, the coaching calls, and the team updates. The hard part is getting people to actually listen. Private audio helps by meeting your audience in the podcast app they already use.

Acast and Hello Audio can both get your audio there. They’re built for different jobs, though.

Acast focuses mainly on public shows. We built Hello Audio for private feeds that reach the right listener.

In this article, we compare how Hello Audio and Acast handle private listener access, core features, and pricing. You’ll also get a short checklist for choosing any private podcast platform.

TL;DR: Hello Audio vs Acast for Private Podcasts

Here’s the quick version:

  • Private access: We give every listener their own feed link, and you can revoke it anytime.
  • Acast’s approach: Acast centers on public shows, with private feeds offered through Acast+ subscriptions on paid plans.
  • Listener control: Our tags, drips, expiring feeds, and automations shape what each person hears.
  • Pricing: Our plans start at $14 per month billed annually, after a 7-day free trial.
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What is Hello Audio?

Hello Audio is our private podcast platform. We turn content you already have into private feeds your audience hears in their usual podcast app.

Creators use us for courses, coaching replays, memberships, and lead magnets. Businesses use us for team updates, onboarding, and training.

Creating a private podcast with us takes no technical skills.

What is Acast?

Acast is a podcast hosting, distribution, and monetization company. Its plans run from a free Starter tier to a Video plan for creators publishing video episodes.

Acast’s tools focus on public shows, including an advertising marketplace and sponsorships. Paid plans add Acast+, its subscription product for bonus episodes, ad-free listening, and early access.

Private Listener Access on Hello Audio and Acast

Listener access is where the two platforms split most clearly.

Every extra login is a point where access can break down. FIDO Alliance’s Online Authentication Barometer found that 56% of consumers gave up on an online service in the past month. A forgotten password was the reason.

Acast builds its private feeds on top of that public model. We built Hello Audio around personalized podcast feeds from day one.

Here’s how listener access compares:

Access featureHello AudioAcast
Private feedsIncluded on every planThrough Acast+ on Essential plans and up
Built forStudents, members, clients, leads, and teamsPaying subscribers of a show
Listener linkUnique link per listenerUnique private feed per subscriber
Directory visibilityPrivate feeds stay out of public directoriesPrivate feed is a premium version of a show
Ending accessRemove a listener anytime, or expire access automaticallyFeed deactivated when the subscription ends
How listeners joinSignup pages with Stripe, or your course or membership platformAcast+ membership checkout

Hello Audio and Acast Features

Beyond access, the feature sets point in different directions.

Here’s a direct look at our private podcast features next to Acast’s:

FeatureHello AudioAcast
Content pacingDripped, date-based, and expiring feedsNot listed among plan features
Listener targetingTags, release by tag, and personalized pre-roll and post-rollDynamic intros and outros from Essential up
AutomationsZapier on every plan, automated actions on PowerhouseWebhooks from Essential, Publishing API from Pro
VideoAutomatic video-to-audio conversion on every planVideo-to-audio conversion and Apple Podcasts video on the Video plan
Recording importsAudio Inbox, plus imports from Zoom and Google DriveImport tool for moving a show from another host
Audio cleanupDolby-powered remastering credits on every planNot listed among plan features
TranscriptsUnlimited on PowerhouseIncluded from Essential up
Listener insightListener management and a Super Listener ScorePodcast analytics on every plan
Revenue toolsPaid feed access through Stripe signup pagesAd marketplace, sponsorships, and Acast+ subscriptions

Every feature on our side serves one goal: helping the right person finish the right content.

That focus shows up in real programs. Dani Sheriff, who runs a paid support community, cut her membership churn to about 1% after replacing video replays with a private podcast. That’s one creator’s example, and your results will depend on your audience.

See private access set up for your program
Walk through listener links, drips, and automations for your audience on a call with our team.

Hello Audio and Acast Pricing

Both platforms price by plan, so the right tier depends on how many feeds and features you need.

Here’s where pricing starts on each platform, accurate at the time of writing:

  • Hello Audio: Our pricing plans start at $14 per month billed annually, or $17 when billed monthly. Private feeds are included from that first plan. We also offer a 7-day free trial with no credit card required.
  • Acast: Paid plans start at $14.99 per month billed yearly, or $25 when billed monthly. Acast+ private feeds start on this Essential plan. Acast’s free Starter plan covers 1 show and 5 episodes, without Acast+ private feeds.

If private access is your priority, the next step is seeing it in action. Hello Audio is our private podcast platform for creators and businesses. We deliver your content as private feeds people actually finish. Here’s what else you get:

  • Fast launch: Over 70% of new users launch their first feed in under 24 hours.
  • Real support: You get on-demand chat support, a step-by-step help center, and our Facebook community.
  • Low-risk start: Cancel within 30 days of your first payment, and we’ll refund you.

Try the instant demo before you pick a plan.

How to Choose the Best Private Podcast Platform

Use these criteria to judge any private podcast platform:

  • Per-listener access: Look for unique links you can revoke. Access should end when a program or subscription does.
  • Release control: Check whether you can drip, schedule, or expire episodes. Your audio should match the pace of your program.
  • Content conversion: Ask how the platform handles video, call replays, and existing recordings. Fewer manual steps mean faster launches.
  • Payments and integrations: Confirm it connects to your checkout, course platform, or email tool. Access should update without manual work.
  • Listener insight: Make sure you can see who’s listening. That data tells you who needs a nudge.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Here are answers to the questions we hear most:

Can I Make a Private Podcast on Acast?

Yes, through Acast+ on Essential plans and up. It’s designed for paid subscriptions that offer bonus episodes, ad-free listening, or early access.

Can I Use Hello Audio for Team and Company Updates?

Yes. Organizations use podcasts for onboarding, training, and team updates. Our private feeds handle all three, with a unique link for each team member.

Do Listeners Need a Special App for Hello Audio?

No. Listeners use any podcast app that adds a show by URL, such as Apple Podcasts, Overcast, or Pocket Casts. Adding a private feed takes two clicks.

Is Acast Free?

Acast’s Starter plan is free for 1 show and 5 episodes. The episode limit lifts if the show joins Acast’s advertising marketplace.

Does Hello Audio Work With My Course or Membership Platform?

Yes. We work alongside Thinkific, MemberVault, and other platforms. You can connect directly, use Zapier, or share the listener link in a welcome email.

The Verdict on Hello Audio vs Acast

Acast focuses on public shows and the revenue built around them. Hello Audio focuses on private audio that reaches the right listener.

If your content serves students, members, clients, or teams, our platform is built for that job.

Ready to get your content heard? Hello Audio is our private podcast platform. We turn what you already have into private feeds your audience can listen to anywhere. Every plan includes unique listener links and automatic video-to-audio conversion.

Start your free 7-day trial today.

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