specification: FinOps Framework
specificationVersion: '1.0'
schema: https://www.finops.org/framework/
provider: Acast
providerId: acast
created: '2026-07-05'
modified: '2026-07-05'
reconciled: false
tags:
- Podcasting
- Podcast Hosting
- Publishing
- Monetization
- FinOps
- Cost Management
- FOCUS
description: >-
  FinOps view of Acast spend. Acast is billed as a flat monthly (or annual)
  subscription per plan tier rather than metered API usage - the Publishing API
  itself carries no separate per-call fee. The relevant cost decision for a team
  wanting API access is the plan gate: the Publishing API and Webhooks are only
  available on the Ace subscription or the custom Creator Network agreement, so
  API adoption implies at least the Ace tier's recurring subscription. Acast is
  also a two-sided marketplace - creators can earn ad and sponsorship revenue
  that offsets or exceeds the subscription cost - so net cost should be
  considered alongside monetization income.
notes: >-
  Subscription prices are quoted in EUR on the Acast pricing page and vary by
  region and billing period; the Creator Network tier is custom-priced. There is
  no usage-based API meter. Verify current amounts during reconciliation.
sources:
- https://www.acast.com/en/pricing
- https://developers.acast.com/
- https://learn.acast.com/en/articles/5790019-acast-publishing-api
- https://focus.finops.org/focus-specification/v1-3/
alignedWith:
  framework: FinOps Foundation Framework
  frameworkUrl: https://www.finops.org/framework/
  dataSpec: FOCUS
  dataSpecVersion: '1.3'
  dataSpecUrl: https://focus.finops.org/focus-specification/v1-3/
publisherName: Acast
serviceCategory: Media and Podcasting
billingModel:
  pricingCategory: Subscription-Based
  billingFrequency: Monthly or Annual
  billingCurrency: EUR
  chargeCategories:
  - Purchase
  - Adjustment
focusColumns:
  ServiceName: Acast Publishing API
  ServiceCategory: Media and Podcasting
  ProviderName: Acast
  PublisherName: Acast
  InvoiceIssuerName: Acast
  BillingCurrency: EUR
  ChargeCategory: Purchase
  PricingCategory: Subscription-Based
meters:
- name: subscription_seat
  description: Flat monthly or annual subscription for the plan tier that unlocks API access (Ace or Creator Network).
  unit: subscription
  aggregation: sum
  dimensions:
  - account
  - plan
- name: episode_storage
  description: Episodes hosted and stored on Acast; included in the subscription, not separately metered.
  unit: episodes
  aggregation: sum
  dimensions:
  - account
  - show
principles:
- name: Visibility
  description: Track which plan tier each account holds; API access presence maps directly to being on Ace or the Creator Network.
- name: Allocation
  description: Attribute the Ace/Creator Network subscription to the team that depends on the Publishing API and Webhooks.
- name: Optimization
  description: Choose annual billing over monthly for a lower effective monthly rate; consolidate shows under one qualifying account rather than paying for multiple tiers.
- name: Accountability
  description: Weigh subscription cost against ad and sponsorship revenue earned through the Acast marketplace to assess net spend.
maintainers:
- FN: Kin Lane
  email: kin@apievangelist.com