Transistor.fm vs. Blubrry

ByObeydul Haque Reading Time: 8 minutes

The podcasting industry has exploded in recent years, with creators of all kinds—hobbyists, professionals, and businesses—jumping into the fray to share their voices with the world. However, launching and managing a successful podcast requires more than just a microphone and a good idea; it demands a reliable hosting platform to store, distribute, and analyze your content. Two popular options in this space are Transistor.fm and Blubrry, both of which cater to podcasters with distinct features, pricing models, and philosophies. In this review, we’ll dive deep into the strengths, weaknesses, and unique offerings of Transistor.fm and Blubrry to help you decide which platform is best suited for your podcasting needs.

Transistor.fm vs. Blubrry Review

Transistor.fm, launched in 2018 by co-founders Justin Jackson and Jon Buda, positions itself as a streamlined, user-friendly podcast hosting platform designed for creatives, brands, and professionals. It’s built with simplicity and efficiency in mind, offering podcasters an intuitive way to host, distribute, and grow their shows. One of Transistor’s standout features is its flat-rate pricing model, which allows users to host unlimited podcasts under a single account without additional per-show fees. This makes it particularly appealing for those managing multiple projects or planning to expand their podcasting portfolio.

Transistor.fm emphasizes ease of distribution, robust analytics, and a clean, modern interface. It’s not an all-in-one solution—don’t expect built-in recording or editing tools—but it excels at what it sets out to do: provide a reliable hosting and distribution hub with a focus on user experience.

Blubrry, founded in 2005, is one of the older players in the podcast hosting game, bringing nearly two decades of experience to the table. It’s deeply integrated with WordPress through its proprietary PowerPress plugin, making it a favorite among podcasters who already use or plan to build a WordPress-based website. Blubrry offers a range of hosting plans tailored to different levels of podcasting needs, from beginners to established creators, and prides itself on detailed analytics, monetization options, and flexibility.

Unlike Transistor.fm, Blubrry takes a more traditional approach to pricing, charging based on storage and bandwidth usage rather than downloads. It also offers additional services like advanced statistics and dynamic ad insertion, positioning it as a comprehensive solution for podcasters looking to scale and monetize their shows.

Pricing: Transistor.fm vs. Blubrry

Pricing is often the first consideration for podcasters, especially those on a budget or just starting out. Let’s break down how Transistor.fm and Blubrry stack up in this department.

Transistor.fm Pricing

Transistor.fm offers three straightforward pricing tiers, all based on monthly download limits rather than storage or the number of shows:

  • Starter ($19/month or $190/year): 15,000 downloads per month, unlimited podcasts, two team members.
  • Professional ($49/month or $490/year): 75,000 downloads per month, unlimited podcasts, five team members, dynamic ad insertion, and private podcasting with up to 250 subscribers.
  • Business ($99/month or $990/year): 150,000 downloads per month, unlimited podcasts, ten team members, dynamic ad insertion, and private podcasting with up to 1,000 subscribers.

A key advantage of Transistor.fm is its unlimited podcast feature—whether you’re running one show or ten, the price remains the same as long as you stay within your download limit. This is a game-changer for creators managing multiple brands, side projects, or private feeds. However, if your show exceeds the download cap, you’ll need to upgrade to a higher tier, which can get pricey quickly.

Blubrry Pricing

Blubrry’s pricing is based on monthly storage allotments, with unlimited downloads included across all plans:

  • Standard ($12/month or $120/year): 125 MB of monthly storage (roughly 2-3 hours of audio at 128 kbps).
  • Advanced ($20/month or $200/year): 250 MB of monthly storage, plus advanced statistics for an additional $5/month.
  • Pro ($40/month or $400/year): 500 MB of monthly storage, advanced stats included, and premium features like dynamic ad insertion.
  • Enterprise ($100/month or $1,000/year): 1,250 MB of monthly storage, advanced stats, and premium support.

Blubrry also offers a free plan with limited features (e.g., no hosting, just the PowerPress plugin), but it’s not practical for most serious podcasters. Unused storage rolls over month-to-month, which is a nice perk, but if you exceed your limit, you’ll pay overage fees ($0.20 per MB). This storage-based model suits podcasters with predictable upload schedules but can become costly for those producing long episodes or releasing frequently.

Pricing Verdict

Transistor.fm wins for podcasters with multiple shows or unpredictable growth, thanks to its flat-rate, download-based pricing and unlimited podcast allowance. Blubrry, however, is more affordable at the entry level ($12 vs. $19) and better for those who prioritize storage flexibility over download caps. If your show takes off and racks up downloads, Transistor’s costs could escalate faster than Blubrry’s.

Features: Transistor.fm vs. Blubrry

Both platforms offer core podcast hosting features—RSS feed generation, distribution to major directories, and analytics—but their approaches and extras differ significantly.

Transistor.fm Features

  • Unlimited Podcasts: Host as many shows as you want under one account, a rare feature in the industry.
  • Distribution: One-click submission to Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Google Podcasts, and more, with automated YouTube uploads (audio with a static image).
  • Analytics: Clean, accessible insights into downloads, listener trends, and estimated subscriber counts. Not IAB-certified, but sufficient for most independent creators.
  • Website and Player: Each podcast gets a customizable webpage and embeddable player, ideal for sharing on social media or your own site.
  • Private Podcasting: Available across all plans, with advanced features (unique RSS feeds per subscriber) on higher tiers.
  • Team Collaboration: Add multiple team members without extra fees, depending on your plan.
  • Integrations: Seamless connections with email platforms (Mailchimp, ConvertKit) and social media for episode sharing.

Transistor.fm keeps things simple and modern, focusing on usability and growth tools rather than overwhelming users with options. It lacks built-in recording or editing capabilities, so you’ll need separate tools for production.

Blubrry Features

  • PowerPress Integration: A standout feature for WordPress users, PowerPress simplifies embedding podcasts into your site and offers advanced customization.
  • Distribution: Submit to all major platforms, though the process is less automated than Transistor’s.
  • Analytics: Detailed stats, including downloads by region, device, and app. Advanced stats (an add-on or included in higher plans) are IAB-certified, a big plus for monetization.
  • Monetization: Dynamic ad insertion and a partnership with the Blubrry Podcast Advertising Marketplace for revenue opportunities.
  • Storage Flexibility: Monthly storage limits with rollover, accommodating variable production schedules.
  • Community and Support: Access to the Blubrry podcast community and robust customer support with a long track record.

Blubrry leans into its WordPress roots and offers more tools for monetization and detailed analytics, making it a stronger choice for podcasters focused on scaling or integrating with an existing website.

Features Verdict

Transistor.fm shines for its simplicity, unlimited podcasts, and modern design, making it ideal for beginners or multi-show creators who value ease of use. Blubrry edges out for WordPress integration, advanced analytics, and monetization options, appealing to tech-savvy podcasters or those with established audiences.

User Experience: Interface and Ease of Use

Transistor.fm User Experience

Transistor.fm’s interface is sleek, intuitive, and beginner-friendly. Uploading an episode, adding show notes, and scheduling a release takes minutes, thanks to its drag-and-drop design and clear navigation. The platform’s podcast website builder is equally simple, letting you customize colors and layouts without coding knowledge. Users rave about its time-saving automation, like pre-filled templates and social media posting. Customer support is highly responsive, often going above and beyond, which adds to the overall experience.

Blubrry User Experience

Blubrry’s dashboard is functional but less polished than Transistor’s. It’s designed with WordPress users in mind, so if you’re familiar with that ecosystem, the transition is seamless—especially with PowerPress. For non-WordPress users, the interface can feel clunky and dated, with a steeper learning curve for features like analytics or ad insertion. That said, Blubrry’s long history means it’s stable and reliable, and its support team is experienced and accessible.

User Experience Verdict

Transistor.fm takes the lead for its modern, streamlined design and ease of use, especially for newcomers or those prioritizing efficiency. Blubrry’s interface is more complex but rewards users comfortable with WordPress or seeking deeper customization.

Analytics: Insights for Growth

Transistor.fm Analytics

Transistor.fm provides straightforward analytics: total downloads, trends over time, top episodes, and an estimated subscriber count. It’s not IAB-certified, which might matter if you’re pitching to advertisers, but it’s more than adequate for tracking growth and understanding your audience. The data is presented in a clean, digestible format, accessible even to podcasting novices.

Blubrry Analytics

Blubrry offers robust analytics, with basic stats (downloads, geographic data) included in all plans and advanced, IAB-certified stats available as an add-on ($5/month) or bundled with higher tiers. You’ll get granular insights—down to U.S. metro areas and listening platforms—making it a powerhouse for podcasters serious about data-driven decisions or monetization.

Analytics Verdict

Blubrry wins for depth and certification, catering to pros and monetizers. Transistor.fm is simpler and sufficient for most independent creators but lacks the precision of Blubrry’s advanced offering.

Monetization and Growth Tools

Transistor.fm Monetization

Transistor.fm supports dynamic ad insertion on its Professional and Business plans, letting you insert ads programmatically. It also offers private podcasting, which is perfect for premium content or membership models. However, it doesn’t have a built-in ad marketplace, so you’ll need to source sponsors independently.

Blubrry Monetization

Blubrry provides dynamic ad insertion on its Pro and Enterprise plans and connects users to its Podcast Advertising Marketplace, a significant advantage for monetizing through sponsorships. Its WordPress integration also makes it easy to build a site with subscription or donation options.

Monetization Verdict

Blubrry has the edge with its ad marketplace and deeper monetization tools, while Transistor.fm’s private podcasting and ad insertion cater well to niche or subscription-based models.

Final Thoughts

Choosing between Transistor.fm and Blubrry depends on your podcasting goals, technical comfort, and budget. Transistor.fm excels with its unlimited podcast feature, modern design, and ease of use, making it a top pick for multi-show creators and newcomers. Blubrry stands out with its WordPress integration, advanced analytics, and monetization options, appealing to experienced podcasters or those building a robust online presence.

If you’re launching your first podcast or juggling multiple projects with moderate download numbers, Transistor.fm offers unbeatable value and simplicity. If you’re a WordPress enthusiast or planning to monetize a high-traffic show, Blubrry’s depth and flexibility might be worth the investment. Both platforms are reliable and well-regarded—your decision hinges on where your priorities lie in the ever-evolving world of podcasting.

I (plan to) write about business, finance, SEO, WordPress, and whatever else interests me. You might find those interesting too. For now, find me on Twitter/ X.