Blubrry vs. Megaphone

ByObeydul Haque Reading Time: 6 minutes

The podcasting industry has exploded in recent years, with millions of creators vying for listeners’ attention across platforms like Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and Google Podcasts. For podcasters, choosing the right hosting platform is a critical decision that can impact everything from ease of use to audience growth and monetization potential. Two prominent players in this space are Blubrry and Megaphone, both of which cater to podcasters but with distinct approaches and feature sets. In this review, we’ll dive deep into Blubrry and Megaphone, comparing their features, pricing, usability, analytics, monetization options, and more to help you decide which platform is best suited for your podcasting needs in 2025.

Blubrry vs. Megaphone Review

Blubrry, founded in 2005 by a team of veteran podcasters, markets itself as “one of the original podcast companies.” With nearly two decades of experience, Blubrry has built a reputation for reliability and simplicity, serving over 100,000 podcasters ranging from independent creators to large networks. Its standout feature is its tight integration with WordPress via the PowerPress plugin, which allows podcasters to manage their shows directly from a WordPress website. Blubrry emphasizes ease of use, robust analytics, and flexible hosting plans, making it a go-to choice for creators who value straightforward functionality and a strong community foundation.

Megaphone, on the other hand, is a more recent entrant into the podcasting space, launched by The Slate Group and later acquired by Spotify in 2020. Designed with a focus on enterprise-level podcasters and networks, Megaphone positions itself as a premium platform offering advanced tools for publishing, monetization, and audience measurement. It’s particularly well-known for its dynamic ad insertion technology and integrations with Spotify’s analytics tools like Chartable and Podsights. Megaphone targets podcasters who prioritize scalability, ad revenue, and sophisticated data insights, making it a favorite among larger shows and media companies.

Pricing: Blubrry vs. Megaphone

Blubrry Pricing

Blubrry offers a tiered pricing structure that caters to a wide range of podcasters, from hobbyists to professionals. Its plans are based on monthly upload limits rather than bandwidth or downloads, and all include unlimited bandwidth and a free WordPress site with the PowerPress plugin. Here’s a breakdown as of March 2025:

  • Standard Plan: $12/month (or $10/month if paid annually) – 100 MB of monthly storage, suitable for smaller shows or those just starting out.
  • Advanced Plan: $20/month (or $17/month annually) – 250 MB of monthly storage, ideal for growing podcasts with more frequent uploads.
  • Pro Hosting: Starts at $100/month – Customizable storage (e.g., 1000 MB), designed for networks or high-volume creators.
  • Private Podcasting Plans: Start at $150/month – For secure, internal podcasting needs like corporate communications.

Blubrry also offers a 30-day free trial for its Advanced plan and additional storage upgrades if you exceed your limit without needing to jump to a higher tier. Its pricing is transparent and competitive, especially for independent podcasters.

Megaphone Pricing

Megaphone’s pricing is less transparent because it’s tailored to enterprise clients and not publicly listed on its website. You must contact their sales team for a quote, which typically depends on factors like storage needs, download volume, and monetization features. Industry estimates suggest that Megaphone’s base plans start at around $50–$100/month, with costs scaling significantly for larger shows or networks leveraging its advanced ad tools. Unlike Blubrry, Megaphone doesn’t offer a free trial or low-cost entry-level plan, positioning it as a premium service for established creators or businesses.

Pricing Verdict

Blubrry wins on affordability and accessibility, making it an excellent choice for beginners or small-to-medium podcasters. Megaphone’s pricing, while opaque, reflects its focus on high-end users who need robust monetization and scalability, but it’s likely out of reach for hobbyists or those on a tight budget.

Features: Blubrry vs. Megaphone

Hosting and Distribution

Both platforms provide reliable hosting and distribution to major directories like Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and Google Podcasts. Blubrry stands out with its unlimited bandwidth and a free WordPress site included in every plan, managed with daily backups and security updates. Its PowerPress plugin simplifies publishing for WordPress users, allowing seamless uploads and embeds directly from your site.

Megaphone also offers unlimited hosting but focuses on scalability and performance for high-traffic shows. Its distribution tools are robust, with an emphasis on enterprise-grade reliability. However, it doesn’t include a free website, requiring users to maintain their own site or landing page separately.

Analytics

Blubrry’s analytics are IAB-certified, offering detailed insights into downloads, listener trends, geographic data, and platform usage. The interface is clean and intuitive, with downloadable PDF reports for sharing. The Standard plan includes basic stats, while the Thrive Bundle (an add-on) unlocks advanced features like episode comparisons and subscriber estimates.

Megaphone’s analytics are a step above, leveraging Spotify’s ecosystem. It provides granular data on audience demographics, listening behavior, and ad performance, enhanced by free access to Chartable and Podsights for Megaphone clients (as announced in 2022). This makes it a powerhouse for podcasters who rely on data-driven decisions, especially for advertising.

Monetization

Blubrry introduced programmatic advertising in 2022 via a partnership with SoundStack, available to all hosting customers regardless of download numbers. This democratizes monetization for smaller shows, though revenue potential may be limited compared to larger platforms. Blubrry also supports premium content options through its Pro plans.

Megaphone excels in monetization with its dynamic ad insertion technology, allowing podcasters to swap ads in real-time based on listener location or preferences. Its extensive ad network partnerships and integration with Spotify’s ad ecosystem make it a top choice for maximizing revenue, though this is most beneficial for shows with significant audiences.

Usability

Blubrry’s dashboard is sleek and user-friendly, particularly for WordPress users who can bypass the dashboard entirely and publish via PowerPress. However, beginners uploading directly through Blubrry’s interface might face a slight learning curve. Support is a strong point, with free phone and video consultations available.

Megaphone’s interface is modern and intuitive but geared toward experienced users comfortable with advanced tools. Its enterprise focus means it may overwhelm novices, and support is primarily via live chat or email, with less emphasis on hand-holding compared to Blubrry.

Additional Tools

Blubrry offers unique features like private podcasting for internal use and a podcast directory with over 3 million shows. Megaphone provides advanced ad targeting and campaign management tools, appealing to advertisers and networks.

Features Verdict

Blubrry is ideal for simplicity and WordPress integration, while Megaphone shines with advanced analytics and monetization, catering to professional podcasters with bigger ambitions.

Target Audience: Who Are They For?

Blubrry’s broad appeal lies in its flexibility, serving both independent creators and small networks. Its affordability, WordPress synergy, and community roots make it perfect for hobbyists, educators, or small businesses starting a podcast.

Megaphone targets established podcasters, media companies, and networks with large audiences or complex monetization needs. Its enterprise-grade tools and Spotify backing make it less suited for beginners but ideal for those scaling up.

Pros and Cons

Blubrry Pros

  • Affordable pricing with plans starting at $12/month.
  • Unlimited bandwidth and a free WordPress site.
  • Easy-to-use PowerPress plugin for WordPress users.
  • IAB-certified analytics with clear reporting.
  • Programmatic ads accessible to all users.

Blubrry Cons

  • Monthly upload limits may constrain frequent uploaders.
  • Limited customization beyond the audio player.
  • Analytics depth requires an add-on for full potential.

Megaphone Pros

  • Advanced dynamic ad insertion for high revenue potential.
  • Superior analytics with Spotify integrations (Chartable, Podsights).
  • Scalable hosting for large shows or networks.
  • Professional-grade tools for ad management.

Megaphone Cons

  • High cost and lack of transparent pricing.
  • No free trial or low-cost entry option.
  • Requires a separate website setup.
  • Overkill for small or new podcasters.

Final Thoughts

In 2025, Blubrry and Megaphone represent two sides of the podcasting coin. Blubrry is the approachable, cost-effective choice for creators who want a straightforward platform with strong WordPress integration and solid analytics. Megaphone, bolstered by Spotify’s resources, is the premium option for those chasing big revenue and audience insights, though its cost and complexity may deter smaller creators.

For most new or mid-tier podcasters, Blubrry offers the best balance of features and value. However, if your podcast is already generating significant traction and you’re ready to invest in growth, Megaphone’s advanced tools could propel you to the next level. Ultimately, your choice depends on your goals, budget, and technical comfort level—both platforms are leaders in their respective niches, ensuring you’re in good hands either way.

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