Blubrry vs. Podbean | Podcastbricks

Podcasting has exploded in popularity over the past decade, becoming a powerful medium for creators to share stories, ideas, and expertise with a global audience. However, launching a successful podcast requires more than just a microphone and a good idea—it demands a reliable hosting platform to store, distribute, and manage your content. Two of the most popular options in the podcast hosting space are Blubrry and Podbean. Both platforms have earned strong reputations among podcasters, but they cater to slightly different needs and preferences. In this review, we’ll dive deep into Blubrry and Podbean, comparing their features, pricing, ease of use, analytics, monetization options, and more, to help you decide which one is the best fit for your podcasting journey.

Blubrry vs. Podbean Review

Blubrry

Founded in 2005 by a group of veteran podcasters, Blubrry is one of the original players in the podcast hosting game. With nearly two decades of experience, it has built a loyal user base of over 100,000 podcasters. Blubrry prides itself on being a creator-driven platform, offering robust hosting, detailed analytics, and seamless integration with WordPress through its popular PowerPress plugin. It’s designed for podcasters who want control over their content and a streamlined workflow, particularly if they already use WordPress for their website.

Podbean

Podbean, launched in 2006, is another well-established name in podcast hosting. It boasts over 600,000 podcasters and more than 7.6 billion downloads, making it a go-to choice for creators of all levels. Podbean positions itself as an all-in-one solution, emphasizing affordability, ease of use, and powerful monetization tools. It’s particularly appealing to beginners and those looking to grow their audience quickly, thanks to its built-in promotion features and budget-friendly pricing.

Both platforms deliver the core functionality of podcast hosting—storing audio files and generating RSS feeds for distribution—but their approaches and additional offerings set them apart. Let’s break it down.

Pricing: Cost vs. Value

Pricing is often the first consideration for podcasters, especially those just starting out. Here’s how Blubrry and Podbean stack up.

Blubrry Pricing

Blubrry operates on a tiered pricing model based on monthly storage limits. All plans include unlimited bandwidth, meaning you won’t be charged extra as your audience grows. Here’s a snapshot of their plans as of March 20, 2025:

Standard Hosting ($12/month): 125 MB of monthly storage (roughly 2-3 hours of audio at 128kbps).
Advanced Hosting ($20-$80/month): Options range from 250 MB to 1,000 MB of monthly storage, with video podcasting included in plans above the base tier.
Pro Hosting ($100/month): Unlimited storage and advanced features for professional networks or high-volume creators.

Blubrry also offers a free tier for basic podcast statistics, but it doesn’t include hosting. New users get their first month free with any paid plan, which is a nice perk to test the waters. One unique aspect of Blubrry’s pricing is its “no-fault” overage policy—users can exceed their storage limit by 25% without penalty, providing some flexibility.

Podbean Pricing

Podbean takes a different approach, offering a free plan and affordable paid tiers with unlimited storage. Here’s the breakdown:

Basic Plan (Free): 5 hours of storage, 100 GB of monthly bandwidth, and basic stats. Episodes aren’t archived indefinitely, so it’s best for testing.
Unlimited Audio ($9/month, billed annually): Unlimited storage and unmetered bandwidth, plus basic analytics and a customizable website.
Unlimited Plus ($29/month, billed annually): Adds monetization tools like dynamic ad insertion and premium content options.
Business Plan ($99/month, billed annually): Tailored for organizations, with advanced features like multiple channels and team management.

Podbean’s pricing is notably budget-friendly, especially at the entry level. The $9/month Unlimited Audio plan is a standout, offering unlimited storage at a fraction of Blubrry’s cost for similar capacity.

Pricing Verdict

Podbean wins on affordability and value for beginners or podcasters who want to scale without worrying about storage caps. Blubrry’s pricing is steeper, and its storage-based model may feel restrictive for frequent uploaders. However, Blubrry’s unlimited bandwidth and free first month make it competitive for those who prioritize flexibility and are comfortable with its limits.

Features: What You Get

Features are the heart of any hosting platform. Let’s explore what Blubrry and Podbean bring to the table.

Blubrry Features

Blubrry focuses on simplicity and integration, with a few standout offerings:

PowerPress Plugin: Blubrry’s killer feature is its free WordPress plugin, PowerPress, used by over 85,000 podcasters. It lets you manage your podcast directly from your WordPress site, upload episodes, and embed a customizable player—all without logging into Blubrry’s dashboard.
Distribution: Submit your podcast to major directories like Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Google Podcasts, and more with one-click options.
Analytics: Blubrry provides detailed, IAB-compliant stats, including downloads, listener trends, geolocation, and platform breakdowns. Even free users get basic stats.
Website Integration: Every plan includes a free WordPress site or a simple landing page, ideal for creators without an existing web presence.
Monetization: Options include ad campaigns, an affiliate program, and a marketplace for premium content, though it’s less robust than Podbean’s offerings.

Blubrry’s strength lies in its WordPress synergy and reliable hosting, but it lacks some of the bells and whistles newer platforms offer, like live streaming or advanced editing tools.

Podbean Features

Podbean packs a broader feature set into its platform, catering to both novices and pros:

Unlimited Storage: Available on all paid plans, this is a game-changer for podcasters who publish frequently or have large files.
Customizable Website: Podbean provides a sleek, responsive podcast site with every plan, no WordPress required. It’s easy to customize and mobile-friendly.
Monetization Tools: Podbean shines here with dynamic ad insertion, a Patron program (crowdfunding), and premium content sales. These are accessible on the Unlimited Plus plan and above.
Distribution: Like Blubrry, Podbean simplifies submission to Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and other platforms.
Analytics: Podbean offers industry-leading stats, including listener trends, download data, and audience insights. It’s slightly less granular than Blubrry’s but still powerful.
Live Streaming: A unique feature that lets you broadcast live to your audience, perfect for engaging listeners in real time.

Podbean’s all-in-one approach makes it versatile, with extras like mobile apps for recording and managing your podcast on the go.

Features Verdict

Podbean edges out Blubrry with its broader feature set, especially for monetization and unlimited storage. Blubrry’s PowerPress integration is a huge draw for WordPress users, but it feels narrower in scope compared to Podbean’s comprehensive toolkit.

Ease of Use

A hosting platform’s usability can make or break your experience, especially if you’re new to podcasting.

Blubrry Ease of Use

Blubrry’s interface is clean and functional, but it’s not the most intuitive for beginners. Setting up a podcast involves a few technical steps, particularly if you’re integrating with WordPress. The PowerPress plugin simplifies publishing once configured, but the initial setup can be daunting—think entering RSS feed details and tweaking settings. For non-WordPress users, the dashboard is straightforward for uploading episodes and checking stats, but it lacks the polish of newer platforms. Blubrry’s focus on podcasters with some experience shows in its design.

Podbean Ease of Use

Podbean prioritizes simplicity. Its dashboard is modern, colorful, and easy to navigate, with clear prompts for uploading episodes, importing feeds, or customizing your site. The onboarding process is smooth—you can start a new podcast or migrate an existing one in minutes. Features like live streaming and monetization are seamlessly integrated, with step-by-step guides for beginners. Podbean’s mobile app further enhances usability, letting you record and publish from anywhere. It’s clearly built with newbies in mind, though seasoned podcasters will still find it efficient.

Ease of Use Verdict

Podbean takes the crown for ease of use. Its intuitive design and beginner-friendly approach outshine Blubrry’s slightly dated, tech-leaning interface. Blubrry works well once you’re set up, but Podbean gets you there faster.

Analytics: Understanding Your Audience

Analytics are crucial for tracking your podcast’s growth and tailoring content to your listeners.

Blubrry Analytics

Blubrry offers some of the best analytics in the industry, adhering to IAB (Interactive Advertising Bureau) standards for accuracy. You’ll get detailed reports on:

Total and unique downloads
Listener trends over time
Geographic data
Listening platforms and apps

Even free users get basic stats, while paid plans unlock advanced insights like retention rates. The data is presented in a clear, visual format, making it easy to spot trends. For WordPress users, stats sync with PowerPress, keeping everything centralized.

Podbean Analytics

Podbean’s analytics are robust and user-friendly, though not as granular as Blubrry’s. Key metrics include:

Download numbers and trends
Listener locations
Top episodes
Audience engagement insights

Podbean’s strength is its simplicity—stats are digestible and actionable, even for beginners. Higher-tier plans add deeper insights, but it doesn’t match Blubrry’s level of detail or IAB certification.

Analytics Verdict

Blubrry wins for depth and precision, making it ideal for data-driven podcasters. Podbean’s analytics are simpler and more accessible, better suited for casual users or those less focused on minutiae.

Monetization: Making Money from Your Podcast

Turning your podcast into a revenue stream is a goal for many creators. Here’s how each platform supports monetization.

Blubrry Monetization

Blubrry offers several ways to earn:

Ad Campaigns: Manage your own ads or join Blubrry’s marketplace.
Affiliate Program: Promote Blubrry and earn commissions.
Premium Content: Sell episodes or subscriptions via their platform.

While functional, Blubrry’s monetization tools feel basic compared to competitors. It lacks dynamic ad insertion or a built-in crowdfunding system, requiring more manual effort.

Podbean Monetization

Podbean excels in this area, offering:

Dynamic Ad Insertion: Automatically insert ads into episodes, even older ones, on the Unlimited Plus plan.
Patron Program: A built-in crowdfunding feature similar to Patreon, letting fans support you directly.
Premium Content: Sell episodes, series, or bonus content with ease.
Ads Marketplace: Connect with advertisers for sponsorships.

Podbean’s tools are more automated and diverse, making it a stronger choice for monetization-focused podcasters.

Monetization Verdict

Podbean dominates with its versatile, user-friendly options. Blubrry’s offerings are solid but less comprehensive and require more hands-on management.

Final Verdict: Blubrry vs. Podbean

In summary, Blubrry and Podbean across multiple dimensions, the choice depends on your priorities:

Choose Blubrry if you’re a WordPress user who values deep analytics and a creator-driven platform. It’s a solid, no-frills option with a focus on control and integration, though its pricing and storage limits may deter high-volume podcasters.
Choose Podbean if you want an affordable, feature-rich platform with unlimited storage, strong monetization, and beginner-friendly design. It’s the more versatile pick for most podcasters, especially those starting out or aiming to monetize quickly.

In 2025, both platforms remain strong contenders in the podcast hosting space. Podbean’s broader appeal and lower cost give it a slight edge for the average user, but Blubrry’s WordPress synergy and analytics depth make it a worthy alternative for specific niches. Whichever you pick, you’ll have a reliable foundation to launch and grow your podcast—now it’s up to you to create content that captivates your audience. Happy podcasting!