If you’re searching for a thorough review of Blubrry Podcasting Software, you’re in the right place. I’ve spent quite a bit of time exploring what Blubrry has to offer and comparing it to other podcasting platforms like Captivate, Buzzsprout, and Podbean. In this review, I’ll dive into Blubrry’s features, from its easy-to-use PowerPress Plugin to its unique Private Podcasting service, and much more. Whether you’re new to podcasting or have been in the game for a while, my analysis of Blubrry’s offerings and pricing should help you decide if it’s the right platform for you. So, if you’re considering Blubrry for your podcasting needs, keep reading to get a clear picture of what to expect.
What I Like About Blubrry
🎙️ Blubrry provides a full-service podcast hosting solution catering to individuals, professional businesses, and networks.
🎙️ Features a PowerPress Plugin for seamless podcast publishing for WordPress users.
🎙️ Offers a free WordPress website for hosting customers without a website.
🎙️ Specialized tools for advanced creators including dynamic ad insertion and private podcasting.
🎙️ Over 17 years of experience in podcast innovation, ensuring a mature and reliable platform.
🎙️ Provides live customer support, stress-free migration, and insightful statistics to enhance podcasting experience and growth.
My Favorite Blubrry Features
🎙️ PowerPress Plugin: As a WordPress user, the PowerPress plugin integrates smoothly with Blubrry hosting, making podcast publishing a breeze.
🌐 Podcast Website: No website? No problem! Blubrry provides a free WordPress website for all hosting customers, which is a fantastic perk.
🛠️ Professional Podcast Hosting: The professional hosting tools, including dynamic ad insertion, cater to networks, businesses, and advanced creators like me, providing a platform for monetization and growth.
🔒 Private Podcasting: The private podcasting feature allows for an exclusive audience, ensuring only authenticated users on iOS, Android, and a private web app can access the show, which is great for creating a more personalized listener experience.
PowerPress Plugin
The PowerPress Plugin by Blubrry is a free, robust, and user-friendly tool designed for launching podcasts on a WordPress site. With over 100 features and a community of 100,000 active users, it has been the go-to podcast publishing plugin for WordPress since 2008.
Its seamless installation and integration make podcast publishing a straightforward three-step process – Create, Upload, Publish. PowerPress not only simplifies podcast launching but also empowers podcasters to have control over their brand and SEO, making it an invaluable asset for both new and experienced podcasters.
Building a Website for My Podcast With Blubrry
Building a website for my podcast using Blubrry’s free WordPress site offering is a straightforward and beneficial venture. Included with all podcast hosting plans, this service helps podcasters to establish a solid online presence on their domain, which is a must for brand building.
I decided to treat it from a complete beginner as if I had never built a website before and the process was very easy to follow thanks to podcast-optimized templates and Blubrry’s backend management.
They handle daily backups, website hosting, plugin updates, security, and smooth operation, allowing me to focus on creating and publishing episodes. By applying my branding and selecting a color scheme, I can easily tailor the website to reflect my podcast’s identity, enhancing its professional image and credibility.
With Blubrry’s managed WordPress website, not only do I have a dedicated platform for my audience to discover the latest episodes and learn more about my show, but I also own my digital real estate, adhering to the fundamental principles of podcasting 101.
Private Podcasting – The Feature I Didn’t Know I Needed
Blubrry’s Private Podcasting service has been a game-changer for ensuring that no one misses out on important information shared during in-person or virtual live meetings. Whenever there are members who couldn’t attend a meeting, I simply upload the recorded meeting as a private podcast episode.
This way, they can catch up on their own time, ensuring everyone stays informed and aligned. The convenience and accessibility of this service have significantly bridged the information gap within my audience, making every meeting or recording effortlessly reachable to all.
How Does Blubrry Compare Against The Competition?
If you’re looking for alternatives to Blubrry for podcast hosting and related services, here are some popular options:
Captivate:
Captivate is known for its modern, user-friendly interface, powerful analytics, and marketing features. It’s designed to assist podcasters in growing their audience and offers unlimited hosting even on its lowest tier.
Buzzsprout:
Buzzsprout provides an easy-to-use platform that helps podcasters get their content onto all major podcast platforms. It offers various customization options, an intuitive dashboard, and a strong analytics suite to track your podcast performance.
Buzzsprout Vs Blubrry
Podbean:
Podbean is a robust podcast hosting platform offering unlimited hosting services, comprehensive promotion tools, and monetization capabilities through its podcast advertising marketplace. It’s suitable for both beginners and experienced podcasters due to its user-friendly interface and extensive feature set.
Blubrry Vs Podbean
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Blubrry Pricing
Blubrry offers three podcast hosting plans: Standard, Advanced, and Professional, priced at $12, $20, and $100 per month respectively.
The Standard Plan offers 125MB monthly storage with basic features like standard statistics and a managed WordPress site. The Advanced Plan upgrades to 400MB monthly storage, advanced statistics, and extra themes. The Professional Plan, ideal for larger entities, provides unlimited storage, 1TB bandwidth, dynamic ad insertion, and private podcasting.
Blubrry Podcast Hosting Plans
| Hosting Plan | Features |
|---|---|
| Standard Hosting ($12/month) 🟢 |
|
| Advanced Hosting ($20/month) 🟢 |
|
| Professional Hosting ($100/month) 🟢 |
|
By opting for a yearly plan, Blubrry customers can enjoy a cost-saving advantage compared to monthly payments, along with a free first month offer for both the Standard and Advanced Hosting plans.
The Standard Hosting is priced at $120 per year, the Advanced Hosting at $204 per year, while the Professional Hosting is only available at a rate of $100 per month.
| Hosting Plan | Price (Yearly) |
|---|---|
| Standard Hosting | $120/YR (First month free 🆓) |
| Advanced Hosting | $204/YR (First month free 🆓) |
| Professional Hosting | $100/MO |
Features Included in All Blubrry Plans:
- Phone & Email support 📞📧
- Podcast Media Kit 📦
- Account Sharing (5 for Standard and Advanced, Unlimited for Professional) 👥
- Custom Embed Player 🎵
- Free Episode Migration 🔄
- Podcast Training & Courses 🎓
- Listener Demographic Survey 📋
- QuickLinks Page 🔗
- Closed Caption/Transcription (Optional add-on) 📝
- Media Mastering (Optional add-on) 🎧
- Thrive Bundle 📈
- Podcasting 2.0 Features 🎙️
Extra Features You Can Bolt On:
- Closed Captioning: Podcast Transcripts (CC) for accessibility 📝.
- Podcast 2.0: Thrive Bundle for growth, with episode comparison, subscriber tracking, and reviews 📈.
- Audio Enhancement: Media Mastering by Auphonic for sound quality 🎧.
Blubrry Podcast Statistics Plans
Podcast statistics are available for free with existing hosting plans. Without a hosting plan, the Standard Statistics can be accessed for a fee of $5 per month.
➡️ Is It Free to Host Podcasts on Blubrry?
🚨 Looking for the latest Blubrry promo codes check out the latest reader discounts on offer.
Some Things I Didn’t like About Blubrry
It took me a while to figure out the pricing plans having both Podcast Hosting and Podcast Statistics options. Then deciding on add-ons like Podcast transcripts, thrive bundle and media mastering.
For a complete beginner, I can see this being a little overwhelming compared to Buzzsprout’s simple pricing, which has add-ons but all in one simple page.
The jump to $100/month for the PRO plan was steep. It took a significant bump in listener numbers to justify that cost, but having the private podcasting was worth it for my setup. It is a little overkill for my project that doesn’t use dynamic ads, so I hope they add this feature as an add-on to the Advanced hosting plan in the future.
Is Blubrry Worth It?
Yes, Blubrry is worth considering, especially if you value a platform that offers a robust hosting service, easy-to-navigate interface, and excellent customer support. Their free migration service eases the transition for those moving from other platforms. Additionally, the PowerPress Plugin makes integrating with WordPress a breeze, and the Private Podcasting feature can be a game-changer for those looking to share exclusive content. The range of pricing options caters to different needs, making it a flexible choice for podcasters at various levels.
FAQs
What is Blubrry?
Blubrry is a podcast hosting and directory platform that is considered one of the top options for beginner podcasters.
Is Blubrry suitable for advanced podcasters?
Blubrry is suitable for advanced podcasters, offering a professional podcast plan which includes scalable hosting services, detailed analytics, WordPress integration via the PowerPress plugin, monetization options, customization and branding opportunities, easy distribution to major platforms, excellent customer support, and a user-friendly interface with depth for fine-tuning settings.
Who is the Professional hosting plan for?
Pro Hosting is tailored for advanced podcasters engaging in network building, show monetization, and requiring substantial storage and bandwidth. It offers advanced network tools, robust ad insertion features, private podcasting solutions, making it a suitable choice for businesses and universities.
Can I monetize my podcast with Blubrry?
Yes, Blubrry offers options for podcast monetization. You can explore advertising opportunities, sponsorships, and their own podcasting advertising marketplace.
Can I see statistics and analytics for my podcast on Blubrry?
Yes, Blubrry provides detailed statistics and analytics for your podcast. You can track your episode downloads, audience demographics, and more through their analytics or statistics dashboard.
Does Blubrry support integration with Spotify?
Yes, Blubrry supports integration with Spotify. You can submit your podcast’s RSS feed to Spotify and have your episodes available on the popular streaming platform.
How Can I Migrate My Podcast To Blubrry?
Blubrry offers a free and easy migration service for your existing media files, providing step-by-step guides and dedicated support for a smooth transition to your new hosting subscription without affecting your monthly upload quota. See the full guide on how to migrate from various platforms.
