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Blubrry vs Castbox

Blubrry logo

Blubrry

Software

Podcast hosting with advanced analytics and tools

From
$12/month
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite
Castbox logo

Castbox

Software

Podcast & radio app for everyone

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite

The short version

  • Only Castbox has a free tier, so it costs nothing to try first.
  • Each has a real cost: Blubrry entry plan at $7 per month allows only 1.5 hours of new audio published per month; Castbox app frequently crashes, requiring users to reload it to continue listening
  • They diverge on capability: Blubrry covers Unlimited hosting, Castbox covers Podcast app.

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which Blubrry and Castbox actually diverge.

Attributes where Blubrry and Castbox differ
AttributeBlubrryCastbox
Starting price$12/monthFree
Pricing modelsubscriptionUnknown
Free tierNoYes
PlatformsWeb, WordpressiOS, Android, Web, Radio, Audiobooks
Founded20052016

Identical on both: user rating (Not yet rated), category (Unknown).

What each one covers

Drawn from each product's published feature list. An absence here means we hold no record of it - not that the product lacks it.

Only in Blubrry

  • Unlimited hosting
  • Distribution
  • Advanced analytics
  • WordPress plugin
  • Monetization
  • Detailed stats
  • WordPress
  • All podcast platforms

Only in Castbox

  • Podcast app
  • Radio
  • Discovery
  • Offline listening
  • Sync
  • Smart devices
  • Podcast services
  • Account security

Both cover

  • Privacy controls
  • Web support

What people use each for

The jobs each tool is most often brought in to do.

Blubrry

  • Hosting a podcast with a managed WordPress site includednot Castbox
  • Publishing to podcast directories with IAB compliant statisticsnot Castbox
  • Running programmatic and dynamically inserted podcast advertising at the Professional tiernot Castbox

Castbox

  • Podcast listeningnot Blubrry
  • Radio streamingnot Blubrry

Where each one falls short

Documented limitations, not opinions. Every one is a constraint you would hit in normal use.

Blubrry

  • Entry plan at $7 per month allows only 1.5 hours of new audio published per month
  • Advanced podcast statistics require the $25 per month Advanced 6 plan; cheaper plans get standard statistics only
  • Monetization features are restricted to the Advanced plans
  • Dynamic ad insertion, programmatic advertising, unlimited shows and sub-accounts sit on a Professional tier with no published price
  • Publishing allowance is measured in hours of audio per month, so a long-form show hits the cap quickly

Castbox

  • App frequently crashes, requiring users to reload it to continue listening
  • Approximately half of saved podcasts do not automatically refresh or send notifications for new episodes
  • Free version displays unskippable minute-long ads that sometimes play as blank screens
  • Interface is described as cluttered with excessive focus on mainstream podcast recommendations
  • Tracking requirements for certain features like background playback limit privacy

Pricing, plan by plan

Blubrry

$12/month
  • Basic$12/month
    • Unlimited hosting
    • Distribution
    • Analytics
  • Advanced$20/month
    • All Basic features
    • Advanced analytics
    • Monetization tools

Castbox

Free
  • FreeFree
    • 50+ million podcasts
    • On-demand radio
    • Audiobooks
  • Premium$null/custom
    • Ad-free listening
    • Advanced features
    • Contact for pricing

Which should you pick?

Choose Blubrry if

  • You need unlimited hosting.
  • You work on Web, Wordpress.
  • You also want distribution.
Blubrry review

Choose Castbox if

  • You need podcast app.
  • You want to start without paying.
  • You work on iOS, Android, Web, Radio, Audiobooks.
  • You also want radio.
Castbox review

Questions people ask

Is Blubrry or Castbox better?
Neither clearly leads. Blubrry starts at $12/month and Castbox at Free, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, Blubrry or Castbox?
Castbox has a free tier; the other does not. Paid plans start at $12/month for Blubrry and Free for Castbox.
Does Blubrry or Castbox run on more platforms?
Blubrry runs on Web, Wordpress. Castbox runs on iOS, Android, Web, Radio, Audiobooks.
Can I use Castbox for free?
Yes. Castbox has a free tier, so you can try it without paying. Blubrry starts at $12/month.
What is Blubrry best used for?
Blubrry is most often used for hosting a podcast with a managed wordpress site included, publishing to podcast directories with iab compliant statistics, running programmatic and dynamically inserted podcast advertising at the professional tier. Of those, hosting a podcast with a managed wordpress site included and publishing to podcast directories with iab compliant statistics are not what Castbox is typically brought in for.
What can Blubrry do that Castbox cannot?
Blubrry covers Unlimited hosting, Distribution, Advanced analytics, WordPress plugin. Castbox covers Podcast app, Radio, Discovery, Offline listening. Both handle Privacy controls, Web support.

Answered from the vendors’ own pages

Castbox: Is Castbox free and does it have paid tiers?

Castbox offers a free version with ads and limited features. A premium subscription is available but details on pricing were not disclosed on the main site. Free tier includes access to 50+ million podcasts, radio programs, and audiobooks.

Source
Castbox: What languages and regions does Castbox support?

Castbox supports content in 70 languages from 175 countries, making it one of the most internationally accessible podcast platforms.

Source
Castbox: Can I search for specific content across all episodes with Castbox?

Yes, Castbox pioneered an in-audio search feature using natural language processing that lets listeners search for keywords and topics across more than 50 million episodes.

Source
Castbox: What tools does Castbox offer for podcasters?

Castbox provides a Creator Studio with robust analytics for creators to measure subscribers, streams, and downloads. However, creators requiring comprehensive editing and production tools may find Castbox limited compared to specialized production software.

Source
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