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Blubrry vs Castro

Blubrry logo

Blubrry

Software

Podcast hosting with advanced analytics and tools

From
$12/month
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite
Castro logo

Castro

Software

Podcast app with episode inbox

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite

The short version

  • Only Castro 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; Castro iOS/Apple-only, no Android support
  • They diverge on capability: Blubrry covers Unlimited hosting, Castro covers Podcast app.

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which Blubrry and Castro actually diverge.

Attributes where Blubrry and Castro differ
AttributeBlubrryCastro
Starting price$12/monthFree
Pricing modelsubscriptionUnknown
Free tierNoYes
PlatformsWeb, WordpressiOS, Apple Watch, iPad
Founded20052013

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 Castro

  • Podcast app
  • Inbox system
  • Triage view
  • Playback
  • Discovery
  • Podcast services
  • Apple 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 Castro
  • Publishing to podcast directories with IAB compliant statisticsnot Castro
  • Running programmatic and dynamically inserted podcast advertising at the Professional tiernot Castro

Castro

  • Podcast managementnot Blubrry
  • Listeningnot 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

Castro

  • iOS/Apple-only, no Android support
  • No unified inbox for managing multiple podcast accounts
  • Recent ownership change (2024) may affect long-term development

Pricing, plan by plan

Blubrry

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

Castro

Free
  • FreeFree
    • Core podcast management
    • Inbox/queue/archive
    • CarPlay support
  • Castro Plus$24.99/year
    • Custom per-podcast settings
    • Trim Silence
    • Enhance Voices

Which should you pick?

Choose Blubrry if

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

Choose Castro if

  • You need podcast app.
  • You want to start without paying.
  • You work on iOS, Apple Watch, iPad.
  • You also want inbox system.
Castro review

Questions people ask

Is Blubrry or Castro better?
Neither clearly leads. Blubrry starts at $12/month and Castro at Free, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, Blubrry or Castro?
Castro has a free tier; the other does not. Paid plans start at $12/month for Blubrry and Free for Castro.
Does Blubrry or Castro run on more platforms?
Blubrry runs on Web, Wordpress. Castro runs on iOS, Apple Watch, iPad.
Can I use Castro for free?
Yes. Castro 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 Castro is typically brought in for.
What can Blubrry do that Castro cannot?
Blubrry covers Unlimited hosting, Distribution, Advanced analytics, WordPress plugin. Castro covers Podcast app, Inbox system, Triage view, Playback. Both handle Privacy controls, Web support.

Answered from the vendors’ own pages

Castro: How much does Castro cost?

Castro 3 is free to download with optional Castro Plus subscription at $24.99/year (includes one-week free trial).

Source
Castro: What platforms does Castro support?

Castro is available on iPhone with an Apple Watch app and is expanding to iPad (launched August 4, 2025). There is no Android version.

Source
Castro: What are the key features of Castro Plus premium subscription?

Castro Plus adds custom per-podcast settings including Episode Limit, Trim Silence, Enhance Voices, Mono Mix, Skip Intros, and variable playback speed.

Source
Castro: How does Castro organize podcasts?

Castro uses an inbox/queue/archive split system where the inbox contains notifications of new episodes and the queue serves as an active playlist.

Source
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Related pages

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