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Podcasting · head to head

Blubrry vs Captivate

Blubrry logo

Blubrry

Podcasting

Podcast hosting with advanced analytics and tools

From
$12/month
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite
Captivate logo

Captivate

Podcasting

Smart podcast hosting with AI insights

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite

The short version

  • Only Captivate 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; Captivate tiers are download ceilings and nothing else: 30,000 a month on Personal, 150,000 on Professional and 300,000 on Business
  • They diverge on capability: Blubrry covers Advanced analytics, Captivate covers AI analytics.
  • Prices and features above were last checked on 30 August 2026.

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which Blubrry and Captivate actually diverge.

Attributes where Blubrry and Captivate differ
AttributeBlubrryCaptivate
Starting price$12/monthFree
Free tierNoYes
PlatformsWeb, WordpressWeb
Founded20052016

Identical on both: pricing model (subscription), user rating (Not yet rated), category (Podcasting).

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

  • Advanced analytics
  • WordPress plugin
  • Detailed stats
  • WordPress
  • Wordpress support

Only in Captivate

  • AI analytics
  • Smart recommendations
  • Audience insights
  • Social media

Both cover

  • Unlimited hosting
  • Distribution
  • Monetization
  • All podcast platforms
  • Email services
  • Content protection
  • 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 Captivate
  • Publishing to podcast directories with IAB compliant statisticsnot Captivate
  • Running programmatic and dynamically inserted podcast advertising at the Professional tiernot Captivate

Captivate

  • Podcast hosting with unlimited shows on any tiernot Blubrry
  • Distribution to the major podcast directoriesnot Blubrry
  • Audience analytics by episode and platformnot Blubrry
  • Running several podcasts under one subscriptionnot 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

Captivate

  • Tiers are download ceilings and nothing else: 30,000 a month on Personal, 150,000 on Professional and 300,000 on Business
  • A show that exceeds its allowance for two consecutive months is expected to move up a tier
  • Above 300,000 downloads a month the plan is quote-only
  • Prices are quoted in euros at the yearly rate

Pricing, plan by plan

Blubrry

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

Captivate

Free
  • Personal$17/month
    • up to 30,000 downloads/month
  • Professional$44/month
    • up to 150,000 downloads/month
  • Business$90/month
    • up to 300,000 downloads/month

Which should you pick?

Choose Blubrry if

  • You need advanced analytics.
  • You work on Web, Wordpress.
  • You also want wordpress plugin.
Blubrry review

Choose Captivate if

  • You need ai analytics.
  • You want to start without paying.
  • You also want smart recommendations.
Captivate review

Questions people ask

Is Blubrry or Captivate better?
Neither clearly leads. Blubrry starts at $12/month and Captivate at Free, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, Blubrry or Captivate?
Captivate has a free tier; the other does not. Paid plans start at $12/month for Blubrry and Free for Captivate.
Does Blubrry or Captivate run on more platforms?
Blubrry runs on Web, Wordpress. Captivate runs on Web.
Can I use Captivate for free?
Yes. Captivate 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 Captivate is typically brought in for.
What can Blubrry do that Captivate cannot?
Blubrry covers Advanced analytics, WordPress plugin, Detailed stats, WordPress. Captivate covers AI analytics, Smart recommendations, Audience insights, Social media. Both handle Unlimited hosting, Distribution, Monetization, All podcast platforms.

Answered from the vendors’ own pages

Blubrry: What are the monthly hosting plan costs?

Hosting plans range from Standard 1.5 at $7/month to Pro Unlimited starting at $100/month. The main difference is monthly publishing hours: 1.5, 3, 6, 12, 25, or unlimited.

Source
Captivate: How much does Captivate cost?

Captivate pricing starts at EUR 17/month for the Personal plan (annual billing). Professional is EUR 44/month and Business is EUR 90/month, with higher monthly rates on monthly billing plans.

Source
Blubrry: How much do I save with annual billing?

Annual subscribers save 10% off the monthly price, though specific annual rates are not detailed on the pricing page.

Source
Captivate: Is there a free trial for Captivate?

Yes, all Captivate plans include a 30-day free trial with access to all features; no credit card required to start.

Source
Blubrry: Can I change my plan anytime?

Yes, you can upgrade or downgrade your plan anytime as your needs change. There are no long-term commitments required.

Source
Captivate: What happens if I exceed my Captivate download limit?

Captivate will notify you after a second consecutive month over your limit; no overage fees apply if you temporarily exceed the monthly allowance.

Source
Blubrry: Is there a cost for statistics tracking?

Free statistics tracking is available without hosting. Standard Statistics costs $5/month, but Advanced Statistics is included with Advanced hosting plans.

Source
Captivate: Are podcasts and storage unlimited on all Captivate plans?

Yes, unlimited podcasts and storage are included across the Personal, Professional, and Business tiers; limits are only on monthly downloads.

Source
Blubrry: Can I start hosting for free?

Yes, Blubrry offers free statistics and free hosting options to start, though publishing is limited and you can upgrade to a paid hosting plan when needed.

Source
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