Head-to-head comparison
Blubrry Hosting vs Captivate
Two of the hosting tools podcasters reach for. Here's how they differ on pricing, features, audience, and the trade-offs that actually matter day-to-day.
Long-running host paired with the PowerPress plugin
Best for: WordPress podcasters who already use PowerPress and want managed audio storage.
Podcast host pitched at growth-minded creators who want to monetize and manage many shows.
Best for: Growth-focused podcasters
At a glance
The honest trade-offs
Blubrry Hosting
Pros
- IAB v2 certified analytics included
- Deepest PowerPress WordPress integration
- Long, stable track record
Watch-outs
- Storage-capped pricing feels dated
- Dashboard UI is showing its age
- Lighter on modern monetisation tools
Captivate
Pros
- Unlimited shows per account at every tier
- Strong monetization tools without add-ons
- Growth Labs education is genuinely useful
Watch-outs
- Higher entry price than Buzzsprout
- Some features still in beta
- Interface has a real learning curve
Which one should you pick?
Pick Blubrry Hosting if
You’re building around wordpress podcasters who already use powerpress and want managed audio storage.. Blubrry has been around since the mid-2000s and built PowerPress, the most-used podcasting plugin for WordPress. The hosting product pairs with it the way you'd expect.
Pick Captivate if
You’re building around growth-focused podcasters. Captivate is the host for indies who treat podcasting as a real business — unlimited shows per account, IAB analytics, and monetization tools without an upgrade dance. Entry price is higher than Buzzsprout and a couple of the promised features are still in beta.
Also worth comparing
Or see all Blubrry Hosting alternatives.
Frequently asked
What does Blubrry Hosting do better than Captivate?
Blubrry Hosting's standout is "IAB v2 certified analytics included". Captivate doesn't make that promise — it leans into "Unlimited shows per account at every tier" instead. If the first sentence describes your workflow, pick Blubrry Hosting; if the second does, pick Captivate.
What are the trade-offs?
Blubrry Hosting: storage-capped pricing feels dated. Captivate: higher entry price than buzzsprout. Whether either matters depends entirely on what you actually need — neither is a deal-breaker by itself.
Can I use Blubrry Hosting and Captivate together?
Both are hosting tools so most teams pick one. Some workflows do combine them — for example, using Blubrry Hosting for one show or episode type and Captivate for another. Worth trying both free tiers before committing.