Head-to-head comparison
Blubrry Hosting vs Podbean
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.
Unlimited hosting with patron memberships and live audio.
Best for: Long-running indie shows
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
Podbean
Pros
- Unlimited storage and bandwidth on paid plans
- Built-in patron memberships and ad marketplace
- Free tier exists for testing
Watch-outs
- Patron tools weaker than dedicated Patreon
- Dated UI compared to newer hosts
- Free plan capped at 5 hours storage
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 Podbean if
You’re building around long-running indie shows. Podbean has been around forever and survives by bundling unlimited storage with a built-in patron program — useful if you want one tool for hosting plus fan subscriptions. The interface feels its age compared to Buzzsprout or Captivate, and the patron tools are basic versus Patreon proper.
Also worth comparing
Or see all Blubrry Hosting alternatives.
Frequently asked
What does Blubrry Hosting do better than Podbean?
Blubrry Hosting's standout is "IAB v2 certified analytics included". Podbean doesn't make that promise — it leans into "Unlimited storage and bandwidth on paid plans" instead. If the first sentence describes your workflow, pick Blubrry Hosting; if the second does, pick Podbean.
What are the trade-offs?
Blubrry Hosting: storage-capped pricing feels dated. Podbean: patron tools weaker than dedicated patreon. Whether either matters depends entirely on what you actually need — neither is a deal-breaker by itself.
Do they support the same platforms?
Podbean works on iOS, Android where Blubrry Hosting doesn't. If you're on a specific OS or device, that may decide for you.
Can I use Blubrry Hosting and Podbean 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 Podbean for another. Worth trying both free tiers before committing.