Acast vs Blubrry
A side-by-side look at Acast and Blubrry for podcasters: pricing, features, and where each one wins.
At a glance
| Acast | Blubrry | |
|---|---|---|
| Starting price | Free plan | $15/mo |
| Free plan | Yes | Yes |
| Free trial | No | No |
| Best for | Independent podcasters and mid-size networks who want advertising revenue built into their hosting | WordPress-based podcasters and professional creators who prioritize accurate, advertiser-trusted analytics and content ownership |
| Founded | 2014 | 2005 |
Key features
Acast
- One-click distribution to Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Amazon Music, and all major directories
- Dynamic ad insertion with brand marketplace access
- Premium listener subscriptions and paid content
- Real-time analytics: downloads, revenue, listener location
- Audio-to-video clip generation via Headliner integration
- Custom podcast website and embeddable player
Blubrry
- PowerPress WordPress plugin for native podcast publishing
- IAB-certified download analytics with listener retention data
- Dynamic ad insertion and programmatic advertising
- Vid2Pod: converts YouTube playlists to audio-only podcast feeds
- AI assistant for episode planning and social media content
- Standalone statistics plan compatible with any podcast host
Pros and cons
Acast
Pros
- Strong monetization infrastructure with real brand partners
- Free tier includes distribution and basic analytics
- Over $600M paid to creators - track record is real
Cons
- Pricing is in euros, not USD - adds friction for US creators
- Free tier limited to 5 episodes unless you join the ad marketplace
- Less control over ad placements compared to self-managed sponsorships
Blubrry
Pros
- PowerPress is the definitive WordPress podcasting plugin
- IAB-certified analytics with genuine depth - not just download counts
- 20-year track record with no acquisition or pivot disruption
Cons
- Storage caps are low - 125MB/month on Standard is tight for weekly shows
- Interface and marketing have not kept up with modern competitors
- AI tools feel added-on rather than core to the product
The verdict
Choose Acast if
Independent podcasters and mid-size networks who want advertising revenue built into their hosting.
Acast is legitimately one of the stronger monetization platforms in podcasting - if you have an audience and want to work with real brands, this is a credible path. The free Starter tier is genuinely useful but caps you at…
Choose Blubrry if
WordPress-based podcasters and professional creators who prioritize accurate, advertiser-trusted analytics and content ownership.
Blubrry is the unsexy choice that serious podcasters often land on after trying flashier alternatives. The analytics are genuinely good - IAB-certified, detailed listener retention, device and geo data - and PowerPress remains the gold standard for WordPress podcast publishing.…