There’s no wrong way to host a podcast, but there is a growing roster of podcast hosting services where you can build and manage your creation. When weighing Shortwave vs. Blubrry, here’s what you should know:
What is Shortwave?
Shortwave is a podcast hosting service that makes monetization and content updates easy and fast with our clip-stitching method. We offer advanced analytics, unlimited storage, audio transcoding, easy show migration, and more, but our top priority is making it easy for creators to make money by swapping in advertisements with our clip-stitching method.
What is Blubrry?
Blubrry is a podcast community and hosting service offering analytics, an ad network, and simple, single-page websites for podcast creators.
Monetization
Shortwave:
Shortwave makes monetization easy via our clip-stitching feature. This technology allows you to quickly swap out ads in a few episodes, or across your entire show (or both), allowing you to attract more advertisers and make more revenue.
Blubrry:
Blubrry offers an optional affiliate program and advertising platform, the latter of which offers a 50/50 revenue split.
Content- and ad-swapping
Shortwave:
Our clip-stitching method allows you to update any episode, at any time, without worrying about storage. Because you can store a single episode as multiple files, and divide single-clip episodes into multiple clips, you can insert a new intro across your entire show, run a new ad campaign on your latest five episodes, and more in minutes. You retain complete control of your content, and you pay only for the time you transcode.
Blubrry:
Blubrry allows you to replace the audio files of published episodes, so you can update older episodes as long as the file size is within 10% of the original. You can also insert new advertisements into older episodes.
Show migration
Shortwave:
It’s easy to migrate your show onto Shortwave. Simply input your RSS feed and your entire show will import automatically.
Blubrry:
Blubrry handles your show migration for you if you provide your RSS feed.
Storage and memory
Shortwave:
Shortwave always offers unlimited storage, bandwidth, and memory.
Blubrry:
Each of Blubrry’s podcast hosting packages includes some storage. Their most basic plan includes 100MB of storage per month or, in their words, enough for a weekly 20-minute podcast. Their most advanced plan includes 1,000MB per month. All of their non-enterprise plans include an overage forgiveness clause of up to 25%.
Podcast statistics
Shortwave:
Analytics are included in both Shortwave packages. The hobby plan includes episode-level information on downloads, listener devices, and listener browsers. The professional plan includes all of the above, plus show-level information on downloads, listener devices and browser breakdown.
Blubrry:
Blubrry offers three analytics packages: Basic (free with hosting), Pro ($5/mo), and Enterprise (contact Blubrry for pricing). The basic package includes statistics on downloads, distribution, traffic sources, and the top 10 world demographics. The paid packages also include information on trending content and more granular demographic information, as well as a downloadable format for your analytics.
Websites
Shortwave:
Shortwave does not offer websites at this time.
Blubrry:
This platform offers optional WordPress sites to all users.
Plans and pricing
Shortwave:
Shortwave offers two comprehensive plans. The hobby plan ($7.97/mo billed annually) includes hosting for one podcast, clip-stitching, 5 hours of audio transcoding per month, show migration, RSS builder, embed player, unlimited storage, and basic analytics. The professional plan ($9.97/mo, billed annually) includes all of the above, plus extra transcoding time, advanced analytics, and hosting for unlimited podcasts.
Blubrry:
Blubrry structures it’s plans in a different way: Hosting packages, website packages, statistics, and their ad network are all separate options available for purchase or opt-in. Their most basic podcast hosting plan is $12/mo, and it includes 100MB of storage per month. Their other plans are $20/mo with 200MB of storage per month, $40/mo with 500MB of storage per month, and $80/mo with 1000MB of storage per month. All plans include an RSS feed, show migration, web player, basic statistics, and a Wordpress site. Advanced analytics are $5 more per month, and more advanced website packages cost an additional $20 or $50 per month.
Free trial
Shortwave:
Shortwave offers a free 14-day trial that requires no credit card down. The trial includes 2 hours of audio transcoding plus everything else in the professional plan, including clip-stitching, show migration, and more. You can sign up for your free trial here.
Blubrry:
This platform does not offer a free trial on their website, but sometimes offers coupon codes.
The bottom line
Use Shortwave if:
You want complete control over your ads, content, and revenue when creating, updating, and monetizing your new and published episodes.
Use Blubrry if:
You need a website for your show, and want access to a network of advertisers.
Start creating with Shortwave today
Shortwave is the best platform for engaged creators. Start your free trial today to learn what makes us different.