The best podcast recording software, tested and ranked
We recorded the same 30-minute, two-guest remote episode in five podcast recorders and had the results judged blind. Here's which one sounded best, which costs nothing to start, and what each costs if you pay.
About this list
Podcast recording software captures a show, usually with guests who join from somewhere else, in a browser or an app. The better tools record each person on their own device and upload separate tracks, so a weak internet connection doesn't ruin the file. Many now add transcript editing, AI clips, hosting and live streaming. You'll find more in our podcast recording section and our creator tools hub.
What separates them is how good the finished audio sounds, how well they cope with dropped connections, whether they record video and at what quality, how many hours a month you get, and what else comes in the box, such as editing or hosting. Pricing and billing matter too: plans range from free to thousands a year, and billing and cancellation problems were the most common complaint in user reviews across this category.
To compare them fairly, we used each tool between October 13 and October 26, 2026 for the same job: record one 30-minute episode with two remote guests, then export it. We timed the whole job, had three judges score the audio blind, counted connection drops, checked whether the separate tracks lined up, timed how long a beginner needed for a first finished piece, and measured how hard each tool worked our reference computer.
Compare at a glance
| # | Tool | Best for | Cheapest way to start | Score |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Descript | Best overall | $24 a month (Hobbyist) | 4.0 |
| 2 | Zencastr | Best free option | Free | 3.0 |
| 3 | Podcastle | Best for small remote shows on a budget | $11.99 a month, billed yearly (Essentials) | 2.5 |
| 4 | Cleanfeed | Best for audio-only shows | $12 a month (Pro) | 2.0 |
| 5 | Riverside | Best for video podcasts | $29 a month (Pro) | 2.0 |
Features and terms compared
These facts come from each company's own pages and our research, with prices checked on November 2 and 3, 2026; the starting price is the cheapest way to pay for one month.
| Tool | Starting price | Free plan | Top video quality | Hosting included | Platforms |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Descript | $24 a month (Hobbyist) | Yes, 1 media hour a month with watermark | 4K export on Creator and up | Not stated | Desktop app and web |
| Zencastr | Free; Enterprise by quote | Yes, 6 participants and 5 shows | 4K on the free plan | Yes, 5 shows on the free plan | Web, iOS and Android |
| Podcastle | $11.99 a month, billed yearly (Essentials) | Yes, 1 hour of remote recording, 10 AI credits | 4K on Pro and up | Publishing through a Podcastle page | Web and voice API |
| Cleanfeed | $12 a month (Pro, personal rate) | Yes, Lite: 2 guests, mono remote audio | No video below Cinema (DCI 2K) | Not mentioned | Web browser |
| Riverside | $29 a month (Pro) | Yes, 2 hours of multitrack once, with watermark | 4K on Pro and up | Yes, on Pro and up | Web, macOS, iOS, Android |
Test results side by side
Descript was the clear winner and the only recorder to score above 3. Blind judges gave its episode 4.5 out of 5, while every other tool scored between 2.0 and 3.1. It also had the fewest connection drops (2), the best-aligned tracks (9 of 10), the quickest finish at 57 minutes including the 30-minute recording, and the lightest load on our computer, using 38% of the processor against 58 to 70% for the rest. A beginner had a first finished piece in 62 minutes; the next-best tools took 117.
Zencastr finished half a point ahead of Podcastle, 3 out of 5 against 2.5, and the two were close on most measures. Podcastle's audio was judged a little better (3.1 against 2.8), but Zencastr's tracks lined up more often (7 of 10 against 6), its exports passed more file checks and its features scored higher. The surprise was at the bottom: Riverside, the tool with the most user reviews and the one many other lists rank first, came last. Its audio was judged 2.0 out of 5, it dropped the connection 4 times, and a beginner needed 174 minutes for a first piece.
Every tool got the same test, between October 13, 2026 to October 26, 2026.
| Tool | Score | Time to finish the brief | Output quality, scored blind by 3 judges | Export options and file quality | Learning curve: time to first finished piece for a beginner | Performance on the reference machine and price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Descript | 4/5 | 57 min incl. 30-min recording | 4.5/5 mean; 3 blind judges | WAV/MP3/stems; 9/10 fidelity checks | 62 min to first finished piece | CPU 38%; peak RAM 2769 MB |
| Zencastr | 3/5 | 65 min incl. 30-min recording | 2.8/5 mean; 3 blind judges | WAV/MP3/stems; 7/10 fidelity checks | 117 min to first finished piece | CPU 62%; peak RAM 4637 MB |
| Podcastle | 2.5/5 | 69 min incl. 30-min recording | 3.1/5 mean; 3 blind judges | WAV/MP3/stems; 6/10 fidelity checks | 117 min to first finished piece | CPU 58%; peak RAM 4579 MB |
| Cleanfeed | 2/5 | 84 min incl. 30-min recording | 2.5/5 mean; 3 blind judges | WAV/MP3/stems; 5/10 fidelity checks | 177 min to first finished piece | CPU 68%; peak RAM 5185 MB |
| Riverside | 2/5 | 83 min incl. 30-min recording | 2.0/5 mean; 3 blind judges | WAV/MP3/stems; 6/10 fidelity checks | 174 min to first finished piece | CPU 70%; peak RAM 5586 MB |
Descript
Best overallDescript came first of five with 4 out of 5, and output quality was its best part at 4.5. Blind judges rated our recorded episode 4.5 out of 5, by far the highest score here. The whole job took 57 minutes including the 30-minute recording, the connection dropped only twice, 9 of 10 track checks lined up and exports passed 9 of 10 file checks. A beginner finished a first piece in 62 minutes. Read our Descript review.
Descript is best known as an editor: it transcribes your recording and lets you cut it by editing the text, with a timeline for finer work. Recording is built in too, on your own with the screen recorder or with remote guests in Rooms, so you can go from conversation to finished episode in one app. Studio Sound cleans up audio, and an AI assistant called Underlord handles jobs like removing filler words and retakes.
Users are less positive than our test. It has 2.6 out of 5 on Trustpilot from 292 reviews (checked November 2026), with complaints about AI features failing and using up credits, crashes while rendering and automated support replies. AI actions use monthly credits, so heavy clean-up can run them down.
Who it's for
Podcasters and talking-head creators who want good-sounding remote recordings and plan to edit in the same app.
Skip it if
You want to pay nothing for a full show with hosting. Zencastr's free plan covers recording and hosting for up to 5 shows.
What we liked
- Blind judges rated the audio 4.5 out of 5
- Only 2 connection drops, 9 of 10 tracks aligned
- Beginner finished a first piece in 62 minutes
What we didn't
- Free plan limited to 1 media hour a month
- AI tools use up monthly credits
- 2.6 out of 5 on Trustpilot
Key features
- Screen recorder and Rooms for remote guests
- Edit audio and video by editing the transcript
- Studio Sound noise removal and voice clean-up
- Filler-word and retake removal
- Underlord AI assistant
Plans and prices
| Hobbyist 10 media hours a month; 400 AI credits a month. | $24 a month, or $16 a month billed yearly |
| Creator 30 media hours; 800 AI credits. | $35 a month, or $24 a month billed yearly |
| Business 40 media hours; 1,500 AI credits. | $65 a month, or $50 a month billed yearly |
| Enterprise SSO and SCIM; Custom AI credits and media minutes. | Custom contact sales |
Zencastr
Best free optionZencastr came second with 3 out of 5, an even 3 on every part. Blind judges gave our episode 2.8 out of 5. The job took 65 minutes including the recording, the connection dropped 3 times, 7 of 10 track checks lined up and exports passed 7 of 10 file checks. A beginner needed 117 minutes for a first finished piece.
Zencastr records each person locally with a cloud backup, at up to 4K video and 48 kHz WAV audio. Its pricing page now lists just a free plan and a quote-only Enterprise tier, and the free plan is generous: 6 participants, separate tracks, unlimited transcription and post-production credits, 4 team seats, 1080p live streaming and hosting for 5 shows, with distribution to Spotify, Apple Podcasts and YouTube.
The weak spot is billing. Older versions of its terms say fees aren't refundable, and the current terms aren't clear. It has 2.5 out of 5 on Trustpilot from only 7 reviews (checked November 2026), with complaints about unwanted yearly charges, refund refusals and slow email-only support. It lists no security certifications on its site.
Who it's for
New and small shows on a zero budget that want separate-track recording, hosting and basic editing in one free tool.
Skip it if
Sound quality matters most and you're happy to pay. Descript's audio was judged 4.5 out of 5 to Zencastr's 2.8.
What we liked
- Free plan with 6 participants and separate tracks
- Hosting for 5 shows and unlimited transcription
- Live streaming in 1080p
What we didn't
- Blind judges rated the audio 2.8 out of 5
- 3 connection drops in a 30-minute recording
- Unclear refund and cancellation terms
Key features
- Local recording with cloud backup
- AI editing, including pause and filler-word removal
- Hosting and distribution with analytics
- 1080p live streaming
- 4 team seats with roles
Plans and prices
| Free (shown as Vibecastr on the pricing page) 6 participants; 4 seats. | Free |
| Enterprise Custom features and limits. | Custom contact sales |
Podcastle
Best for small remote shows on a budgetPodcastle came third with 2.5 out of 5, with performance its weakest part at 1.5. Its audio was judged a fair 3.1 out of 5, the second-best result here. The job took 69 minutes including the recording, the connection dropped 3 times, 6 of 10 track checks lined up and exports passed 6 of 10 file checks. A beginner needed 117 minutes for a first piece. More in our Podcastle review.
Podcastle is now called Async, and its old web address redirects to the new one. It records remote multitrack sessions and adds AI noise removal, silence cutting, a chat-based video editor, clips, subtitles and text to speech. Podcasting is now one line among several, since it also sells a voice API to developers.
Check the limits and billing before you buy. Essentials gives 2 hours of remote multitrack a month, and AI credits reset monthly without rolling over. The prices we found are for yearly billing, and new subscriptions can be refunded within 7 days, excluding AI credits used. It has 3.5 out of 5 on Trustpilot from 269 reviews (checked November 2026), with praise for support and complaints about cancelling and yearly billing.
Who it's for
Solo creators and small remote shows that record a few hours a month and want AI editing, clips and text to speech at a low yearly price.
Skip it if
You record a lot or want the best sound. Descript sounded better and had fewer drops, and Zencastr's free plan has no recording-hour cap stated.
What we liked
- Second-best audio, judged 3.1 out of 5
- AI editing, clips and text to speech built in
- 7-day refund on new subscriptions
What we didn't
- Only 6 of 10 track checks lined up
- Essentials allows 2 hours of remote multitrack
- Monthly-billed prices aren't clearly published
Key features
- Remote multitrack recording, up to 4K on Pro
- AI chat video editor
- AI clips, reframing and subtitles
- Text to speech
- Publishing to podcast networks
Plans and prices
| Essentials 450 AI credits; 2 hours remote multitrack. | $11.99 a month, billed yearly |
| Pro 1,200 credits; 20 hours remote multitrack. | $23.99 a month, billed yearly |
| Teams 3,000 credits; 50 hours remote multitrack. | Custom contact sales |
| Business Custom credits and limits. | Custom contact sales |
Cleanfeed
Best for audio-only showsCleanfeed came fourth with 2 out of 5. Blind judges rated its audio 2.5 out of 5. The job took 84 minutes including the recording, the slowest here, the connection dropped 4 times, and only 5 of 10 track checks lined up and 5 of 10 file checks passed. A beginner needed 177 minutes for a first piece, the longest of the five. Our Cleanfeed review explains why.
Cleanfeed is a browser studio built for low-latency remote audio, with nothing for the host or guests to install. Each person is recorded on their own side, and Pro adds separate tracks for up to 32 guests, markers and audio repair. Recording time is unlimited on every tier. There's no video unless you move up to Cinema, which costs $2,500 a year for the first seat.
Recordings are saved to the host's browser, so the host computer matters: keep free disk space and don't close the tab mid-session. It doesn't publish a refund policy, and we found no Trustpilot reviews.
Who it's for
Audio-only podcasters and broadcasters who already edit elsewhere and want cheap separate tracks.
Skip it if
You record video or want built-in editing and hosting. Riverside and Zencastr record video and host your show.
What we liked
- Separate tracks on Pro for $12 a month
- Unlimited recording time on every tier
- Nothing to install for host or guests
What we didn't
- 4 connection drops in a 30-minute recording
- Beginner took 177 minutes for a first piece
- No video unless you pay for Cinema
Key features
- Multitrack recording for up to 32 guests on Pro
- Markers and audio repair
- Per-guest privacy and volume controls
- Stereo remote channels on Pro
- Centre-stage 2K video on Cinema
Plans and prices
| Pro Unlimited recording time; Multitrack. | $12 a month |
| Cinema 16 guests; DCI 2K 60 fps centre-stage video. | Custom contact sales |
| Enterprise Custom branding; Seat discounts. | Custom contact sales |
Riverside
Best for video podcastsRiverside came last of five with 2 out of 5. Blind judges rated our episode 2.0 out of 5, the lowest score here. The job took 83 minutes including the recording, the connection dropped 4 times, 6 of 10 track checks lined up and exports passed 6 of 10 file checks. A beginner needed 174 minutes for a first piece, and it worked our computer hardest, at 70% of the processor. Our Riverside review has the full results.
To be fair, it does more than any other tool here. Riverside records each guest on their own device at up to 4K video and 48 kHz audio, then adds transcript editing, AI clips, show notes, podcast hosting, live streaming and webinars. It runs in a browser and has apps for Mac, iPhone and Android. It documents SOC 2 Type 2, and ISO 27001 is listed for the Business plan.
Plan limits matter: Pro caps recording at 5 hours a month and Grow at 15, and AI edits use credits that users say run out quickly. It has 3.8 out of 5 on Trustpilot from 545 reviews (checked November 2026), the most of any tool here, with praise for ease of use and complaints about billing and cancelling.
Who it's for
Video podcasters who want recording, editing, hosting and streaming in one place and will test it on a real episode first.
Skip it if
You mainly want good-sounding remote recordings. Descript's audio was judged 4.5 out of 5 to Riverside's 2.0, with half the connection drops.
What we liked
- Records each guest locally at up to 4K
- Editing, clips, hosting and streaming in one tool
- Free plan and a 14-day free trial
What we didn't
- Blind judges rated the audio 2.0 out of 5
- Beginner took 174 minutes for a first piece
- Pro caps recording at 5 hours a month
Key features
- Local multitrack recording up to 4K and 48 kHz
- Text-based editing and Magic Clips
- Podcast hosting and analytics
- Live streaming and multistreaming on Grow
- Webinars with HubSpot on the Webinar plan
Plans and prices
| Pro 5 hours recording a month; 4K video, 48 kHz audio. | $29 a month, or $24 a month billed yearly |
| Grow 15 hours recording a month; 2 studios. | $39 a month, or $34 a month billed yearly |
| Webinar Unlimited recording; 3 studios. | $99 a month, or $79 a month billed yearly |
| Business Unlimited recording and studios; SSO. | Custom contact sales |
What it costs to get started
Every tool here has a free plan. Zencastr's is the most generous and is the only plan it lists besides a quote-only Enterprise tier. Riverside's free plan gives 2 hours of multitrack recording once, at 720p with a watermark; Podcastle's gives 1 hour of remote recording and 10 AI credits; Cleanfeed Lite allows 2 guests with mono remote audio; and Descript's free plan covers 1 media hour a month.
Among paid plans, Podcastle Essentials is $11.99 a month, billed yearly, and its monthly price isn't clearly published. Cleanfeed Pro is $12 a month at the personal rate, with a $36 business rate also shown. Descript Hobbyist is $24 a month, or $16 a month billed yearly. Riverside Pro is $29 a month, or $24 a month billed yearly, and Grow is $39 a month. Refund windows vary: 48 hours at Descript, 24 hours for Riverside's monthly plans, 7 days at Podcastle, and none published at Cleanfeed. Some Descript and Podcastle prices come from a dated third-party listing because the official pages couldn't be read; all prices were checked on November 2 or 3, 2026.
| Tool | Cheapest way to start | Free plan | Free trial |
|---|---|---|---|
| Descript | $24 a month (Hobbyist) | Yes | No |
| Zencastr | Free | Yes | No |
| Podcastle | $11.99 a month, billed yearly (Essentials) | Yes | No |
| Cleanfeed | $12 a month (Pro) | Yes | No |
| Riverside | $29 a month (Pro) | Yes | 14 days |
Prices from each tool's own pricing page (or a dated third-party listing where that page couldn't be read). Prices can change, so check before you buy.
Also worth knowing about
We didn't test these tools, but they come up often and may suit a specific need.
StreamYard
A live streaming studio that appears in roundups for video podcasts. We haven't tested it, but it may suit shows that go out live.
Adobe Podcast
A free browser audio tool that some lists pick for short audio episodes. We haven't tested it as a recorder.
Audacity
A free audio editor that can record a solo show on your own computer. We haven't tested it, but solo hosts on no budget may want to try it.
How we tested
Every recorder did the same job between October 13 and October 26, 2026: record one 30-minute episode with two remote guests, then export the result, on the same reference computer. Using the same brief for every tool means the results compare like with like. You can read the full set-up in how we test.
We timed the whole job, including the 30 minutes of recording. Three judges scored the finished audio blind, without knowing which tool made it. We checked the export formats and ran ten file quality checks, counted connection drops, checked whether the separate tracks lined up across ten checks, timed how long a beginner needed for a first finished piece, and recorded processor and memory use.
Each tool then got a score out of 5, in half points, for output quality, ease of use, features, performance and value for money. Together these make the overall score, and the ranking follows it.
How to choose
If your show lives or dies on how it sounds, Descript was well ahead in our test, with audio judged 4.5 out of 5 and only 2 connection drops. No other recorder scored above 3.1 for sound.
Riverside and Zencastr record up to 4K, and Podcastle offers 4K on Pro. Cleanfeed is audio only unless you pay for Cinema. If you also stream live, our list of live streaming software is worth a look.
Check monthly caps before you pay. Riverside Pro allows 5 hours of recording a month and Grow 15, and Podcastle Essentials gives 2 hours of remote multitrack. Cleanfeed lists unlimited recording time on every tier.
Zencastr includes hosting for 5 shows on its free plan, and Riverside hosts from Pro. Descript is the strongest editor here. Cleanfeed only records, so you'll need a separate editor, such as one from our list of podcast editing software.
Billing and cancellation were the most common complaints across this category. Podcastle refunds new subscriptions within 7 days, Descript within 48 hours and Riverside's monthly plans within 24 hours, while Zencastr's older terms say fees aren't refundable.
Terms you'll see
- Local recording
- Each person is recorded on their own device and the file is uploaded afterwards, so a weak connection doesn't spoil the audio.
- Separate tracks (multitrack)
- A separate audio file for each speaker, so you can fix one voice without touching the others.
- Connection drop
- A moment when a guest's live link to the session cuts out during recording.
- 48 kHz
- A common audio sample rate for video and podcast work, a sign of high-quality recording.
- AI credits
- A monthly allowance that is used up each time you run an AI feature, such as clip making or clean-up.
- Stems
- The separate exported audio files for each voice or element, ready to mix in an editor.
Frequently asked questions
What is the best podcast recording software?
In our test, Descript came first with 4 out of 5. Its audio was judged 4.5 out of 5, it had the fewest connection drops and a beginner learned it fastest. Zencastr came second and is the best choice if you want to pay nothing, while Riverside, often ranked first elsewhere, came last in our test.
What is the best free podcast recording software?
Zencastr has the most generous free plan of the tools we tested, with 6 participants, separate tracks, unlimited transcription and hosting for 5 shows. Cleanfeed Lite is free for 2 guests with mono remote audio, and Riverside's free plan gives 2 hours of multitrack recording once, with a watermark. Audacity and Adobe Podcast are free too, but we haven't tested them.
How much does podcast recording software cost?
All five tools have a free plan. Paid plans start at $11.99 a month, billed yearly, for Podcastle Essentials, $12 a month for Cleanfeed Pro, $24 a month for Descript Hobbyist and $29 a month for Riverside Pro. Zencastr lists only its free plan and a quote-only Enterprise tier.
Do I need local recording?
It helps a lot with remote guests. Local recording saves each person's audio on their own device instead of through the call, so internet hiccups don't damage the file. Riverside and Zencastr record locally, and Cleanfeed records each person on their side. Even so, connection drops in our test ranged from 2 in Descript to 4 in Riverside and Cleanfeed.
Can I record a video podcast?
Yes, with most of these tools. Riverside and Zencastr record up to 4K video, Podcastle offers 4K on its Pro plan and Descript exports in 4K on Creator and up. Cleanfeed Pro is audio only, and video starts at its Cinema tier, which costs $2,500 a year for the first seat.
How did we test these podcast recorders?
We recorded the same 30-minute episode with two remote guests in every tool, between October 13 and October 26, 2026, on the same computer. Three judges scored the audio blind. We also timed the job, counted connection drops, checked track alignment and exports, timed a beginner's first piece and measured processor and memory use.
The bottom line
If sound quality matters, record with Descript; if your budget is zero, start with Zencastr's free plan and read its billing terms.
Make your case
Think a tool is missing or wrong?
If you use a tool we reviewed, or work for the company, email us with what you saw. We'll look at the evidence and update the review if it changes our findings.
Think your company belongs on this list?
Send us your product, website and the category it fits. We'll test it the same way as every other tool. It's free, and we can't promise a date or a score.
Grace Sullivan
I've always been interested in how people connect and build communities online. When exploring a new service, I pay attention to usability, transparency, pricing, and whether its advertised features make sense in everyday situations.
Update history
- November 4, 2026: published with the results of our test, run between October 13, 2026 to October 26, 2026.