Podcast recording software
We put 5 podcast recording software tools through the same test. Descript came out on top with 4 out of 5. Here are all the results, what each tool costs and how we test them.
Podcast recording software we tested
Best score first. Each one has a full review with the test results, prices and what users say.
Descript
4/5Read our review →
Zencastr
3/5Read our review →
Podcastle
2.5/5Read our review →
Cleanfeed
2/5Read our review →
Riverside
2/5Read our review →Test results compared
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 |
Want just the shortlist?
Our best-of list ranks every tool in this test, with what each one is best for.
What podcast recording software do
Podcast recording software captures a show, usually with remote guests, in a browser or app. The better tools record each guest locally and upload separate tracks, so a weak connection does not ruin the file. Many now add transcript editing, AI clips, hosting and live streaming.
Who uses them: Interview podcasters with remote guests, Video podcasters who also publish to YouTube, Solo creators on a budget, Radio and broadcast teams needing low-latency audio, Marketing teams running branded shows or webinars.
Price range: All four have a free plan. Paid solo plans run from about 12 USD a month (Cleanfeed Pro) through about 12 to 24 USD a month billed yearly for Async Essentials and Pro, to Riverside Pro at 24 USD yearly or 29 monthly. Riverside Grow is 34 to 39 and Webinar 79 to 99. Zencastr's pricing page lists only free and a quote-only Enterprise tier. Cleanfeed Cinema is 2,500 USD a year. Descript is 16 to 24 USD (Hobbyist).
What to check before you buy
Recording quality and local capture. Local recording per guest avoids call compression; look for 48 kHz audio and separate tracks. Riverside and Zencastr list 4K video and 48 kHz; Cleanfeed is audio-first.
Free plan limits. Riverside free gives 2 one-time hours at 720p with a watermark; Cleanfeed Lite is free with 2 guests and mono remote audio; Zencastr lists a free plan with 6 participants; Async free gives 1 hour of remote recording once.
Monthly recording hours. Riverside Pro caps at 5 hours a month and Grow at 15; Async Essentials gives 2 hours of remote multitrack and Pro 20; Cleanfeed lists unlimited recording time.
Video support. Video podcasts need 1080p or 4K local video; Cleanfeed Pro is audio only and video appears at Cinema (2,500 USD a year).
AI editing and credits. Riverside and Async meter AI actions with credits that reviewers say run out quickly; Zencastr lists unlimited post-production credits on its free plan.
How we test podcast recording software
The test for this category: Record the same 30-minute two-guest episode remotely; audio quality judged blind, connection drops, export.
Each tool completes the same project brief (for example a social post set, a 60-second video edit, a wireframe of a 5-screen app, a 2-minute animation) on the same reference computer.
Each tool is tested on a paid plan, and its review shows the plan, the price and the test dates. The overall score is the average of the five parts on the right, rounded to the nearest half star. See the full method for design, video and audio software tools.
What we measure
- 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
The five parts of the score
Frequently asked questions
What is the best podcast recording software?
Most Oct 2026 lists rank Riverside first; Zencastr for free, Cleanfeed for cheap audio multitrack, Async for budget remote shows.
What is the best free podcast recording software?
Zencastr lists a free plan with 6 participants and separate tracks; Cleanfeed Lite is free for 2 guests; Riverside free has 2 one-time hours with a watermark; Audacity and Adobe Podcast are free options.
Do I need local recording?
Local recording saves each guest on their own device, avoiding call compression; Riverside, Zencastr and Cleanfeed (via host browser) use it.
Can I record video podcasts?
Riverside and Zencastr record up to 4K; Cleanfeed Pro is audio only.
How much does podcast recording software cost?
About 12 to 24 USD a month for a solo paid plan; Riverside Pro 24 USD yearly, Cleanfeed Pro 12, Async Essentials about 11.99 yearly.
More in creator tools
Page updated November 4, 2026.
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.
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