Descript
Our top pick at 4 out of 5, ahead in every area. You edit audio and video by editing the written transcript.
Say you host a podcast and your guests live in other cities. You need a way to talk to them that sounds natural and records everyone clearly. Cleanfeed is one answer: a recording studio that runs in a web browser. We used it for two weeks, from October 3 to October 16, 2026, recording the same 30-minute, two-guest episode we record with every tool in our podcast recording comparison.
The recording worked, but not smoothly. The connection dropped 4 times in 30 minutes, only half of our checks on whether the separate tracks lined up passed, and three judges listening blind rated the sound 2.5 out of 5. Someone new to remote recording needed nearly three hours (177 minutes) to finish a first piece.
That's a score of 2 out of 5 and fourth place of five. Cleanfeed still makes sense for radio-style, audio-only shows that edit elsewhere and like its free plan. If you want polished results with little effort, or you record video, other tools did better.
Cleanfeed's five scores
Every podcast tool we test is graded in five areas. Cleanfeed did slightly better on sound and performance than on ease of use, features and value, which pulled its overall result down to 2.
Output quality2.5
Ease of use1.5
Features1.0
Performance2.0
Value for money3.0
Overall: 2 out of 5, the five areas averaged and rounded to the nearest half.
- Output quality (2.5/5): Blind listeners gave the episode 2.5 out of 5, and half of our 10 file-quality checks failed.
- Ease of use (1.5/5): The episode took 84 minutes from start to export, and a newcomer needed 177 minutes to finish a first piece.
- Features (1/5): Separate tracks and standard file formats are there, but there's no built-in editing, and video means paying for the top tier.
- Performance (2/5): The host computer ran at 68% processor use with memory peaking at 5,185 MB, and the call dropped 4 times.
- Value for money (3/5): The free Lite plan is a usable two-guest studio, its strongest point; Pro at $36 a month for businesses, or $23 at the reduced rate, is a lot for the reliability we saw.
Best of 2026
See the ranking →
Five podcast recorders, one episode
We recorded the same remote interview on every tool. See which one sounded best before you choose.
What Cleanfeed is and how it records
Recording a podcast with someone far away used to mean a phone line or a video call, both of which squash sound quality. Cleanfeed takes a different route. The host opens a "studio" in a web browser and sends guests a link. Everyone talks with very little delay, so the conversation flows the way it would in a room.
The recording happens live on the host's side, as the conversation takes place. Cleanfeed's FAQ explains that this is different from a "double-ender", where each person records on their own computer and the files are matched up afterwards. Its approach means you hear exactly what's being recorded, and the audio is encrypted for privacy. The trade-off is that the host's computer does all the heavy lifting.
Cleanfeed is made by Cleanfeed LLP, a small company started in the UK by Mark Hills and Marc Bakos, who come from broadcast engineering. It records audio and nothing else: it doesn't edit, host or publish your show, so you'll still need editing software and a podcast host. You'll find tools for those jobs among our creator tools.
Running a session, from invite to download
There's nothing to install, which is a real plus for nervous guests. A typical session goes like this.
1. The host opens a studio. Hosts need a Chrome-based browser. Firefox and Safari are only officially supported for guests.
2. Guests click a link. They join from their own browser. People on an iPhone or iPad can join as guests through a test (beta) feature using Safari, but can't host.
3. Record the conversation. On paid plans, each person is captured on a separate track, which lets you clean up a single voice while leaving the rest alone. You can drop markers at moments you want to find later.
4. Download and edit. Export the files and finish the episode in your usual editing software.
How our two-week test went
Our Cleanfeed test began on October 3, 2026 and finished on October 16, 2026: 14 days. Each podcast tool in our group gets the same assignment: record a 30-minute episode with two remote guests on the same reference computer, then export it. The details are on our testing page.
The whole job took 84 minutes, of which 30 were the recording itself. Setting up, connecting both guests and exporting filled the rest. Separately, we timed a newcomer from first login to a first finished piece, and it took 177 minutes, a long afternoon for a tool that only records.
The session was where Cleanfeed struggled. Our connection dropped 4 times during the 30 minutes. When we later laid the separate tracks side by side, 5 of our 10 checks found them out of step, meaning gaps and timing slips to fix in the edit. Every dropout is a moment you might have to patch or ask a guest to repeat.
Three judges then listened to the finished episode without knowing which tool recorded it, and gave it 2.5 out of 5. Exports came as WAV, MP3 and separate stems (individual tracks), a good choice of formats, but 5 of our 10 file-quality checks failed. On the reference computer, Cleanfeed used 68% of the processor and up to 5,185 MB of memory, so an older laptop may struggle.
| What we measured | Result | What to expect |
|---|---|---|
| Time to complete the recording brief | 84 min | Allow about an hour beyond the recording itself. |
| Connection drops in 30 minutes | 4 | Have a plan for re-recording lost moments. |
| Track alignment checks passed | 5/10 | Some timing fixes in the edit are likely. |
| Blind listening score (3 judges) | 2.5/5 | Average sound, not a standout. |
| File-quality checks passed | 5/10 | Check your exports before publishing. |
| Newcomer's time to a first finished piece | 177 min | A slow start if you're new to remote recording. |
| Host computer load | 68% CPU; 5,185 MB | Close other apps and use a capable machine. |
Tested October 3, 2026 to October 16, 2026.
Features by plan
The free Lite plan is a simple two-guest studio. Most of the useful tools arrive with Pro.
Separate tracks
Pro and Cinema record each person on their own track, so one noisy guest doesn't spoil everyone's audio.
More guests
Lite allows 2 guests, Pro up to 32 and Cinema 16.
Stereo from remote guests
Pro and Cinema carry remote guests in stereo; Lite uses mono.
Markers, notes and audio repair
Mark moments while recording and tidy problems afterwards, on Pro and Cinema.
No time limit
Recording time is unlimited on every plan, including the free one.
Video on Cinema only
Centre-stage video at DCI 2K, 60 frames a second, for production teams.
The highs and lows of our test
A genuinely free plan
Lite costs nothing, includes commercial use and has no recording time limit, so you can try it on a real episode.
Nothing to install
Guests just click a link in their browser, which removes a common source of stress before an interview.
Formats editors want
WAV, MP3 and separate stems give an editor everything needed to finish the episode elsewhere.
An unstable session
Four dropouts in half an hour is too many for a tool whose only job is recording.
Average sound
Blind listeners rated it 2.5 out of 5, and half our file-quality checks failed.
Demanding on the host
68% processor use and over 5 GB of memory on our reference machine leave little room for anything else.
Pros
- Free plan with commercial use
- Unlimited recording time on every plan
- Separate tracks on Pro
- Encrypted, unprocessed audio
- Guests need nothing installed
Cons
- 4 dropouts in our 30-minute session
- Half our alignment checks failed
- Pro now costs $36 a month for businesses
- Hosts can't use an iPhone or iPad
- Video only on the $2,500-a-year tier
Cleanfeed pricing: Lite, Pro and Cinema
Cleanfeed's prices changed since our earlier check. As of November 8, 2026, its pricing page lists these options in US dollars.
Lite
Free
including commercial use
- 2 guests
- Mono remote audio
- 1 local audio source
Pro
$36
a month for businesses
- $23 a month at the reduced rate
- Up to 32 guests, separate tracks
- Email support
Cinema
$2,500
a year for the first seat
- 16 guests
- Centre-stage video
- Dedicated server capacity
Pro for Enterprise
Quote
5 or more seats a year
- Seat discounts
- Your own branding
- Academic-year pricing
The reduced Pro rate of $23 a month is for personal projects (not paid for by a business, and under $5,000 a year of commercial activity), registered charities and non-profits, and schools, colleges and universities. Choosing yearly renewal takes a further 20% off. Pro has a minimum term of one month, and you change or cancel a plan from the Subscription Centre in your account.
There's no free trial of Pro, but the free Lite plan lets you test the basics. For Cinema, Cleanfeed arranges a demo with a trial on request. We didn't find a refund policy on its pricing page or FAQ, so ask before paying for a year.
Prices checked on cleanfeed.net on November 8, 2026.
Will your recordings be safe?
Cleanfeed's FAQ says audio is encrypted for privacy and that it doesn't add hidden processing to your sound. Its pages don't mention any AI features, so there's no sign your recordings are used to train AI. What we didn't find was a statement of how long data is kept or which security standards Cleanfeed follows, so ask if your interviews are sensitive.
The bigger practical risk is losing part of a recording. Because everything is captured on the host's side, the host's computer, internet connection and browser tab need to stay healthy for the whole session. In our test the connection dropped 4 times, so build some slack into your schedule.
Before a session: close other apps, keep plenty of free disk space, use a wired connection if you can, and never close the studio tab mid-recording.
Is Cleanfeed a good fit for your show?
Cleanfeed is built for people who already know their way around audio and just want the remote part handled.
Worth trying if you
- Make audio-only shows and edit them yourself
- Come from radio or broadcasting
- Want a free plan for simple two-person chats
- Qualify for the reduced personal or charity rate
Look elsewhere if you
- Record video podcasts
- Would rather record, edit and publish in one app
- Need to host from a phone or tablet
- Have an older or busy computer
What users say about Cleanfeed
There's very little independent feedback. Cleanfeed's Trustpilot profile was unclaimed with no reviews when we checked on November 8, 2026, and we didn't find ratings on other review sites either.
The only praise we found is in the testimonials on Cleanfeed's own homepage, from radio presenters and podcast producers who highlight low delay and natural conversation. Those are chosen by the company, so read them as marketing. With no independent reviews to compare against, our test is the best guide we can offer, and in it the conversation felt natural but the connection wasn't reliable.
Ratings checked November 8, 2026.
Podcast recorders that beat Cleanfeed
Three of the other four tools scored higher, and Riverside matched Cleanfeed's score but ranked just behind it.
Zencastr
Second at 3 out of 5, and free. Recording, basic editing and podcast hosting in one place.
Podcastle
Third at 2.5 out of 5, with better sound and ease of use than Cleanfeed, plus AI editing tools.
Riverside
2 out of 5, like Cleanfeed, but adds video recording and AI editing for video podcasters.
Each rival's price above is taken from that company's site on the day we reviewed it.
2/5
Should you record your podcast with Cleanfeed?
For most new podcasters, we'd start elsewhere. In our two-week test the session dropped 4 times, half the track alignment checks failed, blind listeners rated the sound 2.5 out of 5, and a newcomer needed 177 minutes to finish a first piece. That's why it scored 2 out of 5, fourth of the five in our podcast recorder ranking.
It does some things well: the free plan is real, guests need nothing installed, and Pro records everyone on separate tracks with unprocessed, encrypted audio. Broadcast-minded hosts who edit elsewhere may still like it, especially at the reduced $23 rate.
Try Cleanfeed's free plan if you make audio-only shows and edit them yourself; if you want reliable, polished results or video, start with Zencastr or Descript.
Still deciding?
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Disagree with our review?
Make your case
If you use Cleanfeed, or work there, and think we got something wrong, email us. Tell us what you saw and attach screenshots if you have them. We'll take another look and update the review if it changes our findings.
review.now.team@gmail.com
or open your email app
Frequently asked questions
Is Cleanfeed free?
Yes, Cleanfeed Lite is free, including for commercial use, with unlimited recording time and up to 2 guests. Separate tracks, more guests and stereo remote audio need Pro, which costs $36 a month for businesses or $23 a month at the reduced rate for personal projects, charities and schools.
Who qualifies for Cleanfeed's reduced Pro rate?
The $23-a-month rate is for personal use that isn't paid for by a business and involves less than $5,000 a year of commercial activity, for registered charities and non-profits, and for schools, colleges and universities. You confirm your eligibility at checkout.
Can guests join Cleanfeed from a phone?
Guests on an iPhone or iPad can join through a beta feature using the Safari browser, but hosts can't run a session from an iPhone or iPad yet. Guests on a computer can use Chrome-based browsers, Firefox or Safari, while hosts should use a Chrome-based browser.
Does Cleanfeed record video?
Only with Cinema, its top plan, priced at $2,500 a year for the first seat, which records centre-stage video at DCI 2K and 60 frames a second. The free Lite and paid Pro plans are audio only, so video podcasters usually choose a tool built for video.
How do I cancel Cleanfeed Pro?
Log in to Cleanfeed and open the Subscription Centre from the profile button in the top right, where you can change or cancel your plan. Pro has a minimum term of one month. We didn't find a published refund policy, so ask Cleanfeed before paying for a year.
When did you test Cleanfeed?
Our Cleanfeed test ran two weeks, October 3 to October 16, 2026 (14 days). We recorded the same 30-minute episode with two remote guests that we record with every podcast tool, then judged the sound blind and checked the exported files.
Written by
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.