There’s no shortage of podcast recording software options on the market these days. But for most people, too much choice is as bad as none. In this roundup, we’re going to help you choose the ideal option for your own unique needs, budget, and setup.
And, if you’re at an early stage in your podcasting journey, here are another couple of important guides worth bookmarking for future reading;
Podcast Equipment: What Do I Need, & Why Do I Need It?
A quick heads up, too, that we sometimes use affiliate links to products and services we recommend. Buying through these links means we may earn a small commission, though at no extra cost to you. Affiliates help support all the free content we put out on the site!
With that all said, let’s dive into the meat of the article. First up, you’re going to learn more about the various types of podcast recording software to help you make a more informed choice. But if you’d like to jump straight to the recommendations, then have at it!
What is Podcast Recording Software?
There are a lot of ambiguous terms in podcasting – most notably, people who refer to their podcast episodes as “podcasts” – so it’s always helpful to kick off with a bit of clarity.
Podcast recording software comes in many forms, and most will do a bit more than simply record audio. Here are the three most popular types we see:
The DAW (Digital Audio Workstation)
Digital Audio Workstations (or DAWs) are sophisticated programs. With a DAW, you can not only record audio, but you can also do all your editing and production inside them. This can be as simple as a single voice with some intro music, or it can be as complex as a cinematic soundscaped audio drama.
The Call Recorder Tool
Most podcast interviews happen remotely. This gives podcasters the freedom to bring on interesting guests from anywhere in the world. Call recording tools do exactly what they say on the tin. A few of them even offer live broadcast and production features. Typically, users run them within web browsers, though some do offer dedicated desktop apps.
The ‘Podcast Maker’ Tool
‘Podcast Maker’ tools tend to fall somewhere between the two types listed above. They’ll let you record your episodes, then provide a range of simplified options for editing, producing, and publishing them.
Best Podcast Recording Software Options
As I’ve mentioned already, the “best” option for you will depend on your own unique needs, budget, and setup. You’ll find something for everyone in the following roundup. Options are listed in alphabetical order, and are hopefully nice and skimmable for you
Adobe Audition
Adobe Audition is like a bigger and better version of the popular free DAW Audacity (mentioned further on). With Audition, there are many more options, and you’ll have much more flexibility and tools at your disposal. On the flip side, these extras raise the barrier to entry, too.
Type: DAW
Price: $21 a month
Editing & Production: Yes
Transcription: No
Hosting: No
Video Recording: No
Learning Curve: Steep
Additional Resources
Editing an Audio Drama Podcast on Adobe Audition
Alitu
Alitu is our very own ‘podcast maker’ tool. We built it because so many people told us they were struggling with the editing and production side of things. You can record your podcast with Alitu, whether a local/solo recording or an online call. You can publish your episodes from within Alitu and push them out to Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and all the other podcast listening platforms. Alitu will automatically transcribe your episodes, and you can even edit your audio by deleting chunks of text, too!
Type: ‘Podcast Maker’ tool
Price: $38 a month
Editing & Production: Yes, including text-based editing
Transcription: Yes
Hosting: Yes
Video Recording: No
Learning Curve: Simple
Additional Resource:
How to Make a Podcast With Alitu
Audacity
Audacity is a popular and free open-source DAW. If you are running a solo show or recording a guest or co-host locally, then it has everything you need. On the flip side, two common criticisms of Audacity are that it looks a bit clunky and can seem complicated to beginners. That said, the price tag of Free is a big plus for many on a tight or non-existent budget.
Type: DAW
Price: Free
Editing & Production: Yes
Transcription: No
Hosting: No
Video Recording: No
Learning Curve: Moderate
Additional Resources:
Cast
Cast lets you record yourself and up to three guests. There are editing and production options available. It also doubles up as a media host, so you can upload and publish your episodes, too. Google Chrome is the recommended browser for recording on Cast.
Type: ‘Podcast Maker’ tool
Price: From $10 a month
Editing & Production: Yes
Transcription: No
Hosting: Yes
Video Recording: No
Learning Curve: Simple
Descript
Descript is an innovative platform for creating and editing podcasts. It’s most famous for its overdub feature, which uses AI to learn your voice, and you can type out lines or entire scripts and have your “own voice” read them. Descript isn’t a call recorder, but it now owns SquadCast, and you can link the two together.
Type: ‘Podcast Maker’ tool
Price: Get started for free
Editing & Production: Yes
Transcription: Yes
Hosting: No
Video Recording: Yes
Learning Curve: Simple
Additional Resources:
Descript Alternatives for Text-Based Editing
Hindenburg
Hindenburg is a unique DAW because it’s actually designed with podcasters, radio people, and audiobook producers in mind. Most other DAWs are primarily for music production but just so happen to lend themselves well to spoken-word content. Hindenburg is definitely the DAW with the lowest barrier to entry for folks new to audio production.
Type: DAW
Price: From $12 a month
Editing & Production: Yes, including text-based editing
Transcription: Yes
Hosting: No
Video Recording: No
Learning Curve: Moderate
Additional Resource:
5 Ways That Hindenburg Will Save You Podcast Production Time
Podbean Live Stream
You can run Podbean Live Stream on desktop (Chrome) or mobile (use Podbean app for Android/iOS). It’ll let you host up to five active co-hosts and guests at any one time. Your audience can tune in and listen along live, as well as call in to participate. Conversations will be recorded onto one single track. You can play music and audio effects during your show, and once it’s finished, upload and publish directly to Podbean.
Get a month’s free hosting with Podbean when you sign up using the coupon code podcraft.
Type: Call Recorder
Price: Get started for free
Editing & Production: No
Transcription: No
Hosting: Yes
Video Recording: No
Learning Curve: Moderate
Additional Resource:
Recording With Podbean Live Stream
Podcastle
Podcastle is an all-in-one content creation platform that allows you to record high quality audio/video with a minimal skill set. It boasts an intuitive interface, and with a range of AI-powered tools at your disposal, creating a publication-ready show is even easier. You can record with up to 10 guests, transcribe your episodes and create audio from text. With Podcastle’s Revoice feature you can create a digital copy of your voice and generate audio that sounds just like you. The software is available both on the web and iPhone allowing for greater flexibility.
Type: ‘Podcast Maker’ tool
Price: Get started for free
Editing & Production: Yes
Transcription: Yes
Hosting: Yes
Video Recording: Yes
Learning Curve: Simple
Ringr Podcast Recording Software
Ringr is an app that lets you record calls on your mobile or desktop. You can record yourself and four guests on the $ 19-a-month premium package. They recommend that participants use Google Chrome or Firefox. Use the coupon code podcraft when you sign up for a paid plan for 10% off monthly or 25% off annually!
Type: Call Recorder
Price: From $15 a month
Editing & Production: No
Transcription: No
Hosting: No
Video Recording: No
Learning Curve: Simple
Riverside.fm
Riverside is a top-quality piece of call recording software with a lot of flexibility. You can record up to eight people on individual tracks, and it’ll record video as well as audio. You can also run live streams on Twitter, Youtube, or Facebook Live, as well as accept live call-ins from listeners. They have a mobile app for iOS and Android, too!
Type: Call Recorder
Price: From $9 a month
Editing & Production: Basic editing, includes text-based editing tools too!
Transcription: Yes
Hosting: No
Video Recording: Yes
Learning Curve: Simple
Additional Resources:
Spotify for Podcasters (Anchor)
Spotify for Podcasters is formerly Anchor’s Record With Friends tool. The branding has changed, but not much else. Spotify for Podcasters offers call recording, basic editing, and hosting options – all for free. It can be used with up to five remote guests who can join via mobile (Spotify for Podcasters app) or desktop. Conversations are recorded onto one single track, with time limits of two hours (app), 30 minutes (Chrome), and 5 minutes (Safari).
Type: ‘Podcast Maker’ tool
Price: Free
Editing & Production: Basic
Transcription: Yes, though limited
Hosting: Yes
Video Recording: No
Learning Curve: Simple
Additional Resources:
Spreaker Studio
Spreaker Studio comes as either a desktop or mobile app and works similarly to an online radio station. You have the option to go live and interact with your listeners in real time through its chat function. Conversations will be recorded onto one single track. Being a media host, you can upload and publish directly to Spreaker, too.
You can start for free, but some features will be limited. Paid tiers offer more options and start from $20 a month.
Type: ‘Podcast Maker’ tool
Price: Get started for free
Editing & Production: Basic Top & Tail
Transcription: No
Hosting: Yes
Video Recording: No
Learning Curve: Moderate
SquadCast
With SquadCast, you can record yourself and up to nine guests on individual tracks in audio and video form. It’s one of the best call recording tools on the market, and comes with some cool AI features like overdub, Filler word removal, AI-Green screen, and AI-Eye Contact.
Type: Call Recorder
Price: Limited free tier or $15 per month
Editing & Production: Integrates with Descript
Transcription: No
Hosting: No
Video Recording: Yes
Learning Curve: Simple
Zencastr
One of the original online multitrack recorder options on the market, Zencastr allows for five guests and one host. There’s an auto post-production option that’ll mix these all together and level them up afterwards. You can generate transcriptions with Zencastr, and publish directly to the platform, too. Use coupon code THEPODCASTHOST for 20% off the first three months of a monthly pro subscription with Zencastr. If used for a yearly subscription, it will be 20% off for the entire year!
Type: Call Recorder
Price: $20 per month
Editing & Production: Basic post-production
Transcription: Yes
Hosting: Yes
Video Recording: Yes
Learning Curve: Simple
Additional Resource:
Zoom
Zoom is the go-to video chat option for millions of people around the world. It can also be used as podcast recording software. You can capture remote conversations in both audio and video form. The overall quality will struggle to compete with the other options in this roundup, but for many, the fact that so many people are familiar with Zoom makes it their ideal option. With the free tier, your calls will be limited to 40 minutes.
Type: Call Recorder
Price: Limited free tier or $13 per month
Editing & Production: No
Transcription: Yes
Hosting: No
Video Recording: Yes
Learning Curve: Simple
Additional Resource:
Summary: Best Podcast Recording Software
I know I said at the beginning, “Sometimes too much choice is as bad as none at all”, and then followed up by listing a whole load of choices. But I’ve tried my best to make it ‘skimmable’, highlighting things like cost and main features.
So take a quick look over it, and make a shortlist of the 2-3 that most fit your needs. Then, take a deeper dive into the additional links under those sections.
If you’re still struggling, though, here are my closing recommendations…
Best Podcast Recording Software: Final Recommendations
For most folks looking to record remote convos (co-hosts and interview guests), it’s a coin toss between SquadCast and Riverside.
On the other hand, if you just need to record audio straight into your computer, then Audacity is completely free, which makes it appealing to many.
And a final shout-out to our own tool, Alitu, which is one of the ‘podcast maker’ tool options mentioned above. It pulls everything you need to podcast into one simple interface and subscription.
You might opt for Alitu if you consider yourself “non-techy”, want to run remote calls, and don’t want to learn the ins and outs of editing, production, noise reduction, compression, etc. It also has hosting (publish directly to Apple Podcasts, Spotify, etc), auto-generated transcription, and text-based editing. New features are being added all the time, too. Why not give it a try, free, for seven days to see what you think?
And remember to check out these two essential guides, which will help give you a clearer view of exactly how everything fits together when recording your podcast…
Podcast Equipment: What Do I Need, & Why Do I Need It?
Originally posted on November 9, 2023 @ 3:26 am