Dedicated podcast software is at the core of any recording setup. It’s designed to make recording your video (and audio) content simple.
But which recording app will serve you best?
You’ll be off to a good start if you choose any of the seven best podcast recording software in our guide. We’ll explain each app’s distinctive features, pricing plans, and how to choose one.
TL;DR – 7 Top Podcast Recording Software
Starting a new podcast?
Here’s a quick list of the best recording apps. More on each later in the blog.
- SquadCast
- Riverside
- Garageband
- Audacity
- Spotify for Podcasters
- Logic Pro
- Restream
But wait!
There’s a bonus podcast platform — Hello Audio.
You can repurpose existing audio and video content (even TikTok videos) to private podcasts in minutes.
Our platform then automatically distributes private feeds to major listening apps like Overcast, Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and more. You’ll also get real-time analytics to understand your audience.
Jump in and start creating private podcasts today — for free.
Benefits of Using a Specialized Podcast Recording Software
Although you can use generic recorders or your phone’s (or computer’s) built-in voice recorder, we don’t recommend it.
Check out the five reasons you should use purpose-built podcast recording platforms:
- Professional Video and Audio Quality: Unlike generic recorders that compress audio files, you can achieve 4K video and 48kHz audio quality with podcast recording software. They are tailored to capture crystal clear and natural sound.
- Monetize Your Podcasts: Dedicated recording tools like Spotify for Podcasters provide several monetization options on their platform to help you earn money from your podcasts.
- Broadcast Live Podcasts: Podcast recording apps like Restream and Riverside can help you engage with your audience directly. You can also broadcast live video and audio on multiple platforms.
- Plenty of Editing Tools: Some recording tools, like Audacity, have editing capabilities that help you remove filler words, cut unwanted parts, and add transitions and music to your podcasts. You can enhance your podcasts right from your recording app.
- Track Your Listeners’ Numbers: Dedicated recording software, such as Spotify for Podcasters and Alitu, also hosts podcast shows. So, they provide an analytics dashboard to monitor engagement and interaction.
As you’ve seen, a purpose-built podcasting app offers many advantages over generic recorders.
But how should you narrow your decision and select the best app to record a podcast?
Keep reading and see what you should look for in a recording tool.
How to Choose the Best Podcast Recording Software
Great podcasts rely on the best podcast recording tools. But how do you choose the best one?
Think about these five things before deciding on your recording software.
1. Check Recording and Editing Features
Consider features that matter to you, such as noise reduction, recording on the go, multi-track, and remote recording.
Also, opt for a recording app compatible with your operating system, whether it’s Windows, Linux, Android, or iOS.
Beyond recording, your software should also offer editing tools to cut, trim, and enhance podcasts. It should also create automatic transcripts and allow you to add effects like EQ and compression.
2. Evaluate The Quality of Your Recording
Great podcasts are all about high-quality audio and video.
The last thing you want is to invest in an external podcast mic and quality headphones only to have distorted and compressed audio files.
So, look for recording software that helps you achieve studio-quality audio by capturing crystal clear and natural sound.
3. Consider Multi-track Recording
Multi-track recording is essential when podcasting; you can seamlessly edit, mix, and balance audio.
Some podcast recording software, such as Riverside, SquadCast, and Garageband, allows you to record each participant’s audio track separately.
That way, you can cut out one speaker’s coughs, long pauses, or filler words without editing what the other speaker(s) said.
4. Opt for Software with a Simple Dashboard
You don’t want a recording app that puts you off with its complex settings.
So, choose software with a clean and easy-to-use interface that is suitable even for beginner podcasters.
Also, it’s crucial to learn the features quickly and get assistance on technical issues. Therefore, a good podcast recording app should offer extensive support through guides, tutorials, and customer support.
5. Check Remote and Local Recording
The ability to record co-hosts and guests in different locations is invaluable.
So, ensure your software can record podcasts remotely. Also, factor in the quality of your recordings and the number of remote guests allowed.
Still, your software should support local recording and auto-save content.
Consider an app like Riverside that records remote podcasts without the internet to avoid compromising on the quality of your content. Or software like SquadCast backs up files in real time and sends them to the cloud.
Consider these five factors when looking for recording software as we wrap up.
Now, let’s proceed to our pick for the best app for podcast recording.
7 Top Podcast Recording Software
Podcasting can be super simple, with the best app for recording podcasts.
A quick heads up — if you’re looking for the simplest way to create private podcasts, Hello Audio is the perfect solution. You can repurpose existing audio and video content, launch your private feeds in minutes, and manage your podcasts from a single platform.
Watch this quick demo video to see how our platform works.
While you do that, let’s proceed to our favorite podcast recording software.
1. SquadCast
If you’re looking for an app to record studio-quality audio and 4K video remotely, you should consider SquadCast (recently acquired by Descript).
Let’s look at some of its key features.
Features
- Progressive Uploads: With its standout feature of saving recordings in real-time to the cloud, your recording won’t be lost or affected if your (and your guests’) internet connection drops.
- Separate Audio and Video Tracks: Record your guests on individual tracks on video and audio files.
Pros
- Comes with a mobile app to record podcasts on-the-go
- Integrates with Descript to make it easier to edit podcasts
- Simple interface and your guests can join your recording easily
- Allows remote and video recording
Cons
- The free plan limits you to one hour of recording per month.
Pricing
- Free
- Creator: $12 per user/ per month (billed annually)
- Pro: $24 per user/ per month (billed annually)
- Custom
2. Riverside
Riverside is an excellent choice for podcasters who desire studio-quality video and audio. It’s available on Android and iOS devices as well as your browser.
Check out some of its distinctive features and its caveats below.
Features
- Remote and Video Recording: Riverside supports remote recording, making it ideal for podcasters who want to record video (and audio) of participants in different locations.
- Local Recording Function: You can record video and audio offline, minimizing the risk of low-quality, choppy, or glitchy content.
Pros
- Has a free plan
- User-friendly dashboard makes it ideal for podcasters of all levels
- Mobile app to record podcasts on the go
- Allows high-quality remote recording and live-streaming podcasts
- Lets you record separate video and audio tracks
Cons
- Lacks advanced editing tools
- Limiting recording hours even on the higher-paid plans
Pricing
- Free
- Standard: $19 per month
- Pro: $29 per month
- Business: Customized pricing for companies
3. Garageband
Garageband is a user-friendly and ideal recording tool exclusive for iPhone, iPad, or Mac users.
Let’s see some of its advantages and disadvantages.
Features
- Free and Built-in: It’s free and comes pre-built on all Apple products
- Easy-to-use Interface: Garageband has a straightforward interface that is easy to learn, even for beginner podcasters.
Pros
- Royalty-free library of music and sound effects to use on your podcasts
- Simple editing dashboard to trim, edit, and split your audio
- Allows multi-track recording
Cons
- Only available on Apple devices
- Lacks video recording capabilities
Pricing
- Free
4. Audacity
Audacity is an open-source and free podcast recording tool ideal for podcasters on a budget.
Below are its standout features and caveats.
Features
- Compatibility with All Operating Systems: Audacity is available in Linux, MacOS, and Windows.
- Plenty of Features for Free: You can enjoy its excellent recording and editing features without incurring any costs.
Pros
- Record live audio and import audio files for editing
- Basic editing features to cut, trim, and clean up your audio files
- Easy-to-navigate dashboard
- Allows you to record individual tracks separately
Cons
- Lacks video and remote recording features
Pricing
- Free
5. Spotify for Podcasters
Formerly Anchor, Spotify for Podcasters is free recording software for creating, editing, and publishing podcasts.
Check out some of its main features, pros, and cons below.
Features
- Analytics from Spotify: You can track your podcast engagement numbers from the platform.
- Distribute Podcasts from The Platform: Spotify for Podcasters lets you automatically upload podcasts directly into Apple Podcasts and Spotify.
Pros
- It’s free and provides monetization options on the platform.
- In addition to recording, you’ll have unlimited podcast hosting.
- Add music tracks, effects, and transitions from Spotify.
Cons
- Lacks comprehensive editing features
- It doesn’t support video recording
- Limits your recording to two hours and don’t have ownership rights to your podcasts
Pricing
- Free
6. Logic Pro
If you love the Garageband free app but want to step up to advanced features, consider Logic Pro. It’s an Apple recording tool ideal for experienced podcasters.
Below are the positives, negatives, and pricing of the Logic Pro.
Features
- Innovative Tools: Achieve professional recording using features like spatial audio, multi-track, and remote recording.
- Professional Editing Tools: Logic Pro has built-in effects and a library of sounds to make your podcasts engaging.
Pros
- Seamlessly syncs with the Garageband app
- Requires only a one-time subscription fee
- It comes with a remote app
Cons
- It is pricey, especially for beginner podcasters
- Most features are well-suited for music production, not podcasting
Pricing
- One-time fee of around $200 (no monthly subscriptions)
7. Restream
Restream lets you live stream your podcasts and record video podcasts, helping you reach diverse audiences.
We’ll briefly highlight its main features below.
Features
- Supports Live Podcasts: With Restream, you can stream podcasts to multiple platforms simultaneously.
- Backs Up and Saves Your Content: It saves your recordings to the cloud, minimizing the risk of loss.
Pros
- Can record 48kHz audio and allows remote recording
- Supports split-track recording of your audio and video channels
- Access to audience analytics and engagement numbers
Cons
- Requires a strong internet connection
- Lacks hosting and distribution capabilities
Pricing
- Free
- Standard: $16 per month
- Professional: $39 per month
- Business: $199 per month
There you have it!
Remember to carefully consider the features and pricing to choose your best program for podcast recording.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Below, we will answer three common questions regarding software for podcast recording.
Can I Record a Podcast on My Phone?
You can record your podcast with your phone without a professional studio setup. This is ideal if you’re just getting into podcasting or want to record on the go.
What is the Best Free Podcast Software?
Some of the recording apps discussed above are entirely free. For example, Garageband is ideal for Apple users, and Audacity is compatible with all operating systems.
Others, like Riverside, Restream, and SquadCast, have a free plan in addition to their paid tiers.
Can You Record a Podcast Remotely?
Absolutely yes!
You can record a podcast remotely using video conferencing software like Zoom, the double-ender method, or a podcast mixer.
Alternatively, you can consider dedicated podcast remote recording software like Riverside, Logic Pro, and SquadCast.
Conclusion
If you came here wondering about the best app to record a podcast, hopefully, our list of 7 has set you on the right path.
As we wrap up, some software, like Riverside, allows local recordings. Others, like Garageband, Audacity, and Spotify for Podcasters, are free. Logic Pro, on the other hand, is ideal for advanced Apple podcasters, while Restream is designed to broadcast live podcasts.
To top it all off, you can launch your podcast in minutes using Hello Audio. You can effortlessly create, distribute, and manage private podcasts without hassle.
So, start your free trial today (no credit card required) to launch your private podcast feeds within minutes.
