What is the best software to record podcasts?

I've tried out a few podcasting tools to record podcasts for clients I've helped over the years. The biggest factors when choosing one for me include quality of audio, HD/4k resolution if you're doing video podcasts, easy-to-use editing features and the ability to collaborate with team members. Not to mention, a good experience for the guest speaker. My top 3 software tools for recording podcasts taking into account each of these features are: Riverside fm, Squadcast and Zencastr.

What tools are good for transcribing podcasts?

A couple of awesome tools I really like that help with transcribing podcasts are: Rev - good rates for transcribing audio. Good quality outputs as well. TypeStudio - I talk about this platform in the video recording tools resource. Really good for transcriptions into different languages and repurposing content.

What's the best platform for distributing podcasts across various networks?

Hands down the best tool for distributing podcasts is Spreaker. They've done a wonderful job making it super simple to have your podcast across all the major networks such as Spotify, iHeartRadio, Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts and more. Pricing is really good for what this tool has to offer in terms of features.

10 Best Podcast Tools for Recording, Editing & Growth (2024)

Favourite

Spreaker

About:

Spreaker is an awesome platform I've used to help various clients who run podcasts.

Top Features:

The platform has a few awesome features which are great for anyone running podcasts, but a key one is the ability to upload episodes and distribute across all the main podcast platforms in just minutes, including Spotify, Apple Podcasts, iHeartRadio and more.

Track analytics across all your podcasts, across the various networks in one platform. View stats on how long people listen to episodes, followers across networks, how many people like your podcast as well as follow, see breakdown by locations around the world, device stats and loads more. It's pretty sweet.

You can also setup monetisation and ads within your podcasts. Dynamically insert specific ads which naturally flow based on your episodes. Even if you have a small audience/just starting out, you still qualify for podcast ads.

Distribution

Ads

Analytics

Pricing:

There's a freemium version of the tool, where you can upload up to 10 episodes, but no ads. Plans for more episodes, ads and more awesome features start from $8 per month.

Web/App

Freemium

$-$$

Learn more

Favourite

Anchor fm

About:

Anchor, which is part of the Spotify family, helps podcast owners distribute, monestise and measure their performance within one tool.

Top Features:

Distribute podcasts in an instant across the popular networks we've already mentioned. It's free to host your podcast with Anchor.

Monetise your podcast content by setting up ads, recieve donations from listeners and even setup podcast subscriptions.

Easily upload content, add your cover image, co-host with guests and loads more. Measure the performance of your content across the networks in one central location.

monetisation

creation tools

hosting

Pricing:

It's completely free to use for everyone.

Web/App

Free

Learn more

Favourite

Zencastr

About:

A personal favourite podcast tool for recording and simple editing is Zencastr.

Top Features:

With HD video recording and high-quality audio, producing top notch podcast content has never been easier.

It's easy to invite guests into Zencastr, without the need for them to create an account. You can also send instant chat messages and make footnotes during the podcast for specific timestamps.

There's also post production features where you can add music, ads and your own sounds. Additionally more advanced post production features are included such as noise/humming reduction, sound normalisation and more.

High-fid

easy editor

Pricing:

You can use the platform for free, which includes unlimited audio recordings and up to 4 guests. Then the professional plan which is $20 per month (billed monthly), offers video, transcriptions and more.

Web/App

Freemium

$-$$

Learn more

Favourite

Riverside fm

About:

Riverside is a really nice platform I've used with clients previously and had an awesome experience with.

Top Features:

Super simple to setup and start running audio and video podcasts with HD/4K quality video and crystal clear audio.

The editor within Riverside is very intuitive and you don't need to be an experienced editor at all. With the video and thamnks to AI, based on who's speaking, the video will focus on that person. You can add backgrounds, select sections for editing (great for creating snippets) and then download for sharing.

The mobile app is really good, which means you do recordings from anywhere, at anytime, whilst maintaining quality.

Mobile app

great UX

Pricing:

Pricing kicks off at $9 per month for up to 2 hours of recordings. Upgrade for more recordings.

Web/App

Freemium

$-$$$

Learn more

Favourite

Rev

About:

Rev is my favourite platform when it comes to do transcriptions for podcasts and even video interviews.

Top Features:

Pricing is transparent so you know exactly what you're paying for when it comes to transcribing each podcast episode.

When it comes to transcription there are two versions, one by Rev professionals and the other (cheaper option) is automatic. From my experience, automatic is pretty good when it comes to accuracy and there is only minimal editing required.

If you're doing video podcasts, you can use the English Subtitles and Caption service. Knowing from experience when working with editors, captions/subtitles in videos can take a long time, so $1.25 per minute is a good price.

Transcriptions

captions

Automation

Pricing:

Pricing is based on per minute and dependent on the service you engage with. Visit the website to calculate per episode your pricing.

Web/App

Paid

$-$$$

Learn more

Favourite

Wavve

About:

This is a tool I only came across a few months ago and it's awesome to getting various snippets of content for social media channels.

Top Features:

All you need to do is upload your edited postcast content, video or audio, and start clipping/trimming videos right within the platform.

The team behind this product have done a great job keeping it so simple and intuitive to use. Great for social media marketers who want to repurpose content and share instantly.

If you don't have captions with your audio or video files, that's all good. Wavve actually has thr ability to transcibe videos in over 60 languages, which is simply fantastic. I encourage you to try out this software, it's really good.

Social media

repurposing

Drag-and-drop

Pricing:

You can signup and use this tool for free for up to 2 minutes worth of Wavve (clips) per month. For more, you will need to upgrade with pricing starting at $12.99 per month.

Web/App

Paid

$-$$

Learn more

Favourite

Squadcast

About:

For recording, editing and producing high-quality podcast content, check out Squadcast.

Top Features:

One of the challenging things with recording podcasts is making sure audio is crystal clear. With this tool, you can create both audio and video content locally, ensuring high quality audio.

All content is saved automatically into the cloud, even if there are issues with internet connectivity, which is reassuring for both you and the guest. Nothing worse than having to re-do recordings.

If you have one, two or more guests, and running a video podcast, easily jump between screens with guests. Guests also don't have to signup/create an account to join, making it seamless for them to take part.

Recording

Guests

Pricing:

There are two core plans, 'audio' or 'audio+video'. Monthly pricing for audio starts at $10 per month for up to 2 hours of audio recordings. For audio+video plans, they start at $40 per month for up to 5 hours of recordings.

Web/App

Paid

$-$$

Learn more

Favourite

Audacity

About:

If you're looking for free software for editing and recording audio podcasts, then check out Audacity.

Top Features:

Open source and free for users across Mac, Windows and Linux, you can record through your own mics and upload into the software to start editing.

You can import your own sounds and mixesinto your audio recordings, as well as select from effects within the software.

Sound quality is pretty good. There are 'plugins' which you can get to enhance your overall editing experience.

Plugins

Analysis

sound effects

Pricing:

It's free to download and start using.

Web/App

Free

Learn more

Favourite

auphonic

About:

For post production software to edit your audio podcast recordings that's cost effective, and includes AI features, meet Auphonic.

Top Features:

With all the professional features for editing you need including loudness normalisation, smart leveler, auto noise reduction, plus more, this is great software for any skill level when it comes to podcast editing.

As part of the product features, also comes speech recognition, the ability to edit transcripts from your audio, encoding and metadata, as well as audiograms and workflows.

You can auto deploy to your favourite cloud services such as Dropbox, Google Drive and social networks such as Facebook and YouTube directly from the tool.

API

White label

advanced features

Pricing:

Pricing is based on how much audio you process per month. Visit the pricing page for more information. It's free for up to 2 hours of audio.

Web/App

Freemium

$-$$$

Learn more

Favourite

Adobe Audition

About:

Adobe Audition is made for serious editors, but it's a great skill to pick up if your not necessarially an editor, but want to take your podcast game to the next level.

Top Features:

This platform is feature-rich with all the key editing features you need, including multi-track sessions, clipping, visual displays (great for videos), add effects and more.

Add your own music elements, edit sound for clarity, mix sounds and loads more.

If you use other tools within the creative cloud, such as After Effects, Adobe Stock and more, you can really take your podcast game to the next level.

sound effects

feature-rich

Pricing:

You can purchase Adobe Audition by itself, or as a bundle with some of the other platforms within the creative cloud.

Web/App

Paid

$-$$$

Learn more

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10 Best Podcast Tools To Produce Great Episodes and Grow Your Subscribers (2024)

Spreaker

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Anchor fm

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Zencastr

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Riverside fm

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Rev

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Wavve

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Squadcast

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Audacity

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auphonic

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Adobe Audition

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⚡ Frequently Asked Questions ⚡

What is the best software to record podcasts?

What tools are good for transcribing podcasts?

What's the best platform for distributing podcasts across various networks?