Starting a podcast, but you want the freedom to record absolutely anywhere? Why not try a podcast creator app?
While it’s convenient to have a home-built studio with all your podcasting equipment in one place, sometimes you may want the flexibility to record on the go. You also might not have the budget to purchase all sorts of new tools. Don’t fret! With a reliable podcast creator app, you can record podcasts straight from your phone.
We’ll share everything you need! Read on for some recommendations and a walkthrough on how to use our podcast creator app to record episodes seamlessly.
Why Start A Podcast?
Diversify your business or brand
If you’ve got an established business, brand, or online presence, podcasting is a great way to branch out and harness the power of a new platform. You can showcase your product or service in a new, engaging way, amp up your digital marketing, and give industry insights that’ll get your audience hooked.
Build and connect with your audience
Podcasting helps you reach new audiences and connect more intimately with your existing followers. Through podcasting, you’ll reach a whole different range of people who may never have come across you before. Plus, for existing fans, hearing you speak and share your ideas is really special. Podcasting is an interactive, personal, and engaging medium that will help you capitalize on what you have to say.
Share your ideas (and monetize them)
Got a big idea? Got something to say? Podcasting is for you. Share your perspectives and insights through podcasting, and connect with like-minded listeners. You never know, you may wind up building a whole community or even monetizing your podcast.
Why not?
Starting a podcast is easy, fun, and inexpensive, so why wouldn’t you start a podcast? The way we see it, there’s nothing to lose. Trust us, podcasting is an incredibly rewarding and enjoyable process. Your podcast can be as big, small, low-key or all-out as you want it to be. Plus it’s almost too easy with the Riverside app to just give it a go.
- Checkout our guide to Best Podcast Recording Software
How To Create A Podcast With No Equipment (or money)
You need next to nothing to start a podcast - yes, seriously. Technically you can record a podcast with just your phone or a desktop. If you want top-quality results though we recommend getting at least a good pair of headphones, and an external microphone. You can always double up your phone as a camera if you're recording video. Most phones have pretty impressive recording quality.
Either way, whether you have the basics or not, this is how you can create a podcast with little to no equipment.
Finalize your podcast idea
One thing’s for sure, you need a basic idea of what you’re going to be recording. You may feel confident recording on the fly, but it’s always better to go in with a plan.
Start recording
There are lots of different ways to record your podcast. If you’ve already got an Apple device, you could start recording using Garageband which comes free. Or, if you’re really strapped for cash you could just use your phone. Download a podcast creator app or simply use the voice notes recording app. It’s really that easy.
Podcast Creator Software
Podcast creator software is designed with podcasters in mind. That means it’s optimized to help you record a podcast quickly and effectively - no messing around. They’re often free or very affordable.
You can find podcast creator software for audio-only podcasts or for video podcast recordings. Many podcast creators even offer remote recording, so you can comfortably record interviews with guests in different locations.
If you want to record on your phone, consider podcast creator apps.
How Do Podcast Creator Apps Work?
Podcasting creator apps are not that different to recording software, they’re just designed for your phone. In fact, this makes them incredibly convenient because you can record whenever, wherever, and with whomever you like.
How To Use A Podcast Creator App
There’s really not that much to it. Open your podcast creator app and start recording. Some apps will have an in-built (albeit primitive) editing function as well, so you can fine-tune your recording once you’ve finished.
What Can I Do With Podcast Apps?
You may feel that recording with your phone equates to sacrificing valuable quality or functionality. Although we don’t blame you for worrying, that’s simply not the case.
Record studio-quality audio and video with the right app.
Although not all podcast apps are equal, you shouldn’t lose out on quality just because you’re recording from an app on your phone. Although recording results will depend on your phone’s specs, you can produce a top-notch show. We suggest purchasing a mic and opting for a phone with a good camera. In this case, with a podcast creator app like Riverside, you can record in up to 4K video and 48kHz audio resolution. That’s studio quality!
Invite guests to join your show from anywhere
Recording with a podcasting app is incredibly liberating. You can record whenever you want, even if you’re on the go. Plus, if you’re including remote and far-flung guests in your podcast, a podcast app gives your participants the freedom to join your recording session from their phone.
Live-stream to Youtube, Facebook, etc. from anywhere
Live-streaming is a great way of involving a live audience in your recording session. Even if you’re recording from your phone, you can still stream to all the major platforms with no problem.
Edit your podcast in minutes, not hours
Some podcasters simply don’t have the time to give to post-production, and that’s understandable. Editing can be a long and arduous process. Luckily, many podcaster apps have some editing tools built-in, so you can fiddle with your recording in the app.
With Riverside's app, all files save directly to your desktop where you can use our built-in editor for polishing your show. You can remove unwanted parts just by editing a text transcript, fine-tune audio and create short shareable clips great for podcast promotion online.
What to Look for in Podcast Creator apps
With the wide array of podcast creator apps out there, it can be hard to find your bearings and choose the right one for you. Here’s what to look for:
Local vs. Wifi recording
You want a podcasting app that records locally. This is a huge consideration and should not be overlooked. By nature, recording from your phone probably means you’ll be on the move or at least not in your usual recording location. If your podcast creator app relies on strong Wifi to record, the likelihood is you’ll be left with a lackluster recording with subpar quality and dropouts. You should be looking for a podcast creator app that offers local recording. All files record straight on your device instead of relying on any internet connection. Wherever you are, and however strong your Wifi, you get a studio-quality recording every single time.
User-friendly
Look for a user-friendly and intuitive interface. There should be no steep learning curve or difficulty of use, a podcast creator app should be simple and effective. End of story.
Live-streaming features / capabilities
Livestreaming allows you to include your audience in your recording. And although you may not want to livestream every time you record, it’s good to have the option.
iOS, Android, or both
This comes down to personal preference and circumstances. If you (and your guests) all have iPhones, an iOS app will do the trick. If you’ve got a mix of devices, look for an app that works across both.
Top 5 Podcast Creator Apps
Riverside
Pros:
- Record HD audio and video podcasts straight from your iOS or Android device
- Local recording so your recording is unaffected by weak Wifi
- Separate recording tracks for each participant that gives you more freedom during post-production
- Up to 4K video and and 48kHz audio resolution
- Text-based audio and video editor for quick and precise edits as easily as editing a text document
- Uncompressed, lossless file formats that preserve the integrity of your recording
- Automatic progressive upload to save you time and reduce risk of data-loss
- Intuitive and easy-to-use. Riverside’s app is built with the user in mind, so your workflow is seamless.
- Record with remote guests. Invite up to 7 guests to join your recording no matter where they are.
- Can record with guests using a mix of computers and phones. It’s likely that you’ll be recording with a mix of people in a range of different recording spaces - some will be joining from their computers and others from their phones. That’s no problem.
- Automated transcriptions that you can download straight after recording.
- Files save directly on your desktop, where you can edit them with automated in-built editing tools.
- Anchor integration so you can seamlessly share your podcast to platforms like Spotify
Cons:
- Editing and exporting is only available on desktop for the time being.
See for yourself how simple Riverside is! Start recording podcasts the easy way!
Anchor
Pros:
- Record, edit, host and distribute your podcast all from one place
- Intuitive user-interface that makes it easy to record and rearrange segments
- Built-in audio library, so you can add background music, transitions and sound effects
- Design your podcast cover art straight from the app
- Podcast analytics and insights, look at how your podcast is performing and what your listeners are liking straight from the app
- Record with multiple guests from wherever they are
- Free to use, for podcasters on a tight budget this is a great option
Cons:
- Low-quality recording file formats, Anchor.fm records M4A file formats which are lackluster compared to lossless formats such as WAV.
- Basic editing functionality, though it’s nice to be able to edit from the app, the tools and editing suite are actually pretty clunky.
- To host a multi-person podcast, you need to be using your phones. Anchor doesn’t allow you to host a session from your computer with guests joining from their phones.
- You can’t livestream from the Anchor app. So you miss out on the power of live podcasting.
- Cannot record video podcasts using the Anchor app. (You can record on Riverside and use the Anchor integration to distribute through Spotify).
- Singletrack recording, so all your participants’ audio is collated onto a single track.
- Wifi dependent recording that leaves your recording at the mercy of your internet connection.
Zoom
Pros
- Well-known, household name that’s easy to use. Everyone knows what Zoom is and how to use it.
- Record audio and video podcasts easily.
- Affordable for podcasters with smaller budgets
- Works on both Android and iOS
- Record with remote guests
Cons
- Wifi-dependent recording leaves you with a sub-par recording.
- Singletrack recording, all your participants’ audio and video are saved onto a single track.
- Low-quality file formats. Zoom automatically saves your recording as m4a and Mp4
- Not optimized for podcasting so the whole recording process is pretty clumsy
- No in-built editing functionality, so if you want to edit your podcast you’ll need to use a separate editing suite.
Spreaker Studio
Pros
- Record and publish your podcast all from the Spreaker Studio app
- Upload and distribute your podcast to major platforms straight from the app.
- Monetize your podcast from the app
- Analyze your podcast’s performance and stats from the app
- Built-in editing features such as auto-ducking and mic control
- Live podcast and include your audience in your recording
Cons
- Podcasting with remote guests is not integrated. If you want to include international participants, Spreaker connects with them through Skype. Like Zoom, Skype produces low-quality recordings that are susceptible to bad Wifi.
Podbean’s Podcast Studio
Pros
- Affordable, good for podcasters on a budget
- Built-in soundboard with music and background tracks
- Record with remote guests using the live stream function
- Live stream to an audience using ‘Public Mode’
- User-friendly and easy to use
Cons
- Limited in-app editing functions, you can trim and crop your audio and mix in sound effects, but that’s about it.
- Low-quality file format, your audio is saved as MP3
- Cannot record video podcasts
Best All-Around Podcast Creator app: Riverside
As you can see, there is a wide range of podcast creator apps out there with a variety of offerings. One thing is for sure though, Riverside’s iOS and Android app is the best all-rounder application for any and every podcaster.
You cannot fault its ability to record full HD, studio-quality podcasts from your phone. It’s just like having a whole recording studio right in your pocket.
How To Create A Podcast On Your Phone using Riverside (iOS & Android)
No matter if you’re an Android or iOS user, it’s super simple to make a podcast with Riverside’s podcast creator app. Follow these steps then watch the video below.
Step 1: Download the Riverside mobile app. You can download the app from the Play Store or the Apple Store.
Step 2: Log in to your Riverside account and create a new studio or select an existing one. If you’re creating a new studio, simply select the + button and fill in the details to set it up.
Step 3: Once you select your studio, you’ll need to add your name. Press ‘Next’ .
Step 4: Test out your equipment in the lobby and adjust anything as necessary. Select ‘Join’ when you are ready to enter the studio.
Step 5: If you haven’t already, invite your guests. Click on the ‘Invite people’ prompt.
You can also invite guests before entering the studio, from the mobile dashboard. You just need to click the three dots next to your studio of choice and then choose who you want to invite.
Step 6: Once you’ve invited guests you are ready to record! Click the record button on your top left.
Step 7: When ready, press the stop button to end the recording. You can then end the call and go to your desktop to export your recordings as separate tracks or edit them using our built-in editor.
Read more: How to Record a Podcast On iPhone (& iPad)
How Much Does A Podcast App Cost?
The great thing about podcast creator apps is that they are super affordable, so you get a lot of bang for your buck.
Riverside
Riverside's mobile app is free to download from the Android or Apple app store, and free for guests to use.
There are various plans for a Riverside subscription, starting with the free plan, and then paid plans starting at $15/month.
Anchor
Free to download and use for iOS and Android.
Zoom
Podcasting on Zoom is free to download and use, though you’ll be constrained to group calls of 40 minutes on the basic tier.
Spreaker Studio
Spreaker Studio operates on a tiered subscription model. The most basic plan is free.
Podbean
Podbean starts at $99/month for business
Podcast creator app FAQ:
Can I create my own podcast?
Of course you can. With the Riverside browser and mobile app, this is an absolute no-brainer. Believe in yourself, enjoy the podcasting process, and try it out - you never know, you might love it. Want to find out how? Read our guide on How to start a podcast.
How much does it cost to start a podcast?
It costs as much as you want it to. If you have a tight budget, you can start podcasting for next to nothing - Riverside has a free plan, or you can try our standard plan at only $15 per month. If you choose to make more of an investment in all your equipment and setup, then it might cost a bit more. It’s all about your personal preference and need.
What is the best app to create a podcast?
Riverside
Now, we may be a bit biased, but Riverside really is the top of the league. With the Riverside app, you can produce studio-quality full HD podcasts straight from your iPhone or Android wherever you might find yourself. Plus, you don’t need to worry about dodgy connectivity, which is bound to be a problem when you’re connecting from your phone.
Don’t just take it from us though, try it for yourself and start recording with Riverside for free. Trust us, you won’t look back.
