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For podcasters, choosing recording software is no small decision. After all, your podcast is only as good as the quality of your audio (and video), right?
And the best tools not only record in high quality; they also streamline the podcast creation process through ease of use, robust features, and editing tools.
In this post, we’ll explore Podcastle’s features and how to use it to record your podcast. Then, we’ll give you ten alternatives to Podcastle in case you’re on the hunt for the perfect recording software for you.
What is Podcastle?
When it was founded in 2020, Podcastle started as an AI-powered browser extension for adding natural-sounding narration to articles. It quickly branched into the podcast recording space, developing recording tools for amateurs and professionals alike.
Today, Podcastle is a popular choice for many podcasters for a reason. It’s a reliable, basic recording and editing tool that amateurs and professionals alike can appreciate. The company’s stated mission is to “democratize access to broadcast storytelling through easy-to-use tools that are professional, yet fun.”
What are Podcastle’s main features?
Podcastle contains tools to let content creators record podcasts, host remote interviews, and edit their product before publication. The software includes the following capabilities:
- Multi-track recording—Each participant’s audio and video is recorded in a separate track, saved locally to their device
- Audio transcription—Automatic conversion of live or recorded into transcribed text
- Text-to-speech technology—A selection of voice skins can automatically convert text into speech
- Editing and mixing with “Magic Dust”—Dynamic equalizing and compression, background noise removal, and royalty-free music and effects
- iOS app—Record on the go
How do you use Podcastle?
To use Podcastle to record a podcast, create an account first. Head to your dashboard and click Create, then click New Project.
In your new project, click Record audio. If you’d like to add your own music to the project, click Import Audio first to upload the files.
From there, you can adjust your settings the way you want them and click Record to start the project.
Once you’re done recording, you can trim the feed by clicking and dragging the bar to your desired locations. Or if you’d like to split it, click the three dots at the top of the track, select Split, and drag your curusor to the section of audio you’d like to split.
To share your completed podcast episode, click the three dots in the corner. Select Share, which will copy the project’s link to your clipboard.
Why should you consider a Podcastle alternative?
Podcastle is a great choice for podcasters looking for an affordable, minimalist tool that’s easy to use. It results in quality audio, and its AI-driven transcription and text-to-speech tools are top notch (which is no surprise, since these features were the tool’s sole focus when it was first created).
But there are plenty of reasons to look for an alternative to Podcastle.
While the basic nature of the tool is a benefit for many, other serious podcasters and content creators may see this as a drawback.
For instance, Podcastle’s free plan currently doesnt support more than three hours of recorded video. If you’re looking for a tool that you can use for recording video podcasts and even livestreams to social media and YouTube, you may want to look elsewhere.
10 Best Podcastle Alternatives for 2022
Below, we’ll look at ten of the best alternatives to Podcastle that you may want to consider, including where they’re available (web, mobile, or desktop), pricing, and key features.
Riverside (web, mobile)
Price: Free for unlimited high-quality recording and editing. Paid plans start at $15/month for screen sharing, live streaming, and Producer mode.
If you’re looking for a tool that lets you record both audio and video with studio-level quality, Riverside is your best bet. The browser-based tool is easy for all users; you can invide up to seven guests to join your recording with a click (and no account needed).
But no quality is sacrificed for the ease of use, since Riverside records in up to 4K video and uncompressed 48kHz audio resolution—and each participant’s feed is recorded locally to their own device, meaning you don’t have to rely on a fast internet connection to get a quality remote interview.
And once you’re done recording, Riverside makes it easy to add your media, set your audio and video settings, and add a custom background to your video.
Riverside’s Text-based Editor automates much of the busy work involved in getting your podcast ready for publication. You can remove unwanted parts as easily as deleting text from a transcript. We use Ai transcriptions which you can use to navigate and edit through your podcast recordings without rewatching anything. The editor stitches tracks together and automatically balances the sound levels, while the AI Speaker View tool automatically switches the video to the next speaker one second before they start talking—without being fooled by a sneeze or cough. Riverside is the first tool in the world to automate this capability.
Beyond being an easy and reliable tool for recording audio and video, Riverside comes with bonus features like podcast transcription, live streaming to social platforms like Facebook, YouTube, and Twitch, and simple distribution to your podcast host of choice.
Key features
- Separate audio and video tracks for each participant
- WAV or MP3 audio recordings at up to 16 bit 48 kHz
- MP4 constant frame rate video recordings at up to 4K
- Up to 10 participants in one recording
- Media Board for adding sound effects live
- Text based Editor for easy and automated editing
- Magic Clip creator tool for breaking your episodes up into shareable chunks
- Producer Mode for adjusting settings behind the scenes
- Automatic podcast transcription
- Mobile podcast recording app for iOS, iPad and Android
- Live streaming, screen sharing tools, and live call-ins
Pros
- Professional-quality video and audio recordings
- Easy to use
- One software for recording and basic editing
- Local recording ensures that no internet connection issues ruin your recording quality.
- Progressive uploads protects your recording from internet crashes while not making you wait for a long upload time at the end
- Efficient and friendly technical support
Cons
- Doesn’t offer advanced editing tools
Podbean (web, iOS, Android)
Price: Free plan with paid plans starting at $9/month
If you’re looking for an all-in-one recording and hosting tool, Podbean is a great option. It’s best known for being one of the best hosting platforms on the market, but users can also record, distribute, monetize, and manage their podcasts directly from the Podbean app.
The platform is also very user-friendly, priding itself on having a small learning curve. So while the recording quality is not as high as some other tools on this list, Podbean may be a good starter software for beginner podcasters.
Features
- Unlimited podcast hosting plans
- Can create a podcast website or embed the player in your WordPress site
- Monetization opportunities through Podbean’s advertising marketplace
- Data analytics
- Automatic submission to top podcast directories and social media
- Volume boost normalizes your audio to keep listening experiences smooth
- Live streaming capabilities
- Supports video podcasting
Pros
- Good all-in-one podcast management app for beginners
- Can create a beautiful custom podcast website on Podbean’s platform
- Easy to use.
- Well-established and reliable podcast hosting platform
Cons
- Lower quality recording compared to other recording software on the market (not compatible with lossless formats)
- Free subscription has very limited features; more popular features are only available at higher price points.
- Can only record from the mobile app
Audacity (Mac, Windows, Linux)
Price: Free
If your budget is the reason you’re looking for a Podcastle alternative, Audacity is a good option. It’s a free, open-source and cross-platform tool that provides basic recording features. While the user interface is a bit antiquated and it has somewhat of a steep learning curve, it’s hard to beat a free price tag.
Key features
- Records at up to 32-bit, 44.1 kHz
- Editing tools including noise cancellation, audio equalization, and basic trimming and cutting
- Exports audio in different file formats
- Spectrogram and Plot Spectrum view for working with and analyzing audio frequencies
Pros
- Free
- Compatible with all desktop computers
- High-quality audio recording with multiple export options
- Robust suite of editing tools
Cons
- Outdated interface that can be complicated to learn
- Audio only; cannot record video
- Cannot record remote interviews without using external tools
- No live call or email support
Anchor (web, mobile)
Price: Free
Another free option for the budget-conscious is Anchor, a Spotify-owned service known primarily for its popularity as a hosting platform. Users can record audio directly through the recording app or the browser-based tool—and you can even use the Record with Friends feature to record remote interviews.
Key features
- Free, unlimited hosting
- Audio and video recording
- Record With Friends feature to record up to 5 guests
- Subscription pricing structures and monetization options through Ads by Anchor (US only)
- Riverside integration for recording video podcasts
- Easy episode building from recorded segments
- Detailed listener analytics
- Distribution to all major listening apps including native integration with Spotify
Pros
- Free and easy to use
- Combines recording and distribution
- Browser-based, no downloads required
- Mobile app for on-the-go podcasting
Cons
- Limited editing tools
- While you can record an unlimited number of segments, each recorded segment is limited to 30 minutes on Chrome and 5 minutes on Safari
Adobe Audition (Mac, Windows)
Price: $20.99/month after 7-day free trial.
Creative software powerhouse Adobe has its own version of recording and editing software, which is called Adobe Audition. The tool may be on the pricier end, but it does come with quite a few advanced features and may be a better choice for seasoned professionals.
This audio workstation includes multitrack, waveform, and spectral display, with plenty of advanced tools for audio finishing and video production workflows. It also comes with recording templates and a wide array of royalty-free music that you can include in your projects.
While Audition is a great choice for experienced audio and video creators, it’s limited when it comes to cross-device recording. If you’re looking for a tool to record remote interviews, you may want to look elsewhere.
Key features
- Multitrack recording
- Essential Sound panel for professional-quality audio
- Live monitoring as you record
- Templates for recording and editing
- Library of royalty-free music and effects
- Editing tools for audio mixing, eliminating white noise, and more
Pros
- High-quality audio recording
- Advanced editing tools, better for professionals
- Part of the Adobe Suite; easy integration with Premiere Pro for editing video podcasts
- Save time with recording templates
Cons
- Higher price than other options
- Can have a steep learning curve for beginners
- Can’t record remote interviews
RINGR (web, iOS, Android)
Price: No free plan. Paid plans start at $7.99/month.
RINGR is a remote recording tool that lets you record in your browser or through the mobile app. It’s very easy and simple to use; simply schedule a call, start recording, and every participant’s audio is uploaded to the cloud once the call disconnects. RINGR’s AI editing tool then automatically stitches the tracks together into one file for you to download, edit, and distribute.
While RINGR is minimalistic and doesn’t come with many advanced features, it may be the right fit for beginner podcasters who want a very easy tool.
Key features
- Audio up to 48kHz (Premium tier only)
- Host up to 4 participants per call
- Split track recordings (Premium tier only)
- Enterprise dashboard for enterprise users
Pros
- Mobile apps available
- Unlimited recording time and storage
- Very easy to use
Cons
- Very few editing features
- Limited customizability
- No video recording
- The basic plan is very limited; for example, you can only record audio at up to 22kHz
Auphonic (Android, iOS, Mac, Windows)
Price: Free for 2 hours of processed audio per month. After that, you can purchase recurring credits starting at $11/month for up to 9 hours of audio recording.
Auphonic is an automated online editing software for desktop. Users can upload their recorded audio, choose the type of editing they’d like, and the software takes it from there. It processes audio using the filter of your choice, and uses AI-based audio algorithms to balance levels, transcribe speech, encode and export the file, and even create audiograms.
While Auphonic is primarily an editing tool, the mobile app does come with simple recording feature that captures uncompressed audio at up to 48kHz.
Key features
- Intelligent leveler evens out different audio inputs
- Automated loudnesss normalization to broadcast standards
- Audio restoration for noise and hum reduction and low-frequency filtering
- Multitrack algorithms for automatic ducking, noise gate and cross talk removal
- Speech recognition and transcript editor in over 80 languages
- Audiograms
- Automated export to Dropbox, Google Drive, and more
Pros
- Much of the editing is automated, making it a good tool for beginners
- High-quality audio recording on mobile apps
- Great choice for on-the-go recording
- Easy distribution to popular platforms straight after editing
Cons
- Can’t record on desktop
- No video recording
- Limited editing control
Garage Band (Mac, iOS)
Price: Free
If you’re strictly an Apple user, Garage Band is a great free choice for audio recording and editing on your Mac or iPhone/iPad. The software’s primary purpose is music production, but it could also be a good option for beginner podcasters with a limited budget.
Like most Apple products, Garage Band is intuitive and easy to use. It comes with simple audio recording and editing functionality, and you also have the option to add plug-ins to enhance your audio production workflows.
Key features
- Smart controls and audio mixing to adjust audio levels, effects, and more
- iOS app for recording on the go
- Sound library with instruments, amps, and effects
- Create and mix up to 255 audio tracks
- Editing tools including reverb, visual EQ, volume adjustment, and stereo panning
Pros
- Mobile app for on-the-go recording
- Completely free
- Easy to use
- Large sound library for audio effects
- Saves to iCloud so you can edit from any Apple device
Cons
- It’s meant for music production; there are limited tools for podcasting
- Can’t record remote interviews
- No video recording
- Not available for Windows users
Hindenburg Journalist (Mac, Windows, iOS)
Price: No free plan. One-time purchases start at $99 for Hindenburg Lite.
While Hindenburg Journalist was created with journalists in mind, it still comes with many features that podcasters would find useful. As you might imagine, the tool is optimized for interviews, with multi-track recording capability and even an integration with Skype for remote recording. Keep in mind, though, that this setup doesn’t record each remote guest locally, so it relies on a fast and uninterrupted internet connection.
Hindenburg also comes with a decent editing suite, with tools for trimming, sound effects, and noise reduction. All considered, this tool is a great option for audio-only podcasters—but if you want to record video or you record a lot of remote interviews, you may want to look elsewhere.
Key features
- High-quality audio recording
- Basic effects including an equalizer and compressor
- Audio editor designed for spoken recordings as opposed to traditional music production tools
- Automated editing workflow for levels, EQ, and delivery specs
- Clipboard tool for easier management
- Field Recorder iPhone app for on-the-go recording
Pros
- Easy to use
- Plugins available for remote recording and additional audio effects
- Easy publishing to podcast hosting platforms such as Podbean and Buzsprout
Cons
- High price tag (but this is a one-off cost)
- No video recording
- Remote recording quality relies on your internet connection
Zoom (Web, Mac, Windows, iOS, Android)
Price: Free for unlimited recording time with up to two guests (and up to 40 minutes for more than two guests). Paid plans start at $149.90 per year.
After Covid-19 made this tool synonymous with remote meetings, Zoom needs no introduction. And while it’s not created or optimized for recording, many podcast creators use the voice-recording feature to capture their remote interviews.
It’s easy to see why Zoom is a popular choice for podcasters: it’s easy to use, affordable, and most people are already familiar with the software. And of course, users can record both audio and video.
However, Zoom was designed to optimize speed over quality. The video and audio is compressed so that the file size is smaller, taking less time to transmit over the internet than a full version of the audio/video file. While this helps keep calls from freezing or lagging, it can make for a low-quality podcast recording.
Zoom is a good choice for beginner podcasters looking for a budget-friendly and accessible recording tool—but if you’re looking for high-quality recordings, you probably won’t stick with Zoom for long.
Key features
- Up to 1080p resolution
- Up to 100 participants in one recording (in the paid plan)
- Screen sharing and whiteboard tool
- Cloud storage
- Transcriptions are available
Pros
- Simple interface makes it easy to use
- Most people are familiar with the tool, making it easy to invite guests
- Free plan is enough for most casual users
- Premier Support add-on for faster support service
Cons
- The tool wasn’t created with podcasting in mind
- Can only record separate audio tracks and not separate video tracks
- Recording quality relies on your internet connection
- Files are compressed, which reduces their quality
What is the overall best Podcastle alternative for recording?
In the end, the best podcast recording and editing software depends on you—your goals, piorities, budget, and level of comfort with technology.
If you’re looking for something with more advanced editing features than Podcastle provides, you might choose Adobe Audition or Audacity. If you want a free app that integrates with Spotify, you may prefer Anchor.
But if you’re looking for the overall best alternative that balances affordability, ease of use, and high-quality audio and video (especially when it comes to remote podcast interviews), the choice is clear: Riverside.fm. Find out for yourself with a free account today!
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