Short answer: for remote interviews, pick a recorder that captures every person locally on their own device, not one that records the call. Riverside and Zencastr are the established browser studios, StreamYard suits shows that also go live, Adobe Podcast Studio is a free starting point, and PandaStudio records up to 3 guests straight into a desktop editor you pay for once. For a solo show, Audacity is free and records straight to your computer.
Last updated 2026-10-17. We build one of the tools on this list (PandaStudio) and have kept every other entry honest: real strengths, real limitations.
What to check before you pick a podcast recorder
Solo or remote guests? Remote shows need per-person local recording, so a bad connection only affects the live call.
How many people? Check the guest limit per session, not just the plan name.
Audio only or video too? Check the maximum video quality per guest and whether you get separate tracks.
Where do the files go? Browser studios upload to their cloud; desktop tools keep files on your computer.
What happens after recording? Some recorders include the editor, clips and hosting; others hand you files.
The 8 best podcast recording tools at a glance
Tool
Best for
Pricing
PandaStudio(us)
Remote interviews recorded straight into a desktop editor, pay once
10 free exports, then $19/mo or a one-time license from $99
Riverside
Large remote panels and 4K from every guest
14-day trial; Pro $29/mo ($24 billed annually) and up
Zencastr
A generous free plan for remote shows
Free plan; Enterprise on request
StreamYard
Shows that stream live and record at the same time
Free and paid plans
Adobe Podcast Studio
Free browser recording with good speech cleanup
Free; Premium for separate tracks
Descript
Recording and transcript editing for teams
Free tier; paid subscriptions
Async (formerly Podcastle)
A browser studio with AI production tools
Free option; paid plans
Audacity
Free solo recording straight to your computer
Free and open-source
1.PandaStudio
macOS, Windows
Best for: Remote interviews recorded straight into a desktop editor, pay once
Choose Record podcast, send up to 3 guests a browser link, and every person records locally (guest video up to 1080p, microphone only, never system audio). Guest files stream to you peer-to-peer during the call, and the episode opens in the editor with a transcript per speaker, layouts, Enhance voice, clips and MP3 or video export. You or a guest can share a screen.
The host screen: copy the guest link, then Start recording for everyone.
Pricing
10 free exports, then $19/mo or a one-time license from $99
Watch out
Up to 4 people per session, guest video up to 1080p, no live streaming and no mobile app. The host needs the Mac or Windows app; guests only need a browser.
Best for: Large remote panels and 4K from every guest
Riverside records each participant locally with up to 4K video and uncompressed audio on paid plans, in the browser or its Mac and mobile apps, then offers text-based editing, Magic Clips and live streaming.
Pricing
14-day trial; Pro $29/mo ($24 billed annually) and up
Watch out
No free plan (a 14-day trial instead). Recording is unlimited, but separate-track downloads are capped (15 hours a month on Pro), and recordings live in Riverside's cloud.
Zencastr's pricing page lists a free plan with up to 6 participants, 4K local recording, separate audio and video tracks, transcription and podcast hosting.
Pricing
Free plan; Enterprise on request
Watch out
Browser-only, with files in Zencastr's storage. Check the current plan before relying on it.
Best for: Shows that stream live and record at the same time
StreamYard streams to YouTube, LinkedIn and other destinations from the browser, and on paid plans records each participant locally as separate tracks, with 4K on selected plans.
Pricing
Free and paid plans
Watch out
Local recording allowances and 4K depend on the plan; it is a live studio first.
Best for: Free browser recording with good speech cleanup
Adobe Podcast Studio (beta) records you and guests from a link, capturing each participant from their own computer, and edits by transcript with Enhance Speech and automatic levelling.
Pricing
Free; Premium for separate tracks
Watch out
Beta, and separate per-speaker tracks need the paid Premium tier.
Best for: Recording and transcript editing for teams
Descript records remote guests (SquadCast is now part of Descript) and edits audio and video by editing text, with Studio Sound and shared cloud projects.
Pricing
Free tier; paid subscriptions
Watch out
Paid plans have media-hour and AI-credit allowances.
Best for: A browser studio with AI production tools
Async, previously Podcastle, records a separate track for every speaker with up to 4K video and WAV audio, then moves into its AI editing tools. There is a free option.
Pricing
Free option; paid plans
Watch out
Cloud-based; older reviews still use the Podcastle name and plans.
Best for: Free solo recording straight to your computer
Audacity is free, open-source audio recording and editing software. For a solo show or an in-room interview with one interface, it records straight to your disk with no account.
Pricing
Free and open-source
Watch out
No remote guests and no video; edits are waveform-based.
We compared how each tool records remote guests (local per-person tracks or the live call), guest limits, video and audio quality, where recordings are stored, what editing comes with it, platforms and pricing model. Facts were checked against each vendor's own page on the date shown; we did not run timed recording tests of every tool. Plans change often, so confirm limits before you commit.
Frequently asked questions
What is the best free podcast recording software?
For remote guests, Zencastr's free plan and Adobe Podcast Studio (beta) are the strongest free options. For a solo show, Audacity is free and records straight to your computer. Riverside has no free plan, only a 14-day trial on its paid plans.
How do I record a podcast with remote guests without losing quality?
Use a recorder that records every person locally on their own device and sends the files afterwards or during the call: Riverside, Zencastr, StreamYard (paid plans), Async, Adobe Podcast Studio or PandaStudio. Ask guests to wear headphones and use a wired connection if they can. Our step-by-step guide walks through it.
Which podcast recorder keeps recordings off the cloud?
PandaStudio sends guest recordings peer-to-peer to the host's computer, and Audacity and OBS record to your own disk. The browser studios store recordings in their cloud.
Do I need separate software to edit the podcast?
Not always. Riverside, Descript, Async, Adobe Podcast Studio and PandaStudio include transcript-based editing. PandaStudio's editor is a full desktop editor with layouts, clips and audio-only export; see our podcast editing roundup for dedicated editors.
Try PandaStudio free
PandaStudio records, transcribes, edits and exports on your Mac or PC, by hand or with an AI agent. 10 free exports, no credit card.
