Best podcast recording software for solo, in-person and remote shows

The right recording software depends less on features than on your setup. A solo show needs something simple that records clean audio. Two people in one room need separate tracks. Remote guests need a tool that records each person locally so a bad internet connection doesn't ruin the audio.

Hilite records in the browser, solo or with remote guests using local track recording, then takes the same recording through transcript editing, enhancement and publishing. It suits people who want one tool from recording to a published episode.

Riverside records high-quality local audio and video for each guest and is popular for video podcasts. Zencastr focuses on simple remote audio and video. Descript records and edits by transcript, and absorbed SquadCast's remote recording. The full comparison is in the remote podcast recording software guide.

Desktop audio workstations record whatever your microphones and interface send them. Audacity is free on every platform and handles multitrack recording; GarageBand is free on Mac. Reaper is inexpensive and powerful, Adobe Audition is the professional standard, and Hindenburg is built for spoken word. None of them handle remote guests by themselves.

Zoom works in a pinch, especially with separate audio tracks for each participant turned on, but it compresses audio and depends on everyone's connection. See how to record a podcast on Zoom for the settings that help.

Start with where your guests are and how much editing you want to learn. If you are just starting, see podcast software for beginners; on a Mac, see podcast software for Mac.