9 Best Software to Edit and Record Your Podcast (2024)

Looking to start a successful podcast? Here are the best podcast recording and editing tools to get you started (ranked and rated).
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Key Takeaways

Introduction

Want to go straight to the best podcast software? My top choices are Ausha and Riverside.

You want Start a successful podcast this year?

Just look at the The power of podcasts :

  • Approximately 32% of Americans listen to podcasts every month.
  • 45% of podcast listeners say they were prompted to buy a product after listening to a podcast.

So what tools do you need to get started?

In addition to having a podcast hosting platform, you need podcast software to record and edit your shows. (If you're not sure which is the best podcast hosting platform to choose, check out my guide topodcast hosting).

Let's get started.

List of the best podcast creation software

Here are my top picks for the best podcast software to use this year:

1. Ausha.

A complete solution for podcasting, from creation to distribution.

Ausha stands out as an all-in-one platform for managing, distributing, promoting, and analyzing your podcasts. Perfect for podcasters looking for a global solution.

Ausha simplifies podcast management with an intuitive user interface. It allows easy distribution across multiple listening platforms and offers integrated tools to effectively promote your podcast. Ausha provides detailed analytics to track the performance of your podcast.

Features

  • Intuitive Management: Facilitates the podcasting process
  • Multiplatform distribution: Easily publish on a variety of platforms.
  • Promotion tools: Maximize the reach of your podcast.
  • In-depth analyses: Track performance with detailed statistics.

Pricing

  • Launch (€11/month billed annually, or €13/month): offers unlimited storage, episodes and audience, distribution on 14 platforms, a social media manager, 4 video clips/month, and a newsletter for 1,000 emails/month. Statistics include the number of listens and listeners by platform, device, and country.
  • Boost (€24/month billed annually, or €29/month): includes everything in Launch plus additional distribution on YouTube and Soundcloud, 12 video clips/month, and a newsletter for 5,000 emails/month. The statistics are more detailed with information about unique listeners, operating system, browser, region, peaktime, and Apple Podcasts ranking.
  • Supersonic (€57/month billed annually, or €69/month): Add private playlists, 24 video clips/month, and a newsletter for 10,000 emails/month to Boost. Statistics include completion rate, average listening time, and listener details by gender, city, and age.

Ausha's pricing offers are designed to ensure flexibility and adaptability, allowing each podcast producer to select the option that best meets their specific requirements and aspirations.

SEE MORE: Try Ausha Now

2. Riverside.

The best way to turn your browser into an easy to use recording studio.

Riverside Homepage

Riverside is the best software for creating and recording online podcasts on the market. It's simple to use and only requires a slight learning curve to get started.

As podcasting software, Riverside is designed for users who want to record both voices and videos and publish them on the web. It offers the easiest way to record podcasts and video interviews in studio quality no matter where you are, using your Internet browser to save and save files directly to the cloud.

Features

  • You can get full access to Riverside in the role of a producer, which means you'll be able to watch from the side without being registered. Additionally, make sure your show settings are adjusted as the podcast progresses.
  • Be able to invite guests, mute people, and take desired actions during the podcast
  • Creating audio and video tracks that are distinct from each other happens automatically, which means you'll always have easy access to both when post-editing.
  • You can record podcasts while on the go using the Riverside iOS app, so you'll be ready to go when inspiration strikes.
  • Thanks to the numerous FAQ articles and the site's chat function, you will get quick and direct answers to all your questions.
  • You can also record webinars with Riverside, which means you won't need additional software if you decide to focus your business in this direction.

Pricing

 Riverside Pricing

For starters, you can get unlimited access to all features at no cost and try the software for up to 60 minutes. You don't need to have a credit card, so you can test it out before you buy it without any obligation.

Then, the rates are as follows:

  • BASIC: 2 hour recording per month, billed at $90 per year.
  • STANDARD: Record 5 hours per month, billed at $180 per year.
  • PRO: Record 15 hours per month, billed at $288 per year.
  • ENTERPRISE: Contact them for a personalized quote

With the annual prices mentioned above, you save up to 21% compared to monthly plans.

SEE MORE: Give Riverside a Test Drive Now

3. Buzzsprout.

One of the easiest ways to create and promote your podcast ($12 per month).

buzzsprout homepage

Buzzsprout is a great podcast hosting tool for users who want to create, host, promote, and track their podcast from a single platform. It allows you to reach millions of potential listeners.

It allows you to personalize the podcast player according to your brand image. The podcast player also allows you to listen to podcasts at twice the speed. So you can listen to more content in less time.

Plus, you can easily monetize your podcasts. Buzzsprout partners with several brands to help you get started and start earning affiliate income.

Features

  • Magic Mastering - It uses advanced technology to automatically modulate audio files. It also optimizes your audios to align with industry standards and provide you with a professionally recorded podcast.
  • Automatic optimization - Buzzsprout automatically optimizes various technical aspects of audio, including bit rate, ID3, or file type.
  • Transcript - Make your podcasts more accessible to users with disabilities and more visible on search engines thanks to transcripts. For more information, you can read my guide to transcription software and other text-to-speech options.

Pricing

buzzsprout pricing

Buzzsprout offers four pricing plans, including the following:

  • Free: 90-day free trial with 2 hours of download per month.
  • Standard plan: $12 per user per month, with 3 hours of download per month.
  • Business class: $18 per user per month, with 6 hours of download per month.
  • Business: $24 per user per month, with 12 hours of download per month.

All plans offer unlimited storage, unlimited team members, advanced statistics, and podcast import. Only download times vary between plans.

SEE MORE: Try BuzzSprout Now

4. Adobe Audition.

Best for professionals and office users ($20.99 per month).

Adobe Audition homepage

Adobe Audition is a feature-rich audio recording tool for podcasters looking to produce multiple audio tracks on a PC.

Adobe Audition is part of Adobe Creative Cloud (CC) and allows you to record multiple podcasts at a given time using different microphones. On top of that, you can create, mix, and design a multitude of sound effects.

Features

  • Spectral analysis - Eliminate unwanted surrounding sounds from the podcaster's voice through spectral analysis.
  • Envelopes - Easily control volume levels of music beds/music, fade in, fade out, and “ducking” under the voice.
  • Adjust the loudness - Adjust the loudness of the other speakers to keep the overall loudness of the podcasts at uniform levels.

Pricing

Adobe Audition pricing

Initially, it offers a 7-day free trial to test the product. The paid “Business Class” plan costs $20.99 per month.

Start with Adobe Audition

5. Audacity.

Free, open-source podcasting platform suitable for beginners (free).

Audacity - Best Podcast Recording and Editing Software

Audacity is an easy-to-use, cross-platform audio editor and recording software for beginners and experts.

Its digital audio workstation is compatible with numerous operating systems, including Windows, macOS, GNU/Linux, etc. It is an open-source platform whose free version was built by numerous volunteers.

Features

  • Analysis - The spectrogram display mode helps visualize and select frequencies. It also takes care of the Vamp analysis plugin for an in-depth analysis of the descriptive content of audio files.
  • cgi - You can not only add effects but also review them in real time. Special effects include LADSPA, LV2, VST, and Audio Unit (macOS) effects.
  • Keyboard shortcuts - A wide range of keyboard shortcuts allow you to fully follow and manipulate selections.

Pricing

  • Audacity is open-source podcast software, so it's completely free with no hidden costs. Developers also update it regularly to meet changing industry demands.
Start with Audacity

6. GarageBand.

The best music production and podcast software for Mac (free).

GarageBand. (Best for Mac)

GarageBand is one of the best podcast recording software for Mac users. It allows you to organize and combine several audios into a single podcast.

This affordable digital audio workstation offers an easy learning curve and a user-friendly interface.

It also offers pre-recorded loops and synths to help you create background music and jingles for your podcast.

Features

  • Add a track - Add a track to your podcast on the go, using your iPhone or iPad.
  • Smart control - It allows you to adjust participants' voices in real time in order to optimize the recording of a more professional podcast.
  • Master Track - Easily control overall EQ, mix compression, and throttling to help achieve higher average levels.

Pricing

  • Free: GarageBand is available for free. You can download it from the Apple app store.

If you have a Mac and have a limited budget for recording and editing your podcast, using GarageBand makes perfect sense. Not only is it free to use, but it also offers great features.

Start a GarageBand trial now

7. Apple Logic Pro

A good option for users looking for comprehensive podcasting and music production features ($200/one-time purchase).

Apple Logic Pro accueil

Apple Logic Pro is a comprehensive music production and recording software for high-quality work. You'll be happy to hear that it shares some of its DNA with GarageBand.

Features

  • Live Loop - This feature allows you to create and organize podcasts and music in real time.
  • Logic Remote - Easily control features, including Remix FX, Live Loops, and more, from iPad or iPhone using multi-touch gestures.
  • Multi-touch mixing - Control your mix from any device, whether it's your smartphone, desktop, or tablet.
  • Ultimate Recording - It allows the automatic management of takes and the seamless recording of punches. It also supports 24-bit/192kHz audio.

Pricing

  • The Pro version is available for a one-time payment of $200. You also get a free trial to test the podcast software before you buy it.
apple logic pro x pricing

Apple Logic Pro also allows you to record your loops directly into a cell. You can also use the iPhone or iPad to control the grid more organically and even control individual cells by simply tapping on the grid.

8. Fusebox.

Suitable for podcasters looking for a unique set of podcasting tools ($8 per month).

fusebox homepage

FuseBox is one of the most powerful podcast readers and editors for your website.

FuseBox offers a three-in-one podcast player, including a full-featured player, a single-track player, and a site-wide self-adhesive player. These flexible options help you increase user engagement and the number of plays and downloads.

Features

  • Transcripts - It generates transcripts of your podcast adapted for SEO to help you better position yourself in search engines. It also improves engagement and helps people with reduced mobility to read the podcast.
  • Social sharing and downloading - Users can easily share their favorite episodes on various social media platforms. They even have the option of downloading the title for offline listening.
  • Mobile compatibility - The platform is compatible with mobiles, regardless of screen size.

Pricing

fusebox pricing

FuseBox is offered with two plans:

  • Free: The freemium plan only offers a Sticky reader.
  • Fusebo Pro: $15.83 per month per user if billed annually.

Features like email capture and reader personalization are missing from the free plan. Likewise, advanced features like email support and webinar training are only available with the paid plan.

9. Anchor.fm.

A great application for podcasters who want to record directly from their smartphone (free).

anchor fm homepage

Anchor.fm is a free podcast software, suitable for beginners and experts alike. Support for iOS and Android devices allows you to record a podcast without additional equipment.

It also offers an episode builder to help you create episodes without any changes. You can also add transition effects and your listeners' voices to your podcast to make it more engaging. Additionally, Anchor allows you to reorder your segments according to your needs.

Anchor also offers free podcast hosting, which is a plus.

Features

  • Editing Tools - After downloading or recording the audio, you can instantly start editing from your iOS or Android device. It allows you to cut segments and keep only what you want to keep.
  • Creative tools - Easily add music from Apple Music or Spotify to your podcast. You can also add background music, transition effects, voice messages, or even import audio files into your podcast.
  • Podcast with guests - You can invite anyone as a guest or co-host. This means that multiple podcasters can record a single podcast from their respective devices.

Pricing

  • Free: Anchor.fm services are available free of charge to all users.

If you're looking for a simple podcast recording software, Anchor.fm is a great option. After recording your podcast, you can edit it directly from your smartphone.

What are the steps to follow to record a podcast?

Recording and editing a podcast is not rocket science. However, it takes a bit of technical know-how and practice to record and edit an interesting podcast.

I created this guide to recording and editing a podcast in Logic Pro for users who have a basic understanding of podcast creation.

Also note that we are recording a podcast with two participants here. The two participants record the podcast at different locations from their respective microphones. Once the podcast is complete, a participant will send the audio to incorporate into the final podcast file.

1. Start your project.

Open Logic Pro and select the “Multi-Track” option.

You can access it by clicking File>New from Template. This will open an empty project that will reflect empty tracks.

Record podcast - start the project

2. Import audio files.

Then, import the audio files, including the voice of the two podcasters and the voice of the combined conversation of the two. Label these tracks according to the names of the speakers. Don't worry about the position of the tracks at this point. Be sure to save the project after importing the audio.

3. Synchronization.

The common problem podcasters face is the lack of sync between different tracks. However, that's not a big deal if you have the context of the conversation in mind.

Here, recording the combined tracks is useful. You can align your voice in the separate audio file to the combined audio file, and then align someone else's voice with the same combined audio track. After a bit of effort, you can achieve perfect sync.

This is what the waveforms would look like - perfectly aligned after the audio files were synced.

record podcast synchronized

After achieving perfect sync, you can delete the combined audio file. It is no longer necessary.

4. The silence of the bands.

La Strip Silence function allows you to automatically mute moments of silence in the podcast. You can set parameters according to your preferences for the tool to detect and mute podcast silences.

You can change settings based on time, threshold, time before the attack, and time after the attack. Simply select the audio track and the moments of silence are highlighted. Then, you just need to press Ctrl-X to remove the highlighted parts.

Strip Silence - Podcast Recording

5. Delay, crosstalk, and noise.

Using the silent band solves numerous problems, including delay, crosstalk, and noise.

If only one person is speaking continuously for a long period of time, you may not need to change anything. In that case, just skip to the next section of the audio.

However, in a scenario where the first person agrees to what the second person says, this ends up creating repeated interruptions. Strip Silence can easily identify these interruptions and help you remove them instantly.

On the other hand, when you're recording a podcast with participants in different locations, you may experience connectivity delays of up to 2 seconds, especially if you're using something like Skype or Zoom. In this case, simply press Shift-F to achieve perfect synchronization.

6. Exporting.

You can export the final episode of the podcast by bouncing it to a file. Simply press Command-B to access the bounce menu. You can normally use the 160 kbps MP3 setting or a WAV file to export the podcast.

FAQs

What software do you use for podcasts?

Audacity is a program that you can use to produce podcasts and edit audio files. It's free to download and available for Windows, Mac, or Linux computers.

You probably already have it if you use iTunes! Using Audacity guidelines, anyone can produce their own podcast with interviews with others in just a few minutes.

What do I need to record a podcast?

  1. Telephone or landline to record the audio of the guests.
  2. A microphone of some kind for the presenter to record lateral sound - this is essential, and a cheap USB microphone will suffice.
  3. Software such as Audacity, GarageBand, or Adobe Audition.
  4. Internet connection with good bandwidth and download speed.
  5. Headphones (no speakers) so the person recording can monitor themselves The speakers create an echo that's best not to have on your recording.

What is a digital audio workstation?

A digital audio workstation (DAW) is audio recording software used to create music, podcasts, or any other type of audio production work.

Full-fledged DAWs can be a bit more complicated than a tool like Garage Band, but using a DAW is the ideal podcast software to get the best audio quality.

Summary.

This article has covered some of the best software for creating and recording podcasts.

Each option offers unique features and more standard features for podcast software. However, all of these tools will help you record and edit podcasts effectively. Focus on the unique features of each podcasting tool to decide which option will get you the most bang for your buck.

For example, if you want to record podcasts with a multi-mic setup, it's best to opt for podcast tools that have advanced features like Apple Logic Pro, Buzzsprout, or Adobe Audition. However, if you don't need a complex recording or editing setup, you may want to consider Anchor.fm to record and edit podcasts directly from your smartphone.

The final choice depends on your overall preferences and budget.

Further reading: Check out my complete guide to best podcast hosting and my complete guide to What is podcasting to get your podcast off the ground.

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Stephen MESNILDREY
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