Intro

Over the by few decades, podcasts take become a popular medium worldwide. New podcasts are created every mean solar day, on a variety of subjects. With all the podcast-making resources, tools, platforms, applications, and software on the market today, information technology's never been easier — or cheaper — to launch a podcast.

If you want to start your own podcast, you lot'll need practiced podcast recording software. There are many ways to record, edit, and mail service podcasts, so choosing the right tools isn't easy. That's why nosotros've chosen the 11 best podcast recording software and reviewed each 1 for you. We've also included some other useful tools podcasters should know about.

Before we go to the software, let's go over what you demand to offset your own podcast.

What do you need to record a podcast?

Starting a podcast is deceptively easy. Information technology doesn't take much gear at all, just a practiced microphone, a computer, and recording software. Of course, if yous want your podcast to join the ranks of This American Life or NPR, then you'll have to get for a higher standard of production. But starting out, these 2 pieces of equipment plus one or ii recording and editing tools should cutting information technology.

🎤 Microphone

Podcasts are an audio medium — you can't encompass up poor sound quality with visuals. Equally such, viewers relate the quality of your sound directly to the value of your podcast. Fifty-fifty if you lot take the most innovative idea for a podcast that anyone's ever dreamed up, few people will listen to information technology if it sounds bad.

To ensure adept sound quality, y'all need a decent microphone. You lot can get a good starter mic for under $100 and gradually work your way up as your podcast progresses. When choosing your microphone, consider two characteristics: the type of connector and the way it captures sound.

🔗 Types of connectors

In the connector category, there are USB and XLR microphones. USB microphones plug directly into your computer via a USB port and are simple to utilize. They tend to be less expensive for this reason. XLR mics, on the other manus, crave some kind of audio interface, such as a mixer, to hook up. With XLR microphones, you have to buy an audio interface, which adds another piece of equipment to your podcast startup list.

🔊 Capturing sound

There are also two types of microphones when it comes to capturing sound. Condenser mics are highly sensitive and volition choice upward on a lot of groundwork noise, making them great for isolated recording environments. Dynamic mics are less sensitive to background racket, which makes them a better selection for recording more than than one person at the aforementioned time in the aforementioned room.

🖥 Calculator

You need a reckoner to run your podcast recording software. The software will capture and save your recording equally an sound file, which you can edit on your reckoner. It doesn't thing which operating organization you use, as long equally your chosen software is compatible. Your estimator should also be powerful enough to handle your digital audio workstation (DAW).

When you choose a new DAW, or recording software, e'er check the hardware requirements to ensure your reckoner has what yous need. Specifically, check the CPU, RAM, and storage. Brazenness, for example, requires ii Ghz of processing speed or equivalent and 4 GB of RAM.

🎛 Recording software

There are many options for audio recording and editing software, or DAWs. Some high-quality software is free, saving you money as y'all're starting up your podcast. Audacity and Garageband are common costless choices, and Adobe Audition and Logic Pro are some of the nigh pop paid recording software.

Nosotros'll get more than into the best audio recording software below, just proceed in heed every bit you're searching for a new DAW that the more than expensive and complex a software is, the higher the hardware requirements are likely to be.

👌 Other podcasting accessories

A microphone, computer, and DAW are your basic podcasting setup, but you can add other accessories to brand the experience better. Some of this actress equipment includes:

  • Mixer
  • Pop filters
  • Stupor mounts
  • Stands
  • Headphones

Now that you sympathize the bones setup, let'due south motility on to choosing the best podcast recording software.

Read later: eight podcast trends to pay attention to if you desire to succeed in podcasting📍

How to cull podcasting software

When looking for a DAW, what features should rank highly on your wishlist? Consider podcasting software with decent editing capabilities, the level of technical back up yous need, and the ability to salvage files locally. You should also take your cost range into account, as not all the best audio editing software is free.

Editing features

Recording your podcast and editing your podcast are two separate processes, sometimes requiring both recording software and an editor. Only some recording software comes with editing capabilities to make the process more seamless. If you lot're a podcaster who prefers an all-in-one solution, then look for podcasting software with editing features.

Good back up

How tech-savvy are you? If thinking about troubleshooting technical issues makes you pause out in hives, then you should look for a DAW that has adequate support and assist documentation. The software should have resources you can turn to when things go wrong.

Save files

You need somewhere to salve your audio files for your podcast, including your raw recordings and edited versions. A basic podcast recording software should exist able to save files of your recordings locally on your computer. If you tape multiple people for your podcast, you should also await for a split-rail recording function on your DAW. Split up-rail recording allows yous to save a divide audio file of each podcast participant, so yous can clean them up and make the audio quality of your podcast consistent, no matter who's speaking.

Cost

If you're on a budget, then yous'll have to factor the price of the software into your decision. There are some keen tools you tin become for free, but as with nigh software, if you desire the highest quality it will price y'all the most money.

11 best podcast recording software

1. Restream

With our most contempo updates, Restream has become a full-fledged audio recording software. You'll accept all the tools you need to record, customize, and promote your evidence. With our Tape Only feature, y'all tin can record audio or video through the Restream dashboard without going live. We've besides upped the ante on audio quality, allowing hi-res 48kHz. Restream recently developed split-track recording to continue audio with multiple guests make clean and now allows upwards to 100 GB of deject storage for recorded audio and video content.

👉 Features:

  • Record without going live
  • Save recordings in the cloud with up to 100 GB of storage
  • Hi-res 48kHz audio
  • Split-track recording
  • Echo cancellation
  • Noise suppression
  • Stereo sound

Compatibility: web-based

➕ Pros:

  • Great podcast features available on the costless plan
  • All features bachelor in spider web-based version
  • Podcast features complement Restream's live streaming and multistreaming capabilities

Read Next: Restream tools and features: Full guide 📍

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2. Adobe Audience

Adobe Audience is one of the virtually popular professional-grade podcast recording and editing software out in that location. Information technology's packed with features to make your podcast like shooting fish in a barrel to edit and audio great. That kind of quality doesn't come without a high price tag, however, and Adobe Audition'due south $20.99/month can be a hard pill to swallow if you're just starting out.

👉 Features:

  • Essential Sound panel for professional-quality audio
  • Comes with built-in presets to help new podcasters get started
  • Single and multitrack recording
  • Noise reduction capabilities and avant-garde compression
  • Batch processing lets you use furnishings to one file and salvage those settings so you tin apply them to another batch of files

Compatibility: macOS, Windows

➕ Pros:

  • Adobe is an established brand, so you lot can find many tutorials online
  • Features geared toward podcasting
  • Professional audio features

➖ Cons:

  • Expensive
  • Steep learning curve

iii. GarageBand

GarageBand is Apple tree'due south gratuitous DAW for iOS and macOS devices. It'south aimed more at musicians than podcasters, but you can grab an external mic and convert your iPhone or iPad into podcasting software that records and edits. It also syncs across your Apple devices, and then you can work on your podcast recording whenever and wherever.

👉 Features:

  • Works with the Logic Remote app to create a second screen
  • iCloud fill-in
  • Effects similar visual equalization and compression to increment the quality of your recording

Compatibility: macOS, iOS

➕ Pros:

  • Portable podcast recording and editing tool
  • Complimentary
  • Make clean user interface

➖ Cons:

  • Mac but
  • No split-track recording for multiple podcast participants
  • Lacks advanced features

4. Logic Pro

Logic Pro is a powerful music production and audio editing software. Information technology's geared more than toward music engineers than podcasters, so the sheer number of features may be overwhelming. If you are looking for a high-quality tool that works seamlessly, and you happen to be a music producer equally well as a podcaster, so Logic Pro is a good choice for you. It's a step up from GarageBand, and GarageBand files volition load in Logic Pro.

👉 Features:

  • Logic Remote app for iOS
  • Supports 24-bit/192kHZ audio recording
  • Robust music editing tools if your podcast has music
  • Library of prepare-to-use plug-ins and sounds

Compatibility: macOS

➕ Pros:

  • Professional person quality audio recording and editing
  • App turns iOS devices into a second screen
  • Works with GarageBand files
  • Ane-fourth dimension fee of $200, no monthly subscription required

➖ Cons:

  • Pricey
  • Mac only
  • Well-nigh features are geared toward music production, not podcasting

5. Auphonic

Auphonic is podcast editing software for people who don't like to edit. Y'all can upload your recordings (Auphonic doesn't record), and the software will analyze and enhance them with level audio and noise reduction. It also provides a transcription of your recording. Auphonic has a gratuitous version that lets you upload upwards to two hours of audio per month. For nine hours of audio, you lot accept to pay $11 per calendar month.

👉 Features:

  • Transcribes in over 80 languages
  • Exports to YouTube, Dropbox, Google Drive, and SoundCloud
  • Automatic audio ducking and noise gate and cross-talk removal
  • Adds metadata and chapter marks to podcasts and sound files
  • Desktop and mobile apps

Compatibility: web-based, Windows, macOS, Android, iOS

➕ Pros:

  • Voice communication recognition audio transcription
  • Affordable
  • Exports to mutual cloud storage systems

➖ Cons:

  • No recording
  • Non all features available in the desktop version
  • Still demand a DAW for some edits

6. Brazenness

Brazenness is the free, accessible, open-source audio recording and editing software that many podcasters start with. It's got all the bones features you'll need to edit your tracks and clean upwards your recording. When you're done editing, y'all can consign into multiple file formats likewise.

👉 Features:

  • Saveable EQ and fading
  • Runs on any operating system
  • Choose between 16-bit, 24-chip, or 32-bit recordings
  • Library of audio effects

Compatibility: macOS, Windows, Linux

➕ Pros:

  • Expert recording and editing features for gratuitous
  • Supports well-nigh commonly used file formats
  • Widely used, then there are many online tutorials
  • Open-source

➖ Cons:

  • UI is outdated
  • No multitrack recording

7. QuickTime

If yous have a Mac and are planning to produce podcasts with it, y'all can use Apple's default video and sound editing awarding, QuickTime. It's free, and you lot can record and edit audio files, and so consign them when you lot're washed. QuickTime is easy to utilize and, every bit the name implies, is perfect for quick edits.

👉 Features:

  • Trim sound files
  • Combine multiple audio files with the drag-and-drop feature
  • Use your Mac as a podcast recording device

Compatibility: macOS

➕ Pros:

  • Free on whatsoever Mac
  • Simple to use

➖ Cons:

  • Limited features
  • Mac just
  • Geared more than toward video editing than audio editing

viii. Hindenburg Journalist

Hindenburg Announcer is for radio broadcasters and podcasters who have multiple clips and interviews to piece together. This software delivers loftier production value — with a $95 price tag to match. With a multitrack sound editor and several features to control the sound quality, Hindenburg Announcer is software designed for podcasters.

👉 Features:

  • Automatically sets levels based on loudness
  • Upload finished podcast directly to SoundCloud or Libsyn
  • Save audio clips for later with the clipboard
  • Hindenburg Field Recorder app for mobile recording (iOS only)

Compatibility: macOS, Windows

➕ Pros:

  • Back up for many types of audio files
  • Designed for podcasters and journalists
  • Loftier production value

➖ Cons:

  • $95 is the lowest price betoken
  • Yous tin can only go total features in the Pro version
  • Built-in Skype recording feature increases the toll to $375

ix. Reaper

Reaper is the DAW with the virtually features for the lowest price. The digital audio production application allows you to record, edit, process, and mix audio and MIDI tracks. This software is known as the "lightweight" option because you can install and run it from a USB, pregnant you don't take to install the awarding on your computer's difficult drive.

👉 Features:

  • 64-scrap internal audio processing
  • Supports 3rd-party plug-ins and extensions (for added sound effects)
  • Customizable peel and layout
  • Audio and MIDI routing with multichannel support

Compatibility: macOS, Windows, Linux

➕ Pros:

  • lx-day gratuitous trial and discounted license fee only $threescore
  • Fast startup
  • Customizable UI/UX

➖ Cons:

  • Somewhat clunky plug-in integration
  • No mobile app
  • Fewer online tutorials/assist resources than other popular DAWs

10. Alitu

Alitu was designed specifically for offset podcasters. Its primary functions are recording and editing podcasts, and users don't need much technical knowledge to get started. With an editing process that'south almost fully automatic, the $28 per month may seem worth it to beginners. Although Alitu makes editing podcasts a cakewalk, the sound quality isn't up to the same standards as other software on the list.

👉 Features:

  • Automated audio cleanup
  • Elevate-and-driblet editing tools
  • Upload audio files of any type
  • Publish directly to podcast hosting provider

Compatibility: web-based

➕ Pros:

  • Web-based awarding for utilize anywhere
  • Very easy learning curve

➖ Cons:

  • Spider web-based means it's less effective for longer recordings
  • Sound quality is lower than other commencement-level DAWs
  • No mobile app

xi. Anchor

Ballast isn't a podcast recording software or DAW but rather a podcast-making app. What's the difference? Anchor is dedicated solely to podcasts. It'south too a podcast hosting platform, so you can record, edit, and publish your podcast all within the same app, from anywhere. Anchor's new Record With Friends tool also lets you record calls for your podcast with up to five guests. Anchor is a good choice for hobby podcasters who want an all-in-one tool, but businesses trying to launch a podcast for their brands may struggle with its limited capabilities.

👉 Features:

  • Pushes uploaded podcasts directly to Spotify and Apple Podcasts
  • Monetization options on the Anchor platform
  • Free unlimited hosting
  • Analytics from Spotify

👉 Compatibility: Android, iOS, web-based

➕ Pros:

  • Free
  • Easy to learn
  • Unlimited podcast hosting
  • All-in-ane tool

➖ Cons:

  • Automatic upload to Apple Podcasts puts it nether Anchor's account, so you have to upload manually anyway
  • 250 MB file size upload limit

A DAW isn't the but non-hardware tool you lot'll need to brand a podcast. You'll besides demand a platform to host your audio files and tools for remote interviews, transcription, scheduling guests, and promotion. The following resources volition make creating your podcast much easier:

  • Restream: With Restream, you can acquit, record, and multistream remote interviews. If you're doing a live podcasting session, you tin can also add streaming graphics to make your stream wait more than professional person. If you don't practise a live session, Restream Events lets you circulate pre-recorded videos, then you tin can upload your edited podcast and push it live beyond multiple platforms.
  • Facebook Live: Live streaming one of your broadcasting sessions is a great way for your fans to connect with you lot. They tin can listen as you tape and see how the "magic" happens. If you desire to multistream your podcast recording session, utilise Restream to go live on multiple platforms at once, instead of just on Facebook Alive.
  • Zoom: Zoom is i of the most mutual video conferencing applications available today, and then your guests will likely have experience using it. Yous can record your call in Zoom and upload the file to your podcast editing software.
  • Descript: Descript is a smart transcription tool that transcribes your podcast into text, removing odd sounds, silences, and narration errors. You can publish your transcript alongside your podcast on your website or utilize information technology to create other content.
  • Play: Play is a natural text-to-spoken communication AI generator, which allows you to create voiceovers of your manufactures, blogs, or written content. You tin can select from over 260 AI voices, do equally many revisions as you need, and retain the total commercial and broadcast rights over the voiceover you create.
  • PodBean: PodBean offers gratis podcast hosting. You can upload a few episodes for costless if you're merely starting out to see how well they do. PodBean is also a well-known podcast hosting platform that's been around for a while.
  • Buzzsprout: Buzzsprout is one of the best podcast hosting platforms for businesses. It's not free, merely the pricing is reasonable, and the interface is easy to employ. Yous also get access to analytics, and there are helpful forums and Facebook groups dedicated to Buzzsprout to assist you lot navigate the platform if you're new.
  • Calendly: Calendly is an appointment scheduler that works across platforms, so yous and your podcast guests can schedule times to record without having to integrate calendars. Paid versions of Calendly also let you add together it to your website and collect payments.
  • Blubrry: Blubrry is a podcast hosting platform with robust statistics. It provides accurate insights on your listeners, where they are, and which platforms they're using. Blubrry also gives you a free WordPress website when you sign up for their platform.
  • Castos: With the Castos WordPress plugin, you lot can upload podcast audio files to your WordPress site and manage your podcast from within the WordPress dashboard. Castos creates RSS feeds that Spotify, Apple tree Podcasts, and Stitcher can read and provides you with useful listener analytics.

Let's wrap up

Launching a new podcast or overhauling an existing one can be an heady procedure, but choosing the correct podcast recording software tin can likewise be stressful. Non every software is perfect for every podcaster, so brand sure you choose i that has the features you lot need. If you become with one of the xi on our list, you lot're already off to a proficient offset.