Have you ever listened to a compelling podcast and wondered if recording it might be a seemingly endless task? Well, the good news is, it isn’t. Recording and launching a podcast is easier when you use the best podcast software.

If you’re hitting a dead end in finding the right podcast recording software, here’s a guide you shouldn’t miss.

Recording a Podcast: The Essentials

Launching a podcast doesn’t take a lot of effort and investment. Here are the basics you need to arrange for when figuring out how to record a podcast.

• Microphone: Podcasts are all about the audio. So, if you don’t sound well, your audience won’t tune in — no matter how interesting your content is. You can easily get a studio-quality sound by investing in a good microphone. Check out this guide to find the best mic for your podcast.
• Podcast recording software: You’ll find a lot of options when it comes to audio recording. While some may help you produce high-quality audio at a premium, some are free podcast recording software that saves your money as you venture into the world of podcasts. That said, the more expensive and complex the podcasting software, the more load it will put on your computer, and the greater the hardware requirements.
• Computer: Be it a PC, laptop, or tablet – you’d need a computer device to run your podcast recording app. While the app would do the recording part, you’d need to process the functioning, download and edit the audio, etc., on the computer. Ensure that your device is compatible with the recording software or digital audio workstation (DAW) you’ve chosen. For example, if you’re using software that needs to be downloaded, your computer’s storage, operating system, etc., should be compatible. Alternatively, you can opt for a browser-based recording software like Wave.video and avoid putting a burden on your computer.
• Other accessories: In addition to the basics mentioned above, you can use accessories like a mixer, mic stand, headphones, pop filter, etc., to enhance your podcasting experience.

Choosing a Podcasting Software: Things to Consider

When picking a podcast recording software, there are a few factors you must consider to make the right choice:

Ease of use

With fierce competition in almost every industry, staying consistent is as crucial as staying relevant. Unfortunately, you may lose motivation if creating a podcast is hard. That’s why we recommend opting for a tool that’s extremely easy to use. The easier it is to record a podcast, the more consistent you’ll be and reach out to more of your listeners in the long run. It also helps if the tool is web-based so that you can record your podcast on the go.

Features

Recording a podcast isn’t just about the option to add your audio. You’d need a tool that lets you add sound effects, audio, background music, etc. Similarly, you should be able to add guests for interview podcasts. Apart from making the process more fun, features like these also make the podcast more engaging to the audience.

Support

Tech support is essential if you’re recording a podcast. So, look for a solution that offers quick support and enough help documentation, such as guides, tutorials, videos, etc., to refer to if you get stuck somewhere.

Price

On a shoestring budget? Go for a free podcast recording software that helps you produce high-quality audio. However, if you want studio-level quality and a truckload of features, you may have to go for a paid tool.

Best Podcast Software: Our Top 11 Picks

Podcasting software allows creators to connect with their audiences through impactful touchpoints. Here are some of our top picks in case you’re looking for the best podcast software:

1. Wave.video

Topping the list is Wave.video’s live streaming platform that also allows you to make compelling podcasts without additional software requirements. With our tool, you can easily record a solo podcast or invite guests to make interview podcasts. Plus, engaging your audience becomes easier with the terrific built-in sound effects and audio options.

And if you want to take things up a notch, you can create visual podcasts with Wave.video, increase brand awareness and stand out. The best part? You don’t have to download the software. Our browser-based studio can be accessed from anywhere you want. And it’s free to use! If you want to upgrade, the paid plans start at just $16 per month.

So, if you are in search of a free podcast recording software that’s easy to use and offers a host of engagement options, Wave.video is the one to go for.

How to Record a Podcast in Wave.video

The growing buzz around podcasts leaves many content creators wondering if recording a podcast is tricky. Luckily for you, there’s Wave.video to record a podcast in a matter of minutes. Here’s how to do that:

Step 1 – Log in and create a new stream

Sign up or log into your Wave.video account and click “My streams”. Then click “New stream” to record a podcast.

Step 2 – Set up your podcast stream

Next, give your podcast a title and select the folder to organize it better. Once done, click “Open studio”.

Step 3 – Enter the studio

Now, check your mic and camera settings and click “Enter Studio”.

Step 4 – Record your podcast

Inside the studio, use different branding elements, sound effects, and audio to create an engaging podcast.

To record an interview guest, invite guests by clicking the “Invite” tab and sharing the link.

Whenever ready, hit the “Start recording” button on the top-right.

Once the podcast is recorded, click “End recording”.

Step 5 – Download the podcast episode

Finally, go to your “Past” streams and select the podcast episode you want to download. Then click the three dots on the right and select “Download video” from the options to get an MP4 file for a video podcast.

To download an audio-only file, you can select “Open video” and then click “Download video and audio” > “Download audio”.

Your audio file will then be stored on your device.

That’s how easy it is to record a podcast with Wave.video — no need to download any app or use additional hardware.

2. Podcastle

This AI-powered platform is next on the list. In addition to high-quality podcast recording, it also offers features to remove background noise, an online audio editor and text to speech conversions, etc.

If you are into interview podcasts, you can bring up to 9 participants using this tool and download a separate track for each participant for hassle-free editing. Another browser-based podcast recording app, this one is also free to use. You can upgrade to a paid plan, starting for $4 per month, and enjoy more features.

3. Audacity

Audacity is a popular option amongst podcasters. It offers the basic features one may need to get started with podcasting. However, this open-source software also provides advanced features that make studio-level production possible without additional hardware. For example, you can remove background sounds and fillers like hmms, uhs, and umms.

While Audacity is free to use, you need to download it to use it. So, if you’re looking for a virtual platform, you may have to look elsewhere.

4. Riverside

Although featuring a moderate learning curve, Riverside is a good choice for podcast recording if you want a tool that can give you smooth and freeze-free recordings even with poor internet connectivity. The credit goes to its locally uncompressed 48kHz WAV audio recordings for every guest, available on paid plans that start from $15 per month.

5. Adobe Audition

Looking for a comprehensive podcasting tool? Adobe Audition can be a good choice for creating, mixing, editing, and restoring recordings. In fact, it delivers over 50 effects and analysis tools for a complete audio mixing experience to create powerful podcasts.

Besides audio cleanup, restoration, and editing, it lets you export audio content for a podcast. However, this comes with a price tag of $20.99 per month.

6. REAPER

REAPER is a DAW that lets you record, edit, process, and mix audio and MIDI tracks. Although a standard tool for musicians, podcasters can also use REAPER for its multitrack recording. So, if you record interview podcasts, this could be a good pick.

You can get the discounted license for $60 if you’re an individual using REAPER for personal use or if you’re an educational or non-profit organization. However, if you’re an individual or business using the tool commercially and your yearly gross revenue exceeds $20,000, you will need the commercial license for $225.

7. Spreaker

If you want a one-stop solution for all your podcast recording, hosting, distribution, and even monetization needs, Spreaker can be your best bet. Available as a desktop or mobile app, Spreaker can also be used to run live podcasts. Once you’re done recording, you can edit the audio on the app and distribute the final podcast across platforms like Spotify, Apple Podcasts, etc.

While you can start using it for free, you’d need to upgrade to enjoy features like auto uploads to different podcast platforms, monetization options, etc. The paid plan starts from $8 a month.

8. Apple Logic Pro

Alright, so the Logic Pro may be a bit overwhelming for podcasters, but it does the job. Ignoring the many features that it offers, you can focus on recording and producing high-quality audio for your podcasts. While it’s a desktop app for Mac, you can use Logic Remote for iPad and iPhone and control the app on your Mac.

With the Logic Pro, you also get access to a massive collection of instruments, loops, and samples to make your podcasts a hit amongst the masses. This professional music production app is downloadable and costs $199.99.

9. Zencastr

Zencastr has simplified podcast recording for beginners, thanks to its reasonably simple learning curve. Although it lets you have 4 guests and 1 host, you can invite “5 or more guests” using the Beta option. This tool is a good choice if you’re worried about your internet connection’s stability and need local recording.

In addition to high-quality MP3 recording, it also records a lossless 16-bit 48k WAV audio track per guest. You can also enjoy live editing soundboard with the paid plan available for $20 per month.

10. Alitu

Alitu is an excellent app if you want to record and edit your podcasts without doing much. Once you’ve recorded your podcast on the app, the bots polish the audio by leveling the volume and removing background noise. You can also remove any sounds you don’t want your podcast to have. There’s also the option to send your episode to major podcast platforms without much hassle.

The app may be all you need to start your podcast journey, but it costs $32 per month, which may be a bit too much for beginners.

11. Podbean

A podcast recording app with hosting and monetization capabilities, Podbean is no stranger to podcasters’ requirements. You can easily trim, merge and split your audio tracks and jazz things up with background tracks, sound, and echo effects.

You can also export and import audio using Podbean. The free plan offers 5 hours of storage space. But you can upgrade to a paid plan for unlimited storage starting from $9 per month.

Over to you

Wave.video offers you a simple way to dip your toes into podcasting. Make sure you use the different features our studio provides to create a compelling podcast episode, and when you’re ready to dive into the world of video podcasts, don’t forget to multi-stream them for an expanded reach.

If your content creation goes beyond podcasts, Wave.video also provides video hosting capabilities. Explore, create and engage your audience.

What’s the one feature you would really like to see in a podcast recording app? Let us know in the comments below.