10 of the Best Podcast Recording Software Options in 2024

If you’re about to embark on a new podcasting journey, one of the first things to do is to make a list of everything you need.

And somewhere on that list needs to be “podcast recording software”.

That’s right. Your smartphone just won’t cut it. The recording quality is rarely up to scratch (think background noise), and you need to sound professional. Especially if you want your show to be taken seriously.

No need to panic, though. Because this article is on hand to take you through some of the best podcast recording software options available, and to tell you everything you need to consider when choosing the right one for you.

Let’s get started.

What Does Podcast Recording Software Do?

It’s pretty simple. And self explanatory.

Podcast recording software (otherwise known as a “DAW” - Digital Audio Workstation) is one of the primary components needed to make a podcast. It’s what podcasters use to record their audio.

Without podcast recording software, you’ve got no audio. And with no audio, there’s no podcast.

What to Consider When Choosing Your Podcast Recording Software

When weighing up your options, there are a few different product features to think about. These will vary from software to software, so it’s important to do your research and make sure the one you choose has everything you need.

Here are 7 things to consider:

1. The Recording Quality

There are a lot of podcasts out there. So to help your show stand out, your audio needs to sound professional and be of a high quality. This means clear, crisp, and well-defined. Although certain podcast recording softwares will be lower in quality than others, look for ones that offer at least a 44.1 kHz audio resolution, for optimal results.

2. Built-In Editing Tools

Podcast recording software and podcast editing software are two completely different things. If you want to streamline the process with an all-in-one option, look out for built-in editing tools. They’ll let you record and edit your audio files using the same programme, making it a much simpler and quicker process.

3. Compatibility

This one’s simple enough, but really important. Make sure you check that your chosen podcast recording software can be used with your hardware. So, your laptop or computer. Some options will only be compatible with macOS, others solely with Windows, and some will be both.

4. Price

What can you realistically afford? And what will give you the most bang for your buck? There are plenty of free options, but you might find their quality and overall service to not be as good as the ones you pay for. Factor this into your decision making.

5. Ease of Use

If you haven’t got much experience using podcast recording software, choosing one that’s designed for experts isn’t a smart move (especially if you’re paying for it). Some will naturally be trickier to navigate than others, so picking one with an easy user interface is beneficial.

6. On-Hand Technical Support

Not massively tech-savvy? Having access to written how-to guides, other resources, and customer support will help you out if you run into any difficulties. Most podcast recording software options will have some form of tech support, but it’s always best to double check if you think you’ll need it.

7. Split Track Recording

If you host an interview show, you might want to consider a podcast recording software with split track recording. You’ll be able to record each person’s audio separately from the rest, in its own entity. And not only will this make each file easier to edit, tidy up, and merge later on, but it’ll also give you much better sound control.

10 Great Podcast Recording Software Options

Here’s the bit you’ve been waiting for. Below are 10 fantastic podcast recording software options. Again, do your research before making your final decision, especially if you’re opting for one on a pricing plan.

1. Adobe Audition

Compatible with: Windows and macOS

Best for: In-person recordings

Price: Plans start from $20.99 / £30.34 per month

Adobe Audition is one of the best podcast recording software options available. Not only will you be able to record, edit, and integrate your video and audio recordings, but you’ll also be able to add in sound effects and mix your audio. It is one of the more expensive options, but it's definitely worth it if you’re looking for the whole package.

2. Audacity

Compatible with: Windows, macOS and Linux

Best for: In-person recordings

Price: Free

Audacity is a great podcast recording software for podcasting newbies. It’s easy to use, comes with pre-installed sound effects, and supports all the main file formats. If you’re looking for a basic programme to record and edit your audio, this is it.

3. GarageBand

Compatible with: macOS

Best for: In-person recordings

Price: Free

If you’ve got an Apple device, you’ve also got access to GarageBand. It comes pre-loaded and ready to go on any Mac, iPad, and iPhone, making it really easy to get started. The product itself lets you record and edit audio, create samples, and easily transfer projects between multiple Apple devices. It even comes with its own database of royalty-free loops, which you can add straight into your audio. Nice.

4. Logic Pro

Compatible with: macOS

Best for: In-person recordings

Price: A one-off payment of $199.99 / £174.99

Logic Pro is another podcast recording software produced by Apple, for Apple users only. It’s the one-up from GarageBand, so you’ll be able to get a lot more creative with your sound recording, editing, and overall production. It offers a really robust process too, and has everything you need to produce great-sounding audio.

5. Hindenburg PRO

Compatible with: Windows and macOS

Best for: In-person recordings

Price: Plans start from $10 per month

Hindenburg Pro is a fantastic choice of podcast recording software, and it leads the way in terms of sound quality. It’s specially designed with podcasters in mind, and comes with split track recording, editing tools, and an auto-leveler which will immediately adjust your audio files after recording. It’s definitely one to consider.

6. Alitu

Compatible with: Any web browser

Best for: Remote recordings

Price: $32 per month

Alitu offers easy podcast recording and editing, all within your browser. Its simple interface makes it the perfect choice for beginners, giving you professional sounding audio without the fuss. It also comes with volume leveling, background noise removal, a library of free music, and editing tools.

7. Zencastr

Compatible with: Any web browser

Best for: Remote recordings

Price: Free, or $20 per month on a professional plan

For any interview show, Zencastr is a great choice of podcast recording software. All you’ll need to do is send the provided invite link to each guest, and they’ll be able to jump on a recorded video call with you. Once you’ve finished, the programme will automatically edit your audio and mix your tracks. Other features include: HD video recording, a cloud-based soundboard, a built-in chat box, and footnotes.

8. Zoom

Compatible with: Any web browser

Best for: Remote recordings

Price: Free

Thanks to its built-in recording functionality, Zoom is perfect for remote podcast interviews. All you’ll need to do is click the “Record” button on the toolbar at the bottom of the screen. Keep in mind your audio and video files will be automatically compressed, so the quality will be noticeably reduced. But as it's free and easy to use, it’s the most popular tool among beginner podcasters.

9. Riverside.fm

Compatible with: Any web browser

Best for: Remote recordings

Price: Free, or advanced plans start from $19 per month

Riverside.fm allows you to record much higher quality audio and video in comparison to Zoom. The audio is recorded locally which means it doesn’t undergo compression, and it also prevents poor WiFi connections from causing audio dropouts and glitches.

10. SquadCast

Compatible with: Any web browser

Best for: Remote recordings

Price: Plans start from $20 per month

SquadCast offers similar functionality to Riverside.fm, with lossless audio and video recording quality. Its interface is cleaner and easier to navigate, and it also has a “Green Room” feature which allows you to organise and manage everything with your guest before proceeding to the interview. But it’s significantly more expensive if you want to record both audio and video.

So, What’s the Best Podcast Recording Software?

As you can see, there are a lot of podcast recording software options available. This isn’t an exhaustive list, either.

The one that's best for you will depend on the needs of your podcast. So again, make sure you have a clear vision of what you need from your recording software before making the final decision.

That being said, here are a few takeaways to think about:

1. If you’re looking for a cheap and cheerful option (i.e. free), Audacity is an excellent choice. You’ll be able to easily record audio straight to your computer, and then edit it all in one.
2. If you’re in a position to pay, we’d recommend either Adobe Audition, or Hindenburg Pro. Just bear in mind if you don’t have much experience using podcast recording software, these might take a bit of practice to get your head around.
3. For podcasts recorded remotely, web-based products are ideal (Alitu, Zencastr, Zoom, Riverside.fm, SquadCast).