Recording a podcast with guests who live across the country or around the world used to mean compromising on audio quality. Those days are over. Today's best podcast recording software for remote interviews captures studio-grade audio from every participant — no matter where they are.
In this guide, we break down the top platforms, compare their features, pricing, and help you decide which one fits your workflow. Whether you're running a weekly interview show or a quarterly roundtable, there's a solution here for you.
The shift to remote work accelerated a decade-long trend in podcasting: the interview-format show. Shows like The Joe Rogan Experience, Conan O'Brien Needs a Friend, and Call Her Daddy proved that compelling conversations don't require physical proximity. For indie podcasters, remote recording opened the door to booking guests they'd never afford to fly in.
But remote recording introduces a critical challenge: audio quality consistency. When your guest records on a laptop in a bedroom and you record on a Neumann in a treated closet, those two tracks need to sound like they belong together. The software you choose directly impacts this outcome.
Price: $15/month per host (Starter) | $25/month per host (Pro) | $50/month per host (Business)
Recording: Up to 4 video + 8 audio tracks locally, 1080p video
Squadcast pioneered the local recording model for podcasts, which means each participant records their own track directly on their machine. This eliminates the quality loss that comes from compressing audio over the internet. The platform has since evolved into a full production suite with video, editing, and distribution tools.
Price: $15/month per host (Creator) | $30/month per host (Pro) | $89/month per host (Business)
Recording: Up to 8 video + audio tracks, 4K video on Business plan
Riverside has become the go-to platform for video-first podcasts and interview shows. Its separate WAV recording means you get broadcast-quality audio regardless of internet hiccups. The AI transcription is accurate enough to generate show notes and captions without manual work.
Price: Free (up to 4 hours/month) | $20/month per host (Starter) | $30/month per host (Pro)
Recording: Up to 8 HD audio tracks + HD video on Pro
Price: Free (up to 60 min sessions) | $8/month per host (Studio)
Recording: Up to 8 simultaneous audio tracks
Price: Free (40 min group meetings) | $15.99/month (Pro) | $19.99/month (Business)
Price: Custom pricing (Enterprise)
PinDrop is designed for media companies running multiple shows. It offers multi-show management, centralized billing, and professional-grade recording infrastructure. If you're scaling a podcast network, it's worth exploring.
Price: $14/month (Professional) | $22/month (Business)
GoToStudio inherits the reliability of GoToMeeting's infrastructure and adds WAV recording, separate track capture, and basic editing tools. It's a solid choice for corporate communications teams or HR departments running internal podcasts.
| Platform | Free Tier | Starter Price | Video | Local Recording |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Squadcast | ❌ | $15/mo | 1080p | ✅ |
| Riverside | ❌ | $15/mo | 4K | ✅ |
| Zencastr | ✅ (4 hrs/mo) | $20/mo | 720p | ✅ |
| Cleanfeed | ✅ | $8/mo | ❌ | Browser-based |
| Zoom | ✅ (40 min) | $15.99/mo | 720p | ❌ (merged) |
Before you commit to any platform, evaluate these factors:
If your podcast lives or dies by audio quality — like a true crime investigation show or an audio drama — choose a platform with local WAV recording: Squadcast, Riverside, or Zencastr. Avoid Zoom for this use case.
Some platforms require guests to download software (Squadcast), while others run entirely in a browser (Riverside, Cleanfeed, Zoom). If you're regularly interviewing non-technical guests like executives or celebrities, pick a browser-based option to reduce no-shows due to tech issues.
Video podcasts generate significantly more engagement on YouTube and social media. If video is part of your strategy, Riverside's 4K recording and YouTube livestreaming make it the strongest choice. If audio-only, Zencastr or Cleanfeed save you money and complexity.
Some platforms like Zencastr offer one-click audio enhancement. Others leave raw tracks for you to process in Adobe Audition, Audacity, or Descript. Consider how much time you want to spend editing versus creating.
At $15-50/month per host, professional remote recording adds up. Starting podcasters should begin with Zencastr's free tier or Cleanfeed's free plan. As your show grows, the investment in Squadcast or Riverside pays off in reliability and quality.
For most podcasters running interview shows, Squadcast is the best overall choice. It balances professional-grade local recording, reliability, and workflow features without requiring guests to install complex software. The $15/month Starter plan is sufficient for most shows.
If you're building a video-first podcast and want to publish directly to YouTube with 4K quality, Riverside is worth the investment. Its AI transcription alone saves hours of post-production work.
Budget-conscious creators should start with Zencastr's free tier, which gives you 4 hours per month of studio-quality recording with no financial risk. As your show grows, upgrade to a dedicated platform.