Riverside is the strongest choice for remote video recording, with separate tracks for each guest and 4K video on its Pro plan. Descript and Podcastle cover the editing stage best, with text based editing, transcription and AI cleanup tools in the browser. Zencastr and Spotify for Creators give new shows a useful free starting point, while Buzzsprout, Captivate and Transistor focus on hosting and distribution.
Cloud based podcast software runs in the browser, so guests can join from a link, files are stored online, and the host does not need to install desktop editing software. The eight tools below cover the full workflow, from recording a remote interview to editing the audio, publishing the RSS feed and reading listener data.
On this page
Best cloud-based podcast software: comparison table
Swipe the table sideways on a phone to see every column.
| # | Name | Best for | Starting price | Free plan / trial | Link |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Riverside | Remote video recording with separate tracks | $29 per month | Yes | Visit |
| 2 | Descript | Text based audio and video editing | $24 per person per month | Yes | Visit |
| 3 | Podcastle | All in one recording, editing and hosting | $19.99 per month | Yes | Visit |
| 4 | Zencastr | Free remote recording and hosting | $0 per month | Yes | Visit |
| 5 | Buzzsprout | Simple hosting for one show | $15 per month | Yes | Visit |
| 6 | Captivate | Growth focused hosting and monetization | $17 per month | Free trial (30 days) | Visit |
| 7 | Transistor | Hosting several shows on one account | $19 per month | Free trial (14 days) | Visit |
| 8 | Spotify for Creators | Free hosting with video | $0 per month | Yes | Visit |
The 8 best best cloud-based podcast software tools, in detail
Riverside
Best for: Remote video recording with separate tracks
Riverside records each guest locally in the browser and then uploads the separate tracks to the cloud, which helps when a guest has an unstable connection. The Pro plan costs $29 a month when billed monthly, or $24 a month when billed annually, and it includes 15 hours of separate track downloads a month, up to 4K video, 48 kHz audio and no watermark. The Grow plan costs $39 a month when billed monthly, or $34 a month when billed annually, and it adds live streaming and a second studio.
- Riverside also includes transcription, Magic Clips for short clips, show notes and a text based editor, so a show can move from recording to a first c
- The main limit to watch is the separate track download cap, because recording itself is unlimited but downloading the individual tracks stops at the p
Pros
- Separate audio and video tracks for each guest
- up to 4K video on Pro
- local recording reduces internet dropouts
Cons
- Separate track downloads are capped at 15 hours a month on Pro
Descript
Best for: Text based audio and video editing
Descript turns a recording into a transcript and lets the editor cut words from the transcript to cut the audio and video at the same time. That approach suits interview shows, because removing a filler word or a repeated answer is as simple as deleting text. The Hobbyist plan costs $24 a month per person when billed monthly, or $16 a month per person when billed annually, and it includes 10 media hours a month, 400 AI credits a month, 1080p export without a watermark and 100 GB of storage.
- The free plan costs $0 and includes 1 media hour a month, 100 AI credits as a one time allowance, 720p export with a watermark and 5 GB of storage.
- Descript also offers remote recording, with 2 hours of recording session time on the free plan and 5 hours a month on Hobbyist.
- The Business plan costs $65 a month per person when billed monthly, or $50 a month when billed annually, and it adds 40 media hours, 1,500 AI credits,
Pros
- Edit audio and video by editing the transcript
- Studio Sound cleans up noisy audio
- transcription in 25 languages
Cons
- Media hours and AI credits both cap each month, so long shows use the allowance fast
Podcastle
Best for: All in one recording, editing and hosting
Podcastle, now also shown under the Async name on its pricing page, combines remote multitrack recording, text based editing, AI audio cleanup, voice cloning and podcast hosting in one browser workspace. The Essentials plan costs $19.99 a month when billed monthly, or $11.99 a month when billed annually, and it includes 450 AI credits a month, 20 GB of storage, 10 hours of shared transcription limits and export up to Full HD. The free plan includes 2 GB of storage, 1 hour of lifetime remote recording, limited transcription and watermarked exports at up to 720p, which is enough to test the workflow but not enough for a regular show.
- Podcastle also includes a library of more than 7,000 royalty free music and sound effects tracks, automatic subtitles, and a Revoice voice clone that
Pros
- Remote recording, text editing, AI cleanup and hosting in one account
- voice cloning for corrections
- 4K export on Pro
Cons
- AI features use credits, so heavy AI use can run through the monthly allowance
Zencastr
Best for: Free remote recording and hosting
Zencastr now offers its free Vibecastr plan as the main self serve option, with unlimited separate audio and video recording and download, 4K video on desktop and mobile, 48 kHz WAV recording, unlimited track storage and unlimited transcription hours in 11 languages. The free plan also includes unlimited audio and video hosting, advanced analytics, live streaming at 1080p, clips and text based editing, with seats for 4 team members and up to 6 participants in a recording. The limit is what happens next.
- Zencastr retired its Standard, Grow and Business tiers, so there is no fixed monthly price to move to when a show outgrows the free plan caps on parti
- The only step above Vibecastr is a custom Enterprise plan, with pricing by quote.
- A solo show that stays inside the free limits may never need to upgrade, but a network that needs more than 5 shows or more than 4 seats should get th
Pros
- Free Vibecastr plan includes unlimited recording, 4K video and unlimited transcription
- hosting for up to 5 shows
- up to 6 participants
Cons
- No self serve price above the free plan, so larger teams must ask for a custom Enterprise quote
Buzzsprout
Best for: Simple hosting for one show
Buzzsprout is a hosting platform rather than a recorder or editor, and it suits a show that already has edited audio and needs a reliable RSS feed, a website and distribution to podcast directories. The Audio plan costs $15 a month when billed annually and includes up to 72 upload hours a year, unlimited episodes, advanced stats, a premium website and transcripts for new episodes. The Audio plus Video plan costs $25 a month when billed annually, with the same 72 upload hours a year and video distribution to Apple Podcasts, Spotify and YouTube at 1080p.
- The free plan includes 2 hours of uploads a month and hosts episodes for 90 days, with no video distribution and no add ons.
- Buzzsprout also offers an Archive plan at $5 a month that keeps a show live without new uploads.
- Two add ons can raise the monthly cost, because Cohost AI and Magic Mastering are charged separately and their price depends on the base plan.
Pros
- Very clear upload hour limits
- transcripts included on current plans
- unlimited team members
- easy migration
Cons
- Free plan hosts episodes for 90 days only, and unused upload hours do not roll over
Captivate
Best for: Growth focused hosting and monetization
Captivate charges by monthly downloads rather than by upload hours or storage, and every plan includes the same features, so the only difference between tiers is the download ceiling. The Personal plan costs $17 a month when billed annually, or $19 a month when billed monthly, for up to 30,000 downloads a month. The Professional plan costs $44 a month when billed annually for up to 150,000 downloads a month, and the Business plan costs $90 a month when billed annually for up to 300,000 downloads a month.
- Captivate has no free plan, but every plan starts with a 30 day trial and no obligation to continue.
- That structure suits a show that treats the podcast as a marketing channel, because calls to action can be attached per episode and listener data is I
- The download cap is the main risk, because a single episode that gains a large audience can push a show from Personal to Professional in one month.
Pros
- Unlimited podcasts, uploads and storage on every plan
- all features included at every level
- IAB certified analytics
Cons
- No free plan, only a 30 day trial, and plans are capped by monthly downloads
Transistor
Best for: Hosting several shows on one account
Transistor charges per account, not per podcast, so one subscription can host several shows, a public show and a private internal show side by side. The Starter plan costs $19 a month when billed monthly and includes unlimited podcasts, 20,000 monthly downloads, 50 private podcast subscribers, a built in podcast website, advanced analytics, API access and unlimited team members. The Professional plan costs $49 a month when billed monthly and includes unlimited podcasts including video, 100,000 monthly downloads, 500 GB of file storage and dynamic ads.
- Transistor has no free plan, but every plan starts with a 14 day trial.
- Annual billing gives 12 months for the price of 10, which lowers the effective monthly cost for a show that commits for a year.
- Transistor does not include built in recording or audio editing, so a show still needs Riverside, Descript, Podcastle or Zencastr for that part of the
Pros
- Unlimited podcasts on every plan
- private podcast feeds included
- unlimited team members
- built in website
Cons
- No free plan, only a 14 day trial, and Starter does not include video or dynamic ads
Spotify for Creators
Best for: Free hosting with video
Spotify for Creators, formerly Spotify for Podcasters and before that Anchor, is the only major host in this list with no monthly charge and no higher tier to upgrade to. Hosting, storage, bandwidth, audio and video uploads, distribution to major podcast apps, analytics, comments and monetization tools are included at $0. Video uploads support MP4 and MOV files up to 12 hours long on Spotify, and the platform distributes the audio feed to other podcast apps as well.
- The trade off sits on the revenue side and on control.
- Monetization through the Spotify Partner Program needs at least 3 published episodes, 1,000 audience members in the last 30 days and 2,000 hours consu
- Shows that want IAB certified analytics or a separate podcast website may prefer Buzzsprout, Captivate or Transistor.
Pros
- Free hosting with unlimited uploads and storage
- video podcast support
- distribution to major podcast apps
- built in analytics and comments
Cons
- Monetization through the Partner Program needs audience thresholds, and the tools are built around Spotify first
How we chose
We opened the pricing page for each tool on 12 November 2026 and used the entry level price shown there, with the billing term stated next to the price. We checked the plan limits on the same pages, including recording hours, media hours, AI credits, upload hours, storage and monthly downloads, because those caps decide how much a show can publish for the entry price. We included tools that cover recording, editing and hosting, so the list covers the full workflow rather than one stage only.
What to check before you buy
Check the monthly cap in the same unit the vendor uses, because Riverside caps separate track downloads, Descript caps media hours, Podcastle caps AI credits, Buzzsprout caps upload hours and Captivate and Transistor cap monthly downloads. A 60 minute weekly show uses about 4 hours of recording a month, but editing, transcription and AI clips can draw on separate allowances, so add those together before you pick a tier. Check how many shows, seats and participants are included, because Zencastr allows 5 shows and 4 seats on its free plan, while Transistor allows unlimited shows on every plan.
Frequently asked questions
What is the best cloud-based podcast software for beginners?
Buzzsprout is a clear starting point for hosting, because the Audio plan costs $15 a month when billed annually and the free plan gives 2 hours of uploads a month for testing. Zencastr is a clear starting point for recording, because the free Vibecastr plan includes unlimited recording, 4K video and unlimited transcription. A beginner can start with one of those free options and add an editor later.
Do I need separate tools for recording, editing and hosting?
Many shows do, because recording, editing and hosting are different jobs with different limits. Riverside and Zencastr record remote guests, Descript and Podcastle edit the audio and video, and Buzzsprout, Captivate, Transistor and Spotify for Creators host the RSS feed. Podcastle and Zencastr cover more than one stage, but no single tool in this list is the strongest at every stage.
Which tool is cheapest for a weekly show?
Spotify for Creators costs $0 with unlimited hosting, so it is the cheapest host in this list. Zencastr costs $0 for recording and hosting on its free plan, within its limits on participants, shows and seats. Among tools with a monthly charge, Buzzsprout Audio at $15 a month billed annually and Captivate Personal at $17 a month billed annually are the lowest entry prices for hosting.
What is the difference between Riverside and Zencastr?
Riverside charges from $29 a month billed monthly for Pro, with 15 hours of separate track downloads a month, 4K video and live streaming on higher tiers. Zencastr offers its Vibecastr plan free, with unlimited recording, 4K video and unlimited transcription, but it has no self serve price above free, so larger teams must ask for a custom Enterprise quote. Riverside suits shows that need a clear upgrade path, while Zencastr suits shows that fit inside the free limits.
Can I publish a video podcast with these tools?
Yes, with limits that differ by tool. Riverside records up to 4K video on Pro, Descript exports 4K video on Creator, Podcastle exports up to 4K on Pro, and Zencastr records 4K video on its free plan. Buzzsprout distributes video on its Audio plus Video plan at 1080p, Transistor includes video on Professional, and Spotify for Creators hosts video at no charge. Check the export resolution and the video upload cap before you record.
How much recording time do I need each month?
A weekly 60 minute show needs about 4 hours of recording a month, plus extra time for retakes and guest setup. Riverside Pro allows 15 hours of separate track downloads a month, Descript Hobbyist allows 10 media hours a month, and Podcastle Essentials allows 2 hours of remote recording a month on the monthly plan. Count the finished episode length, the raw recording length and the editing time together, because each vendor measures a different part of the workflow.
Sources
- https://riverside.com/
- https://riverside.com/pricing
- https://www.descript.com/
- https://www.descript.com/pricing
- https://podcastle.ai/
- https://podcastle.ai/pricing
- https://zencastr.com/
- https://zencastr.com/pricing
- https://www.buzzsprout.com/
- https://www.buzzsprout.com/pricing
- https://captivate.fm/
- https://captivate.fm/pricing
- https://transistor.fm/
- https://transistor.fm/pricing
- https://creators.spotify.com/
Prices and features were read on each company’s own website in November 2026. They change often, so confirm the current offer on the official site before you sign up or buy.