The right podcast software ultimately comes down to your production style and workflow. Some creators prioritize AI-powered editing features, while others need reliable remote recording or cloud-based collaboration tools for distributed teams.
Here are some of the best podcast editing and production platforms for modern creators.
Best Overall: Riverside
Riverside has become one of the most popular podcast platforms because it handles both recording and editing in one workflow. Unlike traditional online meeting apps, Riverside records audio and video locally on each participant’s device, helping creators maintain studio-quality recordings even during unstable internet connections.
Why Creators Love It
Riverside removes much of the technical complexity from podcast production. Guests can join directly from a browser link, while creators still get separate high-quality audio and video tracks for editing later.
Pros
- Excellent remote recording quality.
- Beginner-friendly workflow.
- Great for video podcasts.
- Built-in AI transcription.
Cons
- Editing features are lighter than full DAWs.
- Requires stable upload speeds for best experience.
Best for AI Voice & Scripted Podcasts: Speechify
Speechify is evolving into a powerful AI-first content creation platform. Instead of relying entirely on manual recording, creators can generate realistic AI narration, clone voices, and turn scripts into podcast-ready audio quickly.
Standout Features
- AI voice generation.
- Voice cloning.
- AI narration.
- Text-to-audio workflow.
- Fast content production.
Pros
- Extremely fast workflow.
- High-quality AI voices.
- Great for solo creators.
- Beginner-friendly interface.
Cons
- Less suitable for detailed manual audio engineering.
- Subscription pricing.
Best for Cloud Collaboration: Soundtrap
Cloud-based podcast editing platform with collaborative recording and production tools. Soundtrap, owned by Spotify, focuses heavily on collaborative podcast production. Unlike traditional desktop software, everything runs in the browser, making it easy for distributed teams to work together in real time.
Key Features
- Browser-based editing.
- Real-time collaboration.
- Podcast templates.
- Cloud storage.
- Built-in transcription.
- Sound effects & music library.
Pros
- Easy team collaboration.
- No heavy installation.
- Beginner-friendly UI.
- Modern workflow.
Cons
- Less advanced than professional DAWs.
- Requires reliable internet.
Best for AI-Powered Podcast Editing: Async
AI-powered content creation and editing platform designed for collaborative media production. Async is positioning itself as an AI-powered podcast and media production platform focused on simplifying editing, cleanup, and collaborative workflows. According to its platform, creators can record, clean, edit, and export podcasts directly from the browser.
Its ecosystem includes:
- AI noise reduction.
- Text-based editing.
- Filler-word removal.
- Transcription.
- Remote interview recording.
- Podcast clip generation.
Why It’s Interesting
Async reflects a broader trend in podcast production: creators increasingly want fast, AI-assisted workflows instead of traditional manual editing.
Pros
- AI-focused workflow.
- Modern interface.
- Browser-based tools.
- Good collaboration features.
Cons
- Still less established than larger competitors.
- Advanced creators may want deeper manual controls.
Which Tool Should You Choose?
Choose Riverside if you:
- Record remote interviews.
- Create video podcasts.
- Want studio-quality recordings without complex setup.
Choose Speechify if you:
- Want AI-generated narration.
- Create scripted podcasts.
- Prioritize speed and automation.
Choose Soundtrap if you:
- Work with a team
- Prefer cloud-based collaboration
- Want a beginner-friendly workflow
Choose Async if you:
- Want AI-assisted editing.
- Need collaborative production tools.
- Prefer browser-first workflows.
Final Thoughts
Podcast production is evolving quickly. Creators no longer need traditional studio setups or complicated desktop software to produce professional-quality content. Platforms like Riverside simplify remote recording, Speechify accelerates AI-powered narration, while Soundtrap and Async push podcast editing toward collaborative cloud workflows.
The best tool ultimately depends on how you create content:
- Solo or team-based.
- Interview or scripted.
- Manual editing or AI-assisted production.
For most modern creators, a combination of recording, AI editing, and collaboration tools will likely become the new standard workflow.