The closest swaps for an automated podcast editor are AI clean-up tools and recording studios with editing built in. If you want more control and don't mind a learning curve, a traditional audio editor gives you every knob. Pick by how many hours you'll spend editing each episode, not by the length of the feature list.
Podcastle is the name many lists still give as the obvious Alitu rival, but its address now lands on Async, a chat-based AI video editor. So it's not here. What is here: eight podcast editing tools for new and solo podcasters, in no particular order, grouped by how much of the work they take off you.
Alitu automates, so start with automation
Alitu's appeal is that it cleans up and assembles an episode for you. The nearest replacements keep that hands-off feel, and the further you move from them, the more editing lands back on your plate.
Automated clean-up
Cleanvoice does one job: it strips out noise, filler words, mouth sounds and silences, so it pairs well with whatever you record on. Adobe Podcast covers recording, transcription and editing in a browser with AI enhancement on top.
Recording studios that also edit
Riverside and Zencastr record your conversation and let you edit in the same place, which matters most if your show is mainly remote interviews. Fewer exports, fewer stray files on your desktop.
Traditional editors
Hindenburg, Ardour, ocenaudio and WavePad give you more control and ask more of you. The first is built for spoken word, the second is a full open-source workstation, and the other two handle quick cuts and file processing on the desktop. Expect to learn some audio basics along the way.
Where do you fit?
If you record solo and want the episode done the same day, you'll be happiest with automated clean-up. If most episodes are interviews with guests in other places, a studio that records and edits together saves the most back-and-forth. If you're making a narrative show with music beds, sound effects and careful pacing, a traditional editor is worth the extra hours, because that's the kind of work automation can't judge for you. Many podcasters mix two: a studio to record, and a clean-up tool or editor to finish.
Eight podcast editors, alphabetically
Unranked. Each description reflects what the vendor says about its own tool.
Adobe Podcast
Best for: Recording, transcribing, editing and sharing audio from a browser; the vendor says its AI makes recordings sound crisp and clear every time.
Ardour
Best for: Podcasters who want a free, open-source digital audio workstation for recording, vocals and mixing on Windows, Linux or macOS.
Cleanvoice
Best for: Automatically removing background noise, filler words, mouth sounds and silences; the vendor promises studio-quality sound without hours of editing.
Hindenburg
Best for: Journalists and audio storytellers who want a spoken-word editor without, as the vendor puts it, the technical complexity of most DAWs.
ocenaudio
Best for: Quick edits in a cross-platform editor the vendor describes as easy, fast and functional.
Riverside
Best for: Remote interview shows; the vendor's online studio records, edits with AI, repurposes and distributes podcasts and video in one flow.
WavePad
Best for: Recording, editing and processing sound files on the desktop; the vendor says it supports all popular audio formats.
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Zencastr
Best for: New podcasters who'd like to record audio and video, edit by chatting and publish everywhere; the vendor names a free plan.
Who each podcast tool serves
| Tool | Approach | Good for |
|---|---|---|
| Adobe Podcast | Browser recording and editing | Recording and tidying audio in a browser |
| Ardour | Open-source audio workstation | Full multitrack control with free software |
| Cleanvoice | AI podcast clean-up | Removing filler words, mouth sounds and silence |
| Hindenburg | Spoken-word audio editor | Interview and narrative shows |
| ocenaudio | Simple audio editor | Quick edits in a light desktop editor |
| Riverside | Recording studio with editing | Remote interviews recorded and edited in one place |
| WavePad | Desktop audio editor | Recording and processing sound files in many formats |
| Zencastr | Recording with chat-based editing | Recording, then editing by typing instructions |
Advice for solo podcasters
Time your editing. Record one normal episode, then see how long each candidate takes to get it ready to publish, including the bit where you listen back. If you're a solo host with an hour a week for the whole show, the clean-up and studio tools will feel like a relief. If you enjoy shaping sound and have a few hours spare, a traditional editor will reward you.
Keep your raw recordings whichever way you go, and stick with one tool for a few episodes before you judge it, because every editor feels slow in week one. Listen to the finished episode on everyday earbuds as well as good headphones, since that's how many of your listeners will hear it. For more ideas, see my lists of Auphonic alternatives and Descript alternatives, and my guide to podcast editing software.
And if you're moving away from an all-in-one service, download your published episodes and artwork first, and check where your RSS feed is hosted. Your listeners follow the feed, not the editor, so that's the one thing you can't afford to break.
Do you make podcast editing software? Tool makers can ask to be considered for a featured place on this list.
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Frequently asked questions
What does a podcast editor do automatically?
Automated tools can level volume, remove background noise, cut filler words and long pauses, and add intro and outro music. You still listen back, but the dull cutting is done for you.
Do I need a DAW to edit a podcast?
No. A digital audio workstation gives you full control, but many solo podcasters never need one. A clean-up tool or a recording studio with editing is enough for most interview and solo shows.
Will changing editors affect my podcast feed?
Usually not. Your feed lives with your podcast host, not your editor. If your current tool also hosts your show, check how to move the feed before you cancel.
What's the easiest way to remove ums and ahs?
Use a tool that detects filler words and lets you review the cuts before applying them. Removing every one can sound robotic, so keep a few for a natural feel.
Should I record remotely or in person?
Record however your guests are comfortable. For remote interviews, a studio that captures each person's audio separately makes editing much easier later.
Can I edit a podcast without installing software?
Yes. Browser-based tools work on most computers with a modern browser. Desktop editors need installing on Windows, Mac or Linux, so check the system list on each vendor's site.
