- Video podcast tools at a glance
- Ten video podcast tools to try
- Which tool fits your set-up
- An audio feed on YouTube becomes a still picture
- A simple video podcast set-up
- Live or recorded?
- Plan the clips before you record
- Signs your video episodes need work
- My plain advice on video podcasts
- Frequently asked questions
Video podcast software helps you record hosts and guests on camera, edit the episode and publish it where people watch. Some tools focus on remote recording, some on live streaming and editing, and some on hosting the finished show. Choose by how you record and where the episode will be watched. Ten options follow, in no particular order.
A video version of your show gives you clips for social media, a face your audience recognises and a reason to publish on YouTube.
The ten tools below cover remote studios, phone and desktop recorders, streaming software and hosts. They're listed alphabetically and in no particular order, and every description comes from the vendor's own website, read this week. If you're still planning the show, my step by step guide to starting a podcast comes first.
Video podcast tools at a glance
I checked the free plan column on each tool's own website, as of Oct 2026. Yes means the site says the tool, or a plan or version of it, is free. Trial only means a time-limited trial or trial credit. Not stated means the pages I read named neither, even where there's a button inviting you to start, so check the vendor's page before you sign up.
| Tool | Type | Good for | Free plan |
|---|---|---|---|
| Castos | Podcast hosting with YouTube tools | Hosting audio plus YouTube publishing | Trial only |
| Descript | Text-based video and audio editor | Editing episodes like a document | Not stated |
| Detail | Video recording app for iPhone and Mac | Auto-edited episodes from a phone | Not stated |
| Ecamm Live | Streaming and recording studio for Mac | Multi-camera shows on a Mac | Trial only |
| OBS Studio | Free open source recording and streaming software | Full control on Windows, Mac or Linux | Yes |
| Riverside | Remote podcast and video recording studio | Remote guests recorded in HD | Yes |
| Spotify for Creators | Podcast hosting and growth tools | Publishing video episodes on Spotify | Not stated |
| SquadCast | Remote recording studio | Remote recording in the browser | Trial only |
| StreamYard | Browser live streaming and recording studio | Recording and streaming live at once | Yes |
| Zencastr | Podcast recording, editing and hosting | Recording, editing and hosting together | Yes |
Ten video podcast tools to try
Castos
Best for: Businesses that want podcast hosting with YouTube tools, websites and analytics, including private internal podcasts.
Descript
Best for: Podcasters who want to record with guests in Rooms, then edit video by editing the transcript like text.
Detail
Best for: Solo hosts who want video podcasts recorded on an iPhone or Mac and automatically edited, ready to share in seconds.
Ecamm Live
Best for: Mac users who want multiple cameras, screen sharing and a live camera switcher for streamed or recorded episodes.
OBS Studio
Best for: Technical hosts who want free, open source software for recording and live streaming on Windows, Mac or Linux.
Riverside
Best for: Interview shows that want remote guests recorded in HD, with AI show notes, translation and social clips added later.
Spotify for Creators
Best for: Podcasters who want to publish on Spotify with video thumbnails, a custom show page and monetisation tools for audio and video.
SquadCast
Best for: Teams who want studio-quality remote video recording in the browser, with no downloads for guests and cloud backup.
StreamYard
Best for: Hosts who want a browser studio that records the episode or streams it live to Facebook, YouTube and other platforms.
Zencastr
Best for: New podcasters who want 4K video recording, chat-based editing and hosting in one tool they can start free.
Which tool fits your set-up
- Remote guests in HD: Riverside or SquadCast.
- Editing by transcript: Descript.
- Recording on an iPhone or Mac: Ecamm Live or the Detail app.
- Free software with full control: OBS Studio.
- Recording and streaming live at once: StreamYard.
- Recording, editing and hosting together: Zencastr.
- Publishing video episodes on Spotify: Spotify for Creators.
- Hosting with YouTube publishing tools: Castos.
An audio feed on YouTube becomes a still picture
YouTube Help says that when you submit a podcast RSS feed, YouTube creates a video for each episode by using your show art as a static image.
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That's a handy way to get an audio show onto YouTube, but viewers will be looking at one picture for the whole episode. If you want people to see the conversation, record video and upload it as a video podcast.
A simple video podcast set-up
- Put the camera at eye level and the light in front of you.
- Use a separate microphone rather than the camera's.
- Record each person on their own track where the tool allows it.
- Frame both hosts the same way so cuts look natural.
- Record a short clip-worthy moment on purpose in every episode.
Live or recorded?
Live streaming gives you real-time questions and a sense of event, but mistakes go out as they happen. Recording lets you edit, cut and add chapters before anyone sees it.
Many shows do both: stream live to a smaller audience, then edit the recording into the main episode and short clips.
Plan the clips before you record
Most growth from a video podcast comes from short clips posted elsewhere. Note two or three questions you know will get a strong answer, and make sure the camera catches the guest's face clearly when you ask them.
Signs your video episodes need work
- Viewers leave in the first minute. Start with the best moment.
- The audio echoes. Add soft furnishings to the room.
- Guests look away from camera. Move the screen closer.
- No clips get shared. Plan clip moments in advance.
Do you make video podcast software? Tool makers can ask to be considered for a featured place on this list.
My plain advice on video podcasts
Don't buy a studio's worth of gear before episode one. Record three episodes with what you have, publish them and watch where people stop. Fix sound first, then lighting, then camera. Audiences forgive a soft picture far more than poor audio.
After each recording, use my guide to turning one podcast episode into a week of content so the episode keeps working after it goes live.
Frequently asked questions
What is video podcast software?
It's software for recording, editing, streaming or publishing a podcast with video as well as audio.
Can I record a video podcast for free?
Yes. Some tools on this list name a free plan or free version. Check the free plan column and each vendor's site.
Do I need a studio to make a video podcast?
No. A camera at eye level, good light and a separate microphone are enough to start.
What happens if I submit an audio RSS feed to YouTube?
YouTube Help says it creates a video for each episode using your show art as a still image.
Should I stream my podcast live?
Stream live if your audience wants to ask questions in real time. Otherwise, recording and editing gives you more control.
How do I record remote guests in good quality?
Use a remote recording tool that records each person locally and uploads the files, rather than recording a video call.
