Riverside Alternatives (2026): 10 Remote Recording Studios

Riverside is one of the names you'll hear most when podcasters talk about recording guests remotely. It records each person on their own device and uploads the files, which is why the sound and video usually come out cleaner than a normal video call. But it isn't the only studio that works this way, and some hosts want something lighter, audio only, built into an editor, or tied to live streaming.

This page lists ten Riverside alternatives in no particular order, sorted alphabetically. I've mixed smaller and independent recording studios with a few well-known platforms, and every detail comes from each tool's own website and plans page. Each one lets you record a conversation with guests who aren't in the room with you. If you'd like the wider picture first, my guide to podcast recording software covers the general options.

Riverside alternatives at a glance

In the free plan column, Yes means the tool's own site describes a free plan or free tier. Trial only means a free trial with no ongoing free plan. Limits on free plans change often, so check recording hours and guest numbers before you book a big interview.

Tool	Type	Good for	Free plan
Alitu	Podcast maker with recorder	Beginners who want recording and editing in one place	Trial only
Cleanfeed	Browser audio studio	Audio-only interviews with very clear sound	Yes
Descript	Editor with remote rooms	Recording guests, then editing by transcript	Yes
Ecamm Live	Mac streaming studio	Mac users mixing live shows and recorded interviews	Trial only
Iris	Browser recording studio	Video interviews recorded locally for each person	Yes
Restream	Multistreaming studio	Going live on several channels with guests	Yes
StreamYard	Browser live studio	Live shows and webinars with easy guest links	Yes
Waveroom	Browser podcast recorder	Small panels with a host and a few guests	Yes
Zencastr	Remote podcast studio	Separate audio and video tracks for each guest	Yes
Zoom	Video meeting app	Quick recordings with guests who already know it	Yes

Ten remote recording studios to consider, A to Z

Alitu

Best for: New podcasters who'd like a simple tool that records calls with guests and then helps tidy and publish each episode.

Cleanfeed

Best for: Audio podcasters and radio-style hosts who want clean, low-delay sound with guests and don't need video at all.

Descript

Best for: Creators who want to record remote guests and then edit the episode by changing the text of the transcript.

Ecamm Live

Best for: Mac owners who stream live and want browser guests, scenes and overlays, with every broadcast saved to the computer.

Iris

Best for: Podcast hosts who want guests to join from a link on any device, with separate local recordings for each person.

Restream

Best for: Businesses that stream a show to several social channels at once and want the session saved as a recording.

StreamYard

Best for: Small businesses running live interviews or shows in the browser who also want recordings to repurpose later.

Waveroom

Best for: Hosts who record with up to four guests and want a straightforward browser studio that guests can join quickly.

Zencastr

Best for: Interview podcasters who want each guest on their own track, so editing a crosstalk moment or a cough is easier.

Zoom

Best for: People who want a familiar meeting app that guests can join easily, using local recording for a simple interview.

What matters most in a remote podcast recording studio

Most of these tools look similar on a homepage. The differences show up on the day you record with a nervous guest on a shaky connection. These are the points I'd look at.

• Local recording. Does the tool record each person on their own device, or does it capture the live call? Local recording keeps the audio clean when the internet wobbles.
• Separate tracks. You'll want each speaker on their own track if you plan to edit, so you can lower one voice or cut a cough without touching the other person.
• Guest experience. Can guests join from a browser link with no account or download? The fewer steps, the fewer late starts.
• Audio only or video too. If you only publish audio, an audio-first studio may suit you better than a video tool.
• Number of guests. Panels need more seats than one-to-one interviews, so check the limit on the plan you'll use.
• Uploads and backups. Look for progressive uploads during the session, so a closed laptop at the end doesn't lose the recording.

Questions to ask before you swap away from Riverside

• Do you record video for YouTube and social clips, or is the podcast audio only?
• Do you edit the episodes yourself, or does an editor need the raw files?
• Do you also go live, or is every episode recorded first and published later?
• Will your guests join from phones, tablets or laptops?
• Who on your team needs access to the recordings, and where should the files end up?

Your answers usually point you to one of three types of tool, which I've set out below.

Which type of Riverside alternative fits your podcast

• Dedicated remote recording studios suit interview podcasts where sound quality matters most and the episode is edited afterwards.
• Editors with built-in recording suit solo creators who want to record and edit in one place, often by working on the transcript.
• Live streaming studios suit businesses that run live shows or webinars and want a recording to cut into clips later.
• Video meeting apps suit occasional interviews where convenience for the guest matters more than studio-grade files.

Once you've recorded, the edit is where an episode comes together. My guide to podcast editing software walks through the main editing options.

Setting up your first remote interview in a new studio

1. Run a short test session with a friend before you invite a real guest.
2. Send guests a short note asking them to use headphones, a quiet room and a wired connection if they can.
3. Ask guests to close other apps and browser tabs, which helps the local recording run smoothly.
4. Record a minute of chat first, then play it back to check levels on every track.
5. Keep the session open at the end until the uploads finish for everyone.
6. Download the files and save a backup copy before you start editing.

A good guest makes the whole episode easier. My tips on choosing podcast guests help you book people who'll bring something useful to your listeners.

Remote podcast recording mistakes to avoid

• Relying on the live call audio rather than the local recordings.
• Forgetting to tell guests that you're recording and how you'll use the episode.
• Picking a tool for its streaming features when you never go live.
• Not checking how many recording hours the plan includes before a busy month.
• Ending the session before every guest's upload has finished.

Do you make remote podcast or video recording tools? Tool makers can ask to be considered for a featured place on this list.

Picking your remote recording studio with confidence

Shortlist two tools that match the way you publish. Record the same short test interview in each, with the same guest if you can, and listen back on headphones. Check how easy it was for the guest to join and how long the files took to arrive. Keep the one that gave you clean tracks with the least fuss, and record a couple of real episodes before you cancel anything you already use.

Frequently asked questions

Is there a free way to record a podcast with remote guests?

Yes. Several studios on this list describe a free plan or free tier, usually with limits on recording hours, guests or video quality. Check each tool's own plans page for the current limits.

What is local recording in a podcast studio?

Local recording means each person's audio and video is captured on their own device, then uploaded. It avoids the glitches you hear on a normal video call when the connection drops.

Can I record a podcast with guests on a normal video call app?

You can, and it works for simple interviews. You'll usually get one mixed recording, though, which is harder to edit than separate tracks for each speaker.

Do my guests need to download anything?

With most browser studios, guests just click a link and allow access to their microphone and camera. Some desktop tools need the host to install software, but not the guest.

Should I tell guests I'm recording them?

Yes, always. Tell guests before you start that you're recording, how you'll use the episode, and where it'll be published, so everyone's clear from the start.