Best free: AudacityBest for beginners: AuphonicBest for Macs: GarageBandBest for recording: HindenburgBest for remote recording: Anchor
How we selected the best podcast software
After getting several hours of hands-on experience with a professional engineer, conducting interviews, and editing the audio under various studio and field recording conditions, we’re highlighting programs that are capable of producing pro-quality results. We chose these five apps based on their intuitive qualities, and their ability to render great sound while editing a recording you captured—even if you didn’t drop your whole paycheck on the best microphones, mixing headphones, and/or voice recorder.
What to consider when shopping for the best podcast software
Good podcast software empowers you with the ability to accentuate, minimize, or straight up kill the noise while boosting what you want your audience to hear. Does your podcast software allow for clean cuts, crossfades, and blends? Does your podcast software have a great selection of the audio filters that are key for your use case? Remember, your mouse has a hair-trigger when you’re producing and engineering your session. The slightest tremble leaves a mark on your sound waves, and editing your own edits can put you in a world of stress. This is your legacy and you want it to be great. No, you want it to be better than great. To feel good while you’re recording, you need to go in knowing you have the tools you need to succeed.
Is all software created equal?
Short answer? No. Some programs are primarily for cleaning up raw interviews, others let you nip and tuck your curated components, while others have what it takes to record, edit, and even compose your own incidental music. But in the end, the best podcast software doesn’t have to be the most expensive soup-to-nuts program on the market, just the one that you’re the most comfortable using.
What does it take to start a podcast?
It’s easy to start a podcast with little-to-no experience or overhead cost. You could record a simple show with your iPhone and a pair of headphones. For a beginner with no audio production experience, I’d suggest starting with one of the great free digital audio workstation (DAW) apps, like Audacity or Apple’s GarageBand. They’re basic, but will help sharpen your editing skills, and prepare you for more sophisticated programs later on. But don’t sweat the small stuff too much at first. Remember: Content is king. That’s what keeps listeners coming back for more. If the content is strong, people will put up with a rough edit as you learn the ropes. And the best podcast software empowers you with the ability to accentuate, minimize, or straight up kill the noise while boosting what you want your audience to hear.
The best podcast software: Reviews & Recommendations
Finding the best podcast recording software, the one that suits your workflow, will help you turn a good podcast into a great one. There are countless ways to record, edit, and post your podcasts, but finding an editing program that fits like a glove isn’t always an easy task. So we’ve highlighted 5 of the best podcast software recording tools to get you started on the path toward your first Pulitzer.
Best free podcast software: Audacity
Why it made the cut: Audacity is the best free podcast program for learning how to edit podcasts. It’s free, so easy to learn you don’t even need to read the manual. Specs
Free, open-source softwareUnlimited audio tracksFull mixer view
Pros
Easy-to-use interfaceSmooth stereo recordingIntuitive audio file editorHolds its own against pricier competitors
Cons
Needs better plugin supportLong lag or break when opening the softwareEditing and effects options are limitedOpen-source, so no real support available
It’s hard to go wrong using Audacity for any kind of audio recording. It’s an incredibly powerful option for a free, open-source audio editor. It’s also incredibly versatile. Available for Windows, macOS, GNU/Linux, and other operating systems, this multitrack editor continues to get great new features thanks to the volunteers who develop it. It allows users to record live audio through a microphone or mixer, or digitize recordings from other media; supports LADSPA, LV2, Nyquist, VST, and Audio Unit effect plug-ins (with real-time previews); and offers unlimited sequential Undo (and Redo), among other features—all for the price of nothing. But its easy interface also makes it the go-to software for working with audio when you’re on the move. And it’s been available for years, so you know it’s reliable.
Best podcast software for beginners: Auphonic
Why it made the cut: Auphonic is the best podcast software for beginners because it is a quick, easy, and no-frills outlet for tightening up the sound quality. Specs
App- and web-basedFree for 2 hours of content per monthAutomatic speech recognition with transcript generator/editor
Pros
AI does the work for youFast turnaround timePro-quality sound
Cons
Cold AI interfaceYou still should check your podcast for flawsNot a lot of room for personal touch up
Best podcast software for Mac: GarageBand
Why it made the cut: GarageBand is the best podcast software for a Mac because it’s an easy way to create your podcast from scratch and it’s included on any new Mac or iOS device. Specs
Included on new iOS/macOS devicesSupports up to 255 tracksBundled audio clips and content: 15 GB
Pros
Easy-to-use recording and mixing capabilitiesEasily supports third-party plug-ins and import 24-bit filesBuilt-in sound library grows continually
Cons
Large project files, which can easily fill up the storageNo view of the mixing console availableMore of a learning curve than some appsMost useful using iOS devices
If you’re a Mac, iPad, or iPhone user, GarageBand offers most of the tools of a full-on multitrack recording studio in whatever macOS or iOS device you use to record and produce your podcast. If you’re building drama or masking identities, the software comes with a complete sound library of presets for processing your voice—and it includes several virtual musical instruments, should you decide to build original compositions that set/support the mood. The intuitive, ultra-modern design—perfect for iPad and taking full advantage of Touch Bar controls on macOS and pre-M1 MacBook Pros—clears the way for you to quickly and easily build your podcast from the ground up and broadcast it to your audience the world over. And while GarageBand is the best podcast editing software on a budget, if you find you’re ready to take your productions up a notch—tracking live musical guests or sculpting more complex broadcast-ready sessions—you can import anything you do in GarageBand into Logic Pro, its big brother DAW.
Best podcast recording software: Hindenburg
Why it made the cut: Hindenburg is the best podcast recording software because it is the gold standard for capturing the subtle nuances of dialogue. Specs
Import 24-bit audio filesAuto Update creates a recovery file once every minute
Pros
Made specifically for voice-oriented podcasting and radio productionSupports all types of audio filesOne-click publishing to SoundCloud and other popular hosting services
Cons
Multitrack recording and multiple-destination publishing only available in PRO paid versionLacks mix- and tone-sculpting features in traditional music-production DAWs
Have you ever wondered how Terry Gross sounds so warm and buttery smooth on Fresh Air? She probably has a Shure SM7B or some other high-end microphone, plus a staff that knows their way around software. While I can’t tell you how to get one of those podcast microphones, I can tell you how to get NPR-quality sound and segues from your software. If you’re looking to sharpen your podcast audio to an undeniably professional NPR-like level, Hindenburg is the product for you. One of the most comprehensive and high-quality audio editors for a spoken-word workflow, Hindenburg lets you plug and play hardware, track and re-track voices or import any audio file, establish auto levels and noise reduction effects, and much more—whether guests are gathered for a round table or calling in to contribute. Hindenburg is professional-grade software, so it comes with a professional-grade price tag. At $99 (perpetual, or $12 monthly) for the single-track LITE software to $399 (for a perpetual license, or $10 monthly) for the multitrack PRO pack, this software is clearly meant for the serious podcaster on the go, and for true journalists. However, both are available for a 30-day trial. And if you’re just looking for a simple field recorder, Hindenburg offers an iOS app with one-dial compressor to capture clips and send them directly to its PRO or LITE platforms.
Best podcast software for remote recording: Anchor
Why it made the cut: With so many functions, Anchor feels like a Swiss Army knife for your podcast. Specs
Audio encoded in stereo at 44.1 kHz, 128 kbit/s CBREmbedded player plays higher-quality versions by defaultOriginal files recorded as .MP3 or .M4A are passed along to your podcast feed
Pros
FreeEasy recording and posting featuresEasy path to monetization
Cons
Limited editing featuresComparatively unstable
Whether you’re a beginner or an advanced podcaster, Anchor offers a free iOS-, Android-, or desktop-based platform full of valuable tools you can access anywhere you have a phone and internet making it our pick for the best podcast software for remote recording. Built-in uploading, recording, and editing tools let you easily arrange segments and transitions then publish episodes to the most popular listening apps that are available to you, including Spotify (the program’s parent company), with a single tap—plus you can access insightful analytics from these platforms. Anchor can also instantly monetize your podcast through subscriptions and an internal crowdfunding platform that lets your listeners make direct contributions. It also has an Ads by Anchor program that inserts ads in your voice, or sponsor-read, into each and every one of your podcast episodes.
A final word on the best podcast software
Clearly, the field is wide open when it comes to selecting the best podcast software. As the medium continues to grow, the tech around the medium keeps getting better. Our top five picks—Audacity, Auphonic, GarageBand, Hindenburg, and Anchor—are just the tip of the iceberg. Once you’re comfortable with editing, the best podcast software is a matter of one’s own personal taste and style. Each of these picks is a battle-proven standby. Determining what’s best for you? That’s best left to experience. The only way out is through and this ’cast of characters will get you where you want to go.
