What Is the Best Podcast Recording Software?

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Contributor, Benzinga
June 23, 2021

Creating a podcast is a way for you to easily express your creativity. No matter what the topic or the purpose of your podcast is, you will need audio recording software in order to create your podcast.

There are plenty of professional-level programs out there for people who know what they are doing, but if you are a beginner, you will appreciate simple podcast recording software. 

What to Look for in a Podcast Recording Software

Since you do not need all of the bells and whistles that come with standard professional recording software, you can simplify what you are looking for in your search for podcast recording software. There are certain features that you should look for because they will improve the production quality of your podcast.

Think about the following features when you look at options for podcast recording software. 

Ease of Use

Creating a podcast should be simple. Difficulty levels don’t correspond to the quality of podcast recording software. When you are looking at different recording software, check for learning materials that can help you with the program.

You can go so far as to look for tutorials specifically focused on using the software for podcast recording purposes. 

Effects

You will not need any major effects for your podcast since the majority of your recordings will be of your voice and nothing more. However, equalizers and compressors can dramatically improve the sound quality of your voices.

In addition, some programs offer noise-removing effects that will remove or greatly reduce noises in the background of your recordings. This will help listeners because they’ll be able to focus on your voice and understand you more easily when listening to your podcast. 

Computer

When you look at certain recording software, you will notice that some software programs are only compatible with one type of operating system. For example, Logic Pro is only compatible with Mac OS.

Beyond compatibility, you need to also make sure that your computer is up-to-date as most recording software is only compatible with updated computers.

5 Best Podcast Recording Software

With the knowledge above, you can make an educated decision about which of the following options is the best podcast recording software for you. Take the time to conduct more in-depth research for each of these options once you narrow down a few of your top choices. 

Soundtrap

If you are looking for simplicity and easy-to-learn features, Soundtrap was made for you. It is an online program that can be used on any internet browser. They have multiple subscription plans but the best one in this circumstance is the Storytellers plan which will give you all of the tools you need for your podcast.

It even includes a feature that allows you to upload your episodes directly to Spotify! 

Pros:

  • Easy uploads to Spotify
  • Can feature guests remotely
  • No installations needed

Cons:

  • Cannot be used without the internet

Best for uploading to Spotify. 

Pricing:

  • Storytellers — $11.99

Acid Pro 10

Acid is a Windows-only program that removes unnecessary background noises from your recordings. This is a great recording program designed by Magix for beginners. It’s the entry-level version of podcast recording software compared to Soundforge which is the high-end recording software from Magix.

Thanks to its built-in tools, you will have no problem quickly editing your podcast.

Pros:

  • Great noise removal tools
  • Multiple ways to purchase 
  • Comes with loops and sound effects

Cons:

  • Harder to learn than most basic DAWs
  • Only compatible with Windows

Best for Windows users.

Pricing: 

  • Acid Pro — $99.00
  • Pro 365 12-month plan — $9.99 per month
  • Pro 365 12-month plan — $12.99 per month
  • The Pro Suite — $249.00

Spreaker

Spreaker is a podcast hosting site that can help you manage your podcast. It comes with a free recording and editing app that you can download to both your computer and your phone. The tool comes with limited storage for free users but if you pay for a subscription, it will give you access to even more space.

If you use them to help manage and host your podcast, you can get more in-depth analytics of your show as well as set up easy monetization. 

Pros:

  • Free software
  • Easy-to-use sound effects

Cons:

  • Limited storage

Best for creating and managing a podcast. 

Pricing - 

  • Free
  • On-Air Talent plan — $6 per month billed annually
  • On-Air Talent plan — $7 per month billed monthly
  • Broadcaster plan — $18 per month billed annually
  • Broadcaster plan — $20 per month billed monthly
  • Anchorman plan — $45 per month billed annually
  • Anchorman plan — $50 per month billed monthly 

Garageband

If you are looking for simplicity and easy-to-use software, you cannot go wrong with Garageband. It comes stocked with all of the tools you could ever need to create a podcast. From the intuitive plugins to the included sound effects and loops, you can rest assured that you will export high-quality content every time. 

Pros:

  • Free
  • Easy to use and learn
  • Thousands of sound effects and loops included

Cons:

  • Only compatible with Mac

Best for Mac users. 

Pricing: 

  • Free

Audacity

If you are a beginner in the world of recording and you have absolutely no experience using it in the past, Audacity is the best choice for you. It comes with a simple layout and straightforward approach to recording and exporting audio files. You can use plugins and other effects to enhance your tracks before easily exporting the files for upload. 

Pros:

  • Completely free
  • Many basic tutorials are available on YouTube

Cons:

  • Can only record 2 channels simultaneously

Best for beginners. 

Pricing 

  • Free

Make Your Voice Heard

With these tools in your arsenal, you can create a professional-sounding podcast. Each of these choices excels in ways that set them apart from the crowd, making it even easier to determine the best podcast recording software for yourself since you know these are the best of the best.

Take advantage of any free trials that are available to you. Record an episode and then compare it to the other podcast recording software platforms. From there, decide which software offered the easiest process and the best audio quality.

Recommended lecture: WHAT IS THE BEST MICROPHONE FOR PODCASTING?