The Best Podcast Software: Free and Paid Podcast Tools Worth Using

Have you joined the podcast trend yet? If you have, you’re far from alone. Stats show that 42 percent of Americans listen to podcasts every month.

Perhaps you’ve even decided to take things further and launch a show. In that case, you’ll want the best podcast publishing tools.

However, with so many podcast software options, it can feel overwhelming.

Some podcast tools are best for beginners, while others are for the more advanced.

Then there are the basic, free podcast tools and the more expensive equipment, with a steep learning curve. There are also multi-functional tools, while others only offer podcast recording software without the bells and whistles.

There is so much choice. Which one do you buy?

No worries. The confusion stops here.

Before you hit record and start carving out a slice of the podcast pie for your brand, you need somewhere to record, edit, and publish your episodes.

In this post, I list some of the best podcast recording software and highlight the pros and cons.

13 Best Podcast Software Tools

Not all podcasting tools are equal.

Some only solve one specific task, while other software for podcasts give you a full suite of features to help you record, edit, and publish your podcast to the world.

Here’s what you can expect from each option to help you decide whether it’s a good fit for your experience level and needs.

Tool #1: Audacity – Great Free Podcast Software for Beginners

Audacity is a free, open-source digital audio workstation (DAW). While it doesn’t come with all the bells and whistles as some of the other paid options on this list, it still packs a punch.

The free podcast software tool has all the features and basic editing options a first-time podcaster needs to create, produce, and publish a professional podcast.

You can record live audio or digitalize audio files from other media types. Cut, splice, and edit everything in one place, and export your podcast into different file formats (including MP3, WAV, and AIF).

Audacity has had two recent updates, which have added real-time effects support and enables uses to upload and share audio on Audacity’s sister platform, audio.com. The podcast tool has also added a shelf filter and realtime capability to some of the built-in effects.

Pros of Audacity

• Free to use
• Compatible with Windows, Linux, and Mac
• Full recording and editing options
• Supports most audio file formats
• Supports 16-bit, 24-bit, and 32-bit audio quality
• Powerful features like Silence Finder, Truncate Silence, Sync-Lock, and saveable EQ
• No audio editing experience necessary.

Cons of Audacity

• No multitrack recording
• Can’t upload directly to a podcast hosting platform
• No advanced editing features
• No mobile app

Audacity Pricing

Audacity is a free podcast tool.

Tool #2: Auphonic – The Personal Audio Engineer on a Budget

Auphonic is an AI post-production software tool that can clean up your audio files with just a few clicks to give your podcast a professional, polished sound.

This podcast software is great for podcasters who use an interview format, Auphonic’s easy-to-use interface automatically levels your audio volume and make you sound like a pro, all at a very reasonable price.

All you need to do is upload your audio, and the AI algorithm identifies different voices and music. Then, it processes and optimizes the sounds separately to fine-tune the audio quality of your podcast.

Auphonic comes with multiple integrations, including Dropbox, Google Drive, OneDrive, Amazon S3, and SFTP servers.

Pros of Auphonic

• Automatically balances levels between speakers, music, and speech
• Transcribes audio to over 80 languages
• Automatic content deployment to YouTube, SoundCloud, Google Drive, Podlove, and more
• Automatic noise and hum reduction
• Mobile apps available: Android Audio Editor and iOS Recorder
• Works on Mac and Windows

Cons of Auphonic

• Not a good option for podcasters who want a high level of control over their audio files
• No options to manually trim or edit audio
• No recording capabilities

Auphonic Pricing

Auphonic is one of the most affordable podcast software options. You can get two hours of free audio per month, and paid subscription plans start at $10 per month, or $11 for a one-time credit.

Tool #3: Alitu – The Easiest Way to Edit a Solo Podcast

Alitu is one of the most useful podcasting tools for people who want the editing and production process to be as simple as possible. This web-based tool helps you automate the production of your podcast by assisting with leveling, compression, conversions, and noise reduction.

You can also use Alitu to edit out mistakes and trim recordings, and you can even build out your episodes by adding music, ad breaks, and transitions with its drag and drop interface.

One thing to remember: Alitu’s web-based recording shouldn’t be used for snippets longer than five minutes. The browser tech isn’t the most reliable, and you risk losing your audio. Instead, use the recording feature for intros, outros, or ad slots.

Additionally, you can use Alitu as a podcast publisher tool to upload your shows to Apple podcasts, Spotify, and Google podcasts.

If you’re hosting a solo podcast that has uncomplicated edits and doesn’t need a ton of creative production, Alitu is pretty much all you need.

Pros of Alitu

• Made for podcasters
• Audio clean up, editing, and transcription
• Fully web-based; no software downloads required
• Automates converting and cleaning up audio files
• Drag and drop episode builder
• Free theme music and effects
• Easy to remove any mistakes or add music and fades
• Option to add ID3 tags and publish directly to your podcast host
• Teaser template
• No learning curve

Cons of Alitu

• Limited editing tools compared to a DAW
• Limited control over audio quality and file formats
• Web-based recording not reliable for full episodes

Alitu Pricing

Alitu is $38 per month, including AI-generated transcripts and a royalty-free music library. If you want to test the podcast software before you commit, they also offer a free seven-day trial.

Tool #4: Hindenburg Journalist – Comprehensive Podcast Software to Record, Edit, and Publish on the Go

Hindenburg Journalist is a multitrack audio editor and publisher for the podcaster on the move.

With no external hardware or high-end computer needed, you can record, edit, and publish your episodes from a cafe in Paris or the train ride home.

If you’re looking for a comprehensive option and don’t mind paying for it, you can’t go wrong with Hindenburg.

It offers a suite of podcast tools for organizing and editing your audio files and publishing your episodes, and it includes powerful features like the noise-reduction effect.

Pros of Hindenburg Journalist

• Compatible with Windows and Mac
• Lets you record anywhere with the Hindenburg Field Recorder app
• Supports all types of audio files
• Extracts the best audio quality and automatically sets audio levels
• One-click podcast upload to Soundcloud, Libsyn, and Loudness
• Voice profiler sets EQ on voices
• Clipboard feature to store clips for later use

Cons of Hindenburg Journalist

• More expensive than other options
• Has a learning curve for beginner podcasters
• Multitrack recording only available in the Pro version
• Noise reduction feature not included with the basic version

Hindenburg Journalist Pricing

Subscriptions for Hindenburg Pro for businesses start at $22.61 for the basic package, rising to $51.17 for their premium package which comes with 100 hours of transcription per month. Not sure which is best for your needs? Try both options with a free 30-day trial.

Tool #5: Adobe Audition – The Ultimate Professional Podcast Software

For professional podcasters with skin in the game, Adobe Audition is among the best software for podcasting.

If you want to edit, remix, record, and restore your audio to a professional standard, this might be one of your top choices.

The DAW gives you complete control over recording, editing, and exporting your episodes straight to your audience.

Audition lets you combine audio files, and batch edit to produce podcasts faster.

The podcasting recording software comes with advanced features like:

• Background noise reduction
• Compression
• EQ
• Multitrack recording
• Custom recording templates and hotkeys

It’s important to note that while veteran podcasters can appreciate these impressive capabilities, beginners might not use enough advanced features to justify the high price tag.

Pros of Adobe Audition

• Part of the Adobe Creative Suite
• Fully-fledged pro-DAW with tons of advanced features
• Podcast-specific settings
• Android Audition Toolkit app to record, edit, and convert audio files
• Royalty-free sound effects library
• Essential Sound Panel to remove unwanted noises and achieve smooth sound
• Available on Mac and Windows
• Access to tutorials, fonts, and templates
• 100 GB cloud storage

Cons of Adobe Audition

• Pricy monthly subscription
• Not the best option for beginners, but there are tutorials available online.

Adobe Audition Pricing

Get Adobe Audition for $20.99/month, or you can access it for free with a subscription to the full Adobe Creative Cloud Suite, which costs $54.99 monthly.

If you want to give it a test run, try the free seven-day trial.

Tool #6: Buzzsprout – A Simple Way to Host Your Podcast

After you record and edit your episodes, your podcast needs somewhere to live.

Enter Buzzsprout. It’s one of the easiest ways to host, distribute, share, and track your podcast, and it offers a range of powerful podcast publishing tools. The platform streamlines features, favoring simplicity to get your episodes into the world as quickly as possible.

Buzzsprout’s feeds are compatible with the top podcast directories in the world, helping you reach millions of potential listeners on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and more.

Once your podcast starts growing and you get closer to 10,000 downloads, you can use the platform’s analytics dashboard to learn more about your listeners.

Additionally, you can earn from Buzzsprout’s ads and make money from subscriber-only premium content.

Pros of Buzzsprout

• Immediate publishing or episode scheduling
• Magic Mastering feature optimizes your files automatically
• Lets you add episode transcriptions
• Automatic podcast optimization
• Option to add a podcast player to your website
• Podcast analytics
• Easy to use
• Accept payments and receive money from Buzzspout ads

Cons of Buzzsprout

• No advanced features

Buzzsprout Pricing

Buzzsprout lets you upload two hours each month for free and Buzzsprout hosts episodes for 90 days. Paid plans start at $12 for three hours of audio per month.

If you exceed your time limit, Buzzsprout makes additional content uploads available for between $2 and $4 per hour, depending on your subscription plan.

Tool #7: Logic Pro X – A DAW for macOS Users

Logic Pro X is a full-featured audio editing and music production program for Apple users. You can use the DAW on your Mac, iPhone, and iPad, making editing your audio files on the couch or at the beach easy.

While the podcast software does come with solid audio mixing tools and robust features to help you create a professional show, the software is mainly for music producers.

Unless you know your way around a mixing board, you might choose to find something more straightforward to use.

Pros of Logic Pro X

• You can record and edit audio files with your iPhone or iPad with the Logic Remote app
• Professional-quality mixing and mastering
• Works with a variety of plugins
• Offers post-production effects
• Multiple automation features

Cons of Logic Pro X

• Only available on Mac, iPad, and iPhone
• Most features are for music production
• May be too complicated or expensive for simple podcasts

Logic Pro X Pricing

Sign up for this podcast software with a free 90-day trial before purchasing Logic Pro X for a one-time cost of $199.99.

Tool #8: Reaper – An Affordable Digital Audio Workstation for Podcasts

Reaper is an affordable and powerful DAW that can run on Windows, macOS, and Linux.

It’s the perfect choice for podcasters using older computers or those wanting a piece of podcast software that won’t hog memory and computer resources. Reaper is incredibly lightweight (it can run from a USB drive) and is faster than other podcast publishing tools, with minimal crashes.

Beyond that, its price point makes Reaper one of the best software for podcasts. For less than $100, you’ll get access to full multitrack audio and MIDI recording, mixing, processing, editing, and mastering tools.

Pros of Reaper

• Compatible with Windows, Mac, and Linux
• Excellent value for money
• Fast load and operating times
• UI/UX customization

Cons of Reaper

• Complex plugin integration
• No mobile app
• Not many online tutorials, but there is a growing number of video tutorials on the site.

Reaper Pricing

Download Reaper and activate the free 60-day trial. After that, you can pay $60 for a discounted license or $225 for a commercial license.

Tool #9: SquadCast – Record Studio Quality Podcasts From Anywhere

SquadCast is an all-in-one remote podcast recording software that aims to simplify post-production and collaboration.

With SquadCast, you can say goodbye to audio sync issues, lost recordings, and confusing software for guests.

Wondering how it works? To get started, the host makes an account and sends an invite link to a maximum of three guests. While you record the episode, SquadCast records an audio file and uploads it in real time to the cloud and your local drive. When you stop recording, SquadCast gives you access to each person’s separate audio track, which you can drop into a DAW for editing.

Pros of SquadCast

• Video capability to see your guests while you record
• Guests don’t need an account
• Podcasts backed up on the cloud
• Multitrack recording
• Eliminates audio drift and simplifies editing

Cons of SquadCast

• Not the cheapest recording option
• No automatic editing on tracks
• Can’t record the video for YouTube podcasts
• Three guest limit

SquadCast Pricing

You can get started with SquadCast for free, allowing you to record a one hour long show per month. Subscriptions start at $12 monthly for ten hours of audio recording and $24 for thirty hours. Custom packages are also available.

Tool #10: Zencastr – Affordable Long Distance Recording Software With HD Video

Does your podcast software feature call-in guests or a co-host who lives halfway around the world?

If so, a podcasting tool like Zencastr can make remotely recording your podcast so much easier.

Similar to SquadCast, the web-based podcast tool comes with multitrack recording and records each side of the conversation separately. At the end of the episode, the podcast software stores the files locally and in the cloud. Zencastr then syncs them together to produce a high-quality recording.

Pros of Zencastr

• Easy-to-use platform
• Free and paid options
• Records HD video so you can upload your podcasts onto YouTube
• Records separate lossless WAV tracks locally and in the cloud
• Soundboard for live editing
• Automatic post-production
• Built-in VoIP
• Unlimited guests
• Up to three hours of recording time per session
• Guests only need a link to join

Cons of Zencastr

• No hosting or publishing tools
• Limited features with the free version

Zencastr Pricing

Zencastr has a free version with two hours of recordings and a maximum of twelve participants.

If you want access to some of the more advanced features, you can opt-in for the $18 per month pro version. It has a 14-day free trial and boasts unlimited recordings, unlimited live editing soundboard, 10 hours of post-production edits, and more.

Tool #11: Spotify for Podcasters – Simple Podcast Recording Software

Spotify for Podcasters allows users to manage and optimize the podcast content from Spotify’s streaming site.

You can use the podcast software for hosting, creating, editing, and distributing your podcast, and it’s all free.

It also provides video podcasts and has loads of resources, like the community, which has masterclasses and industry events. There are plenty of useful links if you want to learn how to advertise your podcast, too.

Pros of Spotify for Podcasters

• Record audio from phone, tablet, or computer
• Free to use
• Unlimited hosting
• Audio enhancements, including noise cancellation and voice optimization
• Detailed analytics

Cons of Spotify for Podcasters

• To provide its free service, Spotify takes a percentage of ad revenue
• Spotify can use, edit, modify, transmit, reproduce, and create derivative works from your content
• Sub-par recording tools compared to other platforms (you can’t add fades, shorten pauses, or adjust the volume, for example)

Spotify for Podcasters Pricing

It’s a free podcast tool, but you lose a cut of ad revenue.

Tool #12: Garageband – Simple, Free Podcast Recording for Apple Users

Another one from Apple, Garageband, is for Mac users. Aside from using the platform to make and record music, GarageBand is also a great podcast tool. The podcast software is easy to use and aims to make recording your podcast and editing intuitive, even for new users.

Choose the “podcast” template when you create a new project to get started.

Once you’ve recorded your podcast, Garageband allows you to edit your recording, add music and sound effects, and use mixing tools to create a high quality audio stream. Once you’re happy with your episode, you can save your file in a variety of different formats.

Pros of Garageband

• User friendly
• Straight forward editing and recording features for a professional finish

Cons of Garageband

• Only available for Apple devices
• Lack of advanced features

Garageband Pricing

GarageBand is free, and it acts as an introduction to the Logic Pro software.

Tool #13: Podbean – Podcast Hosting and Recording

Podbean is a podcast hosting platform offering a variety of monetization tools. It’s suitable for beginners and advanced users due to its user-friendly platform.

The podcast software gives users a good mix of features, including recording, distribution, and monetization. Its high-quality sound makes Podbean perfect for live streaming, and you can have up to seven co-hosts worldwide.

It makes sharing and promoting your podcast easy to share on social media, Amazon, Alexa, and the Podbean app. You can also embed your podcast onto your website and use email integration for further promotion.

Pros of Podbean

• Comprehensive podcast analytics
• Monetization options through dynamic ads, podcast advertising, and Patron for podcasters. These are all great options if you don’t have any podcast sponsors yet.
• Live streaming is available, and you can also sell virtual tickets for added income.

Cons of Podbean

• You need a paid subscription to access more advanced features
• Users can only upload to Spotify if they have a paid subscription

Podbean Pricing

The basic plan is free. Paid subscriptions range between $9-$99 monthly.

FAQs

Conclusion

Whether you’re starting a podcast or figuring out how to get more podcast listeners, the whole journey can feel overwhelming.

Whichever stage you’re at, don’t overthink it.

Use this post to help narrow down the best podcast recording software to suit your needs.

Don’t think you need to rush your decision, either. My setup for the Marketing School Podcast looks different today than when we first started, and that’s OK. Your podcast will likely evolve over time, and that’s the way it should be.

Take the time to experiment with the different podcasting tools and find the best fit for your show. Many options listed here offer a free trial, so there’s nothing to lose.

Once you’ve nailed down your recording, production, and exporting process, focus on things like your podcast’s SEO to grow your audience and reach your download goals.

What are you struggling with the most when choosing podcast software?