Riverside
FreemiumStudio-quality remote podcast and video recording with AI transcription, AI show notes, clip generation, and separate track downloads
What is Riverside?
Riverside is a remote recording platform built for podcasts, video interviews, and webinars that need broadcast-quality audio and video from guests anywhere in the world. Unlike Zoom or Google Meet, Riverside records each participant locally on their own device and uploads the lossless files in the background, so internet hiccups never degrade the final recording. Each host and guest gets their own separate audio and video track at up to 4K video and 48kHz WAV audio. The AI layer added over 2024-2026 turns Riverside from a pure recording tool into a full production platform: automatic transcription with speaker separation, AI-generated show notes and chapter markers, Magic Editor for auto-removing silences and filler words, and Magic Clips that identify highlight-worthy moments and package them as short-form social videos for TikTok, Reels, and YouTube Shorts. The 2026 release added AI voice enhancement (similar to Adobe Podcast Enhance), automatic multicam video switching based on who is speaking, and direct publishing to YouTube and podcast hosts. Riverside competes directly with Zencastr and is the default choice for publishers and media brands that prioritize production quality over all-in-one simplicity.
⚡ Quick Verdict
Podcast and video teams recording remote guests who need broadcast-quality local audio and video
Solo creators who record alone on their own mic without needing remote capture
Free tier, Standard $15/mo, Pro $24/mo, Business $59/mo
Yes — 2 hours of recording monthly with watermark
Local lossless recording per participant — no Zoom compression
AI editing features less comprehensive than Descript
Bottom line: Riverside scores 4.5/5 — The remote recording standard for podcasts and video, now with strong AI post-production bundled in.
Pricing
Free: 2 hours of recording per month, transcripts, watermarked exports, basic recording.
Standard — $15/month: 5 hours monthly, unlimited editing, Magic Editor, Magic Clips, no watermark, 720p video.
Pro — $24/month: 15 hours monthly, 4K video, live streaming, producer mode, advanced editor, AI voice enhancement.
Business — $59/month: Unlimited recording, team seats, SSO, API access, analytics, priority support.
Key Features
- Local lossless recording per participant (up to 4K video, 48kHz audio)
- Automatic track separation for each host and guest
- AI transcription with speaker diarization
- Magic Editor for auto silence and filler-word removal
- Magic Clips that identify highlights for social video
- AI show notes and chapter marker generation
- Live streaming to YouTube, LinkedIn, and Facebook
- Producer mode for team coordination
- Direct publishing to YouTube and podcast hosts
Pros & Cons
Pros
- Best-in-class remote recording quality
- Separate tracks per guest make editing much easier
- Magic Clips save hours of manual repurposing work
- Live streaming included on Pro — rare at this price
Cons
- Magic Editor less sophisticated than Descript
- 2-hour free tier fills up fast for regular shows
- Requires guests to use Chrome or the Riverside app
FAQ
Why use Riverside instead of Zoom for podcast recording?
Zoom compresses audio and video aggressively to minimize bandwidth, so even if you hit record you end up with lossy files that sound like a phone call. Riverside records each participant locally on their own device at broadcast quality (48kHz WAV audio, up to 4K video), then uploads the files in the background after the call. The difference is dramatic — Riverside sounds like a studio, Zoom sounds like a meeting. That is why most professional podcasters use Riverside or Zencastr instead of Zoom.
Is Riverside worth the $24/month Pro plan?
For creators publishing multiple episodes per month or recording longer-form content, yes. Pro unlocks 15 hours of recording, 4K video, live streaming to YouTube and LinkedIn, producer mode for team coordination, and AI voice enhancement. Standard ($15/mo) is enough for casual podcasters or monthly shows, but Pro's live streaming alone saves the cost of a separate platform like Restream.
Does Riverside's free plan include AI features?
Partially. The free tier includes basic transcription and 2 hours of recording monthly, but Magic Editor, Magic Clips, and AI show notes are limited to paid plans. Exports are watermarked on free. For serious podcasters, the free tier is best used as a trial rather than a long-term option.
What is Magic Clips and how does it compare to Descript?
Magic Clips scans your recording, identifies high-engagement moments using AI, and automatically generates short vertical clips for TikTok, Reels, and YouTube Shorts with captions. Descript's Clip Studio does similar work but gives you more manual control over what gets clipped. Magic Clips is faster out of the box; Descript wins if you want to fine-tune each clip. Most creators use both — record in Riverside, edit and repurpose in Descript.
Riverside vs Zencastr — which is better?
Riverside and Zencastr are the two leaders in remote recording and share most features. Riverside is slightly stronger on video recording (up to 4K, better multicam switching) and live streaming. Zencastr is slightly stronger on audio-first podcast workflows and has a more generous free tier for long-form content. If video matters, pick Riverside. If you are audio-only and cost-sensitive, Zencastr. Most creators can do excellent work on either.
Can Riverside record solo without guests?
Yes. You can start a recording session by yourself for solo podcasts, video presentations, or voiceovers. Many creators use Riverside for solo monologue shows because the quality is higher than recording in Zoom or a browser-based tool, and the AI features (transcripts, show notes, clips) still work on single-track recordings.
📋 Good to know
Go to riverside.fm, create a studio, invite guests by link, and start recording — guests need Chrome or the Riverside app.
SOC 2 Type II compliant. Local-first recording means files exist on participants' devices before upload. GDPR compliant.
Pro ($24/mo) for live streaming, 4K video, and producer mode. Standard ($15/mo) is enough for simple interview podcasts.
Low. Start a studio, share the link, and record. Magic Editor and Clips take a few sessions to fine-tune.