Riverside
FreemiumStudio-quality remote recording for podcasts and video
Quick Verdict
Free (2h recording) · Standard $15/mo · Pro $24/mo · Enterprise custom
Yes
Professional podcasters who need broadcast-quality remote interviews, media companies reco
Scores 4.5/5. Studio-quality remote recording for podcasts and video.
Bottom line: Riverside scores 4.5/5 — Professional podcasters who need broadcast-quality remote interviews, media companies recording video content, and enterprise teams producing thought leadership content.
About Riverside
Riverside records studio-quality audio and video remotely by capturing each participant locally at full resolution, then uploading tracks after the session — so internet quality never affects recording quality. AI features include automatic transcription, AI show notes, clip generation for social media, and speaker detection. Popular with professional podcasters, media companies, and enterprise teams. Free tier allows 2 hours of recording; Standard ($15/month) and Pro ($24/month) unlock unlimited recording, 4K video, and AI editing tools.
Pricing
Free (2h recording) · Standard $15/mo · Pro $24/mo · Enterprise custom
Features
- Local recording at full quality (not compressed by internet)
- Separate audio tracks per participant
- 4K video recording
- AI transcription in 100+ languages
- AI clip generator for social media shorts
- AI show notes and chapter markers
- Screen sharing and live streaming
Pros
- Best-in-class audio quality for remote recording
- Separate tracks make editing much easier
- AI clip generator saves hours on social content
- Reliable — no "Zoom quality" issues
Cons
- More expensive than basic recording tools
- Learning curve for managing separate tracks
- Free tier is limited to 2 hours total
- Editing features less powerful than Descript
Best For
Professional podcasters who need broadcast-quality remote interviews, media companies recording video content, and enterprise teams producing thought leadership content.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Riverside free?
Yes. Free plan includes 2 hours of recording, 720p video, separate audio tracks, and basic transcription. Standard ($15/month) adds unlimited recording and 1080p. Pro ($24/month) adds 4K and AI editing.
Riverside vs Zoom for podcasting?
Riverside records locally at full quality; Zoom compresses audio/video through its servers. For casual calls, Zoom is fine. For publishable podcast or video content, Riverside's quality difference is significant and worth the cost.
Riverside vs Descript?
Different strengths. Riverside excels at recording (studio-quality capture). Descript excels at editing (text-based timeline). Many podcasters use Riverside to record, then Descript to edit — they complement each other.
Does Riverside work for video?
Yes. Riverside records up to 4K video per participant with separate tracks. It supports screen sharing, virtual backgrounds, and live streaming to YouTube, LinkedIn, and Twitch simultaneously.
How does local recording work?
Each participant's device records audio and video locally at full quality. After the session, files upload to Riverside's cloud. Internet quality affects the live preview but never the final recording — so even a shaky connection produces clean output.