Best Free Podcast Recording Software in 2026
Short answer: Descript is the most complete free setup for a host who records guests, with 2 hours of remote recording a month, room sessions for 10 participants and the editor included at no cost. Cleanfeed Lite is the pick when time is the only limit that matters, since its free plan has unlimited recording time, though it allows two guests and mono remote audio. Riverside gives 2 hours of multitrack recording once, and SquadCast gives 1 recording hour per editor each month. The cheapest paid step is $12 a month for Cleanfeed Pro.
Nine tools compared on what their free plan allows: recording hours, guest slots, separate tracks, export quality and watermarks, checked on vendor pages in October 2026.
Free podcast recording plans look alike on the pricing page but differ sharply in their limits. One plan offers unlimited recording and caps the guest list at two. Another allows ten participants and stops recording after an hour a month. This guide compares nine tools on the five limits that decide whether a free plan can carry a regular show: recording time, guest slots, separate tracks, export quality and watermarks.
Toolradar data: of the 5 podcasting tools we track, 80% ship a free or freemium plan and 1 (20%) are paid only. A free plan is not the same as a free recording plan, though. Several picks below cap recording at one or two hours, and one ends group meetings after 40 minutes.
How we chose: we started from the 5 podcasting tools in our catalog and kept the nine a buyer of free recording software is most likely to test, including the recording-first products. Every free-plan limit and paid price below was checked on the vendor's own pricing page in October 2026. Where a page printed no figure, the guide says so instead of filling the gap from a review site. For hosting and distribution, see best podcast hosting.
Top Picks
Picked by editorial review, informed by G2 and Capterra review volume and rating and by media mentions, the signals behind our category rankings. How we rate
| Tool | Starting price | Rating | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Descript | Free, 2 hours of recording a month | 4.6 1,106 reviews | Hosts who record guests and want to edit the same project without paying to start. |
| Cleanfeed Lite | Free, unlimited recording time | n/a | Interview shows with one or two remote guests that do not need separate guest tracks. |
| SquadCast | Free, 1 hour per editor a month | 4.2 21 reviews | Solo hosts with occasional guests who want each person saved on a separate file. |
| Riverside | Free, 2 hours of multitrack once | 3.7 3,908 reviews | Creators who want to test a studio on one or two episodes before paying for Pro. |
| Zencastr | Free plan, paid price not on page | 3.7 47 reviews | Panel shows of up to six people that want separate tracks and no monthly hour cap. |
| Podcastle, now Async | Free, 1 hour of recording for life | 4.5 189 reviews | Podcasters who want recording, editing and hosting in one account and can test with one hour. |
| StreamYard | Free, 2 local recording hours a month | 4.7 409 reviews | Hosts who run a live video show or webinar-style podcast and want guests on screen at once. |
| Zoom Basic | Free Basic, 40-minute group meetings | 3.4 56,859 reviews | Quick panels and two-person calls where the host keeps a local copy and group meetings fit in 40 minutes. |
| Audacity | Free, GPLv3, no paid tier | 4.5 459 reviews | Solo hosts who record their own voice and edit it in the same app. |
Hosts who record guests and want to edit the same project without paying to start.
- Pro: The free plan includes 2 hours of remote recording a month, 60 media minutes of editing and room sessions for up to 10 participants.
- Pro: Editing sits in the same app as the recording, so the episode never leaves the tool between capture and cut.
- Pro: The free plan includes 5 GB of cloud storage for raw files.
- Con: Free exports run at 720p, and watermark-free export starts on the Hobbyist plan.
- Con: The 2 recording hours and 60 media minutes can run out in a single long episode, and the free plan has one seat.
Descript's pricing is generally fair, offering a generous Free tier and a well-structured progression.
Watch out
Overage fees for exceeding media minutes
Interview shows with one or two remote guests that do not need separate guest tracks.
- Pro: Recording time is unlimited on Lite, so a long interview never reaches a monthly or one-time cap.
- Pro: The free plan includes commercial use, as the vendor's price list states.
- Pro: Pro at $12 a month adds an isolated track for each guest, stereo remote audio and up to 32 guests.
- Con: Lite allows two guests and mono remote audio, so a panel or a stereo mix needs the paid plan.
- Con: Guests are not on isolated tracks on Lite, so one guest's level cannot be fixed later on its own.
Cleanfeed's pricing is fair, offering a generous free 'Lite' tier for basic needs.
Watch out
No explicit overage fees mentioned for guests/sources.
Solo hosts with occasional guests who want each person saved on a separate file.
- Pro: The free plan lists 10 participants, a separate file for each person and local WAV and MP3 downloads.
- Pro: The company now sits inside Descript, and its pricing page says all plans include transcription, editing and captions.
- Pro: The Hobbyist plan adds 10 recording hours per editor and watermark-free 1080p export.
- Con: One recording hour per editor a month covers a single short interview, and the free plan carries one show.
- Con: Free exports are 720p with watermarks, so a free file is not ready for a client.
Squadcast's pricing is fair, offering a generous free tier for small teams.
Riverside
- 4.8 on G2 (1,749 reviews)
- 2.4 on SourceForge (1,749 reviews)
- 4.0 on Trustpilot (410 reviews)
Creators who want to test a studio on one or two episodes before paying for Pro.
- Pro: The first 2 hours record separate audio and video tracks for each person.
- Pro: Single-track recording is unlimited on the free plan, so solo episodes never reach a cap.
- Pro: The paid Pro plan removes the watermark, lifts video to 4K and raises audio to 48 kHz.
- Con: The 2 hours of multitrack recording is a one-time allowance, so one long guest episode can use all of it.
- Con: Free video is 720p with a Riverside watermark on everything made, and audio is 44.1 kHz.
Riverside.fm offers a fair pricing structure, especially with the annual discounts.
Watch out
Watermark on Free tier recordings
Panel shows of up to six people that want separate tracks and no monthly hour cap.
- Pro: The free plan lists unlimited separate audio and video recording, with each track available to download.
- Pro: The free plan lists 4K video and 48 kHz WAV audio, the highest free export quality on the pages we read.
- Pro: Local recording is listed on the same free plan.
- Con: The pricing page shows only the free plan and a custom Enterprise tier, so no paid monthly cost is quoted here.
- Con: The page heading reads 'Vibecastr Free', so confirm the free plan covers Zencastr before you build a workflow on it.
Zencastr's pricing is fair, offering a generous free Hobbyist tier.
Watch out
No mention of storage limits
Podcasters who want recording, editing and hosting in one account and can test with one hour.
- Pro: The free plan allows 10 session participants, more than the two guests on Cleanfeed Lite.
- Pro: The free plan includes 2 GB of storage and 44 kHz audio, enough to run a full test episode through the workflow.
- Pro: The pricing page lists podcast hosting and publishing across the major networks alongside recording and editing.
- Con: The 1 hour of remote multitrack recording is lifetime, not monthly, so it covers one test episode.
- Con: Free exports top out at 720p, and AI features run on credits, so the monthly cost depends on usage.
This structure is best for individual creators and small teams looking for comprehensive audio and video AI tools.
Watch out
Overage fees for transcription beyond limits
Hosts who run a live video show or webinar-style podcast and want guests on screen at once.
- Pro: The free plan includes 6 on-screen participants and a 2-hour monthly local recording allowance.
- Pro: Core, the first paid plan, removes the StreamYard logo, adds Full HD 1080p and sends the stream to 3 destinations.
- Pro: Unlimited local recordings start on Core, so the monthly allowance stops being a limit once you pay.
- Con: The free plan carries the StreamYard logo on streams and lists limited storage.
- Con: No separate guest track is listed on the free plan, so one guest's audio cannot be fixed on its own.
It's best for individuals and small to medium businesses looking for a reliable, feature-rich live streaming platform.
Quick panels and two-person calls where the host keeps a local copy and group meetings fit in 40 minutes.
- Pro: Basic allows up to 100 participants per meeting, more than any other free plan on this list.
- Pro: Local recording is part of the free plan, so the host keeps a file without paying.
- Pro: Guests who already use Zoom need no new app, which removes a setup step.
- Con: Group meetings end at 40 minutes on Basic, so a panel longer than that needs a paid plan.
- Con: Basic records locally only, with no cloud copy, so a lost laptop can lose the only file.
The AI Companion (meeting summaries, smart recording) is included free on paid plans, a genuine competitive advantage over Google Meet and Teams, which charge extra for comparable AI features.
Solo hosts who record their own voice and edit it in the same app.
- Pro: Released under the GPLv3 open source license, with no paid tier shown on the download page.
- Pro: Builds for Windows, macOS and Linux sit on one download page.
- Pro: Records without a time limit, so a long solo episode is limited only by disk space.
- Con: It captures only what your own computer hears, so a remote guest needs a call tool alongside it.
- Con: There is no cloud backup and no guest invitation, so the host manages every file and every link.
Audacity's pricing is exceptionally generous, being completely free.
Other Podcasting Tools worth considering
More published tools from our Podcasting Tools category, ordered by our category ranking. They are not part of the editorial picks above.
What counts as free podcast recording software
Free podcast recording software captures a conversation with a remote guest and saves the audio, and often the video, to a file the host can edit. The free tier decides how much of that work costs nothing. Some plans give a fixed block of recording hours that never renews. Others renew each month. A few give unlimited time and cap the guest count instead.
Only some tools record each person on a separate track. That matters because a separate file lets an editor fix one person's level or background noise without re-recording the whole session. Audacity and Zoom sit at the edges of this list. Audacity records on your own computer, and Zoom's free plan records locally with no cloud copy.
Why the type of limit matters more than the hour count
Two plans can both advertise 2 hours and behave in opposite ways. A one-time allowance, such as Riverside's free multitrack hours, covers one or two episodes and then stops. A monthly allowance, such as Descript's 2 hours or StreamYard's local recordings, resets, so a weekly show fits only if each episode stays inside it.
Guest caps carry the same weight. Cleanfeed Lite's unlimited time comes with two guests, which rules out a panel. Zencastr's free plan lists six participants, and Descript's room sessions allow ten.
Finally, the export decides whether a free file can go straight to YouTube or a client. Riverside and SquadCast put a watermark on their free exports. Descript reserves watermark-free export for paid plans.
Key Features to Look For
Recording allowance type (Essential)
Monthly allowances reset each month: Descript gives 2 hours, StreamYard 2 hours of local recordings, and SquadCast 1 hour per editor. Riverside's free multitrack allowance is 2 hours once, and Async's is 1 hour for the life of the account.
Guest slots (Essential)
Cleanfeed Lite allows 2 guests. Zencastr lists 6 participants on its free plan, StreamYard 6 on-screen participants, and Descript, SquadCast and Async 10 each. Zoom Basic allows 100 participants, but group meetings end at 40 minutes.
Separate tracks for each guest (Essential)
Export quality (Important)
Free exports top out at 720p on Riverside, Descript, SquadCast and Async. Zencastr lists 4K video and 48 kHz WAV audio on its free plan, the highest free export quality on the pages we read.
Watermarks (Important)
Riverside's free plan puts its watermark on all videos, and SquadCast's free exports carry watermarks. Descript's watermark-free export starts on Hobbyist. Zencastr lists a customizable watermark on its free plan and does not say whether it can be removed.
Local recording (Important)
Zencastr, StreamYard and Zoom list local recording on their free plans. Zoom's Basic plan records only to the host's computer, with no cloud recording, so the host keeps the only copy.
What to decide before you record
If the show runs weekly, pick a tool whose monthly allowance covers your longest episode with room to spare. A one-time allowance covers a single test.
If panels are part of the format, check the guest cap first. Cleanfeed Lite's two guests and StreamYard's six on-screen participants are the limits a panel will hit.
If you want a separate file for each person, check the free plan itself. Cleanfeed Lite does not include separate guest tracks, and StreamYard's free plan lists none.
Evaluation Checklist
Record one full-length test episode with a guest on the free plan, then read the hour counter to see how much of the allowance it used.
Export a 60-second clip at the free quality and check the watermark position and resolution before you plan a release around it.
Download each person's file after the test to confirm that separate tracks are part of the free plan, not only the paid one.
Invite the largest panel your show uses, not the average panel, to confirm the guest cap holds.
On Zoom Basic, time a practice call against the 40-minute limit before you schedule a real episode.
On Audacity, record a remote-style test while a second app runs a call, since Audacity captures only your own machine.
Pricing Overview
Free with a recording-hour cap
Descript (2 hours a month), StreamYard (2 hours of local recordings a month), SquadCast (1 hour per editor a month), Riverside (2 hours once) and Async (1 hour for the life of the account).
$0, 1 to 2 hours a month or once
Free with unlimited recording time
Cleanfeed Lite (two guests, mono remote audio), Zencastr (unlimited separate recording listed) and Audacity (records on your own computer, with no call feature).
$0, no recording clock
Free with a meeting-length cap
Zoom Basic, which fits short panels and two-person calls, with local recording only.
$0, 40-minute group meetings
Cheapest paid steps
Cleanfeed Pro adds separate guest tracks and up to 32 guests. Descript and SquadCast Hobbyist add 1080p watermark-free export and more recording hours. Riverside Pro lifts video to 4K and drops the watermark.
$12 to $29 a month, billing term varies
Pricing Comparison
| Tool | Free recording allowance | Guests per session | Separate tracks or local recording | Free export and watermark | Cheapest paid step |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Descript | 2 hours of remote recording a month, 60 media minutes a month for editing | 10 participants per room | Guests upload their primary recording, with a cloud backup also kept | 720p export; watermark-free export starts on Hobbyist | Hobbyist $16/mo billed yearly, $24 monthly |
Unlimited recording time, commercial use included | 2 guests | Mono remote audio; isolated guest tracks start on Pro | Export and watermark not stated on the pricing page | Pro $12/mo | |
1 recording hour per editor a month | 10 participants | Separate file per person, plus local WAV and MP3 downloads | 720p export with watermarks | Hobbyist $16/person/mo billed yearly, $24 monthly | |
Riverside | 2 hours of multitrack recording, one time; single-track recording unlimited | Not printed on the pricing page | Separate audio and video tracks within the 2 hours | 720p video, 44.1 kHz audio, Riverside watermark on all videos | Pro $24/mo billed yearly ($288/yr), $29 monthly |
Zencastr | Unlimited separate audio and video recording listed on the free plan | 6 participants | Separate track download and local recording listed | 4K video, 48 kHz WAV; watermark customizable, removal not stated | No paid price on the page; Enterprise is custom |
Async (formerly Podcastle) | 1 hour of remote multitrack recording, lifetime | 10 session participants | Remote multitrack recording within the 1 hour | Export up to 720p, 44 kHz audio, 2 GB storage | Credit-based AI pricing; no figure quoted |
2 hours of local recordings a month | 6 on-screen participants | No separate guest tracks listed on the free plan | StreamYard logo on streams; Full HD starts on Core | Core removes the logo and adds 1080p | |
Zoom (Basic) | Group meetings end at 40 minutes | 100 participants per meeting | Local recording only, no cloud recording | Export and watermark not stated on the pricing page | Paid plans not quoted here |
Audacity | No time cap; records on your own computer | Not a call tool; guests need another app | Each input recorded on your own machine | No paid tier on the download page; no export cap listed | Free, no paid tier |
Checked in October 2026 on each vendor's own pricing page: Descript pricing, SquadCast pricing, Cleanfeed pricing, Riverside pricing, Zencastr pricing, Async pricing, StreamYard pricing, Zoom pricing, Audacity downloads and Audacity license.
Zencastr's pricing page is headed "Vibecastr Free", so confirm that the free plan belongs to Zencastr before you rely on it.
Mistakes to Avoid
- ×
Counting hours without checking whether they renew. Riverside's 2 hours are a one-time allowance, while Descript's 2 hours reset each month.
- ×
Choosing on time alone and missing the guest cap. Cleanfeed Lite's unlimited time comes with two guests, which rules out a panel.
- ×
Publishing a free export straight to YouTube or a client. Riverside and SquadCast export with a watermark on their free plans.
- ×
Assuming every free plan records separate tracks. Check each free plan's own feature list, since Cleanfeed Lite's remote audio is mono.
Expert Tips
- →
Run one full-length test episode on each shortlisted plan, then read the hour counter. The counter shows how much of the allowance one episode uses.
- →
Keep a copy of every raw file on your own drive. Zoom Basic records locally only, so a lost laptop can mean a lost episode.
- →
Test the guest cap with the largest panel your show uses, not an average one. Cleanfeed Lite's two guests and StreamYard's six on-screen participants fail first on a big panel.
- →
Export a 60-second sample at the free quality before you plan a release. Riverside's watermark sits on every video made on its free plan.
Red Flags to Watch For
-
A plan that records without limit but caps guests at two. Cleanfeed Lite fits interviews, not panel shows.
-
A one-time allowance described as if it renewed. Riverside's 2 hours of multitrack recording do not reset each month.
-
A free export with a watermark used as a final file. Riverside's and SquadCast's free exports carry one.
-
A recorder that captures only your own machine while you expect a remote guest to join. Audacity records locally, and Zoom's Basic plan records only to the host's computer.
The Bottom Line
Choose Descript if you want the most complete free setup for a show with guests and can live with 2 hours of recording a month. Choose Cleanfeed Lite if unlimited time matters more than separate tracks and your shows have two guests or fewer. Use Audacity for solo recording and editing, and pair it with a call tool when a guest joins. The podcasting tools hub lists the paid options if none of these free plans is enough. Whichever you pick, run one full episode before you commit, and read the hour counter afterward.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best free podcast recording software in 2026?
Descript has the most complete free recording setup we found: 2 hours of remote recording a month, room sessions for up to 10 participants, and the editor included. Cleanfeed Lite is the better free pick when recording time must be unlimited, but it allows only two guests and records mono remote audio. To weigh Descript against Riverside, see Descript vs Riverside.
Is there free podcast recording software with no time limit?
Yes. Cleanfeed Lite lists unlimited recording time on its free plan, and Audacity has no time cap because it records on your own computer. Cleanfeed Lite caps guests at two, and Audacity cannot record a remote guest on its own.
How much does podcast recording software cost after the free plan?
The lowest paid steps on the vendor pages we checked are Cleanfeed Pro at $12 a month, and Descript Hobbyist and SquadCast Hobbyist at $16 a month billed yearly or $24 monthly. Riverside Pro costs $24 a month billed yearly ($288 a year), or $29 month to month. Zencastr's pricing page shows no paid price, so none is quoted here.
Does free podcast recording software record separate tracks for each guest?
Several do on their free plans. SquadCast lists a separate file for each person, Riverside's free plan records separate audio and video tracks for 2 hours, Zencastr lists separate-track recording and download, and Async lists remote multitrack recording for 1 hour. Cleanfeed Lite records mono remote audio, and isolated guest tracks are a Pro feature.
Can Zoom record a podcast for free?
Zoom Basic can, with limits. Group meetings end at 40 minutes, and the free plan records locally only, so the host must keep the file. It suits short panels and quick two-person conversations, but a group meeting longer than 40 minutes needs a paid Zoom plan. Cleanfeed Lite and Audacity have no time cap, though Cleanfeed Lite allows only two guests.
Is the watermark on free podcast recordings a problem?
It depends on where the file goes. Riverside's free plan puts its watermark on all videos, and SquadCast's free exports carry watermarks at 720p. Descript's watermark-free export starts on its Hobbyist plan. Zencastr lists a customizable watermark on its free plan without saying whether it can be removed. For Riverside's full plan limits, see Riverside.
Cite this page: Toolradar, "Best Free Podcast Recording Software in 2026", updated October 2026, https://toolradar.com/guides/best-free-podcast-recording-software
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