Best Podcast Recording Apps for Windows and Mac (+Other Useful Tools)

Today, sharing our opinions and thoughts with like-minded people all around the world is easier than ever. If you have access to the right tools, you can start your very own podcast and discuss various topics, promote your brand, host interviews, and much more. To run a podcast, you need to have reliable podcast recording apps to record audio files and edit spoken-audio clips.

There are several podcast recording apps available in the market as far as podcast recording software is concerned. Thus, selecting a good one that meets your needs will require a bit of research on your part. Remember that the best podcast recording software doesn’t necessarily mean the most complicated or expensive one. In fact, it should ideally be simple to use. It should also be reliable, and you need to feel comfortable using it.

In this article, I have reviewed some of the leading podcast recording apps for your consideration. I have chosen them based on their functionality, ease of use, price, and quite a few other factors.

What should you look for in podcast recording apps?

podcast recording apps

You just need a microphone, quiet room, and decent audio recording software to create a podcast. However, there are certain virtues you need to consider before choosing a podcast recording program. These include:

  • It should be able to capture crisp and detailed sound.
  • It should save files locally to your computer, whether you are recording episodes to a sound card or external device.
  • Ideally, it should also allow you to edit the file. This includes adding sound effects, mixing tracks, and splicing segments together.
  • It needs to have the support you need to master its features, in the form of real-time representatives, user forums, video tutorials, etc.

Your choice of podcast recording software could also depend on whether you are going for a solo or interview podcast. At the end of the day, it is all about the one you feel most comfortable using. Therefore, you shouldn’t hesitate to test out various options and ascertain which one works best for you and your setup.

The best podcast recording software

Listed here are my choices for the best podcast recording software available in 2022.

1. Adobe Audition CC

Compatibility – Windows, macOS

Download Adobe Audition CC

Adobe Audition has firmly established itself as one of the leading audio editing software products available on the market. Originally known as Cool Edit Pro, it was acquired by Adobe back in 2003. You can purchase it as a part of Adobe’s Create Cloud, or separately for $20.99 per month. It is widely used by professionals to produce soundtracks for various kinds of projects.

Adobe Audition is also one of the best podcast recording software for both Windows and Mac users. It allows you to record and edit every new episode of your podcast the way you want. It possesses a wide range of features like advanced compression and EQ, noise reduction capabilities, and over 32 tracks for high-quality recording. Batch processing – applying various effects to a “batch” of files – is another handy tool worth mentioning.

This powerful DAW allows users to manipulate their recordings and other audio files in a flexible manner. It is a highly recommendable option for podcasting. You will find a lot of convenient tutorials online to help you get started.

2. Audacity

Compatibility – Windows, Linux, macOS

Download Audacity

Audacity is a popular free and open-source cross-platform auditor. It is well-known for its robust features and is one of the top choices for podcasting. Although it can be a bit hard for beginners, it is great once you get used to it. Notable features of this program include silence, silence finder, truncate silence, and sync-lock. It also comes with saveable EQ, import and export options, editing and saving chains of effects, and fading.

As of now, Audacity does not have an official app in Google Play or the App Store. However, you will be able to download it on any device with almost any kind of operating system. The development team of Audacity regularly updates it for compatibility with the latest versions of Windows, Mac, and Linux. It is an especially good choice for users who need to stay on a budget.

3. Logic Pro

Compatibility – macOS

Download Logic Pro

If you are a seasoned podcaster, you will certainly need no introduction to Logic Pro. This DAW (Digital Audio Workstation) has been one of the most popular podcast recording software in the industry for decades. Its audio recording features are unbelievably powerful and aimed at professionals who design sound for high-budget movies and other projects.

Podcast editing tools offered by Logic Pro include vintage EQs, adding sound effects, simulating acoustic spaces, and much more. You will also be able to link to the Logic Remote App for iPad and iPhone. However, you need to have a certain level of audio editing experience to use this DAW to its full potential. Newcomers might find its plethora of features to be rather intimidating.

Logic Pro is available to purchase for a one-time price of $200.

4. GarageBand

Compatibility – macOS, iOS

Download GarageBand

GarageBand is a great choice for both beginners and experienced podcasters. It comes with a wide range of audio recording features free of cost. For example, it allows you to record songs on over 250 tracks, take several recordings, and choose the one you like the most. It also allows you to share your recorded podcasts with SoundCloud.

With the help of this DAW, you will be able to mix and master audio files in a jiffy. To leave an even better impression on your audience, you can polish your audio files before sharing them. GarageBand also possesses a stunning visual EQ with eight different color-coded bands that are arranged from bass to treble. You will be able to make your podcast more dynamic and diverse with the help of its generous library of plugins.

5. Hindenburg Journalist

Compatibility – Windows, macOS

Download Hindenburg Journalist

Hindenburg Journalist is widely used by professional podcasters, journalists, and audio engineers to record interviews and conversations, or produce solo recordings. This program also allows users to import and edit audio files of all sorts, regardless of their sample rates or bitrates. Its Voice Profiler tool automatically creates EQs and, by balancing the highs and lows of your recordings, improves their quality.

Hindenburg Journalist possesses all the audio editing tools required to rectify your mistakes during a podcast. It can also readily address issues that may arise while applying fade-in and fade-out effects. After creating a podcast, you can easily upload it directly to SoundCloud, Libsyn, or Loudness. You can also adjust loudness levels, select a different audio format, or add a show, host, and RSS details.

However, it is worth mentioning that Hindenburg Journalist is going to be heavier on your wallet than most other podcast recording software. Make sure you consider your budget well before making a decision.

Other helpful podcast software

You could also consider a handful of other pieces of software to go with your new podcast recording software. Given below are some of my top picks in this regard.

1. Buzzsprout

Once you have recorded and edited your podcast episode, you need to put it up on a podcast host to turn it into an official podcast. Buzzsprout is an excellent podcast hosting tool for creating, hosting, tracking, and promoting your podcast on a single platform. With its help, you will be able to reach out to a global audience with ease.

You can use Buzzsprout to list your podcast on leading platforms like Spotify, Alexa, Stitcher, and many more. It also lets you customize the podcast player according to your branding requirements. Moreover, you can monetize your podcasts easily. Thanks to its “magic mastering”, your podcast can gain stellar audio quality. Other prominent features include chapter markers, transcription, automatic episode optimization, and much more.

Buzzsprout offers a generous 90-days free trial to explore the platform. After that, you can continue using it for $12 per month.

2. Alitu

If you are interested in taking the easiest route as fast as your podcasting process is concerned, then look no further than Alitu. This program allows you to add intros and outros, and also improves your audio files automatically. You can directly publish your podcast to Libsyn, Blubrry, Podbean, Buzzsprout, and various other platforms from here. Whether you want to edit your podcast or not, Alitu is a great choice you shouldn’t miss out on!

3. Iris

Iris is a paid program that will come in handy for recording remote calls and interviews. You can use it whether you need an upgrade from poor-quality Skype calls or are simply looking for an easy-to-use piece of software. Since it locally records both ends of the conversation, you can be assured that your interviews will remain secure.

4. Wavve

If you want to produce shareable audio clips (often referred to as audiograms) for social media, then Wavve could be a great option for you. It is simple to use and comes with numerous templates and layouts for you to choose from. You can use it to produce truly elegant videos that go well with your style and branding. This tool allows you to start for free and offers numerous paid plans that should be adequate for most podcasters’ requirements.

5. Fusebox

For users seeking a particularly robust set of podcasting tools, Fusebox is the to-go solution. It offers a 3-in-1 podcast player, including Single Track Player, Site-wide Sticky Player, and Full Player. With the help of these flexible options, you will be able to get a much higher download/listen count and user engagement.

Some other notable features of Fusebox include social sharing, mobile-friendliness, email capture, speed control, and much more. It generates SEO-friendly transcripts of your podcast to help it rank better in search engine results. It also offers excellent integration options with various third-party email marketing solutions.

Fusebox is available in the form of two plans – free (which only offers a Sticky player), and business class (which comes with advanced functions). The latter can be purchased for $8 per month per user when billed annually.

6. Auphonic

Auphonic is an impressive and highly functional piece of software. It comes with a large number of features; for example, it adds ID3 tags, levels your audio, adjusts the volume for podcasting, exports to YouTube, and much more. It also allows you to create presets according to your preferences. Thus, once you have it set up properly, the process of podcasting becomes faster and easier than ever!

7. Anchor.fm

If you are interested in recording directly from your smartphone, then Anchor.fm could be right up to your alley. It is a free podcast tool and my personal favorite that is a great option for beginners and professionals alike. It is readily supported on Android and iOS devices in addition to web app and offers an Episode Builder to help you produce episodes without any editing. You can also easily add music from Spotify or Apple Music to your podcast. You can even convert your blog posts to podcasts for free in 2-3 clicks.

Anchor.fm allows you to monetize your podcast with the help of various sponsorship ads. It allows you to distribute your podcast to all major platforms like Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and Google Podcasts. With the help of its efficient analytics dashboard, you will be able to track the performance of your podcasts and audience growth.

8. Scribie

You need to give due attention to getting transcriptions to maintain your podcasting workflow. Apart from SEO, this will also help you make your show more accessible to listeners in remote locations. Scribie is an excellent choice in this regard. It supports multiple versions of English (UK, US, and so on), and comes with a highly functional, web-based dashboard. You can avail of ts services at a decent price of $0.80 per minute.

Conclusion

In this article, I have covered some of the best podcast recording software and podcast production platforms presently available. All of them offer some standard and some unique features for your benefit. All of them, however, will help you record and edit podcasts with ease and efficiency. You should take a good look at each podcasting tool’s special capabilities, consider your budget, and then decide which of them suits you best.