Head-to-head · Podcast Recording Software
Async vs Hilite
Async leads on 1 check, Hilite on 0, and 5 are even. Who comes out ahead on the 6 yes/no, price and count checks where we have data for both products. The editor score weighs everything else too.
Our verdict
- Highest scoreAsync · 9.1/10
- Lowest starting priceAsync · $11.99/mo
- Free planboth
- Free trialonly Hilite
Async scores higher on our rubric for podcast recording software: 9.1 against 8.7 out of 10; our editors rank them #3 and #7.
Async is cheaper to start at $11.99/user/mo against $19/user/mo.
Async is the better fit for budget-conscious creators needing a full workflow. Hilite is the better fit for creators wanting an all-in-one podcast workflow.
- Async fits best
Budget-conscious creators needing a full workflow
- Hilite fits best
Creators wanting an all-in-one podcast workflow
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Side by side
| Feature | Async 9.1/10 Visit ↗ | Hilite 8.7/10 Visit ↗ |
|---|---|---|
| At a glance | ||
| Editor score | 9.1 | 8.7 |
| Ranking | #3 in Podcast Recording Software | #7 in Podcast Recording Software |
| Best for | Budget-conscious creators needing a full workflow | Creators wanting an all-in-one podcast workflow |
| Pricing model | Free plan + paid | Free plan + paid |
| Starting price | $11.99/mo (best) | $19/mo |
| Free plan | ✓ | ✓ |
| Free trial | — | 7 days |
| Deployment | Cloud, Mobile | Cloud |
| Platforms | Web, iOS | Web |
| Support | Email, Live chat, Docs · 24/7 | Email, Community |
| Compliance | GDPR, SOC 2 | GDPR |
| Built for | Solo, Small business, Mid-market, Enterprise | Solo, Small business, Mid-market |
| Features Async 4/4 · Hilite 4/4 | ||
| Separate participant tracks | ✓ | ✓ |
| Local recording | ✓ | ✓ |
| Video recording | ✓ | ✓ |
| Automatic transcription | ✓ | ✓ |
| Specs | ||
| Maximum participants | 10 people | Not checked yet |
| Audio export format | Wav_and_mp3 | Wav_and_mp3 |
| Recording platform | Browser | Browser |
| Our review | ||
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| Our verdict | Async is a browser-based audio and video creation platform for podcasters, creators, and teams. Its remote studio records separate participant tracks locally, backs them up to the cloud, and supports sessions with up to 10 participants.… Read the review → |
Hilite is a browser-based podcast platform for creators, educators, thought leaders, and teams that want recording, editing, enhancement, transcription, hosting, distribution, and analytics in one workflow. Its recording features include… Read the review → |
Strengths and trade-offs
Async — where it wins
- Separate local participant tracks with automatic cloud backup
- Recording, editing, transcription, hosting, and publishing in one workflow
- Higher plans support up to 4K recording and extensive AI tools
Where it doesn't
- The Free plan limits remote recording to one lifetime hour
- Storage, recording hours, and exports are limited on lower plans
- Advanced security and compliance are reserved for Business
Hilite — where it wins
- Free plan includes recording, editing, transcription, hosting, and analytics
- Local recording and separate speaker tracks support multi-person sessions
- One-click distribution connects with major podcast listening platforms
Where it doesn't
- Free plan is limited to 1 episode and 30 minutes per month
- Pro and Business plans are capped at monthly episode or recording limits
- Published pages describe video recording differently across Hilite materials
- Async9.1/10 · Free plan
A full podcast workflow with a free plan and scalable recording, editing, and AI tools.
Visit AsyncFull verdict → - Hilite8.7/10 · Free plan · 7-day trial
An all-in-one browser workflow with useful free limits and paid production capacity.
Visit HiliteFull verdict →
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All podcast recording software comparisons → · Full ranking →
Reviewed by iTechGuides Editors · Editorial team · Updated Oct 2026
Last updated · How we research and update