Head-to-head · Podcast Recording Software
Riverside vs Async
Riverside leads on 0 checks, Async on 1, 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 scoreRiverside · 9.4/10
- Lowest starting priceAsync · $11.99/mo
- Free planboth
- Free trialonly Riverside
Riverside scores higher on our rubric for podcast recording software: 9.4 against 9.1 out of 10; our editors rank them #1 and #3.
Async is cheaper to start at $11.99/user/mo against $15/user/mo. On recording platform, Riverside gives you Browser_and_desktop where Async offers Browser.
Riverside is the better fit for creators wanting polished recording and publishing. Async is the better fit for budget-conscious creators needing a full workflow.
- Riverside fits best
Creators wanting polished recording and publishing
- Async fits best
Budget-conscious creators needing a full workflow
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Side by side
| Feature | Riverside 9.4/10 Visit ↗ | Async 9.1/10 Visit ↗ |
|---|---|---|
| At a glance | ||
| Editor score | 9.4 | 9.1 |
| Ranking | #1 in Podcast Recording Software | #3 in Podcast Recording Software |
| Best for | Creators wanting polished recording and publishing | Budget-conscious creators needing a full workflow |
| Pricing model | Free plan + paid | Free plan + paid |
| Starting price | $15/mo | $11.99/mo (best) |
| Free plan | ✓ | ✓ |
| Free trial | 14 days | — |
| Deployment | Cloud, Desktop, Mobile | Cloud, Mobile |
| Platforms | Web, macOS, iOS, Android | Web, iOS |
| Support | Live chat, Docs · 24/7 | Email, Live chat, Docs · 24/7 |
| Compliance | SOC 2, ISO 27001, SSO/SAML | GDPR, SOC 2 |
| Built for | Solo, Small business, Mid-market, Enterprise | Solo, Small business, Mid-market, Enterprise |
| Features Riverside 4/4 · Async 4/4 | ||
| Separate participant tracks | ✓ | ✓ |
| Local recording | ✓ | ✓ |
| Video recording | ✓ | ✓ |
| Automatic transcription | ✓ | ✓ |
| Specs | ||
| Maximum participants | Not checked yet | 10 people |
| Audio export format | Wav_and_mp3 | Wav_and_mp3 |
| Recording platform | Browser_and_desktop | Browser |
| Our review | ||
| Pros |
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| Cons |
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| Our verdict | Riverside is an online recording and production platform for podcasters, creators, marketers, and businesses producing remote audio and video. Each participant’s device records locally while files upload continuously, creating separate… Read the review → |
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 → |
Strengths and trade-offs
Riverside — where it wins
- Local, synchronized audio and video tracks for each participant
- Transcription, text-based editing, clips, hosting, and publishing in one workspace
- Works across web, macOS, iOS, and Android with major platform integrations
Where it doesn't
- The Free plan allows only 2 hours of multi-track recordings as a one-off allowance
- Free exports include a watermark and are limited to 720p video and 44.1 kHz audio
- Separate-track downloads are capped monthly on Pro, Grow, and Webinar
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
- Riverside9.4/10 · Free plan · 14-day trial
A full recording-to-publishing workspace for creators who want polished remote production.
Visit RiversideFull verdict → - Async9.1/10 · Free plan
A full podcast workflow with a free plan and scalable recording, editing, and AI tools.
Visit AsyncFull 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