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Head-to-head · Video Podcast Software

Zencastr vs Iris.fm

  • Updated Oct 2026
  • Both researched from official sources
  • 4 checks side by side
Higher score Zencastr #4 in Video Podcast Software 9.1/10 Free plan Free plan✓ 3 of 4 features Visit Zencastr
Iris.fm #7 in Video Podcast Software 8.8/10 Free plan Free plan✓ 3 of 4 features Visit Iris.fm

Zencastr leads on 0 checks, Iris.fm on 0, and 4 are even. Who comes out ahead on the 4 yes/no, price and count checks where we have data for both products. The editor score weighs everything else too.

Our verdict

  • Highest scoreZencastr · 9.1/10
  • Free planboth

Zencastr scores higher on our rubric for video podcast software: 9.1 against 8.8 out of 10; our editors rank them #4 and #7.

Zencastr is the better fit for free recording, editing, and podcast publishing. Iris.fm is the better fit for affordable mobile-friendly multitrack recording.

  • Zencastr fits best

    Free recording, editing, and podcast publishing

  • Iris.fm fits best

    Affordable mobile-friendly multitrack recording

Advertiser disclosure: iTechGuides is reader-supported. Vendors can pay for top positions in our rankings and for a place on other products' pages, and we may earn a commission when you click some links. Bought places stand at the number bought; this page and our disclosure say so. Paying vendors may get a fuller, more detailed review from our editors, and that review can change their score. How we rank.

Side by side

Feature Zencastr 9.1/10 Visit ↗ Iris.fm 8.8/10 Visit ↗
At a glance
Editor score 9.1 8.8
Ranking #4 in Video Podcast Software #7 in Video Podcast Software
Best for Free recording, editing, and podcast publishing Affordable mobile-friendly multitrack recording
Pricing model Free plan + paid Free plan + paid
Starting price — $9/mo
Free plan ✓ ✓
Free trial — —
Deployment Cloud, Mobile Cloud
Platforms Web, iOS Web, iOS, Android
Support Email, Live chat, Docs Email
Integrations 5 integrations 2 integrations
Built for Solo, Small business, Mid-market, Enterprise Solo, Small business, Mid-market
Features Zencastr 3/4 · Iris.fm 3/4
Local recording ✓ ✓
Separate audio tracks ✓ ✓
Live streaming Not checked yet Not checked yet
Automatic transcription ✓ ✓
Specs
Maximum guests Not checked yet Not checked yet
Maximum video quality Not checked yet Not checked yet
Our review
Pros
  • Free plan includes local multitrack recording and 4K video
  • Automatic transcription with speaker labels and AI-assisted editing
  • Hosting, publishing, backups, and major platform integrations
  • Local separate audio and video tracks for each participant
  • Supports recording rooms with up to nine participants
  • Includes captions, mastering, transcriptions, and progressive uploads
Cons
  • The free plan supports up to 6 participants
  • Enterprise uses custom pricing and custom capacities
  • The listed mobile app platform is iOS
  • Integrations are limited to Google Drive and Dropbox
  • Paid plan highlights are listed identically across tiers
  • Advanced production and distribution tools are not part of its focus
Our verdict

Zencastr is a podcast creation platform for recording, editing, transcribing, hosting, and publishing audio and video. It suits independent podcasters, remote guests, and production teams that need separate tracks for each participant.…

Read the review →

Iris.fm is a browser-based recording platform for podcasters, interviewers, co-hosts, and video creators. Participants join through a link without installing an app, while the service records each person locally and provides separate audio…

Read the review →
  1. ZencastrVideo Podcast Software 9.1Free plan
  2. Iris.fmVideo Podcast Software 8.8Free plan

Strengths and trade-offs

  • Zencastr — where it wins

    • Free plan includes local multitrack recording and 4K video
    • Automatic transcription with speaker labels and AI-assisted editing
    • Hosting, publishing, backups, and major platform integrations

    Where it doesn't

    • The free plan supports up to 6 participants
    • Enterprise uses custom pricing and custom capacities
    • The listed mobile app platform is iOS
  • Iris.fm — where it wins

    • Local separate audio and video tracks for each participant
    • Supports recording rooms with up to nine participants
    • Includes captions, mastering, transcriptions, and progressive uploads

    Where it doesn't

    • Integrations are limited to Google Drive and Dropbox
    • Paid plan highlights are listed identically across tiers
    • Advanced production and distribution tools are not part of its focus

More comparisons

Reviewed by iTechGuides Editors · Editorial team · Updated Oct 2026

Last updated · How we research and update