Recording Software

RiversidevsSquadCast

Compare Riverside and SquadCast side by side. See pricing, features, and which is right for your podcast.

Riverside logo

Riverside

Studio-quality remote recording

Full Riverside Review →
SquadCast logo

SquadCast

Remote recording, now part of Descript

Full SquadCast Review →

Pricing Comparison

TierRiversideSquadCast
Free Tier2 hrs multi-track (one-off), 720p, watermarked + free standalone transcription toolDescript Free: 60 media minutes/month, 2-hour recording sessions per drive, watermarked export
Starting PriceFreeFree

Feature Comparison

FeatureRiversideSquadCast
Max Participants1010
Local Recording
Separate Tracks
Video Recording
Live Streaming
Transcription
Editing
Cloud Storage

Riverside Pros & Cons

Pros

  • Studio-quality local recording
  • 4K video capture
  • Progressive upload prevents data loss

Cons

  • Free transcription has no speaker labels or search
  • Monthly hour limits on all plans
  • Pro plan needed for speaker labels in transcripts

SquadCast Pros & Cons

Pros

  • Tight Descript integration
  • Progressive upload prevents data loss
  • Backstage for guest management

Cons

  • Limits tied to Descript media and recording hours
  • Free tier records 2 hours per drive
  • Descript account required

The Verdict

Riverside is best for:

  • →Professional podcast productions
  • →Video podcasters needing high quality
  • →Remote interview-heavy shows

SquadCast is best for:

  • →Descript users wanting recording solution
  • →Interview podcasts
  • →Browser-based workflow preference

Frequently asked questions

Which is cheaper: Riverside or SquadCast?
Both have a free tier, so it comes down to the first paid plan: SquadCast's Hobbyist is $24/month, against $29/month for Riverside's Pro.
Do Riverside and SquadCast have free versions?
Both do. Riverside gives you 2 hrs multi-track (one-off), 720p, watermarked + free standalone transcription tool, and SquadCast gives you Descript Free: 60 media minutes/month, 2-hour recording sessions per drive, watermarked export.
What is the main difference between Riverside and SquadCast?
Riverside covers Live Streaming, which SquadCast does not. Nothing on the compared feature list goes the other way.

Never Lose a Quote Again

Whichever tool you pick, PodRewind turns your episodes into a searchable archive you can actually chat with—ask questions, find quotes, and generate content from everything you've ever said.