Recording Software
RiversidevsZoom
Compare Riverside and Zoom side by side. See pricing, features, and which is right for your podcast.
Pricing Comparison
| Tier | Riverside | Zoom |
|---|---|---|
| Free Tier | 2 hrs recording/month, 720p, watermarked + free standalone transcription tool | 40-min meetings, local recording |
| Starting Price | Free | Free |
Feature Comparison
| Feature | Riverside | Zoom |
|---|---|---|
| Max Participants | 10 | 100 |
| 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
Zoom Pros & Cons
Pros
- Familiar to most guests
- Very reliable connection
- Separate audio tracks available
Cons
- Audio compression reduces quality
- Not designed for podcast production
- No built-in editing tools
The Verdict
Riverside is best for:
- →Professional podcast productions
- →Video podcasters needing high quality
- →Remote interview-heavy shows
Zoom is best for:
- →Podcasters with non-technical guests
- →Those already using Zoom for meetings
- →Budget-conscious creators