This Riverside review covers the browser-based studio built to fix the biggest headache in remote podcasting. Remote interviews are where most podcasts fall apart: laggy calls, echoey audio, and one guest whose internet drops mid-sentence. Riverside was built to solve exactly that. Instead of capturing the compressed stream of a video call, it records each person’s audio and video locally, in full quality, then uploads the clean files afterward — so a shaky connection no longer means a ruined recording.
Over the last two years Riverside has grown from a recording tool into a near-complete studio: local recording up to 4K, separate tracks per speaker, AI transcription and text-based editing, automatic short-form clips, and live streaming. This review covers what it does well, where it costs you, and whether it’s the right platform for your show.
What Riverside Actually Is
Riverside is a browser-based recording studio. When you and your guests join a session, each person’s device records its own high-quality local track — audio and video — independent of the video call you see on screen. Those clean files upload in the background as you talk, so the finished recording isn’t limited by anyone’s Wi-Fi. On top of that recording core, Riverside layers a text-based editor, AI transcription, automatic clip generation, live streaming, and even podcast hosting.
That’s the key difference from just hitting “record” on a Zoom call: Zoom captures a single compressed stream of whatever survived the connection, while Riverside captures the raw source from each participant. It’s also more than a pure editor like Descript — Riverside is where the recording actually happens, and the editing tools are a bonus rather than the main event.
The Features That Stand Out
Local, separate-track recording. This is the headline. Riverside records up to 4K video and isolated audio for each speaker, uploading progressively so nothing is lost if a connection drops. Separate tracks also make editing far easier — you can fix one person’s audio without touching anyone else’s.
Text-based editing and AI transcription. Riverside transcribes your session and lets you edit the recording by editing the transcript, including one-click filler-word removal. It’s not as deep as a dedicated editor, but for quick cleanups it’s fast.
Magic Clips. Riverside’s AI scans a full episode and generates short vertical clips formatted for TikTok, Reels, and Shorts — a genuine time-saver for anyone trying to grow on social without hiring an editor.
Live streaming and up to 8 participants. You can stream in HD to social platforms while still capturing the high-quality local files in the background, and host sessions with up to eight people on screen.
Riverside Pricing (2026)
| Plan | Price | Best for |
|---|---|---|
| Free | $0 (2 hrs/mo, 720p) | Trying it out |
| Standard | $19/mo billed annually (~$24 monthly) | Solo and interview shows — 15 hrs, 1080p, separate tracks, AI transcription |
| Pro | $29/mo billed annually (~$39 monthly) | Serious video podcasters — 30 hrs, 4K, live streaming, Magic Editor + Clips |
| Business | Custom | Teams and networks — unlimited hours, API, dedicated support |
Recording hours are capped per plan, and going over incurs overage charges (roughly $5–$10/hr). Annual billing is the price most people actually pay — confirm current numbers on the pricing page before you sign up.
Who Should Use Riverside
Riverside is the easy pick if you record remote interviews or a video podcast and want broadcast-quality results without renting a studio — the local-recording model alone is worth it. It’s also strong for anyone repurposing episodes into social clips, thanks to Magic Clips. If you only ever record solo, in person, and audio-only, a cheaper recorder or a simple DAW will cover you for less. And if what you really need is deep editing rather than recording, pair Riverside with (or consider) a dedicated editor like Descript — the two solve different halves of the workflow.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Riverside good for podcasting?
Yes — it’s one of the best tools for recording remote podcasts because it captures high-quality local tracks for each participant instead of a compressed call stream, so bad internet doesn’t ruin your audio.
Riverside vs Zoom for recording — what’s the difference?
Zoom records a single compressed stream of the live call. Riverside records each person’s raw local audio and video separately and uploads it afterward, giving you far higher quality and easier editing.
Does Riverside record video?
Yes, up to 4K, with separate tracks per speaker on the higher tiers — which is why it’s popular with video podcasters.
Is there a free version of Riverside?
Yes. The free plan includes 2 hours of recording per month at 720p, which is enough to test the workflow before committing.
Riverside vs Descript — which do I need?
Riverside is for recording; Descript is for editing. Many creators record in Riverside and do heavy edits in Descript. See our recording software guide for how they fit together.