If you’re a podcaster or content creator, chances are you’ve heard of Riverside and Descript. Both promise to make your recording and editing process easier, smarter, and more professional, but in different ways. The question is, which one is actually the better fit for your workflow?
Let’s dive deeper into both platforms, including their key features and pricing, and find the answer to that question together! Off we go!
Key takeaways
- Riverside excels at recording. With local 4K video and multitrack audio capture, it’s built for podcasters and interviewers who want professional results.
- Descript shines in editing. Its text-based workflow and AI tools, such as Overdub and Studio Sound, make post-production easier and faster.
- Streaming vs. collaboration. Riverside supports live streaming and call-ins, while Descript focuses on team-friendly editing with real-time collaboration.
- Pricing depends on priorities. Riverside plans start at $15/month and focus on recording quality, while Descript starts at $12/month and packs in AI editing features.
- Podcastle bridges both worlds. It combines high-quality recording, AI-powered editing, and exporting into one streamlined platform.
Riverside overview
Launched in 2020, Riverside is a browser-based recording platform designed to make remote conversations sound like they happened in a professional studio. Instead of relying on shaky internet connections, it records each participant locally in full-quality audio and video (up to 4K), then uploads everything in the background.
Besides its AI-powered tools, you can also live stream your sessions to YouTube, LinkedIn, or Facebook, and let your audience call in.
Riverside is built for podcasters, video creators, and remote interviewers who want pro-quality results without needing a studio.
Key features of Riverside
- 4K Local Recording - Each participant records directly on their own device, so you get flawless video and audio untouched by bad Wi-Fi.
- Multitrack Capture - Every guest gets their own separate track, making editing cleaner and more flexible.
- Studio-Grade Audio - Records high-quality, professional sound.
- Remote-Friendly - Guests can join from anywhere with just a browser link, no clunky software installs needed.
- Producer Mode - Monitor the session in real time, tweak settings, and keep everything running smoothly.
- Clips Feature - Instantly carve out short, shareable highlights from longer sessions for social media.
- Screen Sharing - Perfect for walkthroughs, presentations, or product demos.
- AI Speaker Detection - Automatically recognizes who’s talking and separates their tracks for easier editing.
- Browser-Based Platform - Works right in Chrome or Edge, no downloads required.
- iOS App - Take studio-quality recording on the road with Riverside’s mobile app.
Riverside reviews
"It's been super simple to start a Podcast with limited knowledge and as a complete rookie in editing and hosting. I really appreciate the simple tools and the great customer service. The link to publishing on Spotify is also amazing." - Theresa Stegemann
"Great when it works as expected. It can save a lot of time and effort on editing. The issue I have is with support. I've run into two issues, and the response is underwhelming. Being sent links that's the equivalent of saying it's not us, it's you, is not remotely helpful. Especially when, after back and forth, they end up having to acknowledge the issue on their end." - Sean Atkinson
"Poor poor poor. For the money they charge, there are always issues. We will be moving when our annual sub expires!! No native Windows version of the software is another joke." - Trevor
"The Mac app froze and shut down part way into a live presentation - with many of the audience leaving as we tried to re-enter via the browser. Won't be using it again!" - MC
"Worst customer service. Don't use this software if you're recording on high-end cameras and want to use AI to help cut it down. It's only for people who want to record on iPhones." - Nathanael Ryman
Descript overview
Descript is the editing tool that feels more like you're revising a Google Doc than wrestling with complicated video timelines. At its core, it turns transcripts into your editing canvas: delete the text, and the video or audio gets trimmed automatically. It offers AI super-tools like Overdub (voice cloning), filler-word shuffling, Studio Sound cleanup, green screen touches, and multi-track recording, all wrapped in an interface designed for creators of all levels.
It’s for anyone who wants to produce polished content without stressing too much about it and spending hours in front of their laptop.
Key features of Descript
- Automatic Transcription - Instantly turn your audio into editable text.
- Text-Based Editing - Cut, rearrange, or delete sections just by editing the transcript.
- AI Voiceovers - Generate natural-sounding narration with built-in AI voices.
- Multitrack Timeline - Fine-tune projects with a familiar, professional editing layout.
- AI Clip Suggestions - Let Descript pick standout moments from your video, then refine them for sharing.
- Screen and Webcam Recording - Ideal for tutorials, walkthroughs, and presentations.
- Studio Sound - Remove background noise and polish recordings with a single click.
- Collaboration Tools - Comment, edit, and review projects in real time with your team.
- Video Templates and Layouts - Add titles, captions, transitions, and other storytelling elements.
- Stock Media Library - Access a collection of music, images, and sound effects to enrich your content.
- Screen Annotation - Highlight and add notes directly to recordings.
- Version History - Roll back to earlier edits and keep track of changes.
- AI Green Screen - Replace or blur your background without physical equipment.
Descript reviews
"I really like that as a person with no audio or video editing experience, I can create usable short audio and video content for social media, websites and for sharing information." - Capterra
"It is indeed an undeniably interesting product. Too bad it just… doesn’t work. Too clunky. Frustratingly poor UX." - the half swiss
"It’s so buggy. It keeps crashing for me. Horrible experience." - Gusty
"Easy, high quality, many automatised features that reduce editing time X100." - Enric Alcaraz Roma
"But the implementation leaves much to be desired. And the biggest disadvantage is that if something is not clear or something is broken, then there is no one to turn to." - Lily Maria
Riverside VS Descript: Feature comparison
Although they might look similar, Riverside is built first and foremost as a recording platform, while Descript is first an editing one. Both have added AI and creator-friendly features, but the way they approach the process of making content is what sets them apart. Let’s break it down.
1. Recording
Riverside records locally on each participant’s device, which means you get studio-quality audio and up to 4K video even if your guest’s internet drops out. Each track is saved separately, making post-production much smoother. Guests can join with just a browser link, no software to download, and there’s even an iOS app if you need to record on the go.
Descript, on the other hand, isn’t really about capturing remote conversations. It does offer screen and webcam recording, which is perfect for tutorials, online courses, or solo creators who just need to capture themselves. But if you’re interviewing guests in different locations, Riverside is the stronger option.
2. Editing
Here’s where the tables turn. Riverside gives you clean, separate tracks and some handy AI tools, but editing itself is pretty straightforward.
Descript, meanwhile, offers to edit your audio or video by working directly in the transcript. Delete a word from the text, and that word disappears from your recording. You can also use Overdub, which clones your voice to fix mistakes or add narration, and lean on tools like Studio Sound to remove background noise in one click. For creators who don’t want to learn traditional editing software, this approach is a game-changer.
3. Streaming and collaboration
If live shows or audience interaction are part of your workflow, Riverside has the upper hand. It lets you stream live to YouTube, Facebook, LinkedIn, or Twitch, and even invite audience members to call in. A dedicated Producer Mode gives you behind-the-scenes control during a session.
Descript doesn’t do live streaming, but it’s excellent for collaboration. Multiple teammates can work on the same project, leave comments, and make edits in real time, much like working in Google Docs. For teams producing podcasts, explainer videos, or marketing content, that collaborative layer is a big plus.
4. AI tools
Both tools lean into AI, but in different ways. Riverside uses it to save time and repurpose content. Meanwhile, Descript uses AI to enhance and fix content. You get automatic transcription, filler-word removal, Overdub voice cloning, Studio Sound for audio cleanup, and even an AI green screen to swap or blur your video background.
5. Media and add-ons
Riverside keeps things simple: screen sharing for presentations or demos, and that’s about it. It mainly focuses on recording and delivery.
Descript, by contrast, has more creative add-ons: a stock media library with music and sound effects, templates and layouts for adding titles or captions, and screen annotation tools for highlighting parts of a tutorial. It’s not just an editor, it’s closer to an all-in-one production suite.
Riverside VS Descript: Price comparison
Pricing is often the dealbreaker when choosing a creative tool, and Riverside and Descript take very different approaches. Let’s break down which platform gives you the most value for your needs.
Riverside pricing
Riverside has four subscription tiers, giving users flexibility depending on their needs and budget:
Free plan: Supports a single participant per session with limited recording time and video capped at 720p. It comes with watermarked exports, basic functionality, and excludes premium features like multitrack recording or unlimited guests.
Pro plan: For those who need more creative freedom. Costs $29 per month and unlocks unlimited editing, 4K video recording, and up to fifteen hours of multitrack sessions for participants.
Live plan: Priced at $39 per month, the plan offers 15 hours of multi-track recordings per month (with separate audio and video tracks) and unlimited editing so you can trim, adjust, and polish your content without restrictions. On the live side, you get multistreaming to unlimited channels, Omnichat to interact with all audiences in one place, lower thirds, hide/show participant controls, custom RTMP, and even live call-ins. All of this is backed by live chat support whenever you need it.
Business plan: Tailored for larger teams with custom pricing. It offers advanced perks such as unlimited participants, producer mode, priority customer support, original branding, additional collaboration tools, and custom pricing.
For more information, check out the Riverside Plans and Pricing page.
Descript pricing
Descript currently provides four different plans, including a free option, so creators can choose based on their workflow and budget:
Free plan: Gives you up to three hours of transcription each month, unlimited screen recordings, and access to essential editing features for both audio and video. It also lets you experiment with Overdub (voice cloning) in a limited capacity and apply Studio Sound to clean up your recordings.
Hobbyist plan: Priced at $16 per month per user, increases transcription to ten hours per month, and allows watermark-free exports in 1080p resolution. It also unlocks 20 monthly uses of Descript’s basic AI features like Filler Word Removal, Studio Sound, and automatic show notes, plus 30 minutes of AI voice generation
Creator plan: At $24 per month per user (for up to three users), you’ll get thirty transcription hours monthly, full 4K video exports without watermarks, unlimited access to Descript’s AI suite, one terabyte of storage, and two hours of AI voice generation.
Business plan: At $50 per month (for teams) provides forty transcription hours, five hours of AI speech, and two hours of dubbing for translated content. It’s designed with collaboration in mind, offering advanced tools like custom branding, two terabytes of storage, unlimited media library access, and Descript’s most powerful AI features.
For more information, check out the Descript Pricing page.
Pricing summary
When it comes to pricing, which platform gives you the most bang for your buck really depends on what you need. Riverside is the right choice if your focus is on high-quality recording: its plans, starting at $29 a month, are built around 4K video and multitrack audio, perfect for podcasters or interviewers who want studio-level results without leaving their browser.
On the other hand, Descript is a smarter pick if you’re more interested in editing and AI-powered tools. Starting at $16 a month, you get transcription, watermark-free exports, and features like Studio Sound and Overdub, making it a solid choice for creators who spend more time polishing content than capturing it.
Podcastle: The best alternative for recording and editing with AI
If you want one tool that handles clean recording, fast editing, smart AI polish, and direct publishing at the same time, Podcastle makes the whole workflow simple. Instead of juggling different tools, you just follow a simple flow: record, edit, polish with AI, and export. Besides, it offers both text-based and timeline editing.
Here are some other Podcastle features most creators value:
- Studio-Quality Audio and Video Recording - Capture crystal-clear sound and video straight from your device, ensuring professional results no matter your setup or internet speed.
- Multitrack Recording - Record each speaker on a separate track for maximum flexibility, making editing smoother and the final audio more polished.
- Browser-Based (Cloud) - Skip the hassle of downloads and installations, everything runs seamlessly in your web browser while downloading and uploading in the background.
- User-Friendly Interface - Designed to feel intuitive, whether you’re creating your very first episode or producing content like a pro.
- Natural 1000+ AI Voices - Choose from a wide range of lifelike AI-generated voices, each with unique accents, tones, and styles for versatile storytelling.
- Precise Text to Speech Conversion - Turn written scripts into realistic voiceovers with impressive accuracy, and then easily edit your text to edit your audio.
- AI Noise Removal - Instantly strip away unwanted background noise to keep your audio clean and distraction-free.
- Magic Dust AI – Elevate your recordings in seconds with one click, balancing levels and sharpening clarity effortlessly.
- Realistic Voice Cloning - Create a custom AI version of your own voice for narration that sounds truly personal and consistent.
- AI Eye Contact Fixer - Adjusts your gaze so it always looks like you’re speaking directly to your audience.
- Collaborative Features - Record interviews or group conversations remotely without sacrificing audio quality.
- Teleprompter - Stay on track with your script while recording, with the text visible only to you, not your guest.
- Video Layout Options - Customize how your video looks, choose split-screen, active speaker view, or spotlight mode.
- A Virtual Waiting Room - Welcome guests with a branded space before the recording starts, complete with your own logo and background.
- All-in-One Editor - Edit both audio and video right inside the platform, with no need for external tools or complicated workflows.
With plans starting at $11.99 per month (yes, you read that right!), Podcastle’s pricing is designed to be flexible and accessible, offering plans that fit a variety of budgets and team sizes. The platform emphasizes simplicity and efficiency, combining powerful AI tools with cloud-based storage to make every stage of content creation smooth and fun. Start your journey today with Podcastle and see how effortless expressing your creativity can be!
