Produce
GUIDE 07 OF 17Basic podcasting software
Recording and editing software for every budget, why Audacity is a good default, and what remote-interview tools do.
Podcasting software does two jobs: recording your voice and editing the recording into an episode. One free program can do both.
Recording and editing: your options
| Type | Examples | Good for |
|---|---|---|
| Free, open-source editor | Audacity (Windows, macOS, Linux) | Almost everyone starting out; this tutorial uses it |
| Free, bundled with your computer | GarageBand (macOS) | Mac users who like a music-style multitrack view |
| Professional audio workstations | Adobe Audition, Reaper, Logic Pro, Pro Tools | Complex, multi-track shows and sound design |
| Text-based editors | Tools that let you edit audio by editing its transcript | Interview shows with lots of cutting |
| Remote recording studios | Browser-based services that record each guest locally | Interviews with people in other places |
Why start with Audacity
- It’s free and open source, with no watermark, trial or account.
- It runs on Windows, macOS and Linux, so co-hosts can share projects.
- It does everything a spoken-word show needs: record, cut, fade, noise reduction, compression, loudness normalization and MP3 export.
- It’s been used for podcasting for two decades, so help is easy to find.
Download it only from the official Audacity download page. Look-alike download sites sometimes bundle unwanted software.
Recording remote interviews
Recording a video call works, but call apps compress audio heavily and drop out when connections wobble. Better options, from simplest to best:
- Record the call with its built-in recording feature, choosing separate audio tracks per person if available.
- Use a remote recording service that records each person locally in high quality and uploads the files.
- Ask each person to record themselves in Audacity at the same time (a “double-ender”), then line the tracks up in editing with a clap at the start.
Other useful tools
- A notes app or document for outlines and show notes.
- An image editor for square cover artwork (see artwork requirements).
- A transcription tool to turn episodes into text for accessibility and search.
- Our file size calculator and RSS feed checker.
Ready to record? Start the Audacity tutorial for podcasters.