Choose a recording workflow first
For an interview with one guest, Airtape is one option. Include Zencastr when a broader podcast workflow matters. Consider Cleanfeed for audio conversations. Audacity and OBS require more manual work. Zoom may be sufficient if meeting recordings already meet your needs.
| Option | What free means | Capture | Suitable use |
|---|---|---|---|
| Airtape | 2 hours/month; 2 people; 7-day storage | Local audio and video tracks | A hosted interview with one guest |
| Zencastr | Free recording advertised | Local separate tracks | Recording plus podcast tools |
| Cleanfeed | Free entry; Pro for multitrack | Remote audio | Audio conversations and live audio |
| Audacity + call | Free local audio recorder | Each person records themselves | Guests comfortable managing files |
| OBS Studio + call | Free desktop software | Own camera, audio, and scenes | Hosts comfortable with routing |
| Zoom | Check plan and meeting limits | Separate computer-recording audio option | An existing meeting workflow is sufficient |
What to check behind the word free
Airtape Free renews its two recording hours monthly. Riverside lists two one-off hours of separate audio and video tracks on Free. Zencastr advertises unlimited free recording. Before scheduling a series, check participant limits, exports, resolution, and retention directly with the provider.
Sources checked on September 23, 2026 and linked below. This is an editorial comparison of workflows and documented features, not an independent performance benchmark. Airtape publishes this article about its own product.
Where manual alternatives create extra work
With Audacity, each participant records their own voice while another tool carries the call. You then collect, align, and check the files. OBS requires deliberate input and output routing; recording a call window does not create a guest-local original track. Test the whole process with the actual guest.
Zoom can record a separate audio file for each participant on a computer. That differs from recording locally on every guest device. Cleanfeed Pro supports multitrack recording; test the actual audio path when the live connection is central to your production.
Before switching: a repeatable recording test
- Record a short passage with the same guest, microphone, and room.
- Note guest joining, device selection, and time until files are ready.
- Open every exported track and check the beginning, middle, and end.
- Check silence and a short moment of overlapping speech.
- In a disposable test session, try rejoining and inspect what was actually captured.
- Compare recording allowances, retention, and extra costs with your planned episode schedule.
When staying with Riverside makes sense
If your team already uses Riverside’s recording and editing workflow and the results meet your needs, switching is not automatically an improvement. Riverside also supports guest links without guest accounts. Compare the functions you actually need and the cost of the whole workflow rather than a marketing claim about setup steps.