NERDY PICKS · PODCASTING
Best Podcasting tools
Record, edit, and publish podcasts and clips.
Prices checked Oct 26, 2026
Which podcasting tool should I start with?
If you want free, start with Podbean, Zencastr, Headliner. Record, edit, and publish podcasts and clips. Below you'll find 26 tools with what each one does, the free plan and the cheapest solo plan in US dollars, checked Oct 26, 2026.
| Tool | What it does | Free plan | Paid from | Checked |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Buzzsprout | Beginner-friendly podcast hosting that lists your show in the big directories. | Unclear | Audio: US$18/month, or US$15/month on a yearly plan (US$180/year) | Oct 26, 2026 |
| Podbean | Podcast hosting with unlimited uploads on paid plans, plus ads and paid-subscriber tools. | Yes | Unlimited Audio: US$17/month, or US$12/month on a yearly plan (US$144/year) | Oct 26, 2026 |
| Captivate | Podcast hosting with growth and money-making tools; plans differ only by downloads. | No | Personal: US$19/month, or US$17/month on a yearly plan (US$204/year) | Oct 26, 2026 |
| Transistor | Podcast hosting that lets you run several shows, including private ones, on one plan. | No | Starter: US$19/month, or US$15.83/month on a yearly plan (US$190/year) | Oct 26, 2026 |
| Castos | Podcast hosting with transcripts and private podcasts for businesses and creators. | No | Essentials: US$19/month, or US$15.83/month on a yearly plan (US$190/year) | Oct 26, 2026 |
| Alitu | Simple podcast maker that records, cleans up, edits and hosts your show. | No | Alitu subscription: US$38/month, or US$31.67/month on a yearly plan (US$380/year) | Oct 26, 2026 |
| Zencastr | Records remote podcast interviews in high quality audio and video in the browser. | Yes | Free | Oct 26, 2026 |
| Headliner | Turns podcast audio into shareable video clips and audiograms with captions. | Yes | Basic: US$9.99/month (promo), or US$7.99/month on a yearly plan | Nov 1, 2026 |
| Castmagic | Turns podcast and meeting audio into transcripts, show notes and posts. | No | Hobby: US$29/month, or US$19/month on a yearly plan (US$239/year) | Oct 26, 2026 |
| RedCircle | Podcast hosting with a built-in ad marketplace and free core plan. | Yes | Growth: US$19.99/month, or US$15/month on a yearly plan (US$180/year) | Oct 26, 2026 |
| RSS.com | Podcast hosting with a free forever plan and paid plans for growth and ads. | Yes | Plus: US$19.99/month, or US$15/month on a yearly plan (US$180/year) | Oct 26, 2026 |
| Simplecast | Podcast hosting and analytics from SiriusXM for growing shows. | No | Basic: US$15/month, or US$13.50/month on a yearly plan | Oct 26, 2026 |
| Spreaker | Podcast hosting, recording and monetization in one platform from iHeart. | Yes | Broadcaster: US$20/month | Oct 26, 2026 |
| Libsyn | Long-running podcast host with stats and ad revenue tools. | Unclear | Basic: US$12/month | Oct 26, 2026 |
| Acast | Podcast hosting with a free tier and built-in advertising for creators. | Yes | Essential: US$25/month, or US$14.99/month on a yearly plan | Oct 26, 2026 |
| Fireside | Simple podcast hosting with a website, stats and a hiatus option. | No | Starter: US$9/month, or US$8.25/month on a yearly plan (US$99/year) | Oct 26, 2026 |
| Audacity | Free, open-source app for recording and editing podcast audio. | Yes | Free | Oct 26, 2026 |
| Podpage | Builds a website for your podcast automatically from its feed. | No | Basic: US$19/month, or US$12/month on a yearly plan (US$144/year) | Oct 26, 2026 |
| Descript | Edits video and audio by editing the transcript, like a document. | Yes | Hobbyist: US$24/month, or US$16/month on a yearly plan (US$192/year) | Oct 26, 2026 |
| OpusClip | Cuts long videos into short social clips automatically, with captions. | Yes | Starter: US$15/month | Oct 26, 2026 |
| Async | Records, edits and cleans up podcasts and videos in the browser, with AI voices and one-click repurposing. Formerly Podcastle. | Yes | Essentials: US$19.99/month, or US$11.99/month on a yearly plan | Oct 26, 2026 |
| Riverside | Records remote interviews in high quality, with each guest on a separate track, then edits them. | Yes | Pro: US$29/month, or US$24/month on a yearly plan (US$288/year) | Oct 26, 2026 |
| Cleanvoice | Automatically removes filler words, stutters, mouth clicks and long silences from recordings. | No | Subscription 10 hours: US$11/month, or US$9.17/month on a yearly plan (US$110/year) | Oct 26, 2026 |
| Auphonic | Automatically levels, cleans and masters audio files so episodes sound even and professional. | Yes | Auphonic S: US$13/month, or US$11/month on a yearly plan (US$132/year) | Oct 26, 2026 |
| Adobe Podcast | Browser tool that makes rough voice recordings sound studio-quality and records remote guests. | Yes | Adobe Firefly Pro: US$19.99/month, or US$16.67/month on a yearly plan (US$199.99/year) | Oct 26, 2026 |
| Wondercraft | Turns a script or document into a finished podcast or audio ad with AI hosts, music and sound effects. | Yes | Creator: US$25/month, or US$21/month on a yearly plan (US$252/year) | Nov 1, 2026 |
All 26 tools
Buzzsprout
Beginner-friendly podcast hosting that lists your show in the big directories.
Free plan: Unclear: A 'Get Started Free' option is shown; its limits were not in what we read.
Paid from: Audio: US$18/month, or US$15/month on a yearly plan (US$180/year)
Cheaper or similar: Podbean, RSS.com
Some details on this one weren't confirmed on the official pricing page, so we left them blank.
Checked Oct 26, 2026
Podbean
Podcast hosting with unlimited uploads on paid plans, plus ads and paid-subscriber tools.
Free plan: Yes: Free account available.
Paid from: Unlimited Audio: US$17/month, or US$12/month on a yearly plan (US$144/year)
Discounts: Annual saves up to 29%.
Cheaper or similar: Buzzsprout, Spreaker
Checked Oct 26, 2026
Captivate
Podcast hosting with growth and money-making tools; plans differ only by downloads.
Free plan: No
Paid from: Personal: US$19/month, or US$17/month on a yearly plan (US$204/year)
Cheaper or similar: Transistor, Castos
Some details on this one weren't confirmed on the official pricing page, so we left them blank.
Checked Oct 26, 2026
Transistor
Podcast hosting that lets you run several shows, including private ones, on one plan.
Free plan: No
Paid from: Starter: US$19/month, or US$15.83/month on a yearly plan (US$190/year)
Discounts: Yearly: '12 months for the price of 10'.
Cheaper or similar: Captivate, Castos
Some details on this one weren't confirmed on the official pricing page, so we left them blank.
Checked Oct 26, 2026
Castos
Podcast hosting with transcripts and private podcasts for businesses and creators.
Free plan: No
Paid from: Essentials: US$19/month, or US$15.83/month on a yearly plan (US$190/year)
Discounts: Annual: 2 months free.
Cheaper or similar: Transistor, Captivate
Checked Oct 26, 2026
Alitu
Simple podcast maker that records, cleans up, edits and hosts your show.
Free plan: No
Paid from: Alitu subscription: US$38/month, or US$31.67/month on a yearly plan (US$380/year)
Discounts: Annual: 2 months free.
Cheaper or similar: Descript, Riverside
Some details on this one weren't confirmed on the official pricing page, so we left them blank.
Checked Oct 26, 2026
Zencastr
Records remote podcast interviews in high quality audio and video in the browser.
Free plan: Yes: Free plan: up to 6 participants, 4K video, unlimited storage.
Price: Free
Cheaper or similar: Riverside, Descript
Checked Oct 26, 2026
Headliner
Turns podcast audio into shareable video clips and audiograms with captions.
Free plan: Yes: Forever Free plan.
Paid from: Basic: US$9.99/month (promo), or US$7.99/month on a yearly plan
Discounts: Basic shown at $9.99/month, was $14.99/month; video tools 'FREE for a limited time'; up to 50% off with annual plans. Get Pro free for 30 days with Headliner x Apple Podcasts (banner on the pricing page).
Cheaper or similar: OpusClip, Descript
Some details on this one weren't confirmed on the official pricing page, so we left them blank.
Checked Nov 1, 2026
Castmagic
Turns podcast and meeting audio into transcripts, show notes and posts.
Free plan: No
Paid from: Hobby: US$29/month, or US$19/month on a yearly plan (US$239/year)
Discounts: Save 30% annually.
Cheaper or similar: Descript, Wondercraft
Some details on this one weren't confirmed on the official pricing page, so we left them blank.
Checked Oct 26, 2026
RedCircle
Podcast hosting with a built-in ad marketplace and free core plan.
Free plan: Yes: Free Core plan.
Paid from: Growth: US$19.99/month, or US$15/month on a yearly plan (US$180/year)
Cheaper or similar: Podbean, Acast
Some details on this one weren't confirmed on the official pricing page, so we left them blank.
Checked Oct 26, 2026
RSS.com
Podcast hosting with a free forever plan and paid plans for growth and ads.
Free plan: Yes: Free: no trial, no expiration.
Paid from: Plus: US$19.99/month, or US$15/month on a yearly plan (US$180/year)
Cheaper or similar: Buzzsprout, Podbean
Some details on this one weren't confirmed on the official pricing page, so we left them blank.
Checked Oct 26, 2026
Simplecast
Podcast hosting and analytics from SiriusXM for growing shows.
Free plan: No
Paid from: Basic: US$15/month, or US$13.50/month on a yearly plan
Cheaper or similar: Transistor, Captivate
Checked Oct 26, 2026
Spreaker
Podcast hosting, recording and monetization in one platform from iHeart.
Free plan: Yes: Free Speech plan ($0/month).
Paid from: Broadcaster: US$20/month
Cheaper or similar: Podbean, RedCircle
Some details on this one weren't confirmed on the official pricing page, so we left them blank.
Checked Oct 26, 2026
Libsyn
Long-running podcast host with stats and ad revenue tools.
Free plan: Unclear: Not shown.
Paid from: Basic: US$12/month
Cheaper or similar: Buzzsprout, Podbean
Some details on this one weren't confirmed on the official pricing page, so we left them blank.
Checked Oct 26, 2026
Acast
Podcast hosting with a free tier and built-in advertising for creators.
Free plan: Yes: Free tier (card details asked at sign-up but not charged).
Paid from: Essential: US$25/month, or US$14.99/month on a yearly plan
Discounts: Lower per-month price with yearly billing.
Cheaper or similar: RedCircle, Spreaker
Checked Oct 26, 2026
Fireside
Simple podcast hosting with a website, stats and a hiatus option.
Free plan: No
Paid from: Starter: US$9/month, or US$8.25/month on a yearly plan (US$99/year)
Cheaper or similar: Buzzsprout, Transistor
Checked Oct 26, 2026
Audacity
Free, open-source app for recording and editing podcast audio.
Free plan: Yes: Always free for everyone.
Price: Free
Cheaper or similar: Descript, Adobe Podcast
Checked Oct 26, 2026
Podpage
Builds a website for your podcast automatically from its feed.
Free plan: No
Paid from: Basic: US$19/month, or US$12/month on a yearly plan (US$144/year)
Discounts: Pay yearly saves 34-37%.
Cheaper or similar: Buzzsprout, RSS.com
Checked Oct 26, 2026
Descript
Edits video and audio by editing the transcript, like a document.
Free plan: Yes: 60 media minutes/month, 720p export, 5 GB storage.
Paid from: Hobbyist: US$24/month, or US$16/month on a yearly plan (US$192/year)
Discounts: Save up to 35% with annual billing; education and nonprofit pricing by application form.
Cheaper or similar: CapCut, VEED, OpusClip · cheaper Descript alternatives
Checked Oct 26, 2026
OpusClip
Cuts long videos into short social clips automatically, with captions.
Free plan: Yes: 60 credits/month, watermark on exports.
Paid from: Starter: US$15/month
Discounts: Save up to 50% with annual billing (Pro plan).
Cheaper or similar: CapCut
Checked Oct 26, 2026
Async
Records, edits and cleans up podcasts and videos in the browser, with AI voices and one-click repurposing. Formerly Podcastle.
Free plan: Yes: Free plan at $0.
Paid from: Essentials: US$19.99/month, or US$11.99/month on a yearly plan
Discounts: Up to 40% off with yearly plans.
Cheaper or similar: Riverside, Descript
Checked Oct 26, 2026
Riverside
Records remote interviews in high quality, with each guest on a separate track, then edits them.
Free plan: Yes: Free plan available (limits not detailed).
Paid from: Pro: US$29/month, or US$24/month on a yearly plan (US$288/year)
Discounts: Up to 20% off yearly plans; 14-day free trial.
Cheaper or similar: Async, Descript
Checked Oct 26, 2026
Cleanvoice
Automatically removes filler words, stutters, mouth clicks and long silences from recordings.
Free plan: No
Paid from: Subscription 10 hours: US$11/month, or US$9.17/month on a yearly plan (US$110/year)
Discounts: Pay-as-you-go credits from $11 for 5 hours (valid 2 years).
Cheaper or similar: Auphonic, Adobe Podcast
Checked Oct 26, 2026
Auphonic
Automatically levels, cleans and masters audio files so episodes sound even and professional.
Free plan: Yes: 2 hours of processed audio per month (no rollover).
Paid from: Auphonic S: US$13/month, or US$11/month on a yearly plan (US$132/year)
Discounts: Pay yearly to save 20%. One-time credits from $12 for 5 hours.
Cheaper or similar: Cleanvoice, Adobe Podcast
Checked Oct 26, 2026
Adobe Podcast
Browser tool that makes rough voice recordings sound studio-quality and records remote guests.
Free plan: Yes: Enhance Speech up to 30 minutes per file and 1 hour per day; 2 Studio downloads per day.
Paid from: Adobe Firefly Pro: US$19.99/month, or US$16.67/month on a yearly plan (US$199.99/year)
Discounts: Free trial offered.
Cheaper or similar: Auphonic, Cleanvoice
Some details on this one weren't confirmed on the official pricing page, so we left them blank.
Checked Oct 26, 2026
Wondercraft
Turns a script or document into a finished podcast or audio ad with AI hosts, music and sound effects.
Free plan: Yes: Free plan at $0/month.
Paid from: Creator: US$25/month, or US$21/month on a yearly plan (US$252/year)
Discounts: Creator first month 50% off ($12.50) on monthly billing.
Cheaper or similar: ElevenLabs, Async
Checked Nov 1, 2026
Other jobs
FAQ
What's the best free podcasting tool?
15 of the 26 podcasting tools here have a free plan, including Podbean, Zencastr, Headliner, RedCircle. Start with the one whose job description matches yours, and check the free-plan limits in each card before you commit.
What's the cheapest paid podcasting tool?
Of the prices we could confirm, Headliner is cheapest: its Basic plan is US$9.99/month (promo), or US$7.99/month on a yearly plan. Next is Fireside: its Starter plan is US$9/month, or US$8.25/month on a yearly plan (US$99/year). Prices are in US dollars before tax, checked Nov 1, 2026.
How do you check these prices?
We read each tool's official pricing page (or the maker's own help pages) in US dollars before tax, and note the date. If a price isn't shown clearly, we leave it blank rather than guess.
Want to spend less? Tick the tools you pay for in the Nerdy Savings calculator.