There is a lot you can do on your computer. If you are a podcaster, creating amazing content is one of them. And with high-quality, easily accessible, and affordable software, podcasters everywhere can master the art of podcasting from pretty much anywhere. Before you go out hunting for the best Mac podcast software available today, take a quick look at the list we put together to make your life a little bit easier.
What Do Podcasters Need to Record Content?
When you are ready to start podcasting for the first time, there is a checklist every pro needs to produce quality content and draw in avid listeners.
A Quiet Space
Even with top-of-the-line technology and expensive equipment, you can’t create great content unless you record in a calm and quiet location.
Some people choose to record their podcasts in the closet of their bedrooms because of the calm atmosphere and the great acoustics.
Others choose an unoccupied room of the house, off limits to family members during scheduled timeframes, or some go to an office or studio.
A Great Idea
Having a podcast can be very tricky. Getting a large group of followers and great reviews can be challenging, even in the most popular genres, simply because the competition is incredible.
Coming up with a unique and entertaining way to capture your audience’s attention while touching on topics you enjoy discussing and know a lot about will ensure success in your podcasting endeavors.
Microphone and Accessories
A quality microphone is one of the most important aspects of a successful podcast. You want to ensure no disruptions in the recording can come from the mic.
A few great must-have accessories include headphones, a shock mount, and a pop filter.
Quality Recording Software
Last and most importantly, a successful podcast needs quality recording software. You can put these programs onto your computer to record your podcast, whether it is solely audio recording or audio and video.
While it can be hard to start your own podcast, recording and downloading/uploading episodes won’t be if you use special software designed for great content.
The Top 10 Podcast Recording Software for Mac and PCs
Your recording software is the top essential tool for succeeding in the world of aspiring podcasters. We have created a list of the top 10 podcast recording software to maximize your performance and truly stand out.
1. Anchor (Riverside): Best Podcasting Recording and Hosting Software
- Compatibility: Mac and Windows (download on Android or Apple devices)
- Price: Free
This software allows podcasters to record their episodes in a unique way, easily and for free.
Spotify offers this program to help hosts beneficially connect with their audience with tools that can improve their content without having much experience or know-how.
You can create a fantastic show with all of the basic software tools for creating and editing content, as well as record guests or a collaborative podcast episode with their fun “record with friends” feature, splitting segments and offering quick and smooth transitions.
Important Features:
- Record with friends
- Mobile Accessibility
- Hosting software for quick downloads
- Great analytics and data
- Q&A polls
- Subscriptions
2. Audacity: Best Free Podcast Recording Software
- Compatibility: Mac and Windows
- Cost: Free
Audacity software is a great starting point for new podcasters just getting into the game. The download is free, and you can access all the basic needs for recording and editing audio on your computer.
Audacity is an excellent service for those who have no interest in video recording and only want to capture audio in their episodes.
Important Features:
- Noise reduction
- Amplifier
- Import/export sound files
- Fading effects
- Spectrogram
- Supports various plugins
3. Adobe Audition: Best Professional Audio Workstation
- Compatibility: Mac and Windows
- Price: Starting at $20.99 (free trial available)
Adobe Audition is a great workstation to record, edit, and improve your podcasts. However, unlike Audacity, you will have to pay monthly to utilize the pro tools offered by this software.
With this program, users can record great audio and videos and edit them with many awesome features.
Important Features:
- Step-by-step tutorials
- Quality restoration, clean-up, and audio editing tools
- Spectral frequency display
- Rearrange and remix songs
- Professional quality audio
4. RINGR: Best Software for Collaboration or Interviews
- Compatibility: Mac and Windows (app for Android and Apple devices)
- Price: Free (limited), plans starting at $7.99 per month
RINGR is an excellent remote recording software program that makes creating an episode with others extremely easy. Grab a friend, a co-host, or a special guest, and set up a phone call that will be recorded quickly and easily. A free version and an upgraded paid monthly plan are available.
As soon as the recording session is over, hang up the phone, and everyone’s audio uploads to the cloud. RINGR does the hard work for you from there, merging these conversations into one smooth podcast episode.
Important Features:
- Synchronized conference calls
- Splits track recordings
- Great bandwidth
- Startup tutorials
- Great for recording remotely
5. Reaper: Best Software for the Constantly Evolving Podcast Industry
- Compatibility: Mac, Windows, Linux
- Price: $60 and $225 for licenses
Reaper is a popular product used by podcasters everywhere. You can have a complete digital audio studio right on your computer for a very low price.
This platform lets podcasters record high-quality content from anywhere, with features and pro tools that can assist in creating and editing a masterpiece to help you get the likes and subscribers you’re looking for.
Reaper offers content updates and fast, effective fixes to harmful bugs and technological issues. This best podcast editing software supports over 200 plug-ins that improve the sound quality of your recordings.
Important Features:
- Customizable themes
- Different languages
- 200+ plugins
- Multi-track recording
- Customizable work boards
6. QuickTime Player: Best Apple Recording Software for Podcasts
- Compatibility: Mac, Windows 7, Windows Vista
- Price: Free
Apple had to get its claws into the podcast industry and did a pretty good job of it. The QuickTime Player software is perfect for newbies just entering into the podcasting lifestyle or those who don’t have much time to sit down in a studio to record and edit their content.
This platform allows you to record video or audio content from your phone, then quickly go over it to add, delete, or touch up anything you want. You can also use this program to adjust and even trim clips and pics.
Important Features:
- Video, audio, and screen recording ability
- Quick and easy edits
- Mobile recordings
- No downloading necessary
7. Skype: Best Online Video Conference Recording Software
- Compatibility: Mac, Windows (download available for Apple and Android devices)
- Price: Free
Everyone has heard of Skype, and most people have already used it at least once or twice. While it may not be as popular now as it once was, this online video chat option is a great way to record a podcast with guest speakers and friends from afar.
Not only can you chat with your friends, but the software also allows you to record your convo in real time, making it easy to get a high-quality podcast recorded and distributed in no time.
One thing to remember is that Skype’s audio quality relies on your internet connection. Poor quality connection leads to inferior recordings.
Important Features:
- Free of charge
- You can record up to 100 people in one session
- Screen share and chat box available
- Each person is front and center with a blurred-out background
- Records with MP4 storage and 1080HD resolution
8. Logic Pro: Best Software for Mac Users
- Compatibility: Mac
- Price: $199.99 (One-time fee)
While Logic Pro may be geared more toward music-related content, it is still an excellent option for podcasters to use to create phenomenal shows.
It offers noise equalizers, an extensive library of plug-ins, integrated Dolby Atmos tools, and much more.
Apple created Logic Pro to allow influencers to quickly create entertaining video and audio content and with tools and tips to get it done like a boss.
Important Features:
- Massive options for plugins
- Mixing and exporting audio files
- 3-D object planner
- Mobile compatibility
- Live loop controls
- Remix FX from anywhere
9. Zoom: Best Software for Social Distance Work
- Compatibility: Mac and Windows
- Price: Free (up to 40 mins for more than 2 people), plans start at $149.99
If we learned anything over the last few years, it is how to work efficiently from a distance. Many schools and offices turned to Zoom meetings to get their work done without coming face-to-face with others.
Zoom is not explicitly designed to do podcast work; however, through the pandemic, we found it to be a magnificent tool for voice recording and group gatherings.
You’re not going to get tons of features and tools for podcast editing and fun creations. Nonetheless, Zoom offers podcasters an easy way to easily get their information and conversations uploaded to the internet.
10. SquadCast: Best Software for Video Recording Podcasters
- Compatibility: Mac and Windows
- Price: Plans start at $40 per month
This browser-based podcast recording program offers an array of excellent recording and editing features to podcasters of all expertise.
With its video recording option, this specific software is becoming one of the fastest-growing platforms available to the podcast world.
SquadCast does not offer live-streaming abilities, nor do you get features directed toward the audience. What it does offer is the elimination of audio drifting, connectivity issues, and the chance of losing your files.
When you are ready to edit, integrate this software with your favorite editing programs with ease.
Important Features:
- Up to 10 people during each recording
- High-quality recording audio and video
- Easy integration to editing and other programs
- Separate track recording
What Should You Look for in Podcast Software?
If you don’t see what you are looking for in the list above, here are some of the most important features to watch for when browsing podcast software products.
Compatibility with Your Devices
First and foremost, you want to ensure your software is compatible with the devices you use the most. While a Mac user must find software compatible with Mac computers, they also have to be sure it is compatible with:
- Cameras
- Headphones
- Microphones
Easy to Use
If you are not familiar with podcast software, whether recording, editing, or hosting, never purchase in-depth products that have a steep learning curve. No one wants to spend more time figuring out how to use software than it took to develop the content.
The Quality of the Audio Recording
Podcasting is all about audio. Most people listen to podcasts while commuting back and forth to work, cleaning, working out, taking road trips, etc. If the quality of your audio is less than perfect, people will look for something easier to listen to.
Editing Tools and Features
The ability to edit the content is critical when recording a podcast. If you are creating a high-quality, professional podcast show, editing tools and features are essential to offering listeners the best form of entertainment and information possible.
Some important features to watch for include:
- Audio and video trimming
- Noise filters
- Audio track compression
- Sound editing
- Importing and exporting audio files
- Record multiple audio inputs simultaneously
- Automatic volume adjustments
- Balanced sound elements
- Adding audio effects
These are just a handful of features software programs offer podcasters. While the most critical part of creating an exciting story is becoming a great storyteller, having the ability to record and edit your content like a pro will help you succeed in this ever-growing industry.
Final Thoughts
If you plan to record a podcast from your Mac or PC, take a quick look at the great software brands listed above. Each of these products offers its own unique key features to help podcasters perform their absolute best, every time.
