Riverside review
Riverside records studio-quality remote podcasts and video interviews. Recording is unlimited on every plan, but separate-track downloads are metered.
Disclosure: PickedTech is reader-supported. Some links on this page are affiliate links, and we may earn a commission if you buy through them, at no extra cost to you. This never affects which products we recommend or how we rank them. How we make money.
How this page was made: this is a research-based comparison built from official pricing pages, product documentation and vendor announcements. We haven’t tested these tools ourselves or run hands-on benchmarks for this page, and we don’t invent scores. Our methodology.
Quick answer
Riverside records studio-quality remote podcasts and video interviews. Recording is unlimited on every plan, but separate-track downloads are metered. Riverside is a browser-based recording studio for remote podcasts and video interviews. It records each guest locally on their own device, so audio and video stay sharp even if someone’s connection wobbles.
Last updated Pricing checked Oct 2026
Riverside is a browser-based recording studio for remote podcasts and video interviews. It records each guest locally on their own device, so audio and video stay sharp even if someone’s connection wobbles. It also includes a text-based editor and AI tools for clips, filler words and B-roll.
Our verdict
Riverside is a strong pick if you record remote interviews and want separate, high-quality tracks for every guest without asking them to install anything. Pro ($24/mo billed yearly) covers most solo podcasters. The catch is that downloading separate tracks is limited by monthly hours that don’t roll over, and Riverside’s own pricing page lists two different figures for those hours, so check your plan before a busy month. If you mainly edit rather than record, compare it with Descript.
Riverside pricing
| Plan | Billed yearly | Billed monthly | Max recording quality | Highlights |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Free | $0 | $0 | 720p, 44.1kHz audio | 2 hours of separate tracks (one-off), watermark |
| Pro | $24/mo ($288/yr) | $29/mo | Up to 4K, 48kHz | Teleprompter, AI B-roll, filler-word removal, podcast hosting |
| Grow | $34/mo ($408/yr) | $39/mo | Up to 4K, 48kHz | Adds 1080p live streaming, multistreaming, custom RTMP |
| Webinar | $79/mo | $99/mo | Up to 4K | Webinars and events |
| Business | Custom | Custom | Up to 4K | Team and enterprise features |
Pros and cons
Pros
- Local recording keeps each guest’s track high quality
- Unlimited recording, editing and exports on all plans
- Up to 4K video and 48kHz audio on paid plans
- Guests join from a browser link
- 14-day trial on paid plans
Cons
- Separate-track downloads are capped monthly and don’t roll over
- Riverside’s pricing page gives conflicting download-hour figures
- Free plan is 720p with a watermark
- Live streaming needs the Grow plan or higher
Who it suits (and who it doesn't)
Good fit
- Podcasters recording remote guests
- Video interviews that need separate tracks per person
- Creators who want 4K recording and AI clips in one tool
- Teams that also run live streams or webinars
Look elsewhere if
- Editors who mostly cut existing footage (see Descript)
- Anyone who needs unlimited separate-track downloads on a small budget
- Users happy with a free tool’s 720p output and watermark
How separate-track download hours work
Riverside lets you record, edit and export as much as you like. What it meters is downloading separate tracks (each person’s raw audio and video). According to Riverside’s help center, hours reset monthly, don’t roll over, and aren’t multiplied by the number of participants, so a one-hour, three-person session counts as one hour.
Riverside’s pricing page isn’t consistent on the amounts. Its plan table lists 5 hours on Pro and 15 on Grow, while its FAQ section lists 15, 20 and 25 hours for the paid tiers. Check the figure shown in your account before you rely on it.
Studios and team features
Pro includes one studio, Grow two and Webinar three. A studio is a saved recording room with its own link and settings, which is handy if you run more than one show.
Riverside vs Descript
Riverside is built around recording remote guests well. Descript is built around editing by transcript. Many podcasters record in Riverside and edit in either tool. See our Descript alternatives for more options.
Frequently asked questions
How much does Riverside cost in 2026?
Is Riverside free?
Do guests need an account?
Sources
Pricing and plan details were checked on the official pages below as of Oct 2026. Vendors change prices, credits and plan names often, and some show regional pricing at checkout, so confirm on the vendor’s site before you buy.
- Riverside pricing (riverside.com)
- Riverside help center (download hours) (support.riverside.com)
Related
Riverside vs Descript
Riverside is the better remote recording studio. Descript is the better editor. Many podcasters use both, but here’s how to choose if you only want one.
reviewDescript review
Descript turns video and podcast editing into document editing. Here’s what each plan really includes and where the limits bite.
alternativesThe Best Descript Alternatives
Descript’s transcript editing is hard to beat for talking-head content. These alternatives win on remote recording, social clips, browser editing or price.
best ofThe Best AI Video Editors for Beginners
Three beginner-friendly editors with AI captions and cleanup tools, compared on what the free plans really include and what upgrades cost.
best ofThe Best Webcams for Streaming
For streaming, 1080p at 60 fps, a bigger sensor and manual controls matter more than a 4K badge. Here’s how five popular webcams compare, and who should skip each.