Riverside as Zencastr Alternative & Competitor: Which is Best?

Riverside as Zencastr Alternative: Which One is Best?

The best Zencastr alternative is Riverside. This Zencastr review compares Zencastr vs Riverside to help you find the best podcast recording software.

TL;DR

Are you looking for a Zencastr alternative? Maybe all the new features are too complicated, or their recording tools aren’t meeting your needs.

We know how important it is to find the perfect podcast recording platform for your show. Poor audio quality background noises, or grainy video can frustrate audiences. But, simultaneously an extensive setup can discourage your guests. Fortunately, there is a wide array of options to choose from.

If you’re deciding between the two, read on for an in-depth look at each platform. We’ll then share other Zencastr alternatives that may interest you.

An Introduction to Riverside and Zencastr

First, let’s look at what the two platforms have in common. Both Zencastr and Riverside are web-based recording platforms that focus on studio-quality audio and an easy user experience.

Engineer Josh Nielsen founded Zencastr in November 2016. It has since grown exponentially, with high-profile podcast creators using the platform. This includes John Lee Dumas at Entrepreneur On Fire and Victor Marks at the Apple Insider Podcast.

Riverside, founded in 2020 by Nadav and Gideon Keyson, lets you locally record high-quality separate tracks for both audio and video within your browser. Our platform’s mission is to integrate video and live remote features into the podcast recording experience, making it easy to diversify your podcast into video marketing and social media live streaming.

Since our launch, Riverside has already landed several high-profile clients such as Spotify, The New York Times, TED, and Microsoft. Big influential figures include Hillary Clinton, Gary Vaynerchuk, Guy Raz and Jay Shetty. Although, Riverside is not only for the professionals. Its tools are easy-to-use and accessible to beginners and podcasters of all levels.

Both Riverside and Zencastr boast notable features, including:

Unique Features of Riverside

The main advantages of Riverside are the platform’s reliability and that it provides the podcast host with high-quality locally recorded, separate audio and video tracks — all recorded from the browser.

Since the tracks are recorded locally on the host and guests’ computers, there’s no need for the hosts or guests to install or download anything. The video is up to 4k video resolution, and the audio is uncompressed and delivered in 48 kHz WAV format. When comparing Riverside vs Zencastr, this is a much higher resolution as Zencastr only records up to 1080p HD. It’s worth mentioning that Zencastr’s video recording option is in beta. So, Riverside is the winner when it comes to reliability.

Riverside also comes with several other impressive features, such as:

How to Record an Episode in Riverside

Step 1: First, log into your account and go to the Riverside.fm dashboard. Select “+Create new.” Insert the title of your studio and adjust the settings to suit your recording needs. When you are ready, select ‘ Enter studio.

Step 2: Next, you’ll see the lobby, where you can select your microphone, camera, and output device. The platform will ask you to select whether you’re using headphones and prompt you to input your name.

Step 3: When you’ve set all your equipment, select ‘Join Studio,’ which will direct you to your recording space. Here you can invite participants if you haven’t already.

Step 4: On the recording page, the chat and participants are on the right-hand side. Your controls are along the bottom of the screen.

You as the producer/host will be able to:

Step 5: When you’re ready, simply press the ‘Record’ button. You can share and record your screen, plus use the Media Board for live sound effects while recording.

Step 6: Press the ‘ Stop’ button once you’re done and wait for all your files to finish uploading. End the call or select ‘ view recordings’ where you can download your separate track recordings or choose to edit them with our built-in tools.

Step 7: If you choose to edit with Riverside, select ' Go to Editor.' Here you can use:

Riverside Pros

Riverside Cons

Zencastr Pros

Zencastr Cons

If you’re looking for software that integrates audio and video as part of its primary function, Riverside is probably your best bet. But if you’re primarily interested in a free audio unlimited recording solution, Zencastr might fill your needs and budget better. In the end, it all comes down to your individual goals, budget, and the capabilities you need out of your podcast recording software.

FAQs on Zencastr Alternatives

Which is better Squadcast or Zencastr?

Zencastr and Squadcast are both platforms that offer local recording availability. Although when it comes to comparing the two, Squadcast is the better option, but it is a rather expensive alternative to Zencastr. Squadcast allows you to record with more participants and does tend to offer more features.

Is Zencastr still free?

Yes, Zencastr still has a free plan. Although, this doesn’t offer you much in terms of video as you only receive a trial of their 1080p video recordings. You’ll probably better off trying a Zencastr free alternative like Riverside.

Does Zencastr work on iPad?

Zencastr is not compatible with mobile devices and this includes iPads. It has no dedicated Zencastr iPad app and if you’re particularly working on a tablet you should use another platform. You can try Riverside’s mobile app that lets you record from any mobile device and still host sessions with up to 10 participants.