ChatGPT answers, unedited

For a small network on a tight budget, I’d prioritize local recording + separate tracks over fancy editing features. That way, each guest’s microphone is captured on their own computer, so a bad internet connection doesn’t ruin the master audio.

My shortlist

1. Zencastr — my first choice for you.
It records guests locally into separate tracks and has a free tier, making it particularly attractive if you're running several shows. It also includes editing, transcription, hosting and other podcast functions, although you don't have to use all of them. riverside.com

Zencastr

2. Cleanfeed — best if you're audio-only.
It's much more focused: remote audio recording rather than an entire podcast-production suite. There's a free option, while the paid version adds more advanced multitrack capabilities. If your producers already edit in something like Reaper, Audition, or Logic, this can be a very lean setup. riverside.com

Cleanfeed

3. Descript Rooms (formerly SquadCast) — good if editing is the bottleneck.
The big advantage is the integration with Descript, where you can edit recordings by working with the transcript. It's worth considering if your network wants producers to turn recordings into finished episodes without learning a traditional DAW. www.stackscored.com

Descript

4. Riverside — excellent, but I'd only pay for it if you need video.
It records separate local audio/video tracks and is particularly strong for video podcasts, YouTube, clips and livestreaming. For an audio-only network, though, you're potentially paying for capabilities you don't need. riverside.com

Riverside

What I'd actually do

For a lean podcast network, I'd standardize on:

Zencastr → WAV multitracks → Reaper/Audacity for final mix → podcast host

That gives you a cheap recording layer while keeping your actual audio masters independent of the recording platform.

If you're doing video podcasts, I'd switch that recommendation to Riverside.

One important rule regardless of platform: don't treat Zoom/Meet-style call audio as your master recording. You want each participant's mic recorded locally and uploaded separately. That's the feature that makes remote production genuinely workable. cutsio.com

For a small podcast network on a tight budget, I’d prioritize three things: local recording, separate tracks per person, and easy guest onboarding. You don't want the internet connection during the conversation determining the quality of your final audio.

My picks

1. zencastr.com — my first choice

For a network running multiple shows, this is probably where I'd start. Zencastr records guests locally and provides separate tracks, while also bundling editing, transcription, hosting, and other podcast tools. Current comparisons put its free offering unusually high for a budget product. Riverside PodRewind

Why it fits you:

• Separate local tracks, so a guest's bad internet doesn't necessarily ruin their recording.
• Supports multiple remote guests.
• Free tier makes it practical to test across several shows.
• You can eventually consolidate recording, editing, and hosting instead of paying for several services.

Downside: Its all-in-one feature set can feel like overkill if you already have an editor/DAW and only need recording.

2. cleanfeed.net — best if you're audio-only

This is the one I'd seriously consider for an audio-first network. Cleanfeed Lite is free and allows unlimited recording, including commercial use, but multitrack recording requires Pro. Pro provides an isolated track for each guest and currently starts at $23/month for personal use, with higher pricing for other tiers. Cleanfeed Cleanfeed

It's particularly attractive if your workflow is:

Cleanfeed → download WAV tracks → Reaper/Audacity/DAW → publish

You aren't paying for video, AI clips, livestreaming, or hosting features you don't need.

3. riverside.com — best if you're doing video too

Riverside is the more polished choice if your shows are going to YouTube, TikTok, Instagram, etc. It records separate participant tracks locally and combines remote recording with video and editing tools. Current pricing starts around $24/month for its paid tier. Riverside Riverside

I'd choose it over Zencastr if video is an important part of your network's strategy. If you're primarily producing audio podcasts, I'd save the money.

4. descript.com — good if editing is the bottleneck

Descript's recording workflow (including the former SquadCast product) is appealing when the same person is responsible for recording and editing. You can move from separate-track recording into transcript-based editing, cleanup, clips, captions, etc. Riverside SureTake

I'd pick this for a small team that doesn't have a dedicated audio editor. I wouldn't pay for it just to get remote recording, though.

What I'd actually do with a tight network budget

Audio-only network:
Zencastr free → test it for a month → Cleanfeed Pro if you need more controlled multitrack recording.

Audio + video network:
Zencastr first; Riverside if its video workflow saves your team enough editing time to justify ~$24/month.

Technically comfortable team:
Consider Cleanfeed + a cheap/full DAW. You can keep your recording costs very low and retain control over post-production. Cleanfeed explicitly exports synchronized separate tracks for editing elsewhere. Cleanfeed Cleanfeed

One thing I wouldn't make your primary workflow is ordinary Zoom recording. It's convenient, but for a network producing professional shows, I'd rather have each participant's microphone captured locally and independently.

If you tell me roughly how many shows, hosts/guests per show, hours per month, and whether you need video, I can narrow this down to the cheapest setup for the whole network, including the editing/hosting pieces.

For a small podcast network on a tight budget, I’d prioritize local recording + separate tracks over flashy editing features. Local recording means each person’s audio is captured on their own device, so a shaky internet connection is much less likely to ruin the master recording. riverside.com

My shortlist

Prices and feature limits can change, so I'd verify them before committing. Current comparisons put Zencastr's free tier particularly high for budget-conscious podcasters, while Cleanfeed is compelling if you don't need video. www.suretake.io

My pick: Zencastr. For a network producing several shows, its combination of remote multitrack recording, separate local tracks, and built-in production/hosting features gives you a lot without immediately adding another subscription. riverside.com

If you're audio-only: Cleanfeed. It's considerably more focused: excellent remote audio, multitrack capability, and no video baggage. The free tier is useful for testing the workflow, though multitrack features depend on the plan. riverside.com

If you're doing video podcasts too: Riverside. It's more expensive, but gives you separate audio/video tracks and a polished guest experience. I'd choose it if video clips/YouTube are an important part of the network rather than paying for it just for audio. riverside.com

What I'd do with a tight network budget

Start with Zencastr's free tier across the network, standardize everyone on the same recording procedure, and spend your money on good microphones/headphones and editing rather than multiple recording subscriptions.

One important requirement: don't use ordinary Zoom/Meet calls as your master recording if you can avoid it. Their real-time audio compression is designed for conversation, not pristine post-production. www.thepodosphere.com

If you tell me how many shows/episodes you produce per month, typical number of guests, audio-only vs. video, and whether you already use an editor/DAW, I can narrow this to the cheapest setup for your whole network.

For a small podcast network on a tight budget, I’d prioritize local recording + separate tracks over built-in editing. That way, each person gets a clean local file even if someone’s internet connection gets choppy.

My picks

1. Zencastr — my first choice.
It has a genuinely useful free tier, local multitrack recording, and supports separate audio tracks for participants. Current comparisons report unlimited recording/separate-track access on the free plan, with paid tiers adding things like 4K video and more production features. contentallies.comriverside.com

Zencastr

For a network producing multiple shows, this is particularly attractive because you're not burning through a small monthly allowance of multitrack hours.

2. Cleanfeed — best if you're audio-only.
If you don't need video, Cleanfeed is worth a serious look. It focuses on high-quality remote audio and multitrack recording rather than piling on editing/AI/video features. There's a free tier, with Pro adding more advanced capabilities. contentallies.comriverside.com

Cleanfeed

3. Riverside — best if you're also making YouTube video.
Riverside records separate participant tracks and is particularly strong when you need video, remote guests, clips, and a more polished producer workflow. The downside for a cash-strapped network is that its useful paid plans start around the mid-$20/month range, and its free allowance is more restrictive. contentallies.comriverside.com

Riverside

4. Descript/SquadCast — best if editing is the bottleneck.
SquadCast is now integrated into Descript, so this makes sense if you want to record remotely and then edit by manipulating the transcript. It can capture individual participant tracks, but you're buying into a broader editing ecosystem. riverside.com

Descript

What I'd do in your situation

Start with Zencastr Free for the network. Have every host/guest use headphones and, ideally, a USB mic. Then do your actual editing in a separate DAW such as Audacity (free) or REAPER (inexpensive one-time license). That keeps your recurring software bill extremely low.

The key feature to test before committing is how the platform handles failed uploads/recovery. Do a 10-minute test with several people before recording a real episode—separate tracks aren't useful if your workflow loses a guest's file.

If you're producing 5–10+ episodes/month across several shows, I'd lean even more strongly toward Zencastr because recurring multitrack limits can become surprisingly expensive as a network scales. contentallies.comriverside.com

For a small podcast network on a tight budget, I’d prioritize tools that record each person locally and separately rather than simply recording the video call. That gives you much cleaner audio and lets your editor fix one speaker without wrecking the others.

My shortlist

🥇 Best value: Cleanfeed

Cleanfeed is probably what I'd choose for your network if you don't need video.

Its free Lite tier allows unlimited recording and commercial use, while Pro adds multitrack recording. Pro records each guest on a separate track, keeps tracks synchronized, and exports WAV files that you can take into whatever editor you already use. cleanfeed.net

The current pricing is particularly attractive: Cleanfeed lists Pro at $12/month, with a higher business rate of $36/month; annual billing can reduce the cost further. cleanfeed.net

Why I'd pick it for you:

• Very good remote audio quality
• Separate track per participant
• Browser-based—guests don't need complicated software
• Unlimited recording time
• No need to pay for video features you aren't using
• Works nicely with Audacity, Reaper, Adobe Audition, etc.

The downside is that it's fundamentally audio-first, so it's not the choice if your network needs YouTube/video clips.

🥈 Zencastr — best if you need video too

Zencastr is worth considering if your shows need both audio and video. Current comparisons put its free tier among the more generous options, with paid plans starting around the low-$20/month range. riverside.com

I'd choose it over Cleanfeed if video is part of the workflow, but otherwise I'd rather keep things simpler and spend the money on production/editing.

🥉 Riverside — easiest all-in-one option

Riverside is excellent if you want recording, separate tracks, video, editing and other production features in one place. Its free tier exists, with paid plans around $24/month in current comparisons. riverside.com

The catch for a budget-conscious network: you may be paying for a lot of functionality you don't actually need.

What I'd actually do for a small network

Audio-only shows:
Cleanfeed + Reaper/Audacity

Video + audio shows:
Zencastr or Riverside

Multiple shows with different hosts:
I'd lean toward Cleanfeed Pro because the workflow is straightforward: create a session → send guests a link → record → download individual WAV tracks → hand them to your editor.

One particularly useful feature for a network is that Cleanfeed can also handle multiple local hardware sources, so you can have several microphones/interfaces at the production end while keeping sources separated. cleanfeed.net

If you tell me (1) typical number of people per show, (2) audio-only vs. video, and (3) whether you already use Audition, Reaper, Descript, etc., I can narrow this down to the cheapest setup I'd actually deploy for the whole network.

For a small podcast network on a tight budget, I’d prioritize three things: separate local tracks, easy guest onboarding, and a recurring cost you can tolerate across multiple shows.

My shortlist

1. Zencastr — my first choice for you.
It records guests locally into separate tracks, so a bad internet connection doesn't automatically ruin the audio. It also has editing, transcription, hosting, and distribution features, which can reduce the number of other subscriptions your network needs. Current comparisons put its paid entry tier around $20/month, while a free tier is available. www.suretake.ioriverside.com

Zencastr

2. Riverside — best if video matters.
If your shows go to YouTube or you want video clips, I'd spend the extra money here. It records separate participant audio/video locally, supports high-quality video, and includes editing/repurposing tools. The current Pro tier is listed around $24/month. riverside.com

Riverside

3. SquadCast/Descript — good if editing is your bottleneck.
SquadCast is integrated with Descript, so you can record remotely and then edit through Descript's transcript-based workflow. It's particularly attractive if your producers want to edit conversations by editing the transcript rather than working primarily on a timeline. www.suretake.ioriverside.com

Descript

4. Cleanfeed — sleeper choice for audio-only.
If you don't care about video and want excellent remote audio without a bunch of podcast-platform features, Cleanfeed is worth a look. It supports multitrack recording and is specifically designed around high-quality remote audio. There's a free tier. riverside.com

Cleanfeed

What I'd actually do in your situation

If you're running several shows under one network, I'd start with Zencastr and standardize everyone on the same workflow. That gives you:

• Separate WAV tracks per speaker
• Browser-based guest recording
• No need for guests to install complicated software
• One recording system across your network
• Editing/hosting features that can potentially eliminate other subscriptions

If you're audio-only, I'd choose Zencastr or Cleanfeed. If you're doing video podcasts, I'd choose Riverside.

One important distinction: don't choose a platform merely because it says it records "multitrack." You specifically want local recording of each participant into an independent track, rather than simply splitting a mixed Zoom call afterward. That's what gives your editor real control over each person's volume, noise, mistakes, and crosstalk. riverside.com

If you tell me roughly how many shows, episodes/month, and people per episode you have, I can work out the cheapest sensible stack for the whole network.

For a small podcast network on a tight budget, I’d prioritize local recording + separate tracks over fancy editing features. Local recording means each guest’s device captures their own high-quality track, so a bad Wi-Fi connection is much less likely to ruin the episode. riverside.com

My shortlist

1. Zencastr — my first choice for a network.
It offers local multitrack recording, supports multiple remote guests, and combines recording with editing, hosting and distribution. There's a free tier, with paid plans starting around $20–$24/month depending on the current plan/billing structure. riverside.comriverside.com

Zencastr

2. Cleanfeed — best if you're audio-only.
It's particularly attractive for a cash-strapped network because the free tier can get you started, while paid plans add multitrack recording. It's browser-based and designed specifically around high-quality remote audio. The big downside: no video and essentially no editing workflow, so you'd pair it with something like Audacity or Reaper. riverside.com

Cleanfeed

3. Riverside — best if video matters.
Excellent local multitrack recording and a much more polished video-podcast workflow. The tradeoff for a budget network is price: current comparisons put its Pro tier around $24/month. riverside.comriverside.com

Riverside

4. SquadCast + Descript — compelling if you want text-based editing.
SquadCast records separate participant tracks and integrates directly with Descript, which can make editing and transcription much faster. It's particularly worth considering if your network wants to standardize on Descript for post-production. riverside.com

Descript

What I'd actually do

For a network with several shows, I'd start with Zencastr and establish one standardized recording workflow for every host/guest. If your shows are audio-only, I'd seriously consider Cleanfeed + Audacity/Reaper instead, because you don't need to pay for video infrastructure.

I wouldn't make Zoom your primary recorder if you care about production quality. It's fine as a backup or for guests who absolutely can't handle another platform, but dedicated remote-recording services are designed around getting separate, high-quality tracks rather than merely recording a video call. riverside.com

If you tell me roughly how many shows/episodes you record per month and how many people are typically on each show, I can narrow this down to the cheapest setup for the whole network.

For a small podcast network on a tight budget, I’d prioritize separate local tracks, easy guest access, and predictable pricing over fancy editing features.

My shortlist

1. Zencastr — my pick for you.
Its current free tier is unusually generous: unlimited audio/video recording, up to 10 participants, unlimited separate tracks, 48 kHz/16-bit WAV, and 90-day master storage. zencastr.com That's a very compelling setup for a network running multiple shows without wanting another monthly bill.

2. Cleanfeed — best if you're audio-only.
It's worth considering if you don't need video. The free tier is designed around high-quality remote audio; the paid version adds multitrack recording. creatorstackclub.comriverside.com You'd pair it with something like Audacity or Reaper for editing.

3. Riverside — best if video matters.
It records participants locally and gives you separate tracks, with video capabilities up to 4K. The tradeoff is that you're paying more for a broader production platform. Its free tier is useful for testing, but the recording limits make it less attractive as the permanent solution for a busy network. creatorstackclub.comriverside.com

4. SquadCast/Descript — best if you're already a Descript shop.
The big advantage is the recording-to-editing workflow: remote recordings can flow directly into Descript. It's particularly attractive if your producers already use Descript for transcript-based editing, clips, and cleanup. creatorstackclub.comriverside.com

What I'd do in your shoes

Start with Zencastr's free tier. Run a couple of real episodes through it before paying for anything. If it handles your guest workflow reliably, you may be able to keep recording costs at $0 and spend the budget on hosting, editing, or production instead.

For a network, I'd also establish a simple rule: every guest records with headphones, and every participant gets their own local track. That's much more important to final audio quality than which of these four platforms you choose.

If you tell me (a) audio-only vs video, (b) typical number of people per show, and (c) how many episodes/month across the network, I can narrow this to the cheapest setup that will actually scale.

For a small podcast network on a tight budget, I’d prioritize local recording + separate tracks over fancy editing features. Local recording means each person’s mic is captured on their own device, so a guest’s shaky Wi-Fi doesn’t ruin the master audio. riverside.com

My shortlist

🥇 Zencastr — my pick for you

Zencastr

If you're primarily making audio podcasts, this is where I'd start. It records participants locally into separate tracks, supports multiple remote guests, and also includes editing, hosting, analytics, and distribution features. riverside.com

The big advantage for a network is that you can potentially consolidate several pieces of your workflow rather than paying separately for recording, editing, and hosting.

Choose it if: cost is the #1 concern and you don't need sophisticated video production.

🥈 Riverside — best if you're doing video too

Riverside

Riverside is particularly strong if your podcasts are also going to YouTube/social. It records separate audio/video tracks locally, supports high-resolution video, and has editing and clipping tools built in. riverside.comriverside.com

Its free tier can be useful for testing, although you'll run into recording/export limitations as your network grows. Current published comparisons put paid plans around the $24/month annual-billing range, though exact allowances vary by plan. riverside.comriverside.com

Choose it if: video clips and YouTube matter almost as much as the podcast feed.

🥉 SquadCast / Descript

Descript

This is appealing if your editors already like a transcript-based editing workflow. SquadCast's remote recording capabilities are now integrated with Descript, including separate participant tracks. riverside.com

Choose it if: you want recording and transcript-based editing closely integrated.

The ultra-budget approach

If you're really trying to spend almost nothing, you could use Zoom for the remote conversation and configure its separate-audio-track recording, then edit the resulting files in free software such as Audacity.

That's workable, but I wouldn't choose it for your master recordings if you can afford Zencastr/Riverside. Dedicated remote podcast platforms are designed around local recording, whereas ordinary video-conferencing software wasn't originally built for archival-quality podcast production. riverside.com

What I'd do in your situation

Audio-first network:
Zencastr → free/low-cost editor → existing podcast host

Audio + video network:
Riverside → Descript or another editor → podcast host/YouTube

Multiple shows with very limited staff:
I'd lean toward Zencastr, because having recording, post-production, hosting and network-related features in one place can save more money and admin time than simply picking the cheapest recorder.

If you tell me roughly how many shows, episodes/month, people per show, and whether you need video, I can narrow this down to the cheapest setup that would actually work for your network.

For a small podcast network on a tight budget, I’d prioritize local recording + separate tracks over flashy editing features. Local recording means each guest’s audio is captured on their own device, so a momentary internet hiccup doesn’t ruin the master track. riverside.compodcastpontifications.com

My shortlist

🥇 Zencastr — my first choice

Zencastr is probably the sweet spot for a multi-show network. It supports local multitrack recording, separate audio/video tracks, remote guests, and up to 11 guests according to its current feature information. It also bundles editing, hosting, analytics and monetization, which could eliminate other software bills. riverside.com

Zencastr

Why I'd pick it: if you're running several shows, having recording + post-production + hosting in one ecosystem can be worth more than squeezing out the absolute lowest recording price.

🥈 Cleanfeed — best if you're audio-only

Cleanfeed is especially attractive if you don't need video. Its Pro offering records each participant to a separate, synchronized track and lets you export the multitrack session for editing elsewhere. The current official site lists Pro starting at $23/month for personal use. cleanfeed.net

Cleanfeed

The downside: you'll still need an editor such as Audacity, Reaper, or another DAW. So calculate the whole workflow cost, not just the recorder.

🥉 SquadCast + Descript — good if editing is your bottleneck

Descript's SquadCast recording workflow provides separate tracks and integrates with Descript's text-based editing, transcription, filler-word removal, clips, etc. riverside.com

Descript

I'd choose this if your producers spend more time editing and cleaning episodes than recording them.

Riverside — excellent, but probably more than you need

Riverside is a strong choice if your network produces YouTube/video podcasts. It records separate tracks locally and has extensive video/production capabilities. Paid plans start around $24/month according to current comparisons. riverside.com

Riverside

For an audio-only network, though, I'd rather put that money toward editing, hosting, or production.

What I'd actually do with a tight budget

Audio-only network: Cleanfeed + Reaper/Audacity.

Audio + video network: Zencastr first; Riverside if video quality/production controls become important.

Already paying for Descript: SquadCast/Descript is compelling because you're consolidating recording and editing.

One thing I'd avoid as your primary recorder is ordinary Zoom. It's convenient and familiar, but dedicated podcast platforms are designed around local capture and separate high-quality tracks, which is much safer for production. riverside.compodcastpontifications.com

If you tell me roughly how many shows you run, people per show, hours/month, and whether you need video, I can narrow this down to the cheapest setup that will actually work for your network.

For a small podcast network on a tight budget, I’d prioritize local recording + separate tracks over fancy editing features. That way, a bad internet connection affects the conversation, but doesn't turn the final recording into Zoom-quality mush.

My shortlist

1. Zencastr — my pick for you.
It records participants locally and gives you separate tracks, so each person's audio can be edited independently. It also supports multiple guests and includes editing, hosting and distribution, which can reduce the number of subscriptions your network needs. Current comparisons put its paid tier around $20–$24/month depending on billing/plan, while a free tier is available. riverside.com

Zencastr

2. Riverside — best if you're doing video podcasts.
This is the one I'd choose if YouTube/video clips are important. It records separate local audio/video tracks and has a very polished guest experience. There is a free tier, with paid plans starting around $15–$24/month depending on the current plan structure. riverside.com

Riverside

3. SquadCast + Descript — excellent if editing is the bottleneck.
SquadCast is now integrated with Descript, so you can go from remote recording into text-based editing, transcription, filler-word removal, clips, etc. It's particularly attractive if your network wants a standardized production workflow rather than just a recorder. riverside.com

Descript

4. Cleanfeed — great cheap option for audio-only shows.
If you don't need video, Cleanfeed is worth serious consideration. It's browser-based and designed around high-quality remote audio and multitrack recording. There's a free plan, with paid plans starting around $36/month. riverside.com

Cleanfeed

What I'd actually do in your shoes

If you're running several shows: start everyone on Zencastr and establish one standardized workflow:

Guest joins → local multitrack recording → download individual WAV tracks → edit in one DAW → archive masters.

For editing, Audacity is free, while REAPER is an inexpensive one-time purchase and substantially more capable for a network doing lots of episodes. riverside.com

The important thing is don't pay for a separate recorder, editor, transcription service, and podcast host unless you actually need each one. For a cash-conscious network, consolidating those functions can save considerably more than squeezing another few dollars out of the recording subscription.

My ranking for your situation: Zencastr → Riverside → SquadCast/Descript → Cleanfeed, with Zoom as the emergency backup.

For a small podcast network on a tight budget, I’d prioritize platforms that record each person locally and separately rather than relying on the quality of the live call. That gives you much cleaner files and lets your editor fix one person’s volume, mistakes, or noise without affecting everyone else. support.zencastr.com

My shortlist

🥇 Zencastr — my pick for you

Zencastr is unusually attractive for a lean network because its free plan currently includes unlimited audio/video recording, up to 10 participants, unlimited separate-track recordings, 16-bit/48 kHz WAV, and 90-day storage. zencastr.com

It records each participant locally, so a guest's flaky internet connection doesn't inherently ruin the recording. You get individual audio files for everyone, and video can likewise be saved separately. support.zencastr.com

That means you could potentially run multiple shows on the free tier without paying per show—very compelling for a network.

The $24/month Grow plan adds 4K video and AI clipping/publishing, but I wouldn't pay for that initially unless you actually need those features. zencastr.com

🥈 Cleanfeed — if you're audio-only

If your network doesn't care about video, Cleanfeed is worth serious consideration. Its free Lite plan allows unlimited recording and commercial use, while Pro adds multitrack recording with an isolated track for every guest. cleanfeed.net

It's particularly appealing if your workflow is:

Cleanfeed → download WAV tracks → edit in your existing DAW

rather than paying for an all-in-one podcast platform.

🥉 Riverside — better production experience

Riverside is probably the nicest overall experience, particularly if you're making video podcasts or YouTube content. Its free plan gives you 2 hours of multitrack recording as a one-time allowance; Standard is currently $15/month annually for 5 hours/month of separate tracks, while Pro is $24/month annually for 15 hours. riverside.fm

For a network recording lots of episodes, those monthly track-hour limits make it less attractive than Zencastr on a shoestring budget.

What I'd actually do

For your situation, I'd start with:

Zencastr Free + a free/cheap editor such as Audacity or DaVinci Resolve

and standardize your guest workflow around headphones + a decent USB mic.

If you have several shows, this is especially compelling because Zencastr's free tier isn't structured like "one free episode and then pay." It currently advertises unlimited recordings and separate tracks. zencastr.com

One caveat: if two hosts are physically in the same room, don't assume the platform will magically give you isolated microphones. Zencastr says multiple inputs through an interface are recorded onto the same track; separate computers/recording setups are needed if you want genuinely separate tracks. support.zencastr.com

Bottom line:

• Audio-first + very tight budget: Zencastr Free
• Video podcast + budget: Zencastr Free, then Riverside if its workflow becomes worth paying for
• Audio-only + maximum simplicity: Cleanfeed
• Already editing in Descript: SquadCast/Descript

For a small network, I'd choose Zencastr first and spend the saved money on microphones/headphones rather than recording software.

For a small podcast network on a tight budget, I’d narrow it to these three:

\*Current listed pricing can vary with annual billing and plan details.

🥇 Zencastr — my pick for your network

Zencastr

The free plan is unusually generous: unlimited audio/video recording, up to 10 participants, unlimited separate-track recordings, 48 kHz WAV audio, and 90 days of recording-master storage. zencastr.comsupport.zencastr.com

That makes it particularly attractive if you're producing several shows and don't want another monthly expense. Each participant gets their own recording, so one person's bad internet connection doesn't ruin everyone else's audio. zencastr.comsupport.zencastr.com

I'd start here unless you specifically need a more production-oriented workflow.

🥈 Cleanfeed — best cheap audio-only solution

Cleanfeed

If your shows are audio-only, Cleanfeed is worth serious consideration. Its free Lite tier allows unlimited recording and commercial use, while Pro adds multitrack recording with each guest isolated on their own synchronized track. cleanfeed.net

The catch: multitrack is a Pro feature, and Cleanfeed's current pricing lists Pro starting at $12/month in one pricing presentation, with personal/business pricing varying by eligibility. cleanfeed.net

Its strength is simplicity and audio quality rather than flashy video/editing features.

🥉 Riverside — best if video matters

Riverside

Riverside is the better choice if you're making YouTube/video versions alongside the podcast. Its free tier currently includes 2 hours of separate audio/video tracks, while Pro is listed at $24/month when billed annually and includes 15 hours/month of separate-track downloads. riverside.com

It's more of an all-in-one production platform, with editing, transcription, clips, hosting and publishing built in. That can justify the subscription if it replaces other tools.

What I'd actually do in your situation

Start the network on Zencastr Free. Spend $0 on recording, then use a free/cheap DAW such as Audacity or a DAW you already have for editing.

Move to Cleanfeed Pro if your network becomes primarily audio and you want a more professional recording workflow.

Move to Riverside if you're consistently producing video and want recording → editing → clips → publishing in one ecosystem.

One important thing: don't optimize for the cheapest Zoom/Meet-style video call. For podcasting, local recording and isolated tracks are much more valuable. Zencastr explicitly records locally and uploads each participant's files, which protects the recording from internet problems during the conversation. zencastr.comsupport.zencastr.com

If you tell me roughly how many shows, hosts/guests per episode, hours/month, and whether you need video, I can work out the cheapest setup for the whole network rather than just the cheapest individual tool.

For a small podcast network on a tight budget, I’d prioritize tools that record each person locally into separate tracks rather than relying on the mixed Zoom/Meet call audio.

My shortlist

🥇 Zencastr — my pick for you

Zencastr's current free plan is unusually generous: unlimited recording, up to 10 participants, unlimited separate-track recordings, 48 kHz/16-bit WAV, and 90 days of recording-master storage. zencastr.com

That's particularly attractive for a network with multiple shows, because you can avoid paying per recording hour while you're getting started.

I'd use it if:

• You're primarily audio podcasts
• You need 2–10 people on a call
• You want each person's mic as a separate WAV
• You're comfortable doing final editing elsewhere
• Keeping recurring costs near $0 matters most

🥈 Riverside — better if video matters

Riverside is probably the stronger production platform. It records separate files for each participant and supports both audio and video. Its free tier currently gives you 2 hours of separate-track exports, while the paid Pro tier is listed at $24/month when billed annually and includes 15 hours/month of separate-track downloads. support.riverside.com

I'd choose Riverside if your network is doing:

• YouTube video podcasts
• Video clips/Reels/Shorts
• Remote video interviews
• More polished production

🥉 Descript + SquadCast

If your editors already like transcript-based editing, Descript is worth considering. SquadCast is integrated into the Descript ecosystem, so recording and transcript-based editing can live in one workflow. riverside.com

The downside for a budget-conscious network is that you're paying for a broader editing ecosystem rather than just inexpensive recording.

What I'd actually do

For your situation, I'd start with:

Zencastr → separate WAV tracks → Reaper/Audacity/Descript for editing → your existing podcast host.

That keeps the recording infrastructure essentially free and avoids paying for features you may not need. Zencastr specifically advertises unlimited separate-track recording on its free tier, which is the killer feature here. zencastr.com

If you tell me how many shows you have, typical number of guests, whether you record video, and roughly how many hours/month you record, I can narrow this down to the cheapest setup for the whole network.

For a small podcast network on a tight budget, I’d prioritize tools that record each person locally/separately rather than merely recording the video call. That gives your editor much more control over crosstalk, volume, noise, and guest mistakes.

My shortlist

1. Zencastr — my pick for you

Zencastr

The current free plan is unusually generous: up to 10 participants, unlimited audio/video recording, unlimited separate-track recordings, 16-bit/48 kHz WAV, and 90 days of recording-master storage. zencastr.comsupport.zencastr.com

That's a particularly good fit for a network because you're not immediately paying per show or per guest. Zencastr records each participant locally, so an internet hiccup doesn't necessarily ruin the locally captured audio. zencastr.comsupport.zencastr.com

I'd start here if: you primarily need reliable remote audio and don't need sophisticated built-in editing.

2. Descript Rooms — best if your editor wants an integrated workflow

Descript

Descript Rooms records each participant's audio/video separately and feeds the recordings directly into Descript's editor. Rooms supports up to 10 participants. help.descript.com

The catch for a budget-conscious network is that paid Descript plans are priced per editor, with Creator currently $12/editor/month annually and Pro $24/editor/month annually. www.descript.com

I'd choose this if: you want your producer to go from record → transcript → edit → clips without moving files between several applications.

3. Riverside — excellent, but I'd put it behind Zencastr on budget

Riverside

Riverside is a very polished remote studio and supports separate participant tracks, including separate video tracks. riverside.com

It's particularly attractive if your network produces video podcasts, YouTube content, and social clips alongside the audio show. Its paid plans start around $24/month according to its current comparison material. riverside.com

I'd choose this if: video quality and a polished guest experience justify spending more.

4. Zoom — viable if you already pay for it

You can configure Zoom to record separate audio tracks for participants, then bring those files into an editor. Descript also now supports importing multitrack Zoom sessions. www.descript.com

It's not my first choice for podcast production because dedicated remote-recording platforms are designed around this workflow, but if your network already has Zoom licenses, don't buy another service just because it sounds more "podcast-y."

What I'd actually do

For a network with, say, 3–10 shows and a limited production budget, I'd use:

Zencastr Free → download individual WAV tracks → edit in Reaper/Audacity/Descript → distribute through your existing podcast host.

That keeps recording costs at $0 while still giving your editor professional multitrack files. Zencastr explicitly supports separate WAV files on paid plans; its free tier provides separate tracks as well, with the plan comparison currently listing 16-bit/48 kHz WAV. zencastr.com

If you eventually need network-level collaboration, automated cleanup, clips, and an integrated editor, I'd look at Descript next. If video becomes a major part of the business, I'd consider Riverside.

One important caveat: have every remote participant use headphones and record from a computer with a decent microphone. No software can completely rescue laptop-mic echo and room noise.

If you tell me roughly how many shows, average guests per show, hours recorded per month, and whether you need video, I can narrow this down to the cheapest setup for your network.