ChatGPT answers, unedited

For a small podcast network on a tight budget, I’d focus on tools that record each participant locally and deliver separate tracks. That way, a bad internet connection during the conversation doesn't necessarily ruin the master recording.

My shortlist

1. Zencastr — strongest budget option

Zencastr currently advertises free unlimited recording, with separate tracks for up to 6 participants, local recording, and up to 48 kHz WAV/4K video capabilities. It also offers podcast hosting on the free tier. Zencastr Zencastr Zencastr

That's particularly attractive for a network because you can have multiple shows using the same platform rather than buying a recorder subscription for every production.

I'd start here if: your priority is "we need reliable multitrack remote recording without adding another monthly bill."

2. Descript — good if editing is part of the problem

Descript incorporates SquadCast's remote recording functionality. Its current Free plan includes isolated and mixed audio tracks, while the $16/month Hobbyist plan increases recording capacity and removes some export limitations. SquadCast

The advantage is the workflow: record → transcript → edit → captions/clips in one application. Descript itself describes the distinction as essentially recording locally and then opening the material directly in its transcript-based editor. Descript

I'd choose this if: your producers spend more time editing than recording and you want to consolidate software.

3. Riverside — particularly useful for video

Riverside is another local-recording platform with separate participant tracks and strong video capabilities. Its free tier exists, but its paid plans make more sense if you're recording regularly and need more separate-track downloads/higher-quality exports. Riverside Descript

I'd choose this if: your network is increasingly doing YouTube/video podcasts, not just audio.

What I'd do with a tight network budget

Start with Zencastr + your existing editor. Don't pay for Riverside/Descript simply because they're more feature-heavy. Zencastr's current free offering already covers the core requirement—remote participants recorded to separate tracks. Zencastr

If you eventually find that producers are wasting substantial time cleaning up/editing recordings, move to Descript. If video becomes a major part of the network, evaluate Riverside.

One important distinction: Zoom/Google Meet-style call recording isn't equivalent to local multitrack recording. For podcast production, you specifically want each participant's microphone captured separately, rather than relying on the compressed mixed call.

If you tell me roughly how many shows, episodes/month, typical number of guests, and whether you need video, I can map out the cheapest setup for the whole network (including editing, hosting, and storage).

For a small network on a tight budget, I’d focus on tools that record each participant locally into separate tracks rather than simply recording the Zoom/Meet call. That gives your editor much more control over crosstalk, levels, and bad connections. Zencastr Help Center Descript

My shortlist

• zencastr.com — best budget starting point. Its current free plan supports up to 6 participants, unlimited separate audio/video recording and downloads, local recording, and 48 kHz WAV audio. That is unusually generous for a $0 option. Zencastr Zencastr
• descript.com — best if you also need editing. Remote recording creates separate guest tracks, and the recordings flow directly into Descript's transcript-based editor. The current Hobbyist plan is $16/person/month when billed annually ($24 monthly), while Creator is $24 annually ($35 monthly). Descript Descript
• squadcast.fm — worth considering if your team likes its workflow. SquadCast is now part of Descript. Its free tier currently lists 1 recording hour/editor/month, up to 10 participants, and isolated + mixed audio tracks. SquadCast Descript

What I'd do in your situation

Start with Zencastr's free tier if your main requirement is simply "get 2–6 people remotely recorded on clean, separate tracks." You can put the money you save toward microphones and editing.

If you're producing enough episodes that editing/transcription/social clips are eating significant staff time, I'd look at Descript instead. Its current plans combine remote recording with the editing workflow, so you're potentially replacing multiple pieces of software. Descript Descript

One important point: separate tracks don't compensate for poor microphones or rooms. Have each host/guest use headphones and a decent mic, and make sure everyone does a short test recording before the actual show. Descript

If you tell me roughly how many shows, episodes/month, people per show, and whether you need video, 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 or flashy video features. That gives your editor clean audio from each person even when someone’s internet connection gets messy.

My shortlist

• zencastr.com — best budget pick

• Its current free plan lists up to 6 participants, unlimited separate audio/video recording and downloads, 48 kHz WAV, and local recording. Zencastr
• Particularly compelling for a network because you can run multiple shows without immediately paying per episode.
• Caveat: the free offering's device support is more limited; Android isn't supported for recording. PodStack
• My pick if you're primarily audio podcasts.
• riverside.fm — best if video matters

• Free gives you 2 hours of multitrack recording as a one-off allowance; Standard is currently $19/month monthly or $15/month when billed annually, with 5 hours of multitrack recording. Riverside
• Excellent if you want video podcasts, clips, and a polished guest experience in the same platform.
• I'd choose it over Zencastr if you're deliberately building a video-first network.
• cleanfeed.net — best inexpensive audio-only option

• The free Lite plan has no recording time limit, while Pro adds separate tracks for everyone. Cleanfeed
• It's deliberately audio-focused, so there's less unnecessary video/creator-platform overhead.
• Great choice if your workflow is simply record → download multitrack files → edit in your DAW.
• Descript Rooms / SquadCast — best if you're already editing in Descript

• Remote recording is integrated with Descript, so recordings can flow directly into its editing/transcription workflow.
• I'd consider it primarily if your network already uses Descript; otherwise, the budget options above are more compelling.

What I'd do in your situation

Start with Zencastr Free. It's unusually generous for a zero-budget network right now: unlimited separate-track recording and up to six participants are included. Zencastr

Then pair it with a free/cheap editor such as Audacity or Reaper. You don't need an expensive all-in-one podcast platform just to get professional multitrack recordings.

If you later discover that you're producing lots of video clips, move to Riverside. If you're 100% audio and want the simplest recording → multitrack export workflow, test Cleanfeed.

One important workflow tip: have every participant use headphones and a decent USB/XLR mic, and make a 2-minute test recording before the first real episode. Separate tracks only help if each person's local microphone capture is good.

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

For a small podcast network on a tight budget, I’d prioritize tools that record each participant locally into separate tracks. That way, a guest’s shaky Wi-Fi doesn’t turn your master recording into Zoom-quality audio. Riverside Podcast AI Tools

My shortlist

1. Zencastr — best for your situation

zencastr.com

Zencastr is probably where I'd start. Its remote recording uses local, separate tracks, and its free tier is unusually generous for budget-conscious podcasters. Current comparisons report free recording with separate tracks, with paid tiers adding more video, storage and production features. PodRewind PodRewind

Why it fits a network:

• Separate track for each speaker
• Guests join through a browser
• Audio-first workflow
• Free tier gives you room to get started
• Can handle multiple shows without immediately buying expensive production software

Downside: Its interface has accumulated a lot of publishing/AI features, so it isn't quite as focused as some dedicated recording tools.

2. Riverside — best if video matters

riverside.fm

If your network produces video podcasts, YouTube episodes, or lots of social clips, I'd spend the extra money on Riverside. It records participants locally and supports separate audio/video tracks, with higher-end plans offering up to 4K video. Riverside Riverside

The free tier is useful for testing, but its ongoing limits make it less attractive if you're recording lots of episodes.

I'd choose Riverside over Zencastr when: video is an important part of your business.

3. Descript Rooms / SquadCast — best if you're already editing in Descript

descript.com

SquadCast's remote recording technology is now integrated into Descript. The appeal is having recording → transcript → editing in one workflow. It also records participants on separate tracks. Riverside PodRewind

If you're already paying for Descript, this becomes much more compelling. If you're not, I wouldn't buy it just for remote recording when Zencastr can get you started for less.

4. Cleanfeed — excellent for audio-only

cleanfeed.net

For an audio-only network that doesn't care about video, Cleanfeed is worth a serious look. It's designed specifically around high-quality remote audio and has a low-cost entry point. Riverside SureTake

I'd favor it over Riverside if your shows are essentially “great microphones + remote conversation + edit the WAVs.”

What I'd actually do

For a tight-budget network, I'd set up:

Zencastr → individual WAV tracks → Reaper/DAW → final master

Use Riverside only for shows where video/YouTube/social content justifies the additional cost.

And I'd avoid building your core workflow around Zoom. It can work, but the dedicated remote-recording platforms are specifically designed to capture each participant locally, which gives you much better raw material for editing. Riverside

One other important consideration for a network: don't just compare the monthly price. Check how many recording hours, participants, shows, storage, team members, and downloads are included. A $20/month plan can become expensive surprisingly quickly when you have several shows recording every week.

For a small podcast network on a tight budget, I’d prioritize tools that record each person locally and separately rather than recording the compressed call itself. That gives your editor clean individual WAV tracks even if someone’s internet connection gets flaky.

My shortlist

• zencastr.com — best budget pick.

This is where I’d start. Its current free offering is unusually generous for an audio-first network: separate recording tracks and up to six participants are advertised, with paid tiers available when you need more. Podstack PodRewind
Best for: several shows, audio-first production, keeping recurring software costs near $0.

• riverside.fm — best if you're also doing video.

It records separate local tracks, supports video, and has a polished guest experience. The catch for a budget-conscious network is that paid plans meter separate-track downloads; its current Pro tier is listed around $24/month when billed annually. Podstack
Best for: video podcasts, YouTube clips, guests who need an especially easy interface.

• descript.com / SquadCast — best if editing is already in Descript.

SquadCast's remote recording functionality has been folded into Descript's ecosystem. You get separate local tracks plus Descript's transcript-based editing, which can make the overall workflow very efficient. PodRewind PodRewind
Best for: a network where the same people record and edit, particularly if you want transcript-based editing.

• cleanfeed.net — best cheap audio-only alternative.

If you don't need video at all, Cleanfeed is worth considering. It's specifically designed around high-quality remote audio rather than trying to be an all-in-one podcast/video platform. Current comparisons list a free tier and paid multitrack options. Riverside PodRewind
Best for: interview-heavy, audio-only shows where audio quality matters more than bells and whistles.

What I'd do in your shoes

Start with Zencastr for the network. If you're recording, say, 5–10 shows a month, the savings over paying for a premium recorder for every production can be substantial. Its free tier is particularly compelling right now. Podstack

Then standardize your workflow:

Guest joins browser → each person records locally → download individual WAV tracks → editor mixes in your DAW → archive the raw tracks.

One important distinction: don't choose based solely on "separate tracks." Make sure the service gives you downloadable isolated source files rather than merely separating the mixed call afterward.

If you tell me roughly how many shows/episodes you record per month, average episode length, number of people per show, and whether you need video, I can narrow this to the cheapest setup and estimate the monthly cost.

For a small podcast network on a tight budget, I’d prioritize tools that record each person locally and separately, rather than relying on the compressed audio from Zoom/Meet. That gives your editor clean individual tracks even when someone’s internet connection gets flaky. Riverside PodStack

My shortlist

1. zencastr.com — my budget pick

I'd start here. Its current free offering is particularly interesting for a cash-conscious network: current comparisons report unlimited separate recording with up to six participants on the free Vibecastr tier, though I'd verify the exact export/storage terms before building your whole network around it. PodStack

Why I'd pick it: if you're primarily producing audio podcasts, you don't need to pay extra for fancy 4K video that never makes it into the final episode.

2. riverside.fm — best all-rounder

Riverside is the one I'd choose if your network expects to produce YouTube/video podcasts, clips, or social video alongside the audio. It records participants locally and provides separate tracks; its paid Pro tier is currently listed around $24/month annually ($29 monthly), although separate-track download allowances apply. PodStack PodStack

The downside for a tight-budget network is that you can end up paying for capabilities you don't actually need.

3. descript.com Rooms / SquadCast — consider if you already edit in Descript

This makes the most sense if your editors already live in Descript. SquadCast is being folded toward Descript's newer Rooms workflow, so I wouldn't choose it solely because an older comparison says "SquadCast." PodStack

The advantage is the record → transcript → edit workflow rather than juggling separate applications.

4. cleanfeed.net — excellent audio-only alternative

If you're doing audio-only shows and don't care about video, Cleanfeed is worth testing. It's designed around high-quality remote audio rather than being a video-conferencing product. Current comparisons list a free tier and paid multitrack options. PodRewind

What I'd actually do with a small network

I'd set up the network like this:

• Recording: Zencastr
• Editing: audacityteam.org if you want $0 software, or reaper.fm if you're willing to pay a small one-time license.
• Audio cleanup/leveling: auphonic.com
• Video: Only pay for Riverside if video is actually part of your publishing strategy.

That keeps your recurring software bill very low while still giving editors isolated host/guest tracks.

One important rule: don't judge these services by how good the call sounds while you're talking. The critical question is whether, after the session, you can reliably download full-resolution, individual tracks for every participant. That's what makes remote recording useful for professional post-production. PodStack Riverside

If you tell me how many shows, hosts, and guests you typically have per episode, plus whether you need video, I can work out the cheapest setup and approximate monthly cost for your whole network.

2. riverside.fm — best all-rounder

Riverside is the one I'd choose if your network expects to produce YouTube/video podcasts, clips, or social video alongside the audio. It records participants locally and provides separate tracks; its paid Pro tier is currently listed around $24/month annually ($29 monthly), although separate-track download allowances apply. PodStack PodStack

The downside for a tight-budget network is that you can end up paying for capabilities you don't actually need.

3. descript.com Rooms / SquadCast — consider if you already edit in Descript

This makes the most sense if your editors already live in Descript. SquadCast is being folded toward Descript's newer Rooms workflow, so I wouldn't choose it solely because an older comparison says "SquadCast." PodStack

The advantage is the record → transcript → edit workflow rather than juggling separate applications.

4. cleanfeed.net — excellent audio-only alternative

If you're doing audio-only shows and don't care about video, Cleanfeed is worth testing. It's designed around high-quality remote audio rather than being a video-conferencing product. Current comparisons list a free tier and paid multitrack options.

For a small podcast network on a tight budget, I’d prioritize tools that record each person locally into a separate track. That avoids the “Zoom call” sound and gives your editor independent control over every voice. Riverside Riverside

My shortlist

• 🥇 Zencastr — best budget choice

• Free tier available, with separate local tracks.
• Particularly attractive if you're running multiple shows and don't need elaborate video.
• Paid plans add higher-quality audio/video and more guests.
• Current comparisons put it ahead on value for budget-conscious networks. Podstack The Podosphere
• My pick if your priority is keeping recurring software costs near $0.
• 🥈 Riverside — best all-around

• Records each participant's audio/video locally, so you get separate tracks even when the internet connection isn't perfect.
• Free plan gives you a small amount of multitrack recording; paid plans currently start around $15/month annually and go to $24/month annually for Pro, with more multitrack hours. Riverside Riverside
• Better choice if your network also wants video podcasts, clips, transcripts, and built-in editing.
• I'd choose this if saving editor time is worth paying a little more.
• 🥉 Cleanfeed — best for audio-only

• Browser-based and focused specifically on high-quality remote audio.
• Multitrack recording is available, with no video overhead.
• Excellent if your network produces traditional audio podcasts and doesn't need video. Riverside Riverside
• I'd choose this for a serious audio-only network.
• Descript / SquadCast — best if you're already a Descript shop

• SquadCast's remote recording is now closely integrated into the Descript ecosystem.
• Participants can be recorded on individual tracks, then the material can flow directly into Descript's transcript-based editing workflow. Riverside PodRewind
• Worth it if your editors already live in Descript; less compelling if you're starting from scratch.

What I'd do in your shoes

If you have several shows and money is genuinely tight:

Zencastr for recording → Audacity/Reaper for editing → your existing podcast host for publishing.

That keeps the recording infrastructure inexpensive without sacrificing separate tracks.

If you're doing video podcasts, I'd instead go:

Riverside → Descript/Audacity/Reaper

The important thing is not to optimize for the cheapest meeting app. Optimize for local recording + separate participant tracks. That's the feature that makes remote recordings genuinely usable in post-production. Riverside

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

For a small podcast network on a tight budget, I’d prioritize three things:

1. Separate local tracks for every speaker (so you can fix one person’s audio without ruining everyone else’s)
2. Easy guest onboarding (browser link, no downloads)
3. Low post-production time

Here are the best fits:

My recommendations by scenario

Cheapest setup that can still sound professional

Zencastr + Audacity (or GarageBand on Mac)

• Guests click a link
• Each person gets their own track
• Export WAV files
• Edit in a free DAW

This is probably where I’d start for a small network. Zencastr’s free offering is specifically aimed at remote recording with separate speaker tracks. Zencastr

If you produce multiple shows and need speed

Iris.fm or Riverside.fm

Worth paying for when your bottleneck becomes:

• chasing guests through setup
• syncing files
• fixing bad recordings
• creating video clips

Both focus on local recording, meaning each participant’s device captures their own high-quality file instead of relying only on the live internet call. Iris Podcast Pontifications

If you make video podcasts

Riverside.fm

The extra cost makes more sense if you need:

• video versions
• YouTube clips
• social media exports
• a more polished guest experience

Riverside’s free tier includes limited multitrack recording, with paid tiers adding more hours and production features. Riverside

What I would avoid as your main recorder

• Zoom: Great for meetings, but not ideal as your master recording. It can work as a backup, but dedicated podcast tools generally give you better separate tracks and editing flexibility. Podcast Pontifications
• Discord recording bots: Fine for hobby shows, but I wouldn’t build a network workflow around them.

A lean “small network” stack I’d choose

• Recording: Zencastr
• Editing: Audacity (free) or REAPER (cheap one-time license)
• Transcription/clips: add later only if needed
• File storage: Google Drive/Dropbox folder structure

You can get a surprisingly professional workflow running for $0–$20/month per show until your production volume justifies upgrading. Zencastr The Podosphere

If you tell me how many hosts/guests you usually have (2, 4, 8+), audio-only vs video, and how many episodes per month, I can narrow it to one choice.

For a small podcast network on a tight budget, I’d focus on tools that record each participant locally and deliver separate tracks. That’s much more important than having fancy editing features.

My shortlist

• zencastr.com — best budget pick.

Audio-first, separate participant tracks, browser-based guests, and a free tier. Paid plans add higher-quality WAV recording plus hosting/publishing features. If you're primarily making audio podcasts, this is where I'd start. Best Creates Podcast AI Tools

• riverside.com — best if you also make video.

Records participants locally, gives you separate audio/video tracks, and supports up to 4K video. The free tier can work for testing, while paid plans are aimed at more regular production. Riverside Riverside

• descript.com / SquadCast — best recording + editing workflow.

SquadCast is now integrated with Descript, making it attractive if your editors already like transcript-based editing. It's particularly compelling if you want recording and post-production in one ecosystem. Best Creates

• cleanfeed.net — worth considering for audio-only shows.

It's focused specifically on high-quality remote audio rather than being an all-in-one podcast/video platform. If your network doesn't need video, that's a virtue. Riverside

What I'd choose for your network

If you're mostly audio: start with Zencastr.

If you're publishing video to YouTube/social: start with Riverside.

If you have editors working heavily in Descript: consider SquadCast + Descript.

One important point: don't use ordinary Zoom/Meet recording as your primary master if you can avoid it. For podcast production, local recording with an independent track per speaker gives your editor much more control over levels, interruptions, noise, and mistakes. Riverside

For a network, I'd also test each platform with a 90-minute, 3–4 person recording before committing—especially if reliability matters more than saving the last few dollars.

For a small network on a tight budget, I’d prioritize true local recording + separate tracks over flashy editing features. That way, each guest’s audio is captured independently rather than being a single compressed call recording. Riverside

My shortlist

• Zencastr — my first pick. It has a free tier and records participants on separate local tracks; paid plans add higher-quality WAV/video and more production features. For an audio-first network, you're getting the important part without paying for a full video-production suite. Riverside Podcast AI Tools

zencastr.com

• Riverside — best upgrade if video matters. It records separate audio/video tracks locally and is particularly strong for video podcasts, YouTube, and social clips. The tradeoff is that you're paying for considerably more capability. Riverside Riverside

riverside.com

• Descript / SquadCast — good if your editors already like Descript. Recording and text-based editing fit together nicely, but it's harder to justify purely on price if you only need multitrack recording. Riverside

descript.com

• Cleanfeed — excellent audio-only option. If your network doesn't need video at all, it's worth considering because it's focused specifically on high-quality remote audio rather than trying to be an entire podcast-production platform. Riverside SureTake

cleanfeed.net

What I'd do in your shoes

Start with Zencastr's free tier, put 2–3 of your shows through it, and only pay when you hit a limitation. For a network, the savings from not buying a separate subscription for every host/producer can add up quickly.

If you're video-first, I'd instead start with Riverside. If you're strictly audio, I'd test Zencastr and Cleanfeed side-by-side.

One important tip: regardless of platform, have every host/guest wear headphones and use a decent USB/XLR microphone. Separate tracks can't fix bad microphone technique or a noisy room.

If you tell me roughly how many shows, people per show, and hours you record per month, I can work out the cheapest setup for the whole network.

For a small network on a tight budget, I’d prioritize local recording + separate tracks over fancy live-streaming 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

• zencastr.com — best budget pick.

Particularly attractive if you're audio-first and producing several shows. It supports local multitrack recording, with each participant getting a separate track, and also bundles editing, hosting, and distribution. Current 2026 comparisons put its paid entry point around $20–24/month, while its free tier can be useful for testing the workflow. Riverside ngram

• riverside.com — best if video matters.

Excellent choice if you're recording video for YouTube/social clips as well as audio. It records participants locally and delivers separate tracks, with video up to 4K on appropriate plans. The downside for a lean network is that you may pay for a lot of video/AI functionality you don't need. Riverside StackScored

• descript.com / SquadCast — best if editing is the bottleneck.

SquadCast is now integrated into the Descript ecosystem, giving you remote recording plus Descript's transcript-based editing. This can be compelling if your producers already like editing podcasts by editing the transcript rather than manipulating a traditional timeline. Riverside StackScored

• cleanfeed.net — best minimalist audio option.

If you don't need video at all, it's worth considering. It's focused specifically on high-quality remote audio rather than being an all-in-one podcast platform. Riverside

What I'd do in your shoes

Start with Zencastr. For a small network, the combination of separate local tracks + low cost + multiple-show/publishing capabilities is hard to beat. BestCreates ngram

If you're producing video podcasts, I'd spend the extra money on Riverside instead.

One important point: don't use ordinary Zoom/Google Meet recording as your master if separate, editable tracks are important. You want each participant recorded locally and uploaded independently.

If you tell me roughly how many shows, hosts/guests per episode, hours recorded per month, and whether you need video, I can narrow this down 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 flashy editing features. That way, each guest’s microphone is captured locally and you get a clean file per person rather than a compressed “call recording.” Riverside Cutsio

My shortlist

1. Zencastr — my first choice for you.
It is built specifically around remote podcast recording, with separate participant tracks, and current comparisons put its free/low-cost tiers among the most budget-friendly options. It also offers hosting/distribution and post-production features, so you may be able to consolidate tools. Riverside BestCreates
zencastr.com

2. Riverside — best if you're doing video too.
It records participants locally and provides separate audio/video tracks, with a particularly polished guest experience. The free tier can be useful for testing, while paid plans add recording capacity and features. Riverside Riverside
riverside.fm

3. Cleanfeed — excellent if you're audio-only.
If your network doesn't need cameras, this is worth serious consideration. It's focused on high-quality remote audio rather than trying to be an entire podcast-production suite. Current comparisons list a free tier and paid options. Riverside SureTake
cleanfeed.net

4. SquadCast + Descript — good if editing is your bottleneck.
SquadCast is now closely integrated with Descript, making sense if your producers want to edit recordings by working with the transcript. It's less compelling if all you need is inexpensive multitrack capture. Riverside CreatorStackClub
descript.com

What I'd actually do

For a network with several shows, I'd start with Zencastr, test it with 2–3 real episodes, and standardize your workflow around it. If you produce video podcasts/YouTube, I'd spend the extra money on Riverside instead.

One important rule: don't use ordinary Zoom/Meet recording as your master recording if you care about production quality. Even when separate-track recording is available, dedicated remote recorders are designed around locally captured participant audio, which is much safer when someone's internet connection gets ugly. Riverside Cutsio

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

For a small podcast network, I’d prioritize local recording + isolated tracks over fancy video features. That way, each host/guest gets a clean audio file even if someone’s internet connection gets flaky. Descript Descript

My shortlist

• zencastr.com — best budget all-in-one

• The standout if money is tight.
• Its current free tier advertises up to 6 participants, unlimited separate audio/video recording and downloads, 48 kHz WAV, local recording, and unlimited track storage. Zencastr
• It also includes editing, transcription, hosting and publishing features, so you may be able to eliminate other subscriptions.
• My pick if you have several shows and want to minimize software costs.
• descript.com / SquadCast — best for recording + editing

• SquadCast is now part of Descript. Each participant is recorded locally on separate tracks, and the recording can flow directly into Descript's editor. Descript Descript
• Current pricing lists Free, Hobbyist at $16/person/month, and Creator at $24/person/month; plans include isolated and mixed audio tracks. SquadCast
• Particularly attractive if your producers edit by transcript, remove filler words, clean up audio, and make clips.
• My pick if reducing editing labor is more valuable than getting the absolute cheapest recorder.
• riverside.fm — best polished remote studio

• Excellent choice if you're recording video podcasts for YouTube as well as audio.
• It records locally and supports separate participant tracks, with strong video capabilities. Riverside
• Generally I'd choose it over Zencastr when video quality/presentation is a major part of the network's business.
• My pick for a network where video is becoming important.

What I'd actually do on a tight budget

Start with Zencastr's free tier. If it handles your network's recording volume and workflow, you can potentially spend $0/month on recording software. Its current free offering is unusually generous for isolated-track recording. Zencastr

If producers are spending lots of time editing, I'd instead move to Descript/SquadCast because the time savings from transcript-based editing can outweigh the subscription cost.

I would not use ordinary Zoom/Google Meet as your master recording. They're fine for the conversation itself, but a purpose-built remote recorder that captures each participant locally gives you much better source material. Descript

If you tell me roughly how many shows, hosts, recording hours/month, and whether you need video, I can recommend the cheapest setup for the whole network and estimate the monthly cost.

For a small podcast network on a tight budget, I’d prioritize local recording + isolated tracks over fancy live-production features. That way, a guest’s bad Wi-Fi doesn’t automatically ruin your master recording.

My shortlist

1. Zencastr — my first choice.
Its current free plan supports up to 6 participants, unlimited recording, separate tracks, local recording, and downloads; it also offers 48 kHz WAV recording. Zencastr Zencastr

The important bit for a network: each participant is recorded locally, so the internet connection affects the conversation but doesn't have to determine the quality of the recorded audio. Zencastr Help Center

2. Cleanfeed — excellent if you're audio-only.
Cleanfeed Lite is free and has unlimited recording, but only supports two guests/participants and doesn't provide multitrack recording. Pro adds isolated tracks and supports up to 32 guests; its listed personal price is $12/month. Cleanfeed Cleanfeed

For a network producing several shows, I particularly like it because it is deliberately focused on high-quality remote audio rather than trying to be an entire podcast-production suite.

3. SquadCast/Descript — good if you want recording + editing together.
The free tier currently includes isolated and mixed audio tracks, up to 10 participants, video/screen recording, and 1 recording hour per editor per month. The Hobbyist tier is $16/person/month and increases that to 10 recording hours. SquadCast

What I'd do in your situation

Start with Zencastr's free tier. For a small network, you could potentially run multiple shows without paying a recording-platform bill at all. Then use an inexpensive DAW such as Audacity, Reaper, or your existing editor for the actual mix.

I'd only move to paid Cleanfeed or Descript/SquadCast when you identify a specific limitation—particularly more than six people, heavier production workflows, or a need for integrated editing/production tools.

One important rule regardless of platform: have every host and guest wear headphones and use a decent USB/XLR mic. Spending $0 on the recording platform but $50–100 on a good mic can produce a much bigger improvement than paying for a premium remote-recording service.

For a small podcast network on a tight budget, I’d prioritize tools that record each participant locally on their own device and give you separate WAV tracks. That way, a bad internet connection doesn't ruin the master recording.

My shortlist

🥇 Best value: Zencastr

I'd start here. Its current free plan includes unlimited audio/video recording, up to 10 participants, unlimited separate-track recordings, and 16-bit/48 kHz WAV. Zencastr Zencastr

It's also designed around local recording: each participant's audio is recorded on their device, producing separate files for post-production. Zencastr Help Center

For a network running several shows, that's compelling because you can potentially spend $0 on recording software and put the budget toward microphones, editing, or hosting.

Downside: Zencastr's paid tiers become more interesting if you want its AI editing, clipping, publishing, and network/team features.

🥈 Best polished option: Riverside

riverside.com is probably the easiest recommendation if you want hosts/producers to have a polished "virtual studio" experience.

Its free plan gives you 2 hours of separate-track downloads, while Standard is currently listed at $19/month ($15/month billed annually) with 5 hours of multitrack recording. Pro is $29/month ($24 annually) with 15 hours. Riverside Riverside

Riverside also has a substantial editing/AI/hosting ecosystem, so you can consolidate more of your workflow there.

Downside: if you're producing lots of long episodes across several shows, those separate-track limits can make it considerably more expensive than a genuinely free solution.

🥉 Best audio-only choice: Cleanfeed

If you don't care much about video, cleanfeed.net is worth serious consideration.

Its free Lite plan has unlimited recording time and allows commercial use, but multitrack recording is a Pro feature. Pro supports up to 32 guests and gives you an isolated track for each guest. Cleanfeed

Cleanfeed's big advantage is that it's extremely focused on high-quality remote audio rather than becoming an entire podcast-production suite. Pro currently lists at $36/month, with a lower price shown for eligible users. Cleanfeed

What I'd actually do for your network

If you're really watching every dollar:

1. Zencastr Free for recording.
2. Have everyone use wired headphones + a decent USB microphone.
3. Download the individual WAVs after every session.
4. Edit in DaVinci Resolve, Audacity, or another editor you already have rather than paying for an all-in-one platform.
5. Keep a backup of the raw tracks before editing.

That gives you the fundamental thing you need—a clean, isolated track for every speaker—without turning recording into another monthly network expense.

If you have multiple shows and want one shared production workflow, I'd lean Zencastr first, Riverside second. Zencastr's current free allowance is unusually generous for a budget-conscious network. Zencastr

If you tell me roughly how many shows, episodes/month, people per episode, and whether you need video, I can narrow this down to the cheapest setup and estimate your monthly cost.

For a network running several shows, that's compelling because you can potentially spend $0 on recording software and put the budget toward microphones, editing, or hosting.

Downside: Zencastr's paid tiers become more interesting if you want its AI editing, clipping, publishing, and network/team features.

🥈 Best polished option: Riverside

riverside.com is probably the easiest recommendation if you want hosts/producers to have a polished "virtual studio" experience.

Its free plan gives you 2 hours of separate-track downloads, while Standard is currently listed at $19/month ($15/month billed annually) with 5 hours of multitrack recording. Pro is $29/month ($24 annually) with 15 hours. Riverside Riverside

Riverside also has a substantial editing/AI/hosting ecosystem, so you can consolidate more of your workflow there.

Downside: if you're producing lots of long episodes across several shows, those separate-track limits can make it considerably more expensive than a genuinely free solution.

🥉 Best audio-only choice: Cleanfeed

If you don't care much about video, cleanfeed.net is worth serious consideration.

Its free Lite plan has unlimited recording time and allows commercial use, but multitrack recording is a Pro feature. Pro supports up to 32 guests and gives you an isolated track for each guest.

Cleanfeed's big advantage is that it's extremely focused on high-quality remote audio rather than becoming an entire podcast-production suite. Pro currently lists at $36/month, with a lower price shown for eligible users.

What I'd actually do for your network

For a small podcast network on a tight budget, I’d shortlist these:

🥇 My pick: Zencastr

For your situation, Zencastr is probably the best starting point. Its current free offering supports up to 6 participants, separate audio/video tracks, local recording, and 48 kHz WAV recording. zencastr.com

The important part is that it records participants locally on their own devices, so a guest's shaky internet connection doesn't necessarily ruin the recording. Each participant gets their own track for editing. support.zencastr.com

That's a particularly good fit if your network has:

• 2–6 people on a show
• Remote guests
• Audio and/or video podcasts
• Someone editing afterward in Audition, Reaper, Descript, Audacity, etc.
• A goal of keeping recurring software costs near $0

🥈 Cleanfeed — if audio quality is everything

Cleanfeed is the one I'd investigate if you're primarily producing audio-only shows. Its free Lite plan allows unlimited recording time and commercial use, but multitrack recording requires Pro. Pro supports up to 32 guests and records everyone on a separate, synchronized track. cleanfeed.net

It's less of an all-in-one podcast platform than Zencastr, but that's actually an advantage if your network already has a separate editing/hosting workflow.

🥉 Riverside — if video matters

Riverside is worth considering if you're making video podcasts and want recording, editing, and publishing features in one ecosystem. Its current comparison lists it as a remote recording platform with video and editing capabilities. riverside.com

I'd choose it over Zencastr mainly if your network is heavily focused on YouTube/video clips, rather than purely minimizing costs.

What I'd do with a tight-budget network

Start with Zencastr's free tier + a free/cheap DAW for post-production. Don't pay for an elaborate podcast production suite until you know which features are actually saving your team time.

One caveat: if you're recording multiple people through a single local audio interface/mixer, browser platforms may not preserve each hardware input as separate tracks. For example, Zencastr notes that multiple inputs coming through one interface can arrive as a single track. support.zencastr.com

If you tell me (1) typical number of hosts/guests, (2) audio-only vs video, and (3) whether you need editing/hosting built in, I can narrow this to the cheapest setup I'd actually deploy for a small network.

If you’re 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 bad internet connection is much less likely to ruin the actual recording. Riverside Cutsio

My shortlist

1. Zencastr — my pick for you

zencastr.com

For a budget-conscious multi-show network, this is probably where I'd start. It records participants locally into separate tracks and is designed specifically around podcasting. Current 2026 comparisons put it among the strongest free/low-cost choices, particularly for audio-focused shows. SureTake Podcast AI Tools

Why I'd choose it:

• Separate tracks for each participant
• Guests can join through a browser
• Good fit for audio-first podcasts
• Free tier is actually useful rather than merely a trial
• Built-in editing/cleanup can reduce the number of tools you need

Caveat: if your network is heavily video-oriented, Riverside is more compelling.

2. Riverside — best if video matters

riverside.fm

Riverside is probably the safest choice if every episode needs audio + video + social clips. Its current Standard plan is listed at $19/month monthly ($15/month when billed annually), with 5 hours of multitrack recording; the free tier includes 2 hours of multitrack recording. Riverside

The big advantage is that you get separate audio/video tracks plus editing and other production tools in the same ecosystem.

For a network: I'd consider one paid account for the shows that actually need video, rather than paying for every producer/host separately.

3. Cleanfeed — excellent if you're audio-only

cleanfeed.net

If your shows are audio-only interviews, Cleanfeed is worth serious consideration. It's built around high-quality remote audio rather than video or a giant podcast-production suite, and supports multitrack recording. Riverside Riverside

It's particularly attractive if your producers already have an editor/DAW and just need excellent remote capture.

4. SquadCast + Descript — great production workflow

descript.com

SquadCast is now integrated with Descript. It records participants on individual tracks, while Descript gives you transcript-based editing, captions, clips, etc. Riverside

I'd choose this if your team wants to edit episodes by editing the transcript. Otherwise, you're potentially paying for a lot of functionality you don't need.

What I'd actually do with a small network

If you're mostly audio:
Zencastr + Audacity/Reaper for editing.

If you're doing serious video clips:
Riverside + your existing editor.

If you're producing radio-quality audio interviews:
Cleanfeed + your existing DAW.

And I wouldn't make Zoom your primary recording platform. It can work, but dedicated remote-recording platforms are specifically designed to capture each participant locally and separately, which is much better for post-production. Riverside The Podosphere

My overall budget ranking: Zencastr → Cleanfeed → Riverside → SquadCast/Descript.

If you tell me roughly how many shows, episodes per month, typical number of guests, and whether you need video, 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 local recording + separate tracks over fancy live features. That way each guest’s mic is captured independently, and you can fix one person’s audio without ruining the whole episode.

Here are the best budget-friendly options:

My picks for a small network

Best “we need cheap and it just works”

Zencastr

• Good fit for multiple shows and rotating guests.
• Guests join from a browser.
• Separate audio tracks make editing much easier.
• Free tier is unusually generous for budget operations. Zencastr

Best if you also publish video clips

Riverside

• Better if you’re making YouTube episodes, shorts, or social clips.
• Easier guest experience.
• More production features, but you may hit track-hour limits on lower tiers. Riverside

Best “producer workflow”

SquadCast + Descript

• Useful if your team spends lots of time editing transcripts, removing filler words, and making clips. Riverside

A budget setup I’d use for a small podcast network

• Recording: Zencastr free tier (or Riverside if video matters)
• Editing: Audacity (free) for audio-only, or Descript if you want faster transcript editing
• Hosting/distribution: keep your existing podcast host unless you have a reason to switch
• Mic upgrade before software upgrade: a $70–$150 USB mic usually improves perceived quality more than moving between recording platforms

My short list:

1. Zencastr — best value for a small network
2. Riverside — best if video/social clips matter
3. SquadCast/Descript — best if you want an editing pipeline

If you tell me how many shows you run, average number of guests per episode, and whether you need video, I can narrow this to the cheapest workable stack.

For a small podcast network on a tight budget, I’d prioritize three things: separate local tracks, easy guest onboarding, and predictable pricing. You don’t need an expensive “all-in-one” production suite if you already edit elsewhere.

My picks

1. Zencastr — my first choice for your network.
It records participants locally into separate tracks, so a guest's bad internet connection doesn't necessarily ruin the recording. It also supports multiple guests and has editing/hosting features built in. Current 2026 comparisons list a useful free tier, with paid plans around the ~$20–$24/month range depending on billing/plan. Riverside SureTake

The big advantage for a network is that you can use one platform across several shows rather than buying a separate recorder for every host.

2. Cleanfeed — best if you're audio-only.
If your shows don't need video, this is particularly compelling. Cleanfeed is designed around high-quality remote audio and separate participant tracks; the free tier is limited, while Pro adds multitrack recording and other production features. Riverside CreatorStackClub

I'd choose this if your workflow is basically record → download WAVs → edit in your existing DAW.

3. Riverside — worth paying for if you're also making video.
Riverside records separate local audio/video tracks and is considerably more polished if you're producing YouTube clips, video podcasts, shorts, etc. Its paid plans are roughly $24/month and up in current comparisons. Riverside Riverside

I'd avoid paying for it across the whole network if you're strictly audio-first.

What I'd actually do with a tight budget

Audio-only network:
Zencastr or Cleanfeed + Audacity/Reaper for editing.

Audio + video network:
Zencastr initially, then move to Riverside if video production becomes important enough to justify the extra cost.

Absolute $0 budget:
Start with Zencastr's free tier and test it across a few real episodes before committing. I would not build the network around ordinary Zoom recordings—the compressed call recording isn't what you want as your primary master audio. SureTake

One other consideration: because you're a network rather than a single show, I'd pay particular attention to number of shows, hosts/producers, storage, and guest limits, not just the headline monthly price. Those can make a seemingly cheap plan considerably more expensive once you have several shows.

If you tell me roughly how many shows, hosts/guests per episode, episodes per month, and whether you need video, I can narrow this down to the cheapest setup that will actually scale.

For a small podcast network on a tight budget, I’d prioritize three things: separate/local tracks, reliable recording despite a bad connection, and a low cost per show/host.

My picks

• 🥇 Zencastr — best budget all-rounder. It records participants locally and provides separate tracks, while also offering editing, sound cleanup, hosting, and distribution. Current 2026 comparisons put its free tier among the most useful options for audio-first podcasters. Riverside Hilite

Best if: you have several shows and mostly need audio.

• 🥈 Cleanfeed — best for audio quality per dollar. It's audio-only, but specifically designed around high-quality remote audio and multitrack recording. That's attractive if your network doesn't need video at all. Riverside Riverside

Best if: clean audio matters more than fancy production features.

• 🥉 Riverside — best if you're doing video too. It records each participant locally, produces separate audio/video tracks, and includes editing and clip-generation tools. The downside for a budget network is that you're paying for a broader feature set. Riverside CreatorStackClub
• SquadCast/Descript — best if editing is a major part of your workflow. SquadCast provides separate participant tracks and integrates with Descript's text-based editing, transcription, and AI tools. Riverside

What I'd actually do

If you're audio-only, I'd start with Zencastr and test it across a few real episodes. If its workflow doesn't suit your producers, try Cleanfeed.

If you're making video podcasts/YouTube clips, I'd pay for Riverside rather than cobbling together Zoom + recording software. Local recording and separate tracks are particularly valuable because an internet hiccup doesn't necessarily ruin the underlying recording. Riverside Cutsio

One thing I would avoid: choosing based solely on the cheapest monthly sticker price. For a network, check how many simultaneous hosts/producers, guests, shows, recording hours, and editors the plan permits. A $15–20 tool can become expensive if every show requires its own seat.

If you tell me (1) audio-only vs video, (2) typical number of people per episode, and (3) roughly how many episodes your network records per month, I can narrow this to the cheapest setup that will actually work for your network.

For a small podcast network on a tight budget, I’d prioritize three things: separate local tracks, reliable guest recording, and low/no recurring cost. You don’t need an elaborate video-production platform unless video is important to you.

My picks

• zencastr.com — best budget choice.

This would be my first place to start. It records participants locally into separate tracks, so a guest’s shaky internet connection is much less likely to ruin the audio. Current 2026 comparisons report a particularly generous free offering, including multitrack recording. SureTake Podcast AI Tools
Best for: audio-first shows, multiple recurring podcasts, keeping costs near $0.

• riverside.com — best polished option.

Excellent if you also produce video for YouTube/social. It records separate local audio/video tracks and has editing, transcription, clips, and other production features. The downside for a budget network is that you're paying for a lot of capabilities you may not need. Current pricing comparisons put the paid entry point around $24/month. Riverside Riverside
Best for: video podcasts and teams wanting recording + editing in one place.

• cleanfeed.net — best minimalist audio option.

If you only care about audio, Cleanfeed is worth a serious look. It is designed specifically around high-quality remote audio and supports multitrack recording. There's a free tier, with paid plans for more advanced production. Riverside SureTake
Best for: interview podcasts where pristine audio matters more than video or built-in editing.

• descript.com / SquadCast — best if editing is the bottleneck.

SquadCast is integrated with Descript and records participants on separate tracks; Descript then lets you edit the episode by editing its transcript. That's attractive for a small network where the same people are doing recording and post-production. Riverside
Best for: teams that want recording and transcript-based editing together.

What I'd actually do in your shoes

Start with Zencastr's free tier. Run a couple of real episodes through it before spending anything. If the workflow works for your hosts and guests, there's little reason to upgrade just for the sake of upgrading.

Then I'd use a separate inexpensive/free editor such as audacityteam.org or reaper.fm for final mixing. Audacity is free; REAPER is a particularly inexpensive professional DAW with a low-cost license. Riverside

That gives you:

Zencastr → separate WAV tracks → Audacity/REAPER → final mix → podcast host

Rather than paying $20–$30+ per month for an all-in-one platform across every show.

One important distinction: don't optimize for "separate tracks" alone. You specifically want local recording + separate tracks. The latter gives you control in editing; the former is what keeps a bad internet connection from turning a great interview into bad audio. Riverside

If you tell me roughly how many shows you produce, average number of guests, audio-only vs. video, and your monthly budget (e.g. $0 / $25 / $50), 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 (each host/guest gets their own WAV file). That makes editing much easier and avoids the “everyone sounds like they’re on a bad Zoom call” problem.

Here are the best fits:

My budget recommendations

If you have 1–5 shows and mostly audio:

Start with Zencastr + a free editor

• Record remote sessions in Zencastr.
• Export separate WAV tracks.
• Edit in Audacity (free) or a low-cost DAW.
• Upgrade only when production time becomes the bottleneck.

This is the setup I’d choose for a small network trying to keep monthly costs near $0. Zencastr

If you make video podcasts or YouTube clips:

Choose Riverside.

• Better guest experience.
• Easier video workflow.
• Better if every episode needs clips/social content. Riverside Riverside

If you have editors collaborating remotely:

Consider SquadCast + Descript.

• Useful when producers need to edit from transcripts rather than waveforms.
• Better for a team workflow than a solo host. Riverside

A low-cost network stack I’d build

• Recording: Zencastr (free tier)
• Editing: Audacity (free) or Reaper (one-time inexpensive license)
• File storage: Google Drive/Dropbox
• Project management: Trello/Notion free tiers
• Publishing: your existing podcast host

One thing I’d avoid: using ordinary Zoom as your main recorder. It’s convenient, but purpose-built podcast recorders generally do a better job of capturing isolated tracks for clean editing. Riverside

If you tell me how many hosts/guests you typically have, audio-only vs video, and how many episodes per month, I can narrow this down to the cheapest workable stack.

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.