ChatGPT answers, unedited

I’d choose Zencastr for your use case. It explicitly supports no time limit, local recording, separate tracks, automatic backups, and up to 4K video/48 kHz WAV audio. Zencastr Zencastr

• Zencastr: best fit for genuinely long interviews; unlimited recording is available even on its free plan. Zencastr
• Riverside: also strong, but sessions automatically end at 6 hours, so it’s less suitable for very long interviews. support.riverside.com
• Key caveat: with any service, download and verify the separate local tracks immediately after each interview rather than treating cloud storage as your sole backup.

For long-form, high-stakes remote interviews, I’d choose a platform based less on “maximum recording length” and more on whether the session can survive bad internet, browser crashes, and guests who are not technical. The key feature you want is local recording with separate tracks (the guest’s microphone is captured on their device rather than relying only on the live call). Podcast Pontifications

My shortlist:

1. riverside.fm — best overall for video interviews

Choose this if: you publish video, want clips, or interview notable guests where rescheduling is painful.

Pros:

• Local recording with separate audio/video tracks
• High-quality video (up to 4K on supported plans)
• Good guest experience: send a link, guest joins in browser
• Built-in editing, captions, and clip workflows Riverside Riverside

Watch-outs:

• Check the exact plan’s limits around separate-track downloads/storage; “unlimited recording” does not always mean unlimited everything in every tier. PodStack

2. descript.com with SquadCast — best for serious audio workflows

Choose this if: your interviews are primarily audio and you already edit in Descript.

Pros:

• Strong connection between recording and transcript-based editing
• Designed around podcast production workflows
• Good fit for teams producing many episodes Podcast Pontifications

Watch-outs:

• The product ecosystem has changed as SquadCast became part of Descript, so evaluate the current plan structure rather than older SquadCast comparisons. PodStack

3. zencastr.com — best value if you need lots of recording hours

Choose this if: you record frequently and want generous recording allowances.

Pros:

• Local recording
• Separate tracks
• Supports long sessions and multiple participants
• Offers unlimited recording time on some plans/features Zencastr

Watch-outs:

• If your show is video-first with heavy post-production, you may prefer Riverside’s production tools. Riverside

My recommendation for your use case

For long-form in-depth interviews (1–3+ hours, important guests, documentary-style conversations):

1. Riverside — if video matters.
2. Descript + SquadCast — if audio quality and editing speed matter most.
3. Zencastr — if you record very frequently and want fewer usage concerns.

Regardless of platform, I’d also:

• Record a local backup on your side (even a DAW like audacityteam.org or your audio interface software).
• Use a wired Ethernet connection when possible.
• Have guests use headphones and a USB/XLR mic.
• Do a 2-minute test recording before every “cannot repeat” interview.

A couple of details would change the recommendation:

• Are these video podcast episodes, audio-only interviews, or archival/research interviews?
• How long are your typical sessions (90 minutes, 3 hours, 6+ hours)?
• Do you need unlimited separate-track downloads/storage, or just unlimited recording time?

For long-form, high-stakes remote interviews (2–4+ hours, important guests, no chance to redo), I’d prioritize:

1. Local recording reliability
2. Automatic upload/recovery if someone’s internet drops
3. Separate isolated audio tracks
4. No practical session-length cap
5. Easy guest experience

My shortlist:

🥇 Best overall: Riverside.fm

Best fit if you host serious interview shows, especially with video.

Why:

• Records each participant locally, so the final files are not dependent on everyone’s live internet quality.
• Excellent video quality for repurposing clips.
• Very guest-friendly: send a link, guests join in a browser.
• Strong workflow for editing, clips, transcripts, and publishing.

Watch-outs:

• Check your specific plan’s limits around separate-track downloads/storage; “unlimited recording” and “unlimited access to all raw tracks” are not always the same thing. PodStack

Best for:

• Documentary-style interviews
• Celebrity/executive guests
• Video podcasts
• Shows where clips matter

🥈 Best for reliability-first audio: Descript / SquadCast

If your top priority is “this interview must survive,” SquadCast’s recording approach is worth considering, especially if you already edit in Descript. Best Creates

Best for:

• Audio-first long conversations
• Professional podcast workflows
• Teams already using Descript

🥉 Best value for unlimited long sessions: Zencastr

Zencastr is attractive if you want long recordings without worrying about session length. Its current plans advertise unlimited separate audio/video recording and downloads, with local recording and separate tracks. Zencastr Zencastr

Best for:

• Audio-first shows
• Frequent interviews
• Keeping costs predictable

One thing to verify: guest device compatibility. Zencastr’s supported devices and browser requirements may matter if you interview people who are not technically comfortable. Zencastr Help Center

My recommendation for your use case

For long-form, in-depth interviews, I would choose:

• Riverside → if you publish video or make social clips.
• Zencastr → if the priority is unlimited-length recording and clean audio tracks.
• SquadCast/Descript → if you value a more traditional podcast-production workflow and already live in Descript.

Whichever you choose, I would still do a “master recording” backup for irreplaceable guests:

• Record locally on your own machine with a DAW (e.g., Audacity or Adobe Audition) as a safety track.
• Use a wired microphone/headphones.
• Have guests run a 30-second mic test before starting.

For interviews where the guest is genuinely irreplaceable, I’d lean Riverside + local backup recording.

For long-form, high-stakes remote interviews where recording length and reliability are the priority, I’d choose Zencastr right now.

My ranking

1. Zencastr — best fit for your use case

• Explicitly offers unlimited recording time, including on its current free tier. Zencastr Help Center Zencastr
• Records participants locally, rather than relying on the live internet connection for the master recording. Zencastr
• Separate tracks for each participant.
• Up to 48 kHz WAV audio and up to 4K video. Zencastr
• Progressive uploading/cloud backups add another layer of protection. Zencastr
• Particularly compelling if your interviews routinely run 2–4+ hours.

zencastr.com

2. Riverside — best if video quality/production matters heavily

• Excellent choice for video podcasts and visually polished interviews.
• Local recording and separate participant tracks.
• Strong editing, clipping, and repurposing tools.
• Current comparisons generally put Riverside ahead for video-first workflows. Podstack ngram
• The catch is that you need to pay attention to separate-track/download allowances, even when recording itself is unlimited on applicable plans. Podstack

riverside.com

3. SquadCast — worth considering if absolute recovery reliability is your #1 concern

• Particularly attractive if you're already editing in Descript.
• Some independent testing/reviews rate its recovery behavior extremely highly for interrupted sessions. BestCreates
• But the product landscape is changing because SquadCast is being incorporated into the broader Descript ecosystem, so I'd be less inclined to start fresh with it today unless you specifically want that workflow. Podstack

What I'd do for an in-depth interview show

I'd start with Zencastr, especially if your typical interview is 90 minutes to several hours and you care more about never losing the conversation than fancy production features.

The important distinction is that "unlimited duration" isn't the same thing as "safe recording." For your use case, I'd prioritize:

local recording → progressive upload → separate tracks → automatic backup → no session time limit.

Zencastr currently checks those boxes unusually well. Zencastr Zencastr

One caveat: for genuinely irreplaceable interviews, I wouldn't trust any remote recording service as the sole copy. Have the guest use headphones, do a 30-second recording test before starting, and ideally keep a second local recording on your end.

If you tell me audio-only vs. video, typical interview length (e.g. 2–3 hours), number of guests, and whether you edit in Descript/Premiere/Final Cut, I can narrow this down to the exact plan I'd buy.

For long-form, high-stakes remote interviews where you really don't want the recording to stop, I’d choose Zencastr right now.

My pick: Zencastr

Zencastr currently advertises unlimited recording time, including on its free offering, with local recording, cloud backup, separate tracks, up to 4K video, and 48 kHz audio. Its help documentation explicitly says paid plans have unlimited audio/video recording with no time limit. Zencastr Zencastr Help Center

That combination is particularly well suited to your use case because a 2–4 hour interview isn't relying on the internet connection to continuously stream the master recording. Each participant's media is recorded locally and uploaded, which is the architecture you want for serious interviews. Zencastr

zencastr.com

How I'd rank the main options

Riverside is probably the better choice if you're producing a polished video podcast and want extensive production/repurposing features. Its recording itself is unlimited, but plan-specific allowances around downloading/separate tracks are something I'd scrutinize before committing. PodStack

SquadCast has an excellent reputation for reliability and recovery, particularly if you already use Descript for editing. But its current plans are more constrained by recording-hour allowances, so I'd be less inclined to choose it specifically because you said unlimited-duration. PodStack BestCreates

One important distinction

For your interviews, I would not prioritize "unlimited meeting duration" in the Zoom/Meet sense. What you really want is:

• Local recording of each participant
• Separate WAV/audio tracks
• Progressive/background uploading
• Automatic cloud backup
• Recording that continues even if the live connection briefly deteriorates
• No hard session-duration cutoff
• Easy guest experience
• Ability to recover files after a browser/app crash

That's why I'd put Zencastr first, with Riverside as the runner-up.

If these are irreplaceable interviews—authors, CEOs, researchers, celebrities, etc.—I'd also use a second independent audio recorder on your end as a safety track. No remote platform should be your only copy of an interview you can't recreate.

How I'd rank the main options

Riverside is probably the better choice if you're producing a polished video podcast and want extensive production/repurposing features. Its recording itself is unlimited, but plan-specific allowances around downloading/separate tracks are something I'd scrutinize before committing.

SquadCast has an excellent reputation for reliability and recovery, particularly if you already use Descript for editing. But its current plans are more constrained by recording-hour allowances, so I'd be less inclined to choose it specifically because you said unlimited-duration.

One important distinction

For long-form, in-depth remote interviews where recording reliability and unlimited duration are the priorities, I’d choose Zencastr.

Why Zencastr is the best fit

• Unlimited recording duration: Zencastr says its paid plans have unlimited audio/video recording with no time limit; its current free offering also advertises unlimited recording. Zencastr Help Center Zencastr
• Local recording: Each participant is recorded on their own device rather than relying on the live internet stream. That means a temporary connection problem shouldn't ruin the master recording. Zencastr Zencastr Help Center
• Separate tracks: You get an individual audio/video track for each speaker, which is particularly important for serious post-production. Zencastr
• Backups: Zencastr uploads progressively and maintains local/cloud backups, providing useful protection against a computer or connection failure. Zencastr
• No guest account required: Guests can join through a link without installing software on a computer. Zencastr
• 48 kHz WAV audio and up to 4K video are supported, depending on plan. Zencastr

My ranking for your use case

One important distinction: "unlimited recording" isn't the same as "unlimited access to recordings." Zencastr's current documentation says paid plans have unlimited recording storage, while some lower/legacy plans have finite storage periods. Zencastr Help Center

For a serious interview show, I'd take Zencastr if your #1 concern is "I never want a 2–3 hour conversation to hit a recording limit or be ruined by a flaky connection." If polished video production and editing/social clips are equally important, I'd look harder at Riverside.

zencastr.com

If you tell me audio-only vs. video, typical interview length (e.g. 2–4 hours), number of guests, and whether you edit in Descript/Premiere/Final Cut, I can give you a more decisive Zencastr vs. Riverside vs. SquadCast recommendation.

For long-form, in-depth remote interviews where reliability and no time limit are the priorities, I’d choose Zencastr.

Why Zencastr

• No recording time limit — Zencastr explicitly says its paid plans support unlimited audio/video recording, and its current free offering also advertises unlimited recording time. Zencastr Help Center Zencastr
• Local recording — each participant’s audio/video is captured on their own computer rather than relying on the live internet stream. That means a temporary connection problem shouldn't ruin the master recording. Zencastr Help Center
• Separate tracks — you get an individual audio/video file for each participant, which is much better for editing serious interviews. Zencastr Help Center
• Backups — recordings progressively upload to the cloud while local copies are retained, providing additional protection against failures. Zencastr
• High-quality audio — paid plans provide 16-bit/48 kHz WAV, which is what I'd want for archival-quality interview audio. Zencastr Help Center
• Guests don't need an account or software download on computers; they can join through a browser link. Zencastr

For a host doing 2–4+ hour conversations, that local-recording architecture is more important to me than whether the live call itself is flawless.

My recommendation

Pick Zencastr if your priority is:

“I absolutely cannot afford to lose a three-hour interview because someone's Wi-Fi hiccuped.”

I'd record audio + video, use 48 kHz WAV, have everyone wear headphones, and have guests join from a laptop/desktop rather than a phone when possible. Zencastr itself recommends at least 5 Mbps internet, preferably 10+ Mbps, and headphones. Zencastr Help Center

One caveat: “unlimited duration” isn't the same as “nothing can ever go wrong.” For genuinely irreplaceable interviews, I'd still have the guest keep their browser/device running until the upload completes and download/check the tracks afterward. Zencastr specifically recommends checking that files have fully uploaded. Zencastr Help Center

If you tell me audio-only vs. video, typical interview length (e.g. 2–6 hours), number of guests, and whether you need transcription, I can also compare Zencastr vs. Riverside vs. SquadCast specifically for your workflow.

For long-form, in-depth remote interviews where recording reliability is the priority, I’d choose Zencastr.

Why Zencastr is my top pick

• No recording time limit: Zencastr currently advertises unlimited audio/video recording, including on its free plan. Zencastr Zencastr Help Center
• Local recording: Each participant’s audio/video is recorded locally on their own device, so a momentary internet drop doesn't ruin the master recording. Zencastr Help Center
• Separate tracks: You get an independent track for each participant, which is exactly what you want for serious post-production. Zencastr Help Center
• High-quality audio: Paid plans support 16-bit/48 kHz WAV, while video can go up to 4K depending on plan. Zencastr Help Center
• Easy for guests: Guests can join through a browser without installing special software or creating an account. Zencastr
• Long-session friendly: Zencastr explicitly says paid plans have unlimited recording with no time limits, and its support documentation says it has yet to encounter its theoretical maximum recording duration. Zencastr Help Center

zencastr.com

One important caveat

For a 2–4+ hour interview, I wouldn't rely on any remote recording platform as your only copy. I'd have the host record a local backup as well, and make sure guests use headphones and a laptop/desktop. Zencastr itself recommends downloading and checking files after recording. Zencastr Help Center Zencastr Help Center

My ranking for your use case:

1. Zencastr — best overall for unlimited-duration, podcast-quality interviews.
2. Riverside — excellent alternative, particularly if polished video and production workflow matter more.
3. Zoom/Google Meet — convenient for conversations, but I'd choose a purpose-built recording platform when the interview itself is valuable and difficult to recreate.

If your interviews are 2–6 hours, video-first, and you absolutely cannot afford a lost recording, I can also compare Zencastr vs Riverside vs SquadCast specifically on failure recovery, local recording, upload reliability, separate tracks, guest experience, and pricing.

For long-form, in-depth interviews where losing a 2–4 hour conversation would be disastrous, I’d prioritize:

1. Local recording (each person recorded on their own device)
2. Progressive uploads / cloud backups
3. Unlimited or very high recording duration
4. Separate WAV tracks
5. A simple guest experience

My shortlist:

My recommendation

Choose Riverside if:

• Your interviews are filmed and published to YouTube
• You create clips, shorts, or social content
• You want a “remote studio” experience

It is probably the safest general choice for a modern long-form interview show. ngram

Choose SquadCast if:

• The conversation itself is the product
• You mainly care about pristine audio
• You already edit in Descript
• Your guests include executives, researchers, authors, or people you may never get a second chance to interview

Choose Zencastr if:

• Your top requirement is unlimited-duration recording
• You do many interviews
• You want fewer usage caps
• You want recording + hosting + publishing tools in one place

Zencastr specifically emphasizes unlimited recording time, separate tracks, and local recording. Zencastr

For your use case, I’d rank them:

1. SquadCast — if reliability of the interview itself matters most
2. Riverside — if video and audience growth matter most
3. Zencastr — if unlimited duration and volume matter most

A workflow I’d trust for archival-quality interviews:

• Record in one of these platforms
• Have the guest use headphones + a USB/XLR mic
• Keep a local backup recorder on your end (for example, a hardware recorder)
• Never rely on Zoom/Meet as the master recording

If you tell me your typical session length (e.g., 90 minutes vs 6 hours), whether you publish audio only or video, and your editing workflow, I can narrow this to one choice.

For long-form, in-depth remote interviews, I’d choose Zencastr right now.

My ranking

1. Zencastr — best fit for your priority

• Unlimited recording time, including on its free plan. Zencastr Zencastr Help Center
• Records each participant on separate tracks, rather than relying on the internet connection for the final-quality recording.
• Up to 4K video and 48 kHz WAV audio. Zencastr
• Automatic backups and progressive uploading help reduce the risk of losing a long interview. Zencastr
• Paid plans provide unlimited recording storage, which is particularly useful if you're building a large interview archive. Zencastr Help Center
• StreamYard — best if presentation/production matters too

• Excellent browser-based guest experience and separate local recordings.
• Paid plans have unlimited local recording, but most paid plans have a 10-hour per-session cloud recording limit. StreamYard StreamYard
• Particularly good if you also livestream, want branding, layouts, clips, etc.
• Riverside — strong alternative, but not my first choice for “unlimited”

• Very good recording quality and remote-interview workflow, but its recording-hour allowances vary by plan, so it's less attractive when unlimited-duration recording is your defining requirement. StreamYard

What I'd do

If your interviews are routinely 2–6+ hours, I'd go with Zencastr. The combination of no recording-time limit + isolated participant tracks + high-quality WAV/video + automatic backups is unusually well aligned with serious long-form interviewing.

zencastr.com

One important distinction: “unlimited recording duration” isn't the same as “guaranteed never to lose a recording.” For interviews you absolutely cannot recreate, I'd still have the host record a local backup as a second layer.

If you tell me audio-only vs. video, typical interview length, number of guests, and whether you need automatic transcription/editing, I can narrow this to the best 2–3 services and current pricing.

For long-form, in-depth remote interviews, I’d choose Zencastr if your top priority is reliable recording with no session-length ceiling.

My ranking

1. Zencastr — best fit for your requirement

• Paid plans explicitly provide unlimited audio/video recording with no time limit. Zencastr Help Center Zencastr
• Records participants on separate tracks, which is important for serious post-production.
• Local recording + progressive uploading/cloud backup makes it much safer than relying purely on the live internet connection.
• Current free plan also advertises unlimited audio/video recording, up to 10 participants, 48 kHz WAV, and 90 days of recording-master storage. Zencastr
• Best choice if interviews routinely run 2–4+ hours.
• Riverside — best polished alternative

• Excellent remote recording workflow and studio-quality separate tracks.
• Its calls themselves can run as long as you want, but the paid tiers impose monthly limits on separate-track recordings: currently 5 hours on Standard and 15 hours on Pro, with unlimited on higher tiers. Riverside Riverside
• So I'd pick Riverside if you value its editing/AI/publishing ecosystem more than truly unlimited multitrack recording.
• Descript Rooms — worth considering if you edit in Descript

• It records participants locally and continuously uploads their audio/video to the cloud, which is a strong reliability design. Descript
• However, its current plans are based around monthly media hours, so it's not my first choice for an interview operation where unlimited recording is the defining requirement. Descript
• SquadCast — strong professional option, but not unlimited

• Very good recording architecture, including local WAV/MP3 recordings, separate files, cloud backups, and unlimited recording sessions.
• But its current Creator and Business plans have 30 and 40 recording hours/editor/month, respectively. SquadCast

Bottom line

I'd start with Zencastr. Its combination of no recording-duration limit, separate tracks, local recording, progressive upload, and cloud backup is unusually well aligned with long-form interviewing. Zencastr Zencastr Help Center

If by "reliable" you mean "I absolutely cannot lose a 3-hour interview", I'd prioritize the recording architecture over AI features or editing convenience. And regardless of platform, I'd have the host and guest use wired headphones and a wired/locally recorded microphone whenever possible.

If you tell me your typical interview length, number of guests, whether you need video, and your approximate monthly budget, I can narrow it down to the best specific plan.

For long-form, in-depth remote interviews where recording reliability is the priority, I’d choose Zencastr.

My ranking

1. zencastr.com — best fit for your use case

• Unlimited recording time, including on its free plan.
• Records each participant locally, rather than relying entirely on the internet connection.
• Separate audio/video tracks for each speaker.
• Up to 4K video and 48 kHz WAV audio.
• Progressive uploading and automatic cloud backups are also listed in its current plan features. Zencastr Zencastr

Why I'd pick it: For a 2–4 hour interview, the biggest thing you want is not having the recording ruined because someone's Wi-Fi briefly drops. Local recording is particularly valuable here.

2. riverside.com — best polished all-in-one alternative

• Excellent separate-track recording.
• Up to 4K video/48 kHz audio on paid plans.
• Its free tier currently allows unlimited single-track recording, while multitrack recording has hour allowances; paid plans increase those allowances. Riverside Riverside
• Particularly strong if you want recording + editing + transcription + podcast publishing in one ecosystem.

Caveat: Don't confuse "video calls as long as you want" with unlimited high-quality multitrack recording—the current plan comparison distinguishes those. Riverside

3. streamyard.com — easiest for guests

• Very simple browser-based guest experience.
• Local recordings are available, with paid plans offering unlimited local recording.
• However, StreamYard's cloud recording has a 10-hour-per-stream limit on most paid plans (24 hours on Business). StreamYard StreamYard Help Center

What I'd do in your shoes

Choose Zencastr if your interviews routinely run 2–5+ hours and recording integrity matters more than having the fanciest production suite.

I'd configure it so that:

• each person records locally;
• everyone uses headphones;
• guests are instructed not to close their browser until uploads finish;
• you keep a separate local backup when the interview is especially important.

If your interviews are professionally produced podcasts/video shows, I'd lean Riverside instead because its editing, transcription, show notes, publishing, and AI tools make the post-production workflow considerably more integrated. Riverside

Bottom line: Zencastr for maximum recording freedom/reliability; Riverside for the best overall production workflow.

For long-form, in-depth remote interviews, I’d prioritize:

1. Local recording (each person’s mic captured separately)
2. No practical session-length limits
3. Progressive uploads / backups
4. Separate WAV tracks
5. Easy guest experience

My shortlist:

My recommendation for your use case

For 2–4 hour (or longer) expert interviews, I would choose:

🥇 Zencastr

Best overall fit if your priority is “never worry about the recording length.” It is designed specifically for remote podcast/interview recording, records participants locally, creates separate tracks, and emphasizes backup reliability. Zencastr Zencastr

🥈 Riverside

Choose this instead if your interviews are also a video product (YouTube, documentaries, clips, social media). It has stronger video-oriented production features. Podcast AI Tools

🥉 Cleanfeed

Choose this if your show is audio-first and you already have an editing workflow. SureTake

A few things I would avoid for a serious interview archive:

• Zoom as the primary recorder — convenient, but it is not designed around preserving the highest-quality isolated tracks.
• Any service that only records the compressed call stream rather than each participant locally.

For a long-form interview archive, I’d also keep a backup recorder running on your side (for example, a local audio recorder or DAW capture), because the most valuable asset is the raw conversation.

For 2–4 hour (or longer) expert interviews, I would choose:

🥇 Zencastr

Best overall fit if your priority is “never worry about the recording length.” It is designed specifically for remote podcast/interview recording, records participants locally, creates separate tracks, and emphasizes backup reliability. Zencastr Zencastr

🥈 Riverside

Choose this instead if your interviews are also a video product (YouTube, documentaries, clips, social media). It has stronger video-oriented production features.

🥉 Cleanfeed

For long-form, in-depth remote interviews, I’d choose zencastr.com.

Why Zencastr is the best fit

• No recording time limit: Zencastr explicitly says its recording has no time limits, including on paid plans. Zencastr Help Center Zencastr
• Local recording: Each participant’s audio/video is recorded locally on their device rather than relying solely on the live internet connection. That’s a major advantage for a 2–4+ hour interview. Zencastr
• Separate tracks: You and your guest get separate audio/video files, which gives you much better control during editing. Zencastr
• High-quality audio: It supports 48 kHz WAV, which is what I’d want for serious interview production. Zencastr
• Automatic cloud backup: Zencastr lists automatic backups alongside its local recording system. Zencastr
• Guests don't need special software: Guests can join through a link, which reduces friction for interviewees. Zencastr
• Transcription: Its current platform also offers unlimited transcription, which is particularly useful for long-form interviews. Zencastr

Interestingly, Zencastr currently offers unlimited recording even on its free tier, although paid tiers provide additional capabilities/storage/support. Zencastr Zencastr

One alternative I'd consider

squadcast.fm is also very good for professional remote interviews, particularly if you value its production workflow and Dolby Voice processing. But its current plans are based on monthly recording-hour allowances—for example, Creator includes 30 hours/editor/month and Business 40 hours/editor/month—so it doesn't fit your "unlimited duration" requirement as cleanly. SquadCast

My pick

Zencastr → best match for your specific requirement.

For an interview that might unexpectedly turn into 3, 4, or 6 hours, I'd prioritize local recording + separate tracks + no time limit + automatic backup over flashy editing features.

One caveat: with any remote recording service, "unlimited duration" doesn't mean you should blindly leave a session running for 8 hours. For genuinely irreplaceable interviews, I'd still have the host and guest check their local storage, use wired/headset audio where possible, and verify the uploaded tracks before ending the session. Zencastr itself recommends checking that files have fully uploaded after recording. Zencastr Help Center

If you tell me audio-only vs. video, typical interview length, number of guests, and whether you edit in Premiere/Final Cut/Descript, I can give you a tighter Zencastr vs. Riverside vs. SquadCast recommendation.

For long-form, in-depth remote interviews where reliability and unlimited duration are the priorities, I’d choose Zencastr.

Why Zencastr is my pick

• No recording time limit. Zencastr explicitly says its paid plans have unlimited audio/video recording, and its current free tier also advertises unlimited recording. Zencastr Zencastr Help Center
• Local recording rather than relying on the call connection. Each participant's audio/video is recorded locally, so a temporary Wi-Fi drop shouldn't ruin the actual recording. Zencastr Help Center
• Separate tracks for each participant, which is important for serious interview editing. Zencastr
• High-quality audio: up to 48 kHz WAV; video can reach 4K depending on plan. Zencastr
• Automatic/cloud backups provide another layer of protection. Zencastr Help Center
• Zencastr currently advertises unlimited hosting and storage, which is particularly attractive if you're accumulating hours of interviews. Zencastr

What about SquadCast?

SquadCast is also a very good recording platform, but I wouldn't choose it specifically for your requirement. Its current plans impose monthly recording-hour allowances—10, 30, or 40 hours depending on plan—although you can purchase additional hours. SquadCast

So if you regularly do, say, 2–5 hour interviews, Zencastr's lack of a session-duration constraint is a significant advantage.

My ranking for your use case

1. Zencastr — best overall for unlimited, long-form interviews and recording resilience.
2. SquadCast/Descript — best if you want the recording tightly integrated with a sophisticated editing workflow, but watch the monthly recording-hour limits. SquadCast
3. Zoom/Google Meet — not my first choice for archival-quality interviews; they're primarily meeting platforms rather than purpose-built local-track recording studios.

One important distinction: “unlimited duration” isn't the same thing as “guaranteed never to lose a recording.” For interviews that you absolutely cannot recreate, I'd still have the host and guest record a local backup whenever practical, regardless of platform.

If you tell me whether you need audio-only or 4K video, typical interview length, number of guests, and whether you need transcripts/editing, I can narrow this down to the best plan—and compare the current pricing/features of Zencastr, Riverside, SquadCast/Descript, and alternatives.

For long-form, in-depth remote interviews, I’d prioritize recording reliability, separate local tracks, recovery from bad internet, and storage/export options over live-call features. The best choice depends on whether you publish video, audio, or both. THAT Toronto Podcast Studio Podcast Pontifications

My top recommendation: Riverside

Best fit if your interviews are a serious production asset (YouTube, documentary-style conversations, executive interviews, video podcast).

Why:

• Records each participant locally, so a guest’s unstable internet is less likely to ruin the final recording. THAT Toronto Podcast Studio
• Strong video workflow, including high-resolution recording, separate tracks, and built-in editing/clip tools. ngram CreatorStackClub
• Guests can usually join from a browser without installing complex software. THAT Toronto Podcast Studio
• Better if you want one platform for recording → editing → clips → publishing. ngram

Potential downside:

• You should verify the current plan’s exact recording-hour limits and storage terms before committing, because “unlimited” offerings often have fair-use or feature differences by tier. ngram

Best audio-first alternative: Zencastr

Choose this if your interviews are primarily podcasts and you care less about polished video.

Strengths:

• Audio-focused workflow with separate tracks and remote recording designed for podcast production. Podcast AI Tools CreatorStackClub
• Includes hosting, analytics, AI editing, and publishing tools in the same ecosystem. ngram
• Simpler if your end product is mainly an RSS podcast feed. Podcast AI Tools

Other strong options

• Descript + SquadCast — good if you want a powerful transcript-based editing workflow after recording. Violet Recording
• Cleanfeed — excellent for radio-style, audio-only interviews where simplicity and reliability matter more than video. The Podosphere Hilite

For your specific use case (long-form, in-depth interviews), I’d rank them:

1. Riverside — best overall for professional interview shows with video.
2. Zencastr — best if audio is the finished product.
3. SquadCast/Descript — best if your editing workflow is transcript-heavy.
4. Cleanfeed — best for pure audio and broadcast-style conversations.

One important note: I would avoid relying on Zoom/Meet as your master recording. They are convenient for conversations, but dedicated remote recording platforms are designed to capture higher-quality local tracks instead of only the compressed call stream. The Podosphere

If your interviews are typically 1–3 hours, 4–8 hours, or 10+ hour marathon conversations, the recommendation changes a bit because storage, upload recovery, and session limits become much more important.

For long-form, in-depth remote interviews where reliability and no hard recording cutoff are the priorities, I’d choose Zencastr.

My ranking

1. zencastr.com — best fit

• Unlimited recording time, including on its free plan.
• Records each participant locally, rather than relying entirely on the internet connection.
• Separate audio/video tracks for each speaker.
• Up to 4K video and 48 kHz WAV audio.
• Automatic cloud backups and progressive uploading help protect against connection problems. Zencastr Zencastr
• Zencastr specifically says there is no practical maximum recording length; its theoretical limits haven't been encountered. Zencastr Help Center
• riverside.com — best polished alternative

• Excellent remote interview workflow and local recording.
• Recording itself is unlimited on paid plans, but multitrack recording hours depend on the plan. Current Pro, for example, includes 15 hours/month of separate-track recording; Business is unlimited. Riverside Riverside
• I'd pick Riverside if you care as much about the overall production/editing/publishing ecosystem as recording reliability.
• descript.com / SquadCast — best if editing is central

• Strong remote recording, including local 4K recording. Descript
• But current plans have monthly remote-recording-hour allowances, so it isn't my first choice if "unlimited recording" is a hard requirement. Descript

What I'd use for your interviews

Zencastr + a local backup recording is the setup I'd trust for particularly important 2–4+ hour interviews.

The key feature isn't merely "unlimited duration." You want local, isolated tracks so that a temporary internet problem doesn't ruin the master recording. Zencastr's architecture is particularly well suited to that. Zencastr

If you tell me (1) audio-only vs. video, (2) typical interview length, (3) number of guests, and (4) whether you need transcripts/editing, I can narrow it down to the exact plan I'd buy.

If unlimited-duration recording is a hard requirement, I’d choose Zencastr for your use case.

For long-form, in-depth interviews, the important distinction is that you want local recording of each participant, not simply an unlimited-length Zoom-style call. Local recording gives you separate, high-quality tracks even if the live internet connection gets shaky. ngram PodRewind

My ranking

1. Zencastr — best fit for unlimited long interviews

• Currently advertises unlimited recording on its free tier, with separate tracks and up to 10 participants according to recent 2026 comparisons. Content Allies PodRewind
• Strong audio workflow and 48 kHz WAV recording on paid plans.
• Particularly attractive if your interviews are audio-first or you don't need elaborate live production.
• Paid tiers add 4K video, AI editing/clipping, hosting, and distribution. Content Allies
• Riverside — best if video quality matters

• Excellent choice for video interviews: local recording, separate tracks, and up to 4K video. The Podcast Consultant CreatorStackClub
• Its guest experience and video-production workflow are arguably stronger than Zencastr's.
• But I would not pick it specifically for “unlimited duration.” Its creator plans have recording-hour allowances, while unlimited hours are associated with higher/business arrangements in current comparisons. StackScored CreatorStackClub
• SquadCast/Descript — worth considering if you're already a Descript user

• Very good remote recording and tight integration with Descript.
• More compelling for an audio-focused production workflow than for a video-first interview show. CreatorStackClub

What I'd do in your shoes

For 90-minute to 3+ hour conversations where you never want the platform to stop recording because you've hit a monthly/hourly quota, I'd start with Zencastr.

The one caveat: “unlimited recording” isn't the same as “unlimited permanent storage.” Check the current storage/retention policy for your chosen plan, and independently archive the original WAV/video files after every interview. For important interviews, I would never make the platform's cloud copy your only copy.

If you're doing video-first interviews for YouTube, I'd lean Riverside instead—but I'd specifically verify that the plan you're buying provides enough recording hours for your actual interview volume.

zencastr.com
riverside.fm

Bottom line: Zencastr for unlimited long-form recording; Riverside for premium video-first production.

For long-form, in-depth interviews where you cannot afford a recording failure, I’d prioritize:

1. Local recording (not just Zoom-style streaming)
2. Separate tracks for each speaker
3. Automatic uploads/backups
4. No practical session-length limits
5. Easy guest experience

My shortlist:

zencastr.com support.zencastr.com## My recommendation

Choose Riverside if your interviews are video content

For a flagship interview series (YouTube, documentary-style conversations, executive interviews, filmed podcasts), I would pick Riverside. It is built around remote studio recording with local capture and separate tracks, which gives you more flexibility in post-production. contentallies.com CreatorStackClub

Choose Zencastr if the conversation itself is the product

If you mainly publish audio and your priority is “record a 2–4 hour conversation reliably and get clean files,” Zencastr is probably the simpler choice. It explicitly supports unlimited recording time and separate-track recording. support.zencastr.com zencastr.com

For truly important interviews, I’d use this setup

• Primary recorder: Riverside or Zencastr
• Guest instructions: wired headphones + quiet room + Chrome/Edge
• Backup: have the guest run a local audio recorder (even a phone voice memo as an emergency backup)
• Never rely only on a live call recording

For a serious long-form interview archive, my ranking would be:

1. Riverside — best overall for premium interview shows
2. Zencastr — best if audio quality and unlimited sessions matter most
3. SquadCast/Descript — best if your editing workflow already lives in Descript

If you tell me whether your interviews are audio-only vs video, your typical length (e.g., 90 minutes vs 6 hours), and whether you publish to YouTube/podcast platforms/private archive, I can narrow it to one choice.

For truly important interviews, I’d use this setup

For long-form, in-depth interviews where reliability matters more than flashy features, I’d narrow it to Riverside, Zencastr, and SquadCast (via Descript). The key feature you want is local recording: each participant’s microphone is captured on their own device, rather than relying on the live internet stream, which helps protect quality during connection issues. THAT Toronto Podcast Studio PodRewind

My recommendation

1. Best overall for serious interview shows: Riverside

Best if you:

• Interview notable guests where a failed recording is unacceptable
• Want video clips, YouTube publishing, and social cutdowns
• Need a polished guest experience

Strengths:

• Strong remote recording workflow
• High-quality separate audio/video tracks
• Good post-production tools and editing ecosystem Content Allies CreatorStackClub

Tradeoff:

• Some advanced features are tied to paid plans, and the pricing model is less attractive if you mainly need unlimited long audio sessions. Riverside

My pick for a professional interview podcast with guests you cannot easily reschedule.

2. Best if “unlimited duration” is the top priority: Zencastr

Best if you:

• Record very long conversations (2–5+ hours)
• Primarily care about clean audio
• Want fewer usage limits

Strengths:

• Offers unlimited recording on its plans, including separate track recording options. Zencastr Zencastr
• Strong fit for audio-first interview shows
• Simple browser-based guest workflow

Tradeoff:

• Its video-production ecosystem is less commonly the reason people choose it compared with Riverside. Content Allies

My pick for a Lex Fridman–style conversational format where audio quality and session length matter most.

3. Best if you edit heavily: Descript + SquadCast

Best if you:

• Already edit in Descript
• Want transcript-based editing
• Have a production team

Strengths:

• Tight integration between recording and editing workflows
• Good for teams that turn interviews into articles, clips, and social content THAT Toronto Podcast Studio

Tradeoff:

• Less compelling if your only requirement is “record a four-hour conversation safely.”

What I would avoid for your use case

• Zoom: convenient, but not designed for archival-quality interviews.
• Google Meet/Teams: fine for meetings, not ideal as your master recording.
• Any platform without separate local tracks.

Suggested setup for maximum reliability

For high-value interviews:

1. Record in Riverside or Zencastr
2. Have the guest wear headphones + use a USB/XLR microphone
3. Keep a local backup recorder if the guest is especially important
4. Ask guests to avoid Wi-Fi if possible

If your show is mostly audio podcast + very long conversations, I’d choose Zencastr.
If it is video-first, public figures, YouTube, and clips, I’d choose Riverside. Content Allies CreatorStackClub

For long-form in-depth interviews, I would prioritize local recording, separate tracks, automatic uploads, and no hard recording cap over features like live streaming or flashy editing. The main contenders are:

Zencastr Help Center The Podcast Consultant## My recommendation

Choose Zencastr if:

• Your interviews are often 1–3+ hours
• Audio quality is the priority
• You want the least chance of hitting usage ceilings
• You want guests to simply click a link and record

Zencastr specifically advertises unlimited audio/video recording and separate tracks, with local recording designed to preserve quality even when internet connections fluctuate. Zencastr Zencastr

Choose Riverside if:

• You publish video versions on YouTube
• You care about cinematic guest footage
• You cut lots of short clips from interviews
• You want a more "production studio" feel

Riverside is often the stronger choice for video podcasts because of its video tooling and post-production features. The Podcast Consultant THAT Toronto Podcast Studio

Choose SquadCast if:

• Your editing workflow revolves around Descript
• You value a clean recording experience over extra creator features

For a serious interview archive, I’d also do this:

• Record in 48 kHz WAV when possible.
• Have every guest wear headphones.
• Keep a local backup recorder if the interview is irreplaceable.
• Avoid relying on Zoom/Teams as the master recording; they optimize for calls rather than studio-quality capture. THAT Toronto Podcast Studio

For a long-form interviewer (Joe Rogan-style conversations, researchers, authors, executives, oral histories) my default pick would be:

1. Zencastr — if audio is the product.
2. Riverside — if video is the product.
3. SquadCast + Descript — if editing speed is the product.

If you tell me whether your interviews are audio-only, YouTube video, or both, and your typical length (2 hours? 5+ hours?), I can narrow it to one.

For long-form, in-depth remote interviews where reliability and recording duration are the priorities, I’d choose Riverside.

Why:

• Local recording: Each participant’s audio/video is captured locally rather than relying entirely on the live internet connection, which is much safer for a 2–4+ hour interview. The Podcast Consultant THAT Toronto Podcast Studio
• Separate tracks: You get independent participant tracks, which is important for professional post-production.
• Video: It supports up to 4K, so you aren't sacrificing quality if the interviews are also published as video. The Podcast Consultant
• Long-session workflow: Riverside is particularly well suited to interview-heavy shows and professional productions. The Podcast Consultant CreatorStackClub
• Guest experience: Guests can generally join from a browser without installing complicated software—important if you're interviewing people who aren't technically minded.

One important caveat about "unlimited"

I wouldn't buy a plan solely because a third-party site says "unlimited recording." Current plan limits and definitions change, and some services distinguish between unlimited sessions and a monthly allowance of recording hours. For something as important as a 3-hour interview, verify the exact current allowance on the vendor's plan you're purchasing.

If audio-only is what you need, I'd also seriously consider SquadCast/Descript. It's a more focused choice for high-quality interview recording, particularly if you're already editing in Descript. CreatorStackClub

My ranking for your use case:

1. Riverside — best overall for serious long-form audio + video interviews.
2. SquadCast/Descript — excellent if you're audio-first and use Descript.
3. Zencastr — good if you want recording plus podcast hosting/distribution in one service. ngram.com podcastaitools.com

One more thing: for interviews where losing a 3-hour conversation would be catastrophic, I would use the platform's local recording plus a separate backup recording on the host side. "Unlimited" doesn't protect you from a crashed laptop, dead battery, corrupted local file, or guest-side failure.

If you tell me audio-only vs. video, typical interview length (e.g. 2–6 hours), number of guests, and whether you edit in Descript, I can narrow this down to the best specific plan.

For long-form, in-depth remote interviews, I’d prioritize three things:

1. Local recording (so a guest’s bad Wi-Fi doesn’t ruin the file)
2. No practical session-length limits
3. Reliable recovery/upload if a 2–4 hour conversation happens

The best choice depends on whether you record video, audio only, and how much post-production you do.

My top picks

1. Riverside — best overall for serious interview shows

riverside.fm

Choose this if your interviews are a flagship product (YouTube, documentary-style, video podcast, guest conversations).

Strengths:

• Records each participant locally, preserving quality despite internet issues
• Separate audio/video tracks for editing
• Strong video quality and production workflow
• Good guest experience: guests usually just click a link
• Built-in editing, clips, transcripts, and publishing tools The Podcast Consultant ngram

Potential downside:

• It is more than you need if you only publish audio.
• Check the current plan limits carefully if you routinely record extremely long sessions; “unlimited” can vary by feature/plan. ngram

My default recommendation for a long-form interview host: Riverside.

2. SquadCast (via Descript) — best if editing is your bottleneck

descript.com

Good fit if your workflow is:

• Record a 2-hour conversation
• Edit by transcript
• Pull quotes and clips quickly

Strengths:

• Strong integration with transcript-based editing
• Clean, podcast-focused workflow
• Good for teams already using Descript THAT Toronto Podcast Studio

3. Zencastr — best audio-first option

zencastr.com

Choose this if:

• Your interviews are primarily audio
• Video is secondary
• You want recording + hosting + podcast workflow together

Strengths:

• Local multitrack recording
• Audio-focused roots
• Built-in podcast tools and AI editing features Podcast AI Tools Riverside

4. Cleanfeed — best for broadcast-quality audio only

cleanfeed.net

If your show is closer to NPR/BBC-style audio interviews:

• Excellent audio capture
• Less clutter than video podcast platforms
• Designed around remote audio production Riverside

What I would avoid for your use case

• Zoom as the primary recorder: convenient, but it is optimized for meetings rather than pristine interview capture.
• Browser call recordings without local tracks: a multi-hour interview can be destroyed by one participant’s connection problems.

My recommendation by scenario

For a host doing long-form, in-depth interviews, I’d start with Riverside, then pair it with a separate backup strategy (for example, having the guest record a local backup track when the guest is especially important). The Podcast Consultant podrewind.com

One question would change the recommendation: are these video interviews published publicly, or audio-only conversations?

For long-form, in-depth remote interviews, I’d choose Zencastr if “unlimited duration” and recording reliability are your top priorities.

My pick: Zencastr

zencastr.com is particularly well suited to interview/podcast workflows because:

• Unlimited recording time, including on its current free plan. Zencastr Zencastr
• Local recording on each participant's device, rather than relying on the call's internet stream for recording quality. Zencastr
• Separate tracks for each speaker, which is important when you're doing serious post-production. Zencastr Help Center
• Up to 48 kHz WAV audio and, on the current free plan, up to 1080p video. Zencastr
• Its paid plans include unlimited recording storage, whereas the free plan has a limited retention period for recording masters. Zencastr Help Center

For a serious interview show, I'd use a paid Zencastr plan rather than simply relying on the free tier—not because of duration, but for storage and production capabilities.

Riverside is the other strong choice

riverside.fm is arguably the more polished all-around production platform. It also records locally, continuously uploads the recordings, and supports up to 4K video/48 kHz audio on paid plans. Riverside Riverside

One important wrinkle: Riverside says sessions automatically end after 6 hours, so if by “unlimited” you mean I occasionally want to conduct a 7–10 hour interview without interruption, Riverside is not the right choice. Riverside Help Center

Bottom line

I'd go with Zencastr for your use case. For a host doing serious, long-form interviews, the combination of local recording + separate tracks + unlimited duration is more important than having the flashiest studio interface.

One caveat: for mission-critical interviews, I wouldn't trust any cloud service as the only copy. Have you and/or the guest run a local backup recording when the interview is particularly important.

For long-form, in-depth remote interviews, I’d choose Riverside—with one important caveat: “unlimited recording” and “unlimited high-quality separate-track downloads” are not the same thing.

My pick: Riverside

Riverside is the strongest fit if reliability and interview quality matter more than having the cheapest plan.

• Very long sessions: Riverside says recordings can continue without a recording-time limit, although it recommends keeping sessions under 4 hours; sessions automatically end after 6 hours if someone is still in the studio. support.riverside.com
• Local-quality capture: each participant's audio/video is recorded separately rather than relying solely on the quality of the live internet connection.
• Separate tracks: crucial for interviews—you can independently clean up your voice and your guest's voice.
• Video: up to 4K on paid plans, if you're publishing video interviews.
• Guest experience: browser-based, so guests generally don't need complicated software.
• Post-production: transcription, editing, clips, and other tools are built in.

The catch is that paid plans have monthly allowances for downloading separate high-quality tracks, while the actual studio recording itself isn't cut off when you exceed that allowance. Riverside explicitly says recordings aren't stopped when you go over your plan's hours. riverside.fm

What I'd choose for your use case

One thing I would not do: use ordinary Zoom/Meet recording as your master recording for an important long-form interview. They're excellent for the conversation itself, but a dedicated local-recording platform gives you a much better safety margin for production.

For comparison, SquadCast currently offers 10–40 recording hours per editor/month depending on plan rather than unlimited recording, while its integration with Descript is its big advantage. squadcast.fm

Bottom line: If you're building a serious interview archive and want to be able to record a 2-, 3-, or 4-hour conversation without worrying about the call length, Riverside is my default recommendation. If you tell me whether your interviews are audio-only or video, roughly how many hours/month you record, and whether you edit in Descript/Premiere/Final Cut, I can narrow it down to the exact plan and the best alternative.

For long-form, in-depth remote interviews where recording reliability is the priority, I’d choose Zencastr right now.

Why Zencastr fits your use case

• Unlimited recording duration — Zencastr says its paid plans have unlimited audio/video recording with no time limit, and its current free plan also advertises unlimited recording. support.zencastr.comsupport.zencastr.com
• Local recording — each participant’s audio/video is captured on their own device and progressively uploaded. So a temporary internet problem doesn't turn into bad audio in your master recording. zencastr.comsupport.zencastr.com
• Separate tracks — you get individual files for you and each guest, which is crucial for cleaning up a long interview afterward. support.zencastr.com
• Excellent audio — paid plans support 16-bit/48 kHz WAV, rather than relying on compressed conference-call audio. zencastr.comsupport.zencastr.com
• Guests don't need an account or software — you can send someone a recording link and they join through their browser. zencastr.comsupport.zencastr.com
• Up to 12 people on paid plans, so you're not constrained if an interview occasionally becomes a panel. support.zencastr.com

The important distinction

For your particular use case, I'd prioritize local recording + progressive upload over whether the service has the prettiest video-call interface. That's what protects a 2–4 hour interview from being ruined by a flaky connection.

I'd rank the options:

One particularly nice thing about Zencastr is that even its current free offering advertises unlimited recording, although storage/other features differ by plan. Paid plans provide more durable recording storage; Zencastr specifically recommends downloading and checking your files after each session. support.zencastr.comsupport.zencastr.com

My setup for a serious interview show: Zencastr → WAV separate tracks → immediately download/archive the masters → use your normal editing/transcription workflow afterward. And for interviews you absolutely cannot recreate, I'd still make a local backup recording on your side rather than trusting any single cloud service.

If you tell me (1) audio-only vs. video, (2) typical interview length, and (3) roughly how many interviews/month, I can narrow it down to the specific plan and compare Zencastr vs. Riverside on cost and limits.

For long-form, in-depth remote interviews where you really don’t want the recording to stop, I’d choose Zencastr.

My pick: Zencastr

It currently offers unlimited-duration audio and video recording, separate tracks for participants, 48 kHz WAV audio, and automatic backups. Its documentation explicitly says paid plans have no recording time limit. support.zencastr.com

That makes it particularly well suited to interviews that might run 2–4+ hours rather than conventional 30–60 minute podcasts.

Riverside is excellent, but there's an important catch: its current individual plans have 5 or 15 hours/month of multitrack recording, while unlimited multitrack recording is on its Business tier. riverside.com

For your particular use case, I'd therefore rank them:

1. Zencastr — best if unlimited-duration recording and reliability are the priority.
2. Riverside — best if you also want a more sophisticated video-production/editing ecosystem and your monthly recording volume fits its limits.
3. SquadCast/Descript — attractive if your post-production workflow already revolves around Descript.

One important distinction: “unlimited duration” doesn't mean “never worry about your files.” For important interviews, I would still have the guest use headphones, verify their mic before starting, and download/check the separate tracks immediately after the interview. Zencastr itself recommends checking that uploads have completed after recording. support.zencastr.com

If you tell me audio-only vs. video, typical interview length, number of guests, and whether you need 4K, I can narrow this down to the best plan—not just the best service.

For long-form, in-depth remote interviews, I’d choose Riverside—with Zencastr as the strongest alternative.

My pick: Riverside

Why it fits your use case:

• No recording-duration limit on a session; Riverside explicitly says you can record as long as needed. riverside.fmriverside.com
• Local recording gives you separate participant tracks rather than relying solely on the quality of the internet call.
• Paid plans support up to 4K video and 48 kHz audio, which is appropriate for serious interview production. riverside.fmriverside.com
• It has progressive uploading and automatic cloud backups, important for multi-hour interviews. riverside.fmriverside.com
• You also get transcription, text-based editing, show notes, clips, and podcast publishing tools—useful if you're turning interviews into a content pipeline. riverside.fmriverside.com
• The current Pro plan is listed at $29/month or $24/month annually, though the important catch is that separate-track downloads are capped at 15 hours/month on Pro. riverside.com

Strong alternative: Zencastr

Zencastr is particularly interesting if unlimited recording is your #1 requirement. Its current pricing says even the free plan includes unlimited audio/video recording, unlimited separate-track recordings, 1080p video, and 48 kHz WAV audio; paid plans add 4K and other production features. zencastr.com Its help center also explicitly says paid plans have no recording time limit. support.zencastr.com

What I wouldn't choose for this specific job

StreamYard is excellent for livestreaming, but it's less attractive for marathon interviews: its paid plans can stream indefinitely, yet recordings are limited to 10 hours on Core/Advanced/Teams and 24 hours on Business. support.streamyard.com

Bottom line:

• Best overall interview studio: Riverside
• Best if truly unlimited recording is the overriding priority: Zencastr
• Best for livestream-first workflows: StreamYard

For a host doing 2–4+ hour interviews regularly, I'd lean Riverside Pro, provided 15 hours/month of separate-track downloads is enough. If you're doing substantially more than that, Zencastr becomes very compelling.

For long-form, in-depth remote interviews where recording reliability is the priority, I’d choose Riverside.

Why Riverside is my pick

• Local recording: Each participant’s audio/video is recorded on their own device, rather than relying on the quality of the internet connection. That’s the most important feature for serious interviews. support.riverside.com
• Progressive uploading: The files upload while you’re recording, reducing the risk of losing an enormous recording at the end of a session. riverside.com
• Long sessions: Riverside currently says recording time is unlimited, although it automatically ends a session after 6 hours if a host, producer, or guest is still in the studio. It recommends keeping individual recordings under 4 hours for best results. support.riverside.com
• Separate tracks: You get individual tracks for each participant, which is exactly what you want for serious post-production. support.riverside.com
• High-quality video/audio: Paid plans can record up to 4K video, with audio up to 48 kHz depending on configuration. support.riverside.com

One important distinction

“Unlimited recording” doesn't necessarily mean unlimited downloadable multitrack hours. Riverside's current plans distinguish between unlimited time in the studio and the monthly allowance for downloading separate high-quality tracks. support.riverside.com

So if your interviews are routinely 2–4 hours, I'd pay particular attention to the plan's separate-track download allowance, not just the headline “unlimited recording” claim.

My shortlist

For your particular use case, Riverside is the safest default because the combination of local capture + progressive upload + isolated participant tracks is much more important than having the cheapest or simplest video-call platform.

If by “reliable unlimited-duration” you mean interviews that can run 4–8+ hours without ever hitting a hard recording cutoff, I'd actually narrow the choice further, because Riverside's 6-hour automatic cutoff matters. I can compare the current 2026 plans and hard session limits of Riverside, Zencastr, SquadCast, and a couple of specialist alternatives specifically for 3-, 5-, 8-, and 12-hour interviews. support.riverside.com

For long-form, in-depth remote interviews where recording reliability is the priority, I’d choose Zencastr.

My pick: Zencastr

The key reason is that it is designed around local, multitrack recording, rather than simply recording the internet call. Each participant’s audio/video is recorded locally and progressively uploaded, so a temporary internet problem shouldn't degrade the actual recording. zencastr.comsupport.zencastr.com

It also explicitly supports no time limit on recordings. Paid plans have unlimited audio/video recording, and Zencastr says it has not encountered the theoretical upper limit in practice. support.zencastr.com

For your use case, the important features are:

• Unlimited-duration recording — ideal if an interview unexpectedly runs 2–4+ hours. support.zencastr.com
• Separate track per participant — much better for professional editing than a single mixed recording. zencastr.comsupport.zencastr.com
• 48 kHz WAV on paid plans — appropriate for serious long-form audio production. zencastr.comsupport.zencastr.com
• Up to 4K video on higher plans. support.zencastr.com
• Guests don't need an account or special software; they can join through a recording link. zencastr.comsupport.zencastr.com
• Automatic backups/progressive uploads, which is particularly valuable for lengthy interviews. zencastr.comsupport.zencastr.com
• Unlimited transcription is currently advertised as well. zencastr.com

Zencastr official site

Riverside is the other one I'd seriously consider

Riverside is arguably the more polished choice if you care heavily about video production, editing, and an attractive guest experience. Its current plans also have unlimited recording duration and local recording. riverside.com

The catch is that Riverside's paid plans meter separate-track downloads by monthly hours—for example, its current Pro plan includes 15 hours/month. riverside.com If you're doing several very long interviews every month, that's worth paying attention to.

Riverside official site

What I'd choose

Bottom line: For an interviewer whose primary concern is “I cannot afford to lose a three-hour conversation”, I'd go with Zencastr, preferably on a paid plan. Its local recording + progressive upload + separate tracks + unlimited duration combination is particularly well suited to long-form interviews. zencastr.comsupport.zencastr.com

One important caveat: no browser-based service should be your only copy of an irreplaceable interview. For especially important conversations, I'd have both you and the guest use headphones, record locally, and verify that the individual tracks have finished uploading before ending the session. Zencastr itself recommends checking/downloading files after they finish uploading. support.zencastr.com

For long-form, in-depth remote interviews, I’d choose Riverside.

My pick: Riverside

It fits your use case particularly well because:

• Unlimited recording time on all plans. Riverside says sessions can run indefinitely, although it automatically ends a session after 6 hours if someone is still in the studio, so I’d treat ~4 hours as the practical ceiling for a single interview. support.riverside.comsupport.riverside.com
• Local recording captures participants' audio/video locally rather than relying entirely on the quality of the internet connection. riverside.com
• Separate participant tracks make serious post-production much easier.
• Paid plans support 4K video and 48 kHz audio, which is appropriate for a professional interview show. riverside.com
• The Pro plan is currently $29/month, or $24/month billed annually, and includes 15 hours/month of separate-track downloads. Recording itself remains unlimited. riverside.com

One important alternative: Zencastr

Zencastr is worth considering if your priority is specifically unlimited high-quality recording without worrying about recording-hour allowances.

Zencastr currently advertises unlimited audio and video recording even on its free plan, unlimited separate-track recordings, 48 kHz WAV audio, up to 10 participants, and 90 days of recording-master storage. Its paid plans likewise advertise unlimited recording with no time limits. zencastr.com

What I'd choose

For your particular description—long-form, in-depth interviews—I’d start with Riverside Pro. The combination of local recording, separate tracks, high-quality video/audio, and editing tools is more valuable than simply having an unlimited call timer.

One caveat: “unlimited recording” isn't the same thing as “unlimited downloadable multitrack files.” Riverside's paid plans cap separate-track downloads monthly, even though the actual recording time is unlimited. support.riverside.comsupport.riverside.com

If you tell me audio-only vs. video, typical interview length (e.g. 2–4 hours), number of guests, and whether you edit yourself, I can narrow this down to the best 2–3 services for your workflow.

For long-form, in-depth interviews, I’d prioritize: local recording, separate tracks, automatic upload/backup, no session time caps, and a guest experience that works for non-technical people. Dedicated remote recording platforms are generally much better than Zoom/Meet because they capture each person’s audio/video locally rather than relying only on the live connection. thattorontopodcaststudio.ca

My shortlist:

www.peerthroughmedia.com

My recommendation for your use case

For 2–4+ hour conversations with important guests, I would choose:

1. Riverside (best overall)
Use it if your interviews are video podcasts, YouTube content, documentaries, or you want the safest “guest clicks a link and records” workflow. It is the closest thing to a remote studio. thepodcastconsultant.com

2. SquadCast + Descript (best if your workflow is transcript-driven)
Choose this if you spend lots of time searching transcripts, cutting interviews by text, and producing audio-first episodes. podcastpontifications.com

3. Zencastr (best if you mainly care about audio)
A good fit for conversational shows where video is secondary. podrewind.com

A few things I would not compromise on for long interviews:

• Never rely on a normal video call recording as your master file.
• Require guests to use headphones + a decent microphone.
• Enable local backups/downloads after every session.
• Keep a second recorder running on your end (even a local audio recorder) for high-value guests.

One clarification: when you say “unlimited-duration recordings,” do you mean:

1. a single interview can run 5–10+ hours without being cut off, or
2. you need unlimited total recording hours per month for many interviews?

The best choice changes depending on which one matters more.

For long-form, in-depth interviews, I’d prioritize: local recording, separate guest tracks, no hard session limit, automatic uploads/backups, and easy guest joining. The best choice depends on whether you publish audio-only or video + audio.

Best overall: Riverside

Choose this if your interviews are video-first (YouTube, documentaries, filmed conversations).

Why it fits:

• Records each participant locally, so a guest’s bad internet connection doesn’t ruin the master file.
• Strong video quality and separate tracks.
• Designed for professional remote interviews and multi-camera-style workflows.
• Better if you later create clips, social content, or edited video versions. www.ngram.com

Potential downside:

• More production features can mean more complexity.
• The best features are usually in paid tiers. www.ngram.com

Best for audio-first deep interviews: Zencastr

Choose this if the conversation itself is the product (podcast, oral history, expert interviews).

Why it fits:

• Paid plans include unlimited audio/video recording with no time limits. support.zencastr.com
• Records separate participant tracks.
• Supports high-quality WAV audio on paid plans.
• Guests can join through a browser link without needing an account. zencastr.com
• Also includes hosting, transcription, clips, and publishing tools if you want an all-in-one workflow. zencastr.com

Potential downside:

• If you’re building a highly produced video show, Riverside generally has a stronger video-production orientation. www.ngram.com

Best if you already edit heavily: Descript + SquadCast

Good fit if your workflow is:

1. record interview,
2. transcribe,
3. edit by changing the transcript,
4. produce polished episodes.

My recommendation for your use case

For 90-minute to 4+ hour expert interviews, I’d pick:

1. Video interviews / public-facing show → Riverside
2. Audio archive / podcast / research interviews → Zencastr
3. Heavy transcript-based editing workflow → SquadCast + Descript

Whichever you choose, I would avoid relying on Zoom as your master recorder for important interviews. It is excellent for meetings, but dedicated remote recording platforms are designed around preserving each participant’s clean local track. zencastr.com

A few questions would narrow it down:

• Are these audio-only or video interviews?
• Typical length: 1–2 hours, 3–5 hours, or longer?
• Do you need raw archival-quality files (for future documentaries/books), or mainly finished episodes?

For long-form, in-depth remote interviews where you care most about reliability and no recording cutoff, I’d choose Zencastr.

Why it fits your use case:

• No recording time limit: Zencastr says paid plans include unlimited audio/video recording with no time limits. support.zencastr.com
• Local/double-ended recording: Each participant’s audio/video is recorded locally and progressively uploaded, so a temporary internet problem shouldn't degrade the actual recording. That's a major advantage over Zoom-style recordings. zencastr.com
• Separate tracks: You get independent tracks for each participant, which is what you want for serious post-production. zencastr.com
• High-quality audio: Paid plans support 16-bit/48 kHz WAV, with video up to 4K depending on plan/setup. zencastr.com
• Guests don't need accounts: You can send an interviewee a link and have them join without creating a Zencastr account. zencastr.com
• Unlimited storage on paid plans: Zencastr says paid plans provide unlimited recording storage, while its free tier has archival limits. support.zencastr.com

What I'd pick

Zencastr paid → best match if your priority is “I want to start a 3–5 hour interview and never worry about the platform ending the recording.”

SquadCast/Descript is also excellent for remote interviews, but its current plans impose monthly recording-hour allowances (10, 30, 40 hours, etc.), so I'd favor Zencastr if “unlimited duration” is a core requirement. squadcast.fm

One important distinction: “unlimited recording duration” isn't the same as “nothing can ever go wrong.” For particularly valuable interviews, I'd still have the host and guest use wired headphones, stable connections, and ideally make a local backup recording as insurance.

If you tell me audio-only vs. video, typical interview length, number of guests, and your approximate monthly budget, I can narrow it down to the specific Zencastr plan—or tell you if another platform is a better fit.

For long-form, in-depth remote interviews, I’d choose Zencastr if your top priority is genuinely unlimited-duration recording with minimal fuss.

My ranking

Why Zencastr: its current plans advertise unlimited audio and video recording with no time limits, separate tracks, and local recording. Its recording system progressively uploads each participant's locally recorded audio/video, so an internet hiccup shouldn't degrade the master recording. Guests can join through a link without creating an account. support.zencastr.com

That's particularly important for your format: if you're doing a 2–4 hour investigative/interview conversation, I wouldn't want the recording dependent on a conventional video-call stream.

The important Riverside caveat

Riverside is arguably the nicer overall production environment, and it also records high-quality tracks locally on each participant's device. support.riverside.com

But it isn't truly unlimited-duration per session: Riverside says recordings automatically end after 6 hours, and recommends keeping sessions under 4 hours for best results. support.zencastr.comsupport.riverside.comsupport.riverside.com

So if "unlimited duration" is a hard requirement rather than just a nice-to-have, Zencastr wins.

One other distinction: Riverside's recording time is unlimited on its plans, but the amount of separate high-quality track downloading is plan-dependent. support.riverside.com Zencastr's current pricing explicitly advertises unlimited separate-track recording on its free tier as well. zencastr.com

Bottom line:

• Choose Zencastr → if reliability + unlimited-length interviews are the priority.
• Choose Riverside → if you value a more sophisticated video-production/editing ecosystem and your interviews will reliably stay below ~4–6 hours.

For a host doing serious long-form interviews, I'd personally start with Zencastr, then test it with a 2–3 hour mock interview before committing your real recordings.

For long-form, in-depth remote interviews where recording reliability is the priority, I’d choose Zencastr.

Why Zencastr fits your use case

• No recording time limit on paid plans. Zencastr explicitly says paid plans have unlimited audio/video recording with no time limits. support.zencastr.comwww.ngram.com
• Local recording: each participant’s audio/video is recorded on their own computer and progressively uploaded. So a temporary internet hiccup shouldn't ruin the master recording. zencastr.comsupport.zencastr.com
• Separate tracks: you get an individual audio/video file for each participant, which is exactly what you want for serious post-production. zencastr.comsupport.zencastr.com
• High-quality audio: paid plans provide 16-bit/48 kHz WAV, rather than relying on compressed call audio. zencastr.com
• Long-term storage: paid plans currently include unlimited recording-master storage. support.zencastr.comsupport.zencastr.com
• Guests don't need an account or special software—they can join through a recording link in their browser. zencastr.com
• It can also automatically back up recordings to Dropbox or Google Drive, which is particularly attractive for an interview archive. zencastr.com

Zencastr

Zencastr vs. Riverside

I'd narrow your decision to these two:

For an audio-first, serious interview archive, I'd lean Zencastr. For a video-first show where you care heavily about polished video production, livestreaming and production controls, I'd lean Riverside. A recent comparison similarly characterizes Zencastr as more podcast/workflow-oriented and Riverside as more of a production studio. www.ngram.com

One important caveat

"Unlimited duration" doesn't mean I'd treat any cloud recording service as your only copy. For interviews that can't be recreated, have both you and your guest record locally as a backup when practical, and automatically sync/download the finished tracks. Zencastr's local recording plus cloud storage makes that workflow particularly sensible. support.zencastr.comsupport.zencastr.com

My pick: Zencastr paid plan. If your interviews routinely run 2–4+ hours, that's precisely the scenario where its no-time-limit, local-track architecture is valuable.

For long-form, in-depth remote interviews, I’d choose Riverside—with one important caveat: if “unlimited” means both unlimited session length and unlimited access to separate high-quality tracks, there are differences between plans.

My pick: Riverside

It’s particularly well suited to interview shows because it records participants locally and progressively uploads the recordings, rather than relying solely on the quality of the live internet connection. It supports separate participant tracks, high-quality audio, and up to 4K video on paid plans. riverside.com

Most importantly for you, Riverside says recording time itself is unlimited on its current plans. However, its separate-track downloads are capped on Pro/Grow/etc. plans (e.g. 15 hours/month on Pro), so don't confuse “unlimited recording” with “unlimited downloadable multitrack hours.” riverside.com

There is also a practical caveat: Riverside recommends keeping recordings under 4 hours, and says a session will automatically end after 6 hours when someone is still in the studio. riverside.comsupport.riverside.comsupport.zencastr.comwww.thepodosphere.com

The other one I'd seriously consider: Zencastr

Zencastr is compelling if your absolute priority is unlimited recording. Its current paid plans explicitly advertise unlimited audio and video recording with no time limits, and its free plan also advertises unlimited audio/video recording and unlimited separate-track recordings. support.zencastr.com

So my decision would be:

For your specific use case—long-form, in-depth interviews where losing a 2–3 hour conversation would be disastrous—I'd lean Riverside, but I'd build in a backup recording strategy regardless of platform.

One thing I'd not do is use Zoom as your primary master recording for serious interviews. Dedicated remote-recording platforms are designed to capture local tracks at substantially better quality than a conventional video-conference recording. www.thepodosphere.com

If you tell me audio-only vs. video + audio, typical interview length, and roughly how many interviews/month, I can narrow this down to the best plan and cost for you.