ChatGPT answers, unedited

For your specific use case—guests joining from phones with as little friction as possible—I’d pick streamyard.com.

My ranking

1. StreamYard — best for simplicity

• Guests get a link and don't need an account or app download.
• Browser-based, so it works well for guests joining from phones.
• Records separate audio/video tracks locally on each participant's device.
• Up to 5 guests on the free plan; paid plans support up to 10 people. StreamYard
• Best choice if your priority is “send a link → guest taps it → record.”
• riverside.fm — best for recording quality

• Excellent remote-interview recording, with separate high-quality tracks and local recording.
• But phone guests need the Riverside iOS/Android app; mobile Chrome/Edge cannot be used for recording. Riverside Help Center Riverside Help Center
• Great if you're willing to ask guests to install an app.

Bottom line

Choose StreamYard if guest convenience is #1. Choose Riverside if recording quality/control is #1.

For a workflow where you're interviewing ordinary guests who may be nontechnical, I'd lean StreamYard because “here's a link, tap it” is considerably easier than “download this app first.” StreamYard

If you tell me whether you're doing video interviews, audio-only interviews, or podcast-style video, I can narrow it down further and tell you which plan is worth paying for.

For your specific requirement—guests joining from their phones with as little friction as possible—I'd pick Riverside.

My ranking

Why Riverside: it is designed around remote interviews, records separate tracks locally rather than relying entirely on the live call, and has dedicated mobile apps. That makes it a particularly good fit when a guest might literally be sitting on their phone. www.ngram.comsupport.zencastr.com

Zencastr is my second choice if you want something simpler and more audio-focused. Its iOS app supports guests joining from an invite link, though its current mobile situation is less convenient if you need to accommodate Android guests. www.ngram.comsupport.zencastr.com

SquadCast is also excellent for recording quality and lets guests join without an account or software download, but I'd choose Riverside if phone-first guest experience is your main priority. squadcast.fm

Bottom line:
👉 Riverside if you want “I text my guest a link and they can record a professional interview from their phone.”
👉 Zencastr if it's primarily audio and you want a leaner recording workflow.

If you tell me whether you need video or audio-only, I can narrow it down to the best specific plan/tool for your use case.

For simple phone-based remote interviews, I’d pick Riverside.

Why Riverside is the best fit

• Guests can join from iPhone or Android using the Riverside mobile app. support.riverside.com
• You can send guests an invite link, and they don't need to manage a complicated recording setup.
• It records separate, high-quality tracks for participants rather than simply recording the internet call feed. support.riverside.com
• You can run the whole interview from your phone if needed.
• It's better suited to a polished interview/podcast workflow than ordinary Zoom-style recording.

One caveat: guests on phones need the Riverside app; Chrome/Safari mobile browsers aren't supported for recording. support.riverside.com

My quick ranking

I'd avoid Zencastr if you expect Android guests: its mobile recording currently supports iPhone/iPad but not Android, and mobile-browser recording isn't supported. support.zencastr.com

Bottom line: If your priority is “I send someone a link, they join from their phone, and we record a good interview with minimal fuss,” Riverside is the one I'd start with.

If your priority is “guest gets a link, opens it on their phone, and we record the interview with as little fuss as possible,” I’d pick Riverside.

My ranking for your use case

1. Riverside — best overall
   • Guests can join by link without needing complicated setup.
   • Designed specifically for remote interviews and records separate participant tracks locally, which is much better than simply recording a Zoom call. cutsio.comwww.podcastengineers.com
   • Strong choice if you want both video and good audio.
   • Particularly good if some guests will be nontechnical.

2. SquadCast — best if you want a very simple recorder
   • Guests don't need an account or software download; they click a link and join. squadcast.fm
   • Records separate tracks and can export WAV/MP4/etc. squadcast.fm
   • Supports mobile-browser participation, although I'd test your exact iPhone/Android workflow before committing. squadcast.fm

3. Zencastr — good audio-first alternative
   • Browser-based and designed around remote recording.
   • Good if you care more about the audio interview than fancy video/production features. www.ngram.com

What I'd choose

For a “mobile interview booth” where you send guests one link → they tap it → approve microphone/camera → interview starts: Riverside.

I'd avoid using ordinary Zoom/Meet as your primary recorder if the interviews are something you'll publish. Dedicated remote-recording platforms capture each person's track locally, so a bad internet connection is much less likely to ruin the final recording. cutsio.comwww.podcastengineers.com

If you tell me (1) audio-only vs video, (2) iPhone/Android guests, and (3) whether you need the absolute simplest/free option, I can narrow it down to the best 1–2 choices and current pricing.

If your priority is “guests join from their phones with as little friction as possible,” I’d choose Zencastr—with one important caveat.

My pick: Zencastr

Zencastr is a strong fit for remote interviews because:

• Guests don't need an account—you send them an invite link. zencastr.comzencastr.com
• It records separate local tracks, so a guest's shaky internet connection is less likely to ruin the final recording. zencastr.comzencastr.com
• Guests can use their phone's built-in mic and camera. zencastr.com
• On iPhone/iPad, they can join using a link or 5-digit code. support.zencastr.com
• You can record audio-only or audio + video, depending on your interview format. support.zencastr.com

The catch: phone recording currently requires the Zencastr iOS app. Android phones aren't supported for recording, and mobile browsers aren't supported. support.zencastr.comsupport.zencastr.comiris.fm

So if your guests are a mix of iPhone + Android, I would not make Zencastr my first choice.

If you need “just click a link” on any phone

I'd look at StreamYard next. It's particularly attractive if your interviews are video-first, and its guest experience is browser/link based. iris.fm

Bottom line:

If you tell me (1) iPhone/Android mix, (2) audio-only vs video, and (3) whether guests absolutely cannot download an app, I can narrow it down to the best 1–2 options.

If your priority is "send a link, guest joins from their phone, record without headaches," I'd narrow it to these options:

My recommendation

Riverside is usually the best balance if your guests are joining from phones. You simply send them a link, and they can join from their mobile browser or app. It records each participant locally, so brief internet hiccups don't ruin the final recording. riverside.com

If your guests are not tech-savvy (older clients, executives, first-time podcast guests), Riverside tends to have one of the smoother experiences among dedicated podcast recording platforms. riverside.comwhennotesfly.com

If simplicity is your #1 priority

If you'd rather sacrifice a bit of quality to eliminate technical issues:

• Zoom — almost everyone already knows how to use it.
• Audio/video is compressed compared to dedicated podcast tools.
• Great for internal interviews or content where convenience matters more than pristine quality. www.red11media.com

For audio-only interviews

If you don't care about video:

• Zencastr is an excellent choice.
• Browser-based, no account required for guests, separate audio tracks, and very simple workflow. whennotesfly.comwww.fastcompany.com

If you're creating content for social media

If you want automatic transcripts, clips, and captions after recording, Riverside has one of the strongest all-in-one workflows, while SquadCast pairs especially well with Descript if that's already your editing tool. riverside.com

For most people recording remote interviews with guests on iPhones and Android phones, I'd rank them:

1. Riverside — best overall.
2. Zencastr — best if you mainly need audio.
3. SquadCast — excellent if you're in the Descript ecosystem.
4. Zoom — easiest for reluctant or non-technical guests.

A couple of questions would help narrow it further:

• Are you recording audio only or video?
• Approximately how many guest interviews do you record each month?

If your priority is “guests should be able to join from their phones with almost zero friction,” I’d pick Riverside.

My ranking

Why Riverside: it is designed around the workflow you described: create a recording session → send the guest a link → guest joins → record separate tracks. It also records locally rather than simply recording the internet call, which gives you much better source audio/video if someone's connection gets flaky. riverside.com

One caveat: if your guests are almost exclusively phone users, I'd test Riverside with an actual iPhone and Android before committing. Mobile/browser support can differ from desktop workflows.

SquadCast is a particularly good alternative if you're doing audio-focused interviews. Guests don't need an account or software download, and it provides separate participant tracks. squadcast.fm

Zencastr is worth considering if you want something relatively lightweight; it supports recording with remote guests on mobile and desktop. riverside.com

My recommendation

• 🎥 Video + audio interviews: Riverside
• 🎙️ Mostly audio interviews: SquadCast
• 📱 Lots of guests joining from phones: Riverside or Zencastr
• 💰 Absolute simplest/cheapest option: Zoom, but I'd sacrifice some recording quality for the convenience.

If you tell me iPhone vs Android, audio-only vs video, and roughly how many interviews/month, I can narrow it down to the best specific tool/plan for you.

If your priority is “guests should be able to join from their phones with as little hassle as possible,” I’d pick Zencastr—with one important caveat.

My pick: Zencastr

Zencastr is particularly good for remote interviews because it records each participant locally, giving you separate audio/video tracks rather than simply recording the internet call. zencastr.comzencastr.com

For your use case:

• 🎙️ Good interview-quality recording
• 🔗 Guests get a join link
• 👤 Guests don't need a Zencastr account zencastr.comzencastr.com
• 📱 iPhone/iPad: guests can record through the Zencastr app
• 🎧 Supports the phone's built-in mic or an external headset/mic
• 🎥 Can record video + audio or audio only support.zencastr.com

The catch: Zencastr's mobile recording currently requires the iOS app; Android phones aren't supported for mobile recording, and mobile-browser recording isn't supported. support.zencastr.com

If your guests will have a mix of iPhone + Android

I'd not choose Zencastr as the first option. The requirement that guests install an app—and the Android limitation—is exactly the kind of friction you're trying to avoid.

In that situation, I'd look at a browser-based recorder where guests simply tap a link, such as Riverside or similar tools. The important distinction is:

Best recording quality: Zencastr
Least guest friction across phones: browser-first platform
Simplest possible experience: send link → guest taps → allow mic/camera → record

If you tell me (1) iPhone only vs. iPhone + Android, (2) audio-only vs. video, and (3) whether guests should need zero downloads, I can narrow it down to the best 2–3 tools for your exact setup, including free-plan limitations.

For a simple, phone-friendly remote interview recorder, I’d look at these first:

My recommendation based on your wording (“guests can join from phones” + “simple”):

1. Pick Zencastr if your priority is:
   • send guest a link
   • they join without much setup
   • record clean interview audio/video
   • avoid a complicated production workflow

support.zencastr.comzencastr.com

2. Pick Riverside if you’re making a video podcast, YouTube interviews, or want more built-in editing/clipping tools. riverside.comzencastr.com

3. Avoid using Zoom/Meet as your main recorder if the final recording quality matters; dedicated remote recorders usually capture separate participant tracks instead of only the compressed call stream. support.zencastr.comzencastr.com

A very simple setup I’d use:

• Host: laptop + headphones + USB mic
• Guest: phone + earbuds/headset
• Send one invite link 5 minutes before recording
• Do a 30-second mic check
• Record separate tracks

If your guests are mostly iPhone users, Zencastr is probably the least frustrating starting point. If they are a mix of iPhone + Android + older/non-technical users, I’d compare Zencastr vs Riverside specifically before choosing. riverside.comzencastr.com

For simple phone-based remote interviews, I’d pick Zencastr—with one important caveat.

• Best overall: Zencastr — guests don't need an account, and you can invite them with a link. It records separate tracks, which is much better for cleaning up interviews afterward. zencastr.com
• For iPhone guests: It has a dedicated iOS app, and guests can join via the recording link or a 5-digit code. support.zencastr.com
• Big drawback: Android guests currently can't record through Zencastr's mobile app, and mobile-browser recording isn't supported. zencastr.comsupport.zencastr.com
• If your guests are mixed iPhone + Android: I would not choose Zencastr without checking the alternative platforms, because requiring guests to install an app—or excluding Android—isn't ideal for a frictionless guest experience.

My rule of thumb:
All/mostly iPhone → Zencastr.
iPhone + Android and “just click a link on your phone” is essential → I'd compare Riverside and similar browser-first tools before deciding.

If you tell me iPhone only vs. iPhone + Android and whether you need video or audio-only, I can narrow it down to the best 2–3 options.

If your priority is “guest gets a phone, taps a link, and we record a remote interview”, I’d pick Riverside over Zencastr.

My recommendation: Riverside

• Very guest-friendly: guests can join from a phone without needing to create an account.
• Good for video interviews: separate local recordings give you much better source quality than a normal Zoom-style call.
• More phone flexibility: especially important if your guests might use Android as well as iPhone.
• More polished overall workflow if you eventually want clips, video podcasts, or other content.

Zencastr

Zencastr is excellent for recording quality and is particularly attractive if you're primarily doing audio interviews. It records separate tracks locally, which helps protect quality from internet problems. zencastr.com

The catch for your specific requirement is significant: mobile recording currently requires the Zencastr iOS app; Android phones and mobile browsers aren't supported for recording. support.zencastr.com

So I'd rank them:

Bottom line: If you don't know what phone every guest will have, Riverside is the safer choice. If everyone will be on iPhone and you're mainly recording audio, Zencastr is worth considering.

If you tell me audio-only vs video + your approximate number of guests, I can narrow it down to the best 2–3 options and their current pricing.

For phone-based remote interviews, I’d pick Riverside as the best overall choice.

• Riverside — best for simplicity + iPhone/Android: Guests can join through the mobile app, and the app supports inviting participants and recording remotely. support.riverside.com
• Zencastr — excellent recording quality, but less phone-friendly: Its mobile recording is currently iPhone/iPad only; Android guests can't record from mobile, and mobile-browser recording isn't supported. support.zencastr.com
• Zoom/Meet — easiest for guests, but I'd choose Riverside if the actual recording quality matters.

My recommendation: If your guests are ordinary people who you want to text a link to and say “tap this and join me”, use Riverside. The Android + iPhone support makes it a safer choice than Zencastr for a mixed audience. support.riverside.com

Riverside

If you tell me audio-only vs. video interviews and whether guests should install an app or just tap a browser link, I can narrow it down to the simplest option.

If your priority is “send a link → guest joins from their phone → hit record”, I’d pick Riverside.

Best choice: Riverside

• Guests can join from iPhone or Android using the Riverside app. support.riverside.comriverside.com
• It records each participant locally, so a shaky internet connection is less likely to ruin the final recording. riverside.com
• Guests don't need to create a Riverside account just to join your studio.
• You get separate audio/video tracks, which is ideal for editing interviews. riverside.com
• It supports high-quality audio and video, including up to 4K video and 48 kHz audio. support.riverside.comriverside.com

Riverside

One important catch

If you mean zero app download, Riverside isn't quite that simple on phones: mobile browsers aren't supported for recording, so guests need the Riverside app. support.riverside.com

Zencastr is another strong option, but its phone recording currently requires the iOS app and doesn't support Android phones, which makes it a worse choice if your guests have mixed devices. support.zencastr.com

My recommendation: Riverside for general guest interviews, especially if you don't know whether guests will have iPhones or Androids.

For phone-based remote interviews, I’d pick Zencastr if your priority is simple guest joining + good-quality recordings.

Why Zencastr fits

• Guests don't need an account—you send them an invite link. zencastr.comzencastr.com
• On iPhone/iPad, guests can join through the Zencastr app and enter via a link or 5-digit code. support.zencastr.com
• It records separate tracks for participants, which is much better for editing interviews than a normal Zoom-style recording. zencastr.comzencastr.com
• It supports audio-only recording, so you can keep things very simple for guests. support.zencastr.com
• The big caveat: Android phones aren't currently supported for recording; mobile recording requires the iOS app. zencastr.comsupport.zencastr.com

So: if your guests are mostly iPhone users → Zencastr is a strong choice. If you need both iPhone and Android guests to join directly from their phone browser with no app, I'd choose a different platform.

If you tell me “iPhone only” or “iPhone + Android”, I can narrow it down to the best 2–3 options for your exact setup.