ChatGPT answers, unedited

If your main requirement is “guests can join easily from their phones and I can record the interview”, I’d shortlist these:

My pick by scenario

• You interview non-technical guests who will join from phones:

→ Riverside. Send a link, have them join on mobile, record, and download separate tracks. www.peerthroughmedia.comcontentallies.com

• You only need audio interviews (radio/podcast style):

→ Zencastr or SquadCast. podstackhq.com

• You want the easiest workflow for editing clips for social media:

→ Riverside, because it combines recording with editing/repurposing tools. riverside.com

• You’re interviewing executives, customers, or people who hate installing apps:

→ Test the exact phone flow first. The best tool is the one your guests can join without needing a tech support call.

For a simple setup, I’d start with Riverside: host creates a room → sends guest link → guest joins on phone → record → export tracks. www.peerthroughmedia.comcontentallies.com

If you tell me audio only vs video, iPhone/Android mix, and number of guests per interview, I can narrow it to one.

If your priority is “guests should be able to join from their phones with as little friction as possible,” I’d look at Riverside first, with one important caveat: the exact phone experience matters because guests may need an app rather than simply tapping a browser link.

What I’d choose

• Riverside — best fit if you expect a mix of iPhone, Android, and computer guests. It supports phone recording and is designed around remote interviews, with separate participant tracks. A recent comparison of the current products specifically identifies Riverside as the option to evaluate when guests use both computers and phones. PodStack
• Zencastr — very appealing if all your phone guests use iPhones/iPads. Its iOS app lets guests join via an invite link or 5-digit code, and guests don't need a Zencastr account. Zencastr Help Center Zencastr
• SquadCast/Descript Rooms — worth considering if you're already using Descript for editing, but I'd put it behind the two above for a new, phone-first workflow.

One important Zencastr limitation

Zencastr's mobile recording currently requires the iOS app; Android phones cannot record through Zencastr's mobile experience, and mobile browsers aren't supported for recording. Zencastr Help Center

So, if your guests might say:

“I'm on Android and I don't want to download anything.”

I'd lean toward Riverside rather than Zencastr.

If you tell me (1) audio-only vs video, (2) iPhone/Android mix, and (3) whether you want guests to install an app, I can narrow it down to the simplest setup and give you a 2–3 option comparison with current pricing.

For a simple, mobile-friendly remote interview recorder where guests can join from phones, I’d shortlist these:

PodStack CreatorStackClub### My recommendation

For your use case — “send a guest a link, they open it on their phone, record an interview” — I would pick:

1. Riverside

• Best guest experience for mixed phone/computer guests
• Strong video quality for interviews and social clips
• Records separate tracks rather than just a compressed call recording
• Good if you plan to publish on YouTube, podcasts, or social media PodStack ngram

2. Zencastr

• Better if you want the workflow to feel lighter and mostly care about interviews rather than a full production studio
• Guests can join from mobile through its supported mobile experience without needing a complicated setup Zencastr Help Center Zencastr

Avoid using regular Zoom/Meet for this purpose

They’re convenient, but they usually capture the conversation as a call rather than giving you the same quality of isolated guest tracks that dedicated interview recorders provide. Podcast Engineers

If your priority is:

• “My guests are non-technical and use phones” → Riverside
• “I want the simplest podcast-style recorder” → Zencastr
• “I need to edit transcripts and videos afterward” → Descript/SquadCast ecosystem

I’d also test your exact guest flow with one friend on an iPhone and one on Android before committing, because phone support details vary by platform and plan. PodStack

If your priority is “guest gets a link on their phone and can join with almost no fuss,” I’d pick Riverside.

My ranking

1. Riverside — best overall

• Strong choice for phone-based video interviews.
• Guests can join remotely, and it records separate local tracks rather than simply recording the internet call.
• Better fit if you want polished video and clips afterward. PodStack THAT Toronto Podcast Studio
• Zencastr — best if you want simplicity and mostly audio

• Very straightforward guest invitation workflow.
• Important: its current mobile app is iPhone/iPad only; Android guests aren't supported by the mobile app yet. Zencastr Zencastr Help Center
• So I wouldn't choose it if you expect a mix of Android and iPhone guests.
• SquadCast — good for reliability

• Worth considering if interviews are high-stakes and you already use Descript.
• Less compelling than Riverside if your primary requirement is the easiest possible phone experience.

Bottom line: For a guest-facing interview recorder where you don't know whether they'll be on iPhone or Android, I'd start with Riverside. If virtually all your guests use iPhones and you want a simpler audio-first workflow, Zencastr is attractive.

If you tell me audio-only vs video and whether guests are mostly iPhone, Android, or mixed, I can narrow it down to one.

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

• Riverside — best overall for mixed iPhone + Android guests. It supports recording on both iOS and Android and gives you separate local tracks, so the final recording isn't dependent on the quality of the live call. Riverside Riverside Help Center
• StreamYard — best if you want maximum simplicity. Guests can join through a browser link without downloading software, and it also supports separate participant recordings. StreamYard
• Zencastr — good, but not if Android guests are common. Its mobile recording currently requires the iOS app; Android phones and mobile browsers aren't supported for recording. Zencastr Help Center Zencastr

My recommendation

Choose Riverside if you expect guests to use both iPhones and Android phones.

Choose StreamYard if your absolute #1 priority is “send link → guest joins → record” and you don't need as many production/editing features.

If you tell me whether your guests are mostly iPhone, Android, or a mix, I can narrow it down to the simplest/cheapest option.

For your specific use case—guests joining from their phones for remote interviews—I’d pick Riverside.

Why Riverside is the best fit

• Designed for phone recording: guests can join from iPhone or Android using the Riverside app. Riverside Help Center Riverside
• Separate high-quality tracks: each participant gets their own audio/video recording rather than simply recording the compressed video call. Riverside Help Center
• Simple guest workflow: send the guest an invite link; they enter the lobby, allow mic/camera access, and join. Riverside Help Center
• Works well for video interviews: you can record both audio and video, and later edit the recording in the browser. Riverside Help Center
• Host can control recording: you can start/stop the session and manage guests from the host interface. Riverside Help Center Riverside Help Center

One caveat: phone guests need the Riverside mobile app—Riverside specifically says Chrome/Edge mobile browsers can't be used for recording. Riverside Help Center

My quick ranking

If your #1 priority is “guest gets a link, taps it, and doesn't have to install anything,” I'd choose a different tool than Riverside. If recording quality + a polished phone experience matter more, Riverside is the stronger choice. PodStack ngram.com

riverside.com

If you tell me whether you need video or audio-only, I can narrow it down to the simplest option (including the lowest-cost choices).

If your priority is “guest gets a link, opens it on their phone, and we record”, I’d pick Riverside.

My ranking

1. Riverside — best overall

• Strong phone support with iOS and Android apps.
• Designed specifically for remote interviews.
• Records separate, high-quality tracks rather than simply recording the call.
• Good if you want video + audio and may later make clips.
• The tradeoff is that it has more features than you may actually need. PodStack THAT Toronto Podcast Studio
• SquadCast — best for a very simple guest experience

• Guests don't need an account or software download; they can join through a link.
• Separate local tracks and automatic uploads.
• Particularly attractive if your interviews are important and you care more about recording reliability than editing features. SquadCast SquadCast
• I'd test your exact iPhone/Android guest workflow before committing, because its mobile support has historically been more nuanced than desktop.
• Zencastr — best budget/simple option

• Good local recording and separate tracks.
• Very straightforward for browser-based recording.
• Important: current device support is less attractive if you expect Android-phone guests, so I'd avoid it for a “guests can use literally any phone” requirement. PodStack

What I'd choose for your use case

Riverside if this is a recurring interview operation and guests may be on iPhone or Android.

SquadCast if the absolute priority is “send link → guest joins → record” and you don't need a big production/editing suite.

If you tell me (1) iPhone only vs iPhone + Android, (2) audio-only vs video, and (3) whether guests should install an app, I can narrow it down to the simplest/cheapest option.

If your priority is “guest gets a link on their phone and we can start recording with minimal friction,” I’d pick riverside.fm.

My ranking

1. Riverside — best overall

• Supports iPhone and Android recording.
• Guests can join remotely and you get separate local-quality tracks.
• Good choice if interviews may become video clips, podcasts, or YouTube content.
• Much better fit than Zencastr if you don't know whether guests will have iPhones or Androids. Riverside
• Zencastr — excellent if everyone has an iPhone

• Very straightforward guest experience: send an invite link and guests don't need a Zencastr account.
• However, mobile recording currently requires the iOS app; Android phones and mobile browsers aren't supported for recording. Zencastr Zencastr Help Center
• So I'd avoid it for a general public guest audience unless you know they're on iPhone.
• SquadCast — good for audio-focused professional interviews

• Worth considering if reliability and audio recording matter more than mobile simplicity.
• It's now closely tied to Descript, which is useful if that's already your editing workflow. PodStack

For your specific use case: Riverside is the safest choice. The important distinction is that you're not merely looking for a “remote recorder”—you're looking for something where an arbitrary guest can pull out an iPhone or Android, tap a link, grant mic/camera permission, and record.

If you tell me whether you need audio-only or audio + video, I can narrow it down to the simplest/cheapest option.

For your use case, Riverside is probably the best fit.

• Phone-friendly: guests can join from iPhone or Android through the Riverside mobile app. Riverside Help Center Riverside Help Center
• Simple guest workflow: you send a studio link; they join, allow mic/camera access, and enter the interview. Riverside Help Center
• Good recording quality: it records separate, high-quality tracks for each participant rather than simply recording the internet call. Riverside Help Center
• Works well for video interviews: guests can record horizontally or vertically and use their phone camera/mic. Riverside Help Center
• You can manage the whole session from your phone too. Riverside Help Center

riverside.fm

One caveat

If your #1 priority is absolutely zero guest downloads—just "click this link in Safari/Chrome and start talking"—I'd look at a browser-first option instead. Riverside's current mobile guest workflow uses its iOS/Android app. Riverside Help Center

My pick: Riverside if you're doing recurring remote interviews and want good audio/video without making guests technically savvy.

If you tell me audio-only vs. video + audio, and whether guests can be asked to install an app, I can narrow it down to the simplest 2–3 options.

If your priority is “guests should be able to pull out their phone, tap a link, and record an interview with minimal fuss,” I’d pick Riverside.

My ranking

1. Riverside — best overall

• Strongest choice for phone-based video interviews.
• Guests can join remotely and the platform records separate tracks locally, rather than simply recording the compressed video call. CreatorStackClub Podcast Engineers
• Particularly good if you'll turn interviews into YouTube clips, Shorts, Reels, etc.
• More polished than most alternatives, though it has more features than you may need.
• Zencastr — best if you want simpler/audio-first

• Very good option if the interview is primarily audio.
• Guests can join from an iPhone/iPad through its app using an invite link or code. Zencastr Help Center
• Its workflow is relatively lightweight and it also has hosting/distribution features.
• SquadCast — best for simple browser guest access

• Guests don't need an account or software download, and it records participants locally into separate tracks. SquadCast SquadCast
• Good choice if reliability and clean audio matter more than fancy video/production features.
• Supports up to 9 guests plus the host. SquadCast

What I'd choose for your use case

If guests are ordinary people—not podcasters or tech-savvy collaborators—I'd start with Riverside.

The key is to optimize for guest friction, not just recording quality. A platform can have fantastic audio, but if your guest has to install an app, create an account, fiddle with permissions, or figure out microphone settings, you'll lose people.

If you tell me (1) audio-only vs. video, (2) iPhone/Android/both, and (3) whether guests need to install anything, I can narrow it down to the best 1–2 options for your exact setup.

If your priority is “guests should be able to join from their phones with as little friction as possible,” I’d pick zencastr.com.

• Phone support: Guests can record from iPhone/iPad through the Zencastr app, and they don't need a Zencastr account. Zencastr Zencastr Help Center
• Simple guest flow: Send an invite link; the guest joins, checks mic/camera, and starts recording. Zencastr Help Center
• Separate tracks: Each participant gets their own recording, which is much better for editing interviews than relying on the call stream. Zencastr
• Good for audio-only interviews: You can use a mode that records audio without video, requiring only microphone access. Zencastr Help Center
• Important limitation: Android guests aren't currently supported for mobile recording; Zencastr's mobile recording is iOS-only. Zencastr Help Center Zencastr

My recommendation

If your guests are mostly iPhone users → Zencastr.
If you need both iPhone and Android guests to join from phones without installing an app → I'd look at Riverside instead.

If you tell me “audio only” or “audio + video” and whether guests are iPhone, Android, or both, I can narrow it down to the best 2–3 options.

For a simple, mobile-friendly remote interview recorder where guests can join from phones, I’d shortlist these:

Best overall: riverside.fm

Best if you want phone guests + high-quality audio/video.

• Guests can join from a link without creating an account.
• Has mobile support, which makes it practical for guests who only have a phone.
• Records separate local tracks, so the final audio is much cleaner than a normal phone call or Zoom recording.
• Good if you want video clips, podcasts, YouTube interviews, or social content. ngram When Notes Fly

Pick Riverside if: your guests are often non-technical and you want the least friction.

Simplest audio-first option: zencastr.com

Best if you mainly need voice interviews.

• Browser-based guest links.
• Designed around remote interviews and separate audio tracks.
• Less production-heavy than Riverside. Iris

Pick Zencastr if: you care more about clean audio than video.

Best if you already edit with Descript: descript.com (with SquadCast)

Best for a workflow where recording → transcript → editing happens together.

• Strong recording reliability.
• Good fit if you already use Descript for editing. CreatorStackClub

My recommendation for your use case

For “send a guest a link, they tap it on their phone, record an interview”:

1. Riverside — easiest all-around choice.
2. Zencastr — simpler if it’s audio-only.
3. SquadCast/Descript — best for an editing-heavy production workflow.

I would avoid using a normal phone call, FaceTime, or basic Zoom recording if quality matters; those usually capture the compressed call stream rather than giving you clean isolated guest tracks. podcastengineers.com

If you tell me whether this is for podcasts, customer interviews, journalism, research interviews, or casual conversations, and whether guests use iPhone, Android, or both, I can narrow it down further.

For your use case, SquadCast is probably the best fit.

Why I’d pick it:

• Guests join from their phones via a link—no account or app download required. SquadCast SquadCast
• It records each participant locally in separate tracks, which gives you much better audio than simply recording a video call. SquadCast
• It supports audio-only or video interviews.
• It has a simple Green Room where guests can test their mic/camera before you start. SquadCast
• Recordings are progressively uploaded/backed up, reducing the risk of losing an interview because someone's connection drops. SquadCast
• The current SquadCast product is integrated with Descript, so recordings can flow directly into transcription/editing. SquadCast

squadcast.fm

My quick ranking

If your priority is: “I send someone a link, they tap it on their phone, and we record a good interview without making them install anything” → SquadCast is the one I'd start with.

One caveat: for phone interviews, I'd strongly recommend guests use wired headphones/earbuds and Wi-Fi when possible. SquadCast itself recommends headphones to reduce echo and a stable connection. SquadCast

If you tell me audio-only vs. video, typical interview length, and whether guests are usually iPhone or Android, I can narrow it down to the best 1–2 options for your exact workflow.

For your use case—guests joining from their phones for remote interviews—I’d pick Riverside.

Best choice: Riverside

riverside.fm

Why it fits:

• iPhone + Android: Guests can join using the Riverside mobile app. Riverside Help Center
• Simple guest workflow: Send them an invite link → they open it → enter their name → join.
• Separate high-quality tracks: Each participant gets their own audio/video recording rather than relying solely on the internet call. Riverside Help Center
• Good for interviews: You can record, then edit the interview and work from transcripts afterward.
• Phone-friendly: Guests don't need a laptop, which is particularly useful if you're interviewing people who aren't technically comfortable. Riverside

One important caveat

It isn't quite a "click a link in Safari/Chrome and record" experience on phones. Riverside currently requires guests recording from mobile to use its iOS or Android app. Riverside Help Center Riverside Help Center

If you want absolutely no app download, I'd look at a browser-based option instead.

Riverside vs. Zencastr

Zencastr's mobile recording is currently iOS-only, although guests can join from computers through its browser experience. zencastr.com support.zencastr.com

My recommendation: Riverside if your priority is "I send an interview guest a link, they use their phone, and I get a good-quality recording without making this complicated."

If you tell me whether your guests are mostly iPhone, mostly Android, or a mix, I can narrow it down to the simplest/cheapest setup.

If your priority is “guest gets a link, joins from their phone, and we record the interview”, I’d choose zencastr.com—with one important caveat.

• Best for iPhone guests: Zencastr has a dedicated iOS app, and guests can join via an invite link or 5-digit code without creating a Zencastr account. Zencastr Help Center Zencastr
• Good recording quality: it records participants separately rather than simply recording the compressed video-call stream, which is much better for interviews. Zencastr Help Center
• Simple guest workflow: send the link → guest opens it → enters their name/audio/video settings → joins. Zencastr Help Center
• Big drawback: Android phones aren't currently supported for mobile recording; mobile recording requires the iOS/iPadOS app. Zencastr Help Center

My recommendation

If your guests are mostly iPhone users, Zencastr is a very good fit.

If you need both iPhone and Android guests and your absolute priority is “no app download, just tap a link in the phone browser,” I would not choose Zencastr. I'd look at a browser-first option instead.

If you tell me “iPhone only” vs. “iPhone + Android” and whether you need audio only or video + audio, I can give you the best 2–3 options ranked specifically for that workflow.

If your priority is “guests should be able to join from their phones with as little friction as possible,” I’d pick StreamYard.

My ranking

1. StreamYard — best overall for your use case

• Guests join through a simple browser link.
• No account/download is required for guests.
• Designed around remote interviews and video.
• Records separate tracks for participants, which is much better than simply recording a Zoom-style call. StreamYard StreamYard
• Best if your guests may be non-technical.
• Zencastr — excellent, especially for audio

• Very good remote-recording workflow and separate participant recordings.
• Important catch: phone recording currently requires the Zencastr iOS app; Android phones and mobile browsers aren't supported for recording. Zencastr Help Center Zencastr Help Center
• So I wouldn't choose it if your guests could be on Android.
• Riverside — best if you want a more full-featured production platform

• Strong recording quality and more editing/production capabilities.
• But it's more feature-heavy, so I'd choose it if you expect to grow into a more sophisticated production workflow rather than simply wanting easy guest interviews.

What I'd choose

For “send guest a link → they tap it on their phone → interview starts”: StreamYard.

If all your guests use iPhones, Zencastr becomes a very compelling alternative because its mobile app is specifically built for phone recording and guests don't need a Zencastr account. Zencastr

If you tell me audio-only vs. video interviews and whether guests are iPhone + Android, I can narrow it down to the best 1–2 options for your exact workflow.

If your priority is “guests should be able to join from their phones with as little friction as possible,” I’d pick zencastr.com.

Why Zencastr fits

• Phone recording: Guests can record from an iPhone/iPad, and Zencastr records locally on the device rather than simply recording the internet call. Zencastr Zencastr
• Simple guest access: You send an invite link; guests don't need to create a Zencastr account. Zencastr
• Separate tracks: Each participant gets their own audio/video track, which is much better for editing interviews. Zencastr
• Good quality: It supports up to 48 kHz WAV audio and high-resolution video. Zencastr
• Simple recording modes: For a straightforward interview, you can choose audio-only or audio + video. Zencastr Help Center

Big caveat: Zencastr's mobile recording currently requires the iOS app; Android phones aren't supported for recording, and mobile-browser recording isn't supported. Zencastr Help Center

So my recommendation depends on your guests:

If “click a link → allow mic → start interview” on both iPhone and Android is your #1 requirement, I can compare Riverside vs. Zencastr vs. 2–3 simpler alternatives specifically for that workflow.

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

• Best for iPhone guests: Zencastr is very phone-friendly. Guests can receive an invite link, join without creating a Zencastr account, and record from the iOS app. Zencastr Zencastr Help Center
• Good recording quality: It records separate participant tracks, with WAV available on paid plans. Zencastr Help Center
• Simple guest flow: Send link → guest opens it → enters name/settings → joins. Zencastr Help Center
• Big drawback: Android isn't currently supported for mobile recording, and guests need the iOS app rather than simply recording in their phone browser. Zencastr Help Center

My recommendation

If your guests are mostly iPhone users, choose Zencastr.

If your guests could be on iPhone or Android and you specifically want “tap a link in their browser, no app download”, I would not choose Zencastr. I'd look for a platform with true mobile-browser guest recording instead.

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

If your priority is “guest gets a link → opens it on their phone → we record”, I’d pick Riverside.

My ranking

1. Riverside — best overall

• Very polished guest experience.
• Supports remote recording from iPhone and Android.
• Guests can generally join from a link without installing complicated software.
• Records separate local tracks, so the final audio/video isn't simply dependent on the quality of the live call. ngram Capterra
• Best choice if you're doing video interviews as well as audio.
• Zencastr — best if you want simpler/audio-first

• Designed around remote interviews and podcasts.
• Browser-based guest joining is straightforward.
• Supports mobile recording, including iOS. Zencastr CreatorStackClub
• I'd choose this if you care more about easy audio interviews than a full video-production workflow.
• SquadCast — excellent recording, but I'd put it third for phone guests

• Guests don't need an account or download, and it records separate tracks locally. SquadCast SquadCast
• Its browser guest experience is good, but if phones are the primary recording device, Riverside/Zencastr are the safer choices.

What I'd use for your situation

Guest receives SMS/email → taps one link → joins on iPhone/Android → grants mic/camera → interview → you get separate high-quality tracks.

Riverside is the best fit. It's a little more feature-heavy than you need, but that extra polish is valuable when your guests are people who aren't technically savvy.

riverside.fm

If you tell me audio-only vs. video + audio and roughly how many interviews/month, I can narrow it down to the cheapest option that still gives guests a genuinely frictionless phone experience.

If guests need to join from their phones with as little friction as possible, I’d pick Riverside.

My ranking

1. Riverside — best overall

• Very guest-friendly: send a link and they can join from a browser.
• Designed specifically for remote interviews/podcasts.
• Records separate local tracks, so the final audio/video isn't simply the quality of the live call.
• Better choice if you want video + audio and may eventually publish clips or full video interviews. Riverside Content Allies
• SquadCast — best if you want a stripped-down recorder

• Guests don't need an account or software download.
• Browser-based joining and separate participant tracks.
• Video is optional, so it works nicely for audio-first interviews. SquadCast SquadCast
• I'd consider this if your priority is "click the link → record → download the files."
• Zencastr — good simple alternative

• Link-based guest invitations and separate tracks.
• Particularly good if you're primarily doing audio interviews. Zencastr Help Center
• However, its current documentation emphasizes desktop/laptop recording for the host, so I'd be less inclined to choose it if phone-based recording is central to your workflow. Zencastr Help Center

What I'd choose for your use case

If your requirement is:

"I send a guest a link, they open it on their iPhone/Android, we record the interview, and I don't want them installing anything."

Start with Riverside. It's the safest all-around choice for that workflow.

If you tell me audio-only vs. video, and whether the host also needs to record from a phone, I can narrow it down to the best 1–2 options.

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

Best fit: riverside.fm

• Guests can join from iPhone or Android using the Riverside app. Riverside Help Center Riverside Help Center
• It records separate, high-quality audio/video tracks rather than relying solely on the quality of the live call. Riverside Help Center Riverside
• You can send guests a studio link/invite, making the joining process straightforward. Riverside Help Center
• It supports recording from phones, so you're not forcing guests to find a laptop. Riverside Help Center

One important caveat: Riverside's mobile experience requires the app; guests can't record through Chrome/Safari on their phones. Riverside Help Center

Runner-up: Zencastr

zencastr.com is also good, particularly if your guests are iPhone/iPad users. Its mobile app lets guests join via an invite link without needing a Zencastr account. Zencastr However, Zencastr currently doesn't support recording on Android phones, which makes it less suitable if your guests use a mix of iPhone and Android. support.zencastr.com

My choice: Riverside if you want a reliable, professional remote-interview workflow across both iPhone and Android. If your guests are exclusively on iPhones, Zencastr is worth considering too.

If your priority is “guest gets a link on their phone and recording just works,” I’d pick Riverside.

Best options

• 🥇 Riverside — Best overall for remote interviews. Guests can join from iPhone or Android, and Riverside has a dedicated mobile app. It records separate high-quality tracks for participants, which is much better than simply recording a video call. Riverside Help Center Riverside Help Center

riverside.fm

• 🥈 Zencastr — Excellent if you're primarily doing audio/podcast interviews. Guests don't need their own account and can join via an invite link. However, mobile recording currently requires the iOS app; Android isn't supported for recording, which makes it less convenient for a mixed audience. Zencastr Zencastr Help Center

zencastr.com

My recommendation

For guests who may be on any kind of phone, use Riverside. The workflow is essentially:

Send invite → guest taps link → joins on phone → record.

That's the simplest setup if you're interviewing people who aren't particularly technical. Riverside supports both iOS and Android for guests, whereas Zencastr's mobile recording is currently iOS-only. Riverside Help Center Zencastr Help Center

If you tell me whether you need audio-only or video + audio, I can also narrow it down to the simplest/cheapest choice.

If mobile-first guest access is your priority, I’d pick zencastr.com—with one important caveat.

• Best for iPhone guests: Zencastr has a dedicated iOS app, and guests can join from an invite link or 5-digit code without creating a Zencastr account. Zencastr Help Center Zencastr
• Good recording quality: It records each participant separately, including WAV audio on paid plans and separate video files when video recording is enabled. Zencastr Help Center
• Simple guest flow: Guest opens the link → allows mic/camera → enters their name → joins. Zencastr Help Center
• Big drawback: Mobile recording currently requires iPhone/iPad; Android phones aren't supported for recording, and mobile browsers aren't supported for high-quality recording. Zencastr Help Center

My recommendation

If your guests are mostly iPhone users, Zencastr is a very strong fit.

If you need “send a link, and any guest on iPhone or Android can record without installing an app,” I would not choose Zencastr. In that case, I can compare the best truly browser-based options (especially Riverside and similar tools) specifically for Android + iPhone + no-login guest experience.

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.