Riverside vs SquadCast
A side-by-side look at Riverside and SquadCast for podcasters: pricing, features, and where each one wins.
SquadCast
The remote recording studio that Descript bought - and kept improving
$24/mo
Visit SquadCastAt a glance
| Riverside | SquadCast | |
|---|---|---|
| Starting price | $24/mo | $24/mo |
| Free plan | Yes | Yes |
| Free trial | Yes | No |
| Best for | Podcasters and content creators who record remote interviews and want broadcast-quality output without a physical studio | Podcast producers and content teams who record remote guests and want bulletproof session reliability with direct editing integration |
| Founded | 2019 | - |
Key features
Riverside
- Local track recording - separate uncompressed audio and video per participant
- AI text-based editor with filler word removal and speech correction
- Eye contact correction for video interviews
- Magic Clips: automated short-form clip generation from long recordings
- Podcast hosting with distribution to Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and YouTube
- Live streaming to unlimited destinations simultaneously (Live plan and above)
SquadCast
- Progressive Uploads - patented continuous cloud backup during recording
- Studio-quality separate audio and video tracks per participant
- In-browser recording - no software installation required
- AI transcription and speech enhancement tools
- Native integration with Descript, Zapier, Dropbox, and Dolby
- Up to 4K video exports on Creator plan and above
Pros and cons
Riverside
Pros
- Local-track recording means internet drops do not corrupt audio or video
- AI editing tools are genuinely functional - not just demo features
- 14-day trial on paid plans; free tier available for light use
Cons
- Interface grows more complex as the platform expands into live streaming and webinars
- Free tier capped at 2 hours multi-track and 720p - limited for ongoing use
- Annual billing only on paid plans - no confirmed monthly billing option at standard rates
SquadCast
Pros
- Progressive Uploads eliminate the risk of losing a session to technical failure
- Deep Descript integration for a recording-to-editing pipeline
- No-download browser recording works well for less technical guests
Cons
- Per-person pricing adds up quickly for teams beyond two people
- Free tier allows only 1 recording hour per editor per month - not practical for regular use
- Descript acquisition creates some uncertainty about long-term independent development
The verdict
Choose Riverside if
Podcasters and content creators who record remote interviews and want broadcast-quality output without a physical studio.
Riverside is arguably the most polished remote recording product right now. The local-track recording model is genuinely superior to Zoom-style compression, and the AI editing tools - filler word removal, eye contact correction, Magic Clips - are actually useful rather…
Choose SquadCast if
Podcast producers and content teams who record remote guests and want bulletproof session reliability with direct editing integration.
SquadCast's core technical differentiator - progressive uploads that auto-save as you record - is a real reliability advantage, and the Descript acquisition gave it a credible editing partner rather than a product death sentence. The pricing is per-person rather than…