Podcast Software Mac Free

See Listen to podcasts on all your devices. Open Podcasts for me. In the Podcasts app on your Mac, click Listen Now (or any item) in the sidebar. Hold the pointer over the show or episode you want to play, then click the Play button. When the episode plays, you see the playback controls at the top of the Podcasts window. Audacity – your podcast recording best friend, for free. This is a common choice among podcasters thanks to its free plan that offers all the editing features you might need at the start. The open-source podcasting platform isn’t the most user-friendly one though but this is because of its complexity.

Best Podcast Editing Software: At-a-Glance. There's a plethora of podcast editing software options on the market today. At their core, they all really function and work in the same way. For many, the choice comes down to budget. There are free options out there, like Audacity. Download Podcast Studio for macOS 11.0 or later and enjoy it on your Mac. ‎Podcast Studio is the all-in-one way to record, edit, and publish your podcasts. Instead of managing “tracks”, “effects”, and spending time with repetitive editing, Podcast Studio can do all the work for you and make podcasting easy and fun.

Choosing the tech stack for your first podcast sure can be a hassle, right?

We’re going over 11+ podcast tools we’ve tested for you, each for a slightly different use case. Note you won’t need all of these. Three apps will be enough for recording and editing:

  1. A tool for recording and editing.
  2. A solution to keep your audio clear.
  3. A platform to create sound effects or music for your intro section, commercial breaks, or ending and call-to-action.

You can follow this with extra software for hosting your podcast or promoting it to your network.

But first…

What to consider when creating your podcasting tech stack

To help you sort through this list and choose the ones that match your requirements, here’s a brief list of points to pay attention to when you’re trying the podcast software yourself:

  • What features you need
  • If you want a tool to help with both recording and editing
  • What your budget’s limits are
  • What device you’re going to use to record the podcasts
  • If you want the apps to have a quick learning curve or are willing to take the time to learn a feature-heavy app
  • What the user reviews say in terms of usability and functionality for both the host and guest

Let’s get to the list of the best podcast software to try out! We’ve tested and ordered these so each tool will have a unique purpose or suit a separate type of user.

Audacity – your podcast recording best friend, for free

This is a common choice among podcasters thanks to its free plan that offers all the editing features you might need at the start. The open-source podcasting platform isn’t the most user-friendly one though but this is because of its complexity.

Core Audacity features you’ll find helpful include the Silence Finder that lets you split recordings into shorter tracks without manually deleting silence time or Synch-Lock Tracks for multitrack editing. The tool also comes with sound effects like echo or distortion so you can use it to later edit your audio for diverse purposes.

Platforms: Mac, Windows

Krisp – to maintain clear audio recordings

Ever dreamed of skipping post-recording audio tweaking? You can now simply record your podcasts or interviews with Krisp turned on and it will automatically block all background noises. The extra HD voice and room/acoustic echo removal features make for clear sounds — just like recording in a professional studio.

The noise-cancelling tool works with any third-party app that allows adding Krisp as the audio input. All you have to do next is cut your audio snippets, sync them, and you’re done.

Platforms: Mac, Windows

GarageBand – for that intro jam

If you have a Mac, you already have this music creation app installed on your device. The tool is free to use and actually has a mobile app (unlike Audacity) you can use to record sounds on the go.

Its main use is for creating music though. While not as extensive as a professional music production tool, GarageBand is perfect for first-time podcasters who need to record a memorable intro song, background jams, or create their own sound effects.

Platforms: Mac, iOS

Zencastr – user-friendly podcast recording

This podcast software takes literally no time to learn as its super intuitive interface makes it easy to understand what each feature does. This makes it the perfect choice if you want to invite multiple people to join the podcast recording.

There’s also a smart pop-up that lets you know if all sound and video checks have been done before you start recording. Both audio and video recording options are offered along with basic audio file editing options.

Platforms: Your Chrome or Firefox web browser

Auphonic – for advanced post-production sound editing

Not happy with Audacity’s editing capabilities? Bring your audio into Auphonic to balance the speaker level and restore audio. The tool is free to use for up to two hours but Auphonic is only designed for post-production.

If you need to keep your voice clear for live events or even during the actual podcast recording, you’ll need Krisp which works in real-time. So with Krisp you don’t need to do the extra step because you record clean audio as you go.

Platforms: Your browser

Hindenburg Journalist – record interviews even on the go

The Hindenburg Journalist is a podcast recording software that’s only a fit for beginners if you’re planning on using it to record interviews on the go. If you only need to record on the field, get the Hindenburg Field Recorder mobile app but keep in mind the cost for this is separate from the main Hindenburg Journalist product.

Most advanced features are part of the Pro version of the tool which provides automated sound levels and VoIP call recording. In fact, it’s the Pro plan that’s marketed as being better suited for podcasters thanks to its post-production capabilities of editing multiple tracks. This advanced product also supports online call recording from apps like Skype or FaceTime.

Platforms: Mac, Windows, iOS

Adobe Audition – podcast editing software you can also use for professional music creation

I specifically enjoyed how seamlessly the audio recording in Adobe Audition integrates with the editing options as you can literally edit as you record. You can design sound effects, sync different audio files, and clean up your recordings on these.

This is an Audacity and GarageBand alternative you might already have access to if you’ve purchased a full Creative Cloud subscription. This tool will be handier than other choices for people who also want to create videos for their podcasts or YouTube channel.

Platforms: Mac, Windows

Logic Pro X – for the Mac user who needs to produce that bop

Looking for an advanced version of GarageBand? Enter Logic Pro X. This audio-editing tool comes with all the nitty-gritty of sound. The interface is similar to the GarageBand one so you can move files from one tool to another and continue editing them.

Still, you might find the tool’s not exactly the best fit for podcasting since it’s so advanced. The sole use you’ll have from Logic Pro X is when recording intro and ad music or sound effects for your podcast. But, hey, at least you can get as creative as possible with them.

Platforms: Mac, iOS

Riverside.fm – because you’ll need video too

Riverside.fm acts as a common studio room where you can invite all of your podcasts guests and record audio independently. Provided both you and your guests have the right tech stack, you’ll be able to record 4K videos so you’ll no longer have to worry about the quality of the recording. But the handiest functionality is that it actually uploads the recording as you’re hosting the podcast. So once you’re done, downloading everything takes just a couple of seconds.

The Magic Editor feature takes you through a step-by-step editing option without the complicated interface. This editor also comes with basic options to filter background noise and equalize your audio — only available in post-production.

Platforms: In the web browser

Note:SquadCast and the Zencastr podcasting tool I already mentioned as alternatives. All of them are super intuitive and ensure that any guest will be able to seamlessly connect to the online recording studio with their devices in check.

Buzzsprout – because you’ll need hosting (and stats)

Often, the most complicated part of a podcaster’s life is actually knowing what to do with the final audio file. Buzzsprout helps you host your podcast and get it listed in your preferred directories. Let it do its job for a couple of weeks and you’ll end up with solid insights into what apps and devices listeners use or their demographic profile.

You know those podcast players that podcasts add in their blog posts? Yes, many of them are created using Buzzsprout so you can improve accessibility. Plus, there’s a built-in transcription integration you’ll surely find helpful if you want to provide a complete user experience, regardless of the platform.

Platforms: In the web browser

Bonus: Wavve – short audio snippets for social media

No listeners, no podcast. That’s why we’re adding Wavve as a must-have tool for promoting your podcast. I’m sure you’re already familiar with those Instagram posts you can play for a preview of an upcoming episode. That’s Wavve at its best.

This platform makes it easy for you to share an otherwise large audio file by breaking it into smaller chunks. And it’s super fun to use as you play with different templates and animations. If your listeners prefer distinct platforms, you can use the Wavve Link option to create one landing page with all possible link options for them to choose from.

Platforms: In the web browser

Back to you!

Now that we’ve gone over all of these options you probably have a rough idea of what you need. Want to handle multiple tracks and sync them easily? A single tool like Adobe Audition will do the trick. Need to connect with guests and maintain HD sounds? Pair Krisp with podcast software like Riverside.

What are your favorite podcast editing and recording software options? Are you using any podcast apps we haven’t reviewed yet?


Please enable JavaScript to view the comments powered by Disqus.Mac

In the car, on the treadmill, or at work, podcasts are airing in an ever-growing number of earbuds and headphones.

With podcasts in 2020 numbering 850,000 and constantly growing, having the best podcast editing software is essential to standing out and competing in this increasingly crowded podcast market. The best podcast software will make your podcast sound better and will give podcasters from beginner to veteran a professional sound that will have listeners coming back for more and advertisers lining up.

However, podcasting editing software can vary in price and function. How can we know what the best podcast editing software is?

In this roundup, we have tested and collected 5 options for the best software for podcast editing that you can choose, whether you are already podcasting professional or planning to start a podcast.

Podcast Profitability: Why Buy Editing Software

The popularity of podcasts and podcasting is growing steadily, according to Statista, with 75 percent of Americans being familiar with the term. More than half of Americans listen to podcasts on subjects including news, sports, interviews, entertainment, and more.

Podcasts are growing in profitability. Podcaster Joe Rogan signed a $100 million deal in 2020 with Spotify that will make his podcast, 'The Joe Rogan Experience,' exclusive to Spotify. In 2019, the creators of the podcast 'My Favorite Murderer' signed a two-year deal with Stitcher worth at least $10 million.

Podcast advertising is growing, too, with a 45 percent increase in ad purchases predicted, up to $1.13 billion in the U.S. Use of smartphones is driving growth in podcast advertising since podcasts are only a tap away on devices that are nearly inseparable from us all.

And that's the very reason why the podcast editing software is worth the purchase: you want a crisp, clear listening experience for your fans (and that million-dollar endorsement deal you're after).

In the following, these 5 options in the software for the podcast editor create a virtual audio workstation. They vary in price, but each of these options offers the ability to record, cut, splice, and edit on multiple tracks, all parts of professional podcast editing.

#1. VideoProc Vlogger

VideoProc Vlogger is a robust yet novice-friendly podcast editing software that provides its users all the necessary tools to create impressive podcasts while keeping everything well organized and never tangle beginners into knots.

With it, you can drag the mouse on the big audio waveform window to select the audio segments that you need to edit. It allows you to handle multichannel audio, move audio from one section to another, start or end a BGM naturally with the Fade in and Fade out effect, and more.

To make VideoProc Vlogger 100% friendly for beginners, its developers preset dozens of equalizer settings. With these presets, you can change the human voice, improve the sound quality, remove background noise, and more in one click. You can also customize the equalizer settings to shape the podcasts as you wish. By selecting the sound effects from the preset 12 options, it's a breeze to add some fun to your podcast.

Podcast Studio Software

Pros:

  • Free of charge.
  • Good sound quality. Export 48kHz audio.
  • Convert the voice into man, woman, and robot, etc.
  • Support all popular sorts of audio, including the iPhone recordings.
  • Support 999+ audio tracks. Add music to podcasts easily.

Cons:

  • No ready-stock music.

#2. Audacity

Compatible with Apple and PCs, Audacity is a free, open-sourced option for multi-track podcast editing software. Available since podcasting's early days of 2000, Audacity is the podcast editing software that many podcasters started out using. It's still a great option for podcasters ranging from beginners to professionals.

Podcasters can use Audacity to record their original audio. From there, Audacity can take care of various audio editing tasks such as the removal of background noise and pauses, adjusting levels, and adding music. Audio engineers can even add intros, outros, and advertisements, covering all the needs of a podcaster.

Audacity has remained free for the past 20 years to keep it popular and useful and to promote collaboration. Because of Audacity's open-sourcing, people from all over the world have contributed code, fixed any glitches, and, in general, have enhanced the user experience.

Audacity has enjoyed solid popularity over the years, reaching the milestone of 100 million downloads by fall 2020.

Pros:

  • Audacity allows podcasters and audio engineers to record, cut, splice, and edit for free, putting the podcasting experience within reach of everyone.
  • Audacity has longevity in the industry, so it's a reliable tool with constant improvements.
  • Open-sourcing keeps the functions of Audacity fresh, thanks to contributions from users and fans from around the world.

Cons:

  • For podcasters who like to know their tools in and out, the frequent updates with Audacity might not be ideal.

#3. Pro Tools by Avid

Pro Tools by Avid offers full production and sound recording software, forming a virtual audio workstation for podcasting and podcast engineering.

Pro Tools starts with a free version, Pro Tools First, on the Avid website. Upgrading to the full version of Pro Tools requires a monthly subscription of about $25 a month. The Pro Tools HD version is available for about $85 per month.

Podcast editors can try the free version of Pro Tools, take advantage of Avid's online tutorials, and put that knowledge to work if they decide to upgrade to one of the paid versions. Each upgrade builds on the skills built as you work your way up.

Pros:

  • Pro Tools by Avid offers some of the most powerful podcast editing tools in the industry.
  • Various subscription levels depending on your needs (and budget).
  • Even the free option can edit from 16 simultaneous tracks.

Cons:

  • Not every podcaster will appreciate having to use MIDI for production.

#4. Adobe Audition

When it comes to podcast editing, Adobe Audition is in a category of its own in terms of its capabilities, according to PC Magazine. You can add music, segue, create templates, and customize your audio editing platform using the software.

This audio workstation is part of the Adobe Creative Cloud plan that offers a suite of Adobe apps for about $50 a month. For one app, such as Adobe Audition, the cost is about $20 a month.

If you're not sure whether Adobe Audition is best for your audio editing needs, it does have a free trial version.

When you have an Adobe subscription, you're assured of having the latest versions of Audition and other software. The latest version of Audition is well-suited for beginning podcasters since it includes helpful tutorials for some of the most common podcast editing tasks such as removing background noise, mixing, and producing.

Walk yourself through some of the Adobe Audition tutorials, and you'll learn the basics of podcast editing. From there, you have plenty of room to grow in skills, and knowledge of podcast editing.

Podcast App For Mac

Pros:

  • Adobe offers a wide array of functions in its Audition podcast editing software including multitrack mixing, audio spectrum analysis and a large array of digital effects.
  • Tutorials help you master the ins and outs of your recording and retouching process.

Cons:

  • Some say that Adobe neglects Audition in favor of releasing updates/fixes for other pieces in their software suite.

Free Podcast Software Mac

#5. Alitu

What if you don't know much about sound editing for podcasts and don't want to learn? Alitu was designed for you. This easy-to-use web-based podcast editing software will take raw audio and do all the leveling work for you. It will even publish your podcast once you're ready.

This podcast editing software lets you enjoy storytelling and conversations without having to deal with the sound editing details that the non-engineers of the world may not enjoy. You can even add a special teaser to your podcast using an Alitu template.

Much of the editing can be automated through Alitu, but as you build your skills, you may not want to automate everything. With Alitu, you can edit as much or as little as you'd like, adding music, sound fades and other special effects to make your podcast shine.

Pros:

  • Alitu is fun and easy to use, even for those who don't know much about sound engineering or technology.
  • Leveling sound, removing background noise, and even publishing your podcast can be automated, but it doesn't have to be.

Cons:

  • Inability to tweak audio settings manually; you're at the mercy of pre-sets.

#6. Hindenburg

Hindenburg Systems' software is created for radio use, which is like a first cousin to podcasting. Spoken audio productions are their specialty. Because of this, Hindenburg has features geared toward podcast editing.

An auto-leveling function evens the sound between speakers or headphones automatically, making podcast editing easier. Hindenburg also features an automatic voice profiler that uses EQ and compression to automatically optimize the sound; you can edit your speech with a single click.

Hindenburg's Journalist Pro version, designed for podcasters and audio journalists, has a built-in Skype recorder and a one-click publish function. This will make recording interviews and making your podcast available to listeners easy, a plus if you are a podcaster and engineer all in one.

You can get a 30-day free trial to try out Hindenburg's features and see if they're right for you and your podcast editing. Hindenburg has plenty of tutorials to get you started.

Pros:

  • Hindenburg's features are designed with audio storytelling and podcasting in mind.
  • Features including auto-leveling, automatic sound optimization of voices, and one-click publishing will make your podcast editing easier.

Podcast Recording Mac

Cons:

  • There's a bit of a learning curve, especially if you start with other tools first.

That's a Wrap

Got a story to tell? You can tell it better by using the best podcast editing software. As a podcast editor, you can make your podcast more competitive by having quality sound and production. You can get this by using the best podcast editing software.

Podcast Software Mac Free Version

Both free podcast editing software and paid ones in this list offer online audio editing options for podcasters and audio engineers at all skill levels, whether you're a beginning podcaster or an experienced professional.