Riverside Honest Review 2024 (Is It Good for Podcasting?)
Riverside Honest Review 2024 (Is It Good for Podcasting?)

Riverside Honest Review 2024 (Is It Good for Podcasting?)


We reviewed Riverside and looked at its features, pros and cons, pricing, and how easy it is to use so you can decide if this tool is good and suitable for your needs.

What is Riverside?

Riverside is an online platform designed to help you record high-quality podcasts and videos. It allows you to record audio and video in up to 4K quality with separate tracks for each participant.

Riverside also offers live streaming, editing tools, and AI features to simplify the production process. Whether you’re creating podcasts, webinars, or video interviews, Riverside provides a range of tools to improve your workflow and content quality.

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Riverside Review: Quick Overview

Riverside Review
Rating Our thoughts
★★★★★ Great tool with AI features for podcasting, especially for businesses.
FeatureDetails
Main UsePodcast and video recording
Recording QualityUp to 4K video and 48kHz audio
Editing ToolsIn-built editor with AI-based features
Live Streaming1080p with custom branding and live call-ins
AI FeaturesAI show notes, transcription, and Magic Audio
PricingFree, paid plans starting from $19/mo
Target UsersPodcasters, Video content creators

Riverside is a powerful tool for podcasters and video content creators.

For podcasters, features like multi-track recording and AI-generated show notes make production faster and smoother. These tools help them create professional content easily.

Video content creators benefit from 4K video quality, live streaming, and Magic Audio, improving both their workflow and the final product. They can deliver higher quality content with less effort.

Riverside Pros and Cons

Riverside offers many strong features, but like any tool, it has some downsides. It’s great for producing high-quality audio and video, making it ideal for content creators. However, some advanced features are limited to higher-tier plans, which may not fit everyone’s budget.

Overall, the tool delivers on its promises and is user-friendly, but pricing could be an issue for some.

Pros

  • High-quality video (up to 4K) and audio (48kHz)
  • Separate audio and video tracks for better editing
  • AI-powered tools like Magic Audio and Show Notes
  • Easy-to-use interface
  • Live streaming with branding options
  • Multi-platform support (Mac, iOS, Android) for flexibility
  • AI-generated transcriptions in over 100 languages
  • Free plan

Cons

  • Free plan has limited features (only 720p video, watermarked content)
  • Live studio add-ons cost extra ($15/month)
  • The platform can be resource-heavy, affecting slower devices

Is Riverside legit?

Yes, Riverside is legit and delivers on what it promises. The platform provides high-quality audio and video recording, with a range of AI-powered tools that work well for most users. The pricing is worth it for those who need the advanced features, especially for serious podcasters and video creators. The quality of the content generated using Riverside is excellent, making it a reliable choice for creators.

Riverside Pricing

Riverside offers several pricing packages to fit different needs and budgets. Here’s a breakdown of the monthly and yearly prices for each package:

PackageMonthly PriceAnnual Price
Free$0$0
Standard$19$180 ($15/mo)
Pro$29$288 ($24/mo)
BusinessCustom pricingContact sales

Let’s have a quick overview of what you’ll get with each tier:

Free

  • 2 hours of multi-track recording
  • Up to 720p video
  • Riverside watermark
  • Magic Clips
  • Basic editing tools

Standard

  • 5 hours of multi-track recording
  • Up to 4K video
  • No watermark
  • Overlays
  • 48kHz audio quality

Pro

  • 15 hours of multi-track recording
  • 4K video
  • AI show notes
  • AI voice
  • Magic Audio
  • Teleprompter
  • Unlimited editing

Business

  • Unlimited recording
  • Team collaboration
  • Advanced editing
  • Live studio add-ons
  • Custom branding
  • Producer mode

The Free package is ideal for beginners or those trying out Riverside for simple recordings. However, it lacks advanced features like high-quality video, branding, and AI tools. The Standard package is for small podcasters or content creators looking for better quality video and audio without watermarks. The Pro plan is best for professionals needing full control, AI tools, and advanced editing options. The Business package is designed for companies needing team collaboration and custom features.

Does Riverside offer a free trial?

Yes, Riverside offers a free plan that allows you to try out basic features. It includes 2 hours of recording, but has limitations like 720p video quality and watermarks.

Does Riverside offer a money-back guarantee?

No, according to Riverside Terms and Conditions, they don’t offer a money-back guarantee or a refund. However, you can upgrade, downgrade, or cancel their plans at any time without penalties. This flexible policy gives you control over your subscription.

How does Riverside work?

Riverside is a web-based tool that lets you record, edit, and live stream high-quality audio and video content. It uses local recording technology to capture separate tracks for each participant, ensuring clear sound and picture. The platform also offers AI-powered features to simplify editing and post-production.

Here’s a quick rundown on how Riverside works:

  1. Go to Riverside.fm and create an account or log in.
  2. Start a new recording session by creating a studio for your podcast or video.
  3. Invite participants to your session by sending them a link.
  4. Record your podcast or video; Riverside records locally on each participant’s device for the best quality.
  5. After recording, the separate audio and video tracks automatically upload to the cloud.
  6. Use Riverside’s built-in editor to cut, trim, or enhance your content.
  7. Export the finished product or share it directly to social media or other platforms.

How easy is it to set up and use Riverside?

Signing up with Riverside is simple. You just need to go to their website and create an account using your email or Google login. Once registered, you can start using their free plan to explore the tool.

The interface is user-friendly and well-organized. Most of the key features, like starting a recording or inviting guests, are easily accessible on the main dashboard. The settings for video quality, audio controls, and editing tools are clearly labeled.

Navigating between recording, editing, and live streaming is smooth, even for beginners. The in-built editor is intuitive, allowing you to trim and adjust tracks without needing to download files. However, some advanced features, like AI show notes and Magic Audio, might require a little exploration to fully understand.

Overall, the tool is straightforward and doesn’t have a steep learning curve.

Tips for using Riverside

Riverside offers many features that can improve your podcast or video recordings. Here are some tips to make the most of it:

  • Test your setup before recording – Always do a test recording to check video quality, audio levels, and lighting. This prevents technical issues and helps you fix problems before the actual session.
  • Use separate audio tracks – Recording separate tracks for each participant ensures better control over audio during editing, like reducing background noise or adjusting volume.
  • Make use of AI tools – Features like AI-generated show notes and Magic Audio can save time in post-production. This helps streamline your workflow, so you focus more on content creation.
  • Optimize internet connection – A strong, stable internet connection ensures smooth recording and live streaming, reducing the risk of dropped calls or lag.
  • Plan your content – Decide on the structure of your podcast or video in advance. This helps you manage time better during recording and makes editing faster later on.

Alternatives to Riverside

  • Podcastle – Podcastle is a podcast creation platform with tools for recording, editing, and enhancing audio. It includes AI-powered features like noise cancellation and voice enhancement, making it easy to produce professional-sounding content. However, it lacks the advanced video recording and live streaming options that Riverside provides.
  • Zencastr – Zencastr focuses on high-quality remote podcast recording with separate audio tracks for each guest. It also offers some post-production features like noise reduction, but lacks built-in video recording and live streaming options.
  • Adobe Podcast – Adobe Podcast is part of Adobe’s creative suite and focuses on high-quality audio recording and editing. It offers AI tools like speech enhancement and transcription. While it provides excellent audio editing features, it doesn’t support video recording or live streaming, making it less versatile for video podcasters.
  • SquadCast – SquadCast is another remote recording platform for podcasts and videos. It provides separate tracks for each participant and offers good audio and video quality.

Conclusion: Is Riverside the best choice for podcasting?

Riverside is a strong option for podcasters and video creators who want high-quality recording and easy-to-use editing tools. It offers advanced features like AI-generated show notes, Magic Audio, and separate audio and video tracks, which make the production process much easier. The platform also supports live streaming and works well across different devices, including mobile and desktop.

However, Riverside’s free plan has limited features, and some of its advanced tools are only available in the higher-tier plans. For beginners or those with simple needs, a free or cheaper alternative might be enough. But if you’re a professional creator, Riverside’s premium plans offer great value with their advanced features, helping you produce high-quality content efficiently.

In the end, the best tool for you depends on your specific needs, budget, and expectations.