Video Podcast Editing and Recording Software: The Best Tools for All Budgets

 As more and more podcast fans run into video podcasts, the need for high-quality visual content becomes key to standing out. 

The right equipment and video editing software for your podcast can make a big difference. You may be a seasoned podcaster looking to get into video podcasts, or maybe you are looking to launch your first-ever show. Either way, you’ll find that having the right software can help nail your final content.

This article breaks down the best video podcasting software for every budget. From easy-to-use free options to high-end tools packed with features, there's something for everyone.

Key Features to Look for in Video Editing Software for Podcasts

First and foremost, before you start looking at software and equipment, you’ll want to have a clear idea of your podcast format. Will you be a solo caster with just a front-view video? Will you have guests and show footage from multiple angles? Or will you be using B-Roll footage quite often to support the visuals of your podcast?

No matter the format, you’ll have to edit a visual and audio element, but knowing what you want your end video podcast to look like will help guide you in identifying which features you’ll need.

When picking video podcasting software, there are a few core features to consider that are relevant to all formats of shows. These can greatly affect your workflow and the final result of your podcast.

Ease of Use

It should go without saying, if you’ll be spending a lot of time editing, you’ll want video editing software you understand and enjoy.  A user-friendly interface is especially important if you're new to podcasting. Now, everyone’s skills may be different, and what one creator says is easy-as-pie might not work for you. 

Have a look around and see which software is easy for you to learn, and is enjoyable to work with. This will save you time and frustration, helping you focus more on creating great content rather than struggling with complicated tools.

Audio Editing Tools

At the heart of it all, a video podcast is still a podcast, a medium where audio is the main focus. Look for software that offers great audio editing capabilities. Features like noise reduction, equalization, and audio syncing can elevate the quality of your podcast.

Video Editing Features

When it comes to what specific video editing tools you’ll want in your video podcasting software, it depends on what you want your show to look like. Tools for technical lighting depth adjustments, and multi-camera editing can add a professional touch to your podcast. Tools like caption creation, green screen, and transitions should be considered essential.  These features help keep visuals engaging and dynamic, which is crucial for audience retention.

In some cases, you might be looking for AI power tools like footage regeneration or expansion to correct a scene. You also might be interested in animation. Make a list before you start looking at video editing software for podcasts and identify what kind of scenes and footage you’d like in your show.

Export Options

The ability to export your podcast in various formats is essential. Make sure the software you choose allows you to export videos compatible with different platforms. This makes sharing your podcast across YouTube, social media, and other channels seamless.

Best Video Podcasting Software for Different Budgets

When it comes down to it, you don’t need to empty your funds just to launch a video podcast. You can produce one with a lot of the video podcast equipment and software you have freely available (your phone, your computer, and iMovie). But a little investment does go a long way in terms of quality, and the better the quality, the more potential your show has to grow.

Different podcasters have different needs and budgets. Here's a look at the best software options across various price points.

Budget-Friendly Options

• iMovie: Available for free on Mac, iMovie offers a user-friendly interface with basic video and audio editing tools. It’s perfect for beginners. Our team thinks this option is:

  • Beginner-Friendly, easy to use for quick and basic editing, suitable for novices and non-editors

  • Pre-built templates, drag and drop editing

  • Basic audio editing

• Descript or Riverside: Different plans available, very user friendly, and great for beginners. These offer you basic editing features as well as pre-built templates. Here’s why our producers like it:

  • Simple and straightforward user interface

  • Features useful AI tools (eg. eye correction), text-based video and audio editing, and screen recording capabilities

  • Multitrack audio editing

• OpenShot: OpenShot is an open-source video editor that’s highly intuitive. It’s available for free on Windows, Mac, and Linux. While it lacks some advanced features, it’s a great starting point for new podcasters. This has a beginner to intermediate learning curve.

Mid-Range Options

For those who need more advanced features, but are still not looking to spend too much, these mid-range software options offer a good balance:

• DaVinci Resolve: a professional-grade video editing, color correction, visual effects, and audio post-production software. It offers both a free version with extensive features and a paid Studio version with advanced tools. The software is even used by professionals in the film and television industry. Our producers did want to point out:

  • It has a steep learning curve and advanced tools that need time to master

  • It’s also got professional color-grading, has specific tools for visual effects, graphics, and audio editing (Fusion and Fairlight)

• Filmora: With a one-time purchase fee or an annual subscription, Filmora provides advanced editing features like text overlays, transitions, and various effects. It’s user-friendly and supported on both Mac and Windows. This has a beginner to a more difficult learning curve.

• Adobe Premiere Elements: This is a stripped-down version of Adobe Premiere Pro, ideal for those who need sophisticated features without complexity. It offers excellent video and audio editing tools and is available for a one-time fee. This is also a fairly easy learning curve if you dedicate the time to it.

Premium Options

For serious podcasters willing to invest in top-tier tools, here are the high-end options:

• Adobe Premiere Pro: This industry-standard software offers advanced features for both video and audio editing. It’s perfect for content creators looking for complete control over their podcast’s production. The cloud subscription model also ensures you always have the latest updates. Here’s what our producers would share:

  • Steep learning curve, requires some time to fully learn the software.

  • has a wide selection of advanced video editing tools, integration with Adobe Creative Cloud.

  • The multitrack audio editing, audio effects, transitions, Adobe Audition Integration are very great to work with.

• Final Cut Pro: Exclusive to Mac users, Final Cut Pro provides powerful video editing features, multi-cam editing, and a user-friendly interface. It’s a one-time purchase, making it a great long-term investment. This software has a tough learning curve; be ready to dedicate the time to it. 

• Avid Media Composer: Widely used in the film industry, Avid Media Composer offers unparalleled video and audio editing tools. It’s pricey but provides the most features for those needing a professional-grade solution. This is one of the most advanced learning curves, so only go into it if you understand the basics already and are ready to learn. 

Tips for Choosing the Right Software for Video Editing

As you’ve probably figured out, there are a lot of options out there for video editing software for podcasts. Picking the right editing tools for you can feel a little overwhelming. Here are some things you may want to consider before committing to one.

Assess Your Needs and Skills

We’ve already mentioned clarifying your podcast format, but there are some more things you may want to take a minute and consider. How much of a seasoned podcaster are you? And really, how deep into editing do you plan on getting? Will it be a few clips and captions, or would you like to transform your footage? Knowing that will let you decide how advanced audio and video editing features you’ll need. 

The other big question, is how much time do you have to (or do you want to) invest in editing your video podcast? Surely every recording needs a little tweaking, but beyond that? If you want to do it solo but are short on time, look for editing software with advanced AI tools to help streamline your editing. Otherwise, you may even want to consider hiring a video podcast producer to help you produce a top-notch show.

 Knowing your needs will guide you in choosing the most suitable software.

Consider Your Budget

Most expensive does not always mean the best, and you can produce incredible content with some more affordable tools. You want to match your budget and the features you need. If you really need all the tools and features a higher-end software offers, then definitely invest. But it happens so often that beginners invest in expensive tools, only to find they use the bare minimum features. There are plenty of budget-friendly options that provide excellent value. Make sure you get what you need at a price that fits your budget.

Read Reviews and Test Trials

Don’t commit to software without doing your homework. Read user reviews to get a sense of what others think. But take them each with a grain of salt, every editor has their own style and their own needs. To really find the right video podcast editing software, take advantage of the free trials. Most software offers at least a short one. Record a short 5-minute “podcast”, and play around with the tools and features to see if they meet your needs.

But what's the best video podcast recording software?

Taking a step back, we've covered editing, but what are your best options for video recording software?

If you're a solo host or recording in person, you'll often just record your footage with your camera directly, then upload it to your editing software. But if you're recording remotely with guests or combining feeds from multiple sources, you'll need dedicated recording software, and the good news is that some of these editing tools can double as recording platforms.

Here are some of the best software to record a video podcast:

Zoom remains one of the most popular options for remote podcast recording, primarily because it's simple to use and almost everyone already has it. Yet, we don't exactly recommend it; it's often not the best quality recording. The free plan allows 40-minute meetings with local recording, but to get cloud recording and longer sessions, you'll need a paid plan starting at around $15/month per user. While Zoom is accessible and reliable, it's not specifically designed for podcast production, so audio and video quality can suffer with poor internet connections.

Riverside is one of the most popular podcast recording platforms because it records locally on each participant's device, ensuring high-quality audio and video even if internet connections drop. Plans start at around $24/month for the Standard plan, which includes up to 5 hours of recording, 4K video, and separate audio/video tracks for each participant. The Pro plan ($49/month) bumps that to 15 hours with added features like AI transcription and magic clips. As we covered above, Riverside also has some great editing tools making it an all-in-one.

SquadCast (owned by Descript) is another remote recording platform built specifically for podcasters. It also records locally to ensure quality doesn't depend on internet speed. Plans start at $26/month for up to 3 hours of recording, with higher tiers offering more recording time and additional features like cloud backups and priority support. If you're already using Descript for editing, SquadCast integrates seamlessly, letting you record and edit in the same ecosystem.

Zencastr is a professional-grade remote recording platform favored by podcasters who prioritize audio quality. It records uncompressed WAV files locally for each participant and offers post-production features like automatic leveling and noise reduction. Plans start at $23/month for the Hobbyist tier (up to 8 hours of recording), with the Professional plan at $35/month offering unlimited recording, video recording in 4K, and advanced editing tools.

Key Features to Look For in Video Recording Software

When choosing video podcast recording software, consider:

• Local recording: This ensures high-quality audio and video aren't dependent on internet speed. Riverside, SquadCast, and Zencastr all offer this.

• Separate tracks: Recording each participant on a separate audio/video track gives you much more control during editing.

• Backup recordings: Some platforms automatically create backup recordings in case of technical issues.

• Ease of use for guests: If you frequently have guests who aren't tech-savvy, choose software that's simple for them to join without downloads or complicated setup.

• Integration with editing tools: If your recording software integrates with your editing software (like SquadCast with Descript, or Riverside's built-in editor), it can streamline your workflow significantly.

Final Thoughts of Video Podcast Software

Don’t ignore your software, choosing the right video podcasting software can help you create high-quality content. There’s a video editing software out there for every podcast, every budget, and every learner. Remember to assess your needs, consider your budget, and test out the software before committing. Investing in the right tools will go a long way in making your video podcast stand out.