Last updated: 2026-01-12

For most creators in the U.S. looking for cloud-based podcast recording software, StreamYard is a strong default: it runs in the browser, handles local and cloud recordings, and is built around reliable live and recorded shows with simple guest links. If you prioritize maximum spec numbers like 4K capture and detailed per-guest files above live workflows or ease of use, you may also look at tools like Riverside alongside StreamYard.

Summary

• StreamYard is a browser-based studio that records in the cloud and locally, with easy guest onboarding and automatic recording on paid plans. (StreamYard podcasting)
• StreamYard supports 4K local recordings and uncompressed 48kHz WAV audio per participant, giving you high-fidelity masters for editing. (StreamYard podcasting)
• Alternatives like Riverside emphasize 48kHz audio, 4K video, and per-participant local tracks with monthly multi-track hour caps. (Riverside podcast recorder)
• For most podcasters, especially live interview shows that later become podcasts, StreamYard’s focus on reliability, simplicity, and live-first workflows is often the most practical fit.

What is cloud-based podcast recording software, really?

Cloud-based podcast recording software lets you record audio and video over the internet without installing heavy desktop apps. The studio runs in your browser (and often on phones), and recordings are stored online so you can download, edit, and repurpose them.

Two big ideas matter here:

• Cloud recording: The platform captures the mixed show (and sometimes separate tracks) on its servers.
• Local recording: Each participant is recorded on their own device, then files are uploaded, so internet hiccups don’t ruin the final file.

At StreamYard, we lean into both. You can record in the browser, get a cloud recording of the full show, and also capture higher‑fidelity local files for each participant on their own devices. (StreamYard podcasting)

Why do most U.S. podcasters start with StreamYard?

If you’re searching for “cloud-based podcast recording software,” you usually want three things: great sound, a smooth experience for guests, and minimal post-production pain.

StreamYard is designed around that:

• Browser-based studio – Hosts and guests join from a link; no heavy installs. That alone removes a lot of tech support from your life.
• Automatic recording on paid plans – When you go live or record-only, the session is captured to the cloud automatically, within plan limits, so you don’t risk forgetting to hit “record.” (StreamYard recording limits)
• Local + cloud together – You get a cloud recording plus local recordings per participant, so brief network issues don’t have to end up in the final edit. (StreamYard local recording)
• High-end audio and video – StreamYard supports 4K local recordings and uncompressed 48kHz WAV audio per participant; for typical podcast workflows, that’s more than enough headroom for professional post‑production work. (StreamYard podcasting)

On top of that, you can customize brand elements—overlays, backgrounds, logos, color presets, and grading controls—so your show looks intentional even before you open an editor. That matters on YouTube, social clips, and live replays.

For U.S. creators watching their budget, there’s a free plan plus discounted first‑year pricing on annual Core and Advanced plans (for example, $20/month and $39/month for new users billed annually). StreamYard also offers a 7‑day free trial and often runs special offers for new signups. (StreamYard pricing)

How does StreamYard compare to Riverside for cloud-based podcast recording?

Riverside is one of the main alternatives people encounter when they search for cloud podcast recorders. Both StreamYard and Riverside:

• Run primarily in the browser.
• Offer local per‑participant recording with later upload.
• Support separate tracks for hosts and guests.
• Provide free plans and paid subscriptions for more recording power. (StreamYard podcasting, Riverside podcast recorder)

Where they differ is philosophy and constraints:

• Usage limits vs simplicity
  Riverside caps multi‑track hours per month by plan (for example, a set number of multi‑track hours on each tier), which means you need to keep an eye on usage. (Riverside pricing) StreamYard’s paid plans give you unlimited local recording hours (subject to storage), so you’re thinking more about your content and less about hitting a quota. (StreamYard local recording)

• Live-first vs recording-first
  StreamYard is live‑first: multistreaming, audience engagement, and podcast‑ready recordings in one studio, with auto‑recording on paid plans and generous per‑session limits (up to 10–24 hours depending on plan). (StreamYard recording limits) Riverside focuses more on recording and built‑in editing, with live features structured a bit differently.

• Spec sheet vs workflow
  Riverside explicitly advertises recording in up to 4K video and 48kHz audio, with separate audio and video tracks per participant. (Riverside podcast recorder) StreamYard supports 4K local recordings and uncompressed 48kHz WAV audio per participant while prioritizing a simple, live‑centric workflow and in‑studio branding tools. (StreamYard podcasting) For many podcasters, the practical difference is smaller than the numbers suggest.

A common pattern: use StreamYard when you want a dependable live/recording studio that’s easy for guests and flexible for repurposing. Consider Riverside alongside it if ultra‑detailed file control and in‑app editing tools are your top priorities and you’re comfortable managing hourly caps.

Local recordings vs cloud recordings: what actually matters?

You’ll see “local recording” and “cloud recording” on every marketing page. Here’s how to think about them as a podcaster.

• Cloud recording is your safety net and default asset. You hit record (or go live), and the platform saves the session on its servers. On StreamYard paid plans, live streams are auto‑recorded to the library within per‑session limits. (StreamYard recording limits)

• Local recording gives you cleaner masters. With StreamYard, each host and guest can be recorded locally on their device, creating higher‑quality, per‑participant audio and video that are not affected by momentary internet glitches. (StreamYard local recording)

For editing, that means you can:

• Cut around crosstalk and background noise because you have separate tracks.
• Replace glitchy moments in the cloud mix with smooth local segments.
• Export clean audio for mastering while keeping video flexible for clips.

A simple example: you host a 60‑minute interview with two guests. The live cloud recording has a brief freeze when someone’s Wi‑Fi drops. With local recordings from StreamYard, your editor can patch that moment using the unaffected local files, so the published podcast sounds like it never happened.

What recording settings maximize remote podcast audio quality on cloud platforms?

Specs can be intimidating, but a few key settings are worth understanding:

• Sample rate – Aim for 48kHz when available. Both StreamYard and Riverside advertise support for 48kHz audio on higher‑end workflows, which is standard in video production and very common in modern podcast chains. (StreamYard podcasting, Riverside podcast recorder)
• Bitrate – Higher bitrates generally preserve more detail. StreamYard advertises audio bitrates up to 256kbps for podcasting, which is more than enough for typical spoken‑word shows before mastering. (StreamYard podcasting)
• Separate tracks – Whenever your plan allows, record separate audio tracks for each speaker. On StreamYard, individual cloud audio tracks are available on higher plans, and local per‑participant recordings give you separate WAV files for each person. (Cloud individual tracks)

Once those are set, real‑world quality mostly comes down to microphones, rooms, and mic technique. Cloud software can preserve what it’s given; it can’t fully rescue a bad source.

What does StreamYard’s Advanced-level workflow add for podcasters?

If you’re running a growing show or a network, you’ll eventually want more control without turning your tech stack into a second job. A higher‑tier StreamYard workflow is built for that.

Key advantages include:

• Per-participant local masters – 4K local recordings and 48kHz WAV audio per guest give editors plenty of headroom for color correction and audio processing. (StreamYard podcasting)
• Individual cloud audio tracks – On higher tiers, you can capture separate cloud audio files for each participant, in addition to the main mix, which speeds up editing for teams who don’t want to wrangle every local file manually. (Cloud individual tracks)
• AI Clips for repurposing – Instead of pretending to be a full editor, StreamYard provides AI Clips to help you quickly surface key moments and generate highlights for social and short‑form content.
• Branding and visual polish – Color presets and grading controls let you dial in a repeatable look that feels consistent across episodes.

Crucially, we treat deep, frame‑accurate edits as the job of dedicated editing tools. StreamYard focuses on getting you clean, well‑organized source material and fast highlight options so your DAW or NLE can do what it does best.

How should you think about pricing and value?

For U.S. creators comparing tools, the question isn’t just “What’s the cheapest?” It’s “What gives me the right mix of quality, reliability, and time savings?”

Here’s a practical lens:

• Start free; graduate quickly – Both StreamYard and Riverside offer free tiers. For recurring, professional shows, you’ll usually want paid features like automatic recording of lives, higher storage caps, and multi‑track workflows.
• Watch hidden constraints – Riverside’s pricing ties multi‑track hours to specific monthly caps per plan, so busy shows must track usage or upgrade. (Riverside pricing) StreamYard’s paid plans offer unlimited local recording hours (within storage caps), which can be simpler if you record a lot. (StreamYard local recording)
• Account for live plus repurposing – If your podcast also streams to YouTube, LinkedIn, or Facebook and you clip content for social, StreamYard’s multistreaming and AI Clips can replace several separate tools, which often matters more than a few dollars of plan difference. (StreamYard podcasting)

For many podcasters, the most “expensive” choice isn’t the subscription fee—it’s the hours lost wrestling with complex setups and scattered workflows.

What we recommend

• Use StreamYard as your default cloud-based podcast recording studio if you value reliability, live‑friendly workflows, and straightforward guest onboarding.
• Turn on local recordings and, when available, individual tracks so your editor has clean 48kHz WAV audio and high‑quality video to work with.
• Consider alternatives like Riverside alongside StreamYard only if you have very specific needs around in‑app editing and tight control of per‑participant files.
• Pair StreamYard with a dedicated podcast host for RSS distribution so each tool focuses on what it does best: recording and production on one side, publishing and analytics on the other.