Last updated: 2026-01-15

For most people searching for "podcast software for Chrome" in the US, the most practical starting point is a browser studio like StreamYard that records locally in high quality and keeps the workflow simple. If you need heavier in-browser editing or are chasing maximum technical specs, tools like Riverside can fit specific niches alongside dedicated editors.

Summary

• Record full podcast episodes directly in Chrome using browser studios like StreamYard or Riverside.
• StreamYard focuses on reliable recording, local multi-track capture, and easy live + repurposing workflows. (StreamYard Help Center)
• Riverside emphasizes higher-spec local capture and built-in editing, with per-month multi-track hour caps. (Riverside)
• Simple Chrome extensions can capture mic/system audio, but usually won’t give you separate guest tracks or production tools. (Chrome Web Store)

What does “podcast software for Chrome” really mean?

When people say “podcast software for Chrome,” they usually want to:

• Record themselves and guests in a browser
• Capture reliable, good-sounding audio (and often video)
• Avoid installing heavy desktop apps

There are three broad approaches:

1. Full browser studios – platforms like StreamYard and Riverside that run entirely in Chrome, give you a virtual studio, invite links for guests, and manage local + cloud recordings.
2. Lightweight Chrome extensions – simple recorders that capture your mic or tab audio, better suited to quick solo clips than multi-guest shows.
3. Hybrid setups – Chrome-based recording paired with a separate editor or hosting platform for publishing.

Most podcasters in the US are best served by the first category: a browser studio that makes recording, live production, and handoff to editing or hosting straightforward.

How does StreamYard work in Chrome for podcasting?

At StreamYard, we built the studio to feel like a live TV control room that lives in your browser. You log in, open a studio in Chrome, and invite guests with a link—no software to install.

StreamYard lets you:

• Record directly in the browser and start in seconds on a free entry point. (StreamYard Help Center)
• Use local recordings to capture individual audio and video from each participant, recorded on their own device to reduce the impact of internet hiccups. (StreamYard Help Center)
• Capture 4K local recordings and uncompressed 48kHz WAV audio per participant for high-fidelity masters.
• Apply color presets and grading controls so your video podcast looks consistent with your brand.

Cloud recordings come out as MP4 video and MP3 audio, which you can download on paid plans and move into your editor or hosting platform. (StreamYard Help Center)

A quick example: you and two guests open Chrome, click a link into the same StreamYard studio, hit record, and chat for an hour. You finish with a combined recording plus separate local files for each person, ready for editing and repurposing.

Can I really run my whole podcast workflow in Chrome with StreamYard?

You can comfortably run recording, live production, and initial repurposing end-to-end in Chrome:

• Recording: Use Recording mode for sessions that won’t be live, or go Live and let the paid plans auto-record your stream in the cloud. (StreamYard Help Center)
• Quality control: Local multi-track capture plus 4K/48kHz support gives you strong source material to work with.
• Branding: Overlays, backgrounds, and color presets make it easy to keep a consistent visual identity.
• AI Clips: After you record, AI-powered clipping can quickly surface highlight moments for social posts and promos.

For deep editorial work—multi-track mixing, structural edits, or frame-level polish—dedicated editing tools still do more. StreamYard is designed to hand off clean masters to whatever editor you prefer instead of trying to replace full non-linear editing software.

StreamYard vs Riverside: which Chrome studio fits which use case?

Both StreamYard and Riverside run in Chrome and offer local recordings per participant. The differences show up in how they think about workflows and limits.

Recording model and limits

• StreamYard

  • Focuses on live-first recording with unlimited monthly streaming/recording on paid plans, within per-session and storage caps. (StreamYard Pricing)
  • Offers local recordings with unlimited hours on paid plans (subject to storage) and a limited allowance on the free plan. (StreamYard Help Center)

• Riverside

  • Emphasizes high-spec local recording (up to 4K video and 48kHz audio) and built-in editing tools, with per-month multi-track hour quotas—2 hours on the free tier, 5 and 15 hours on common paid tiers. (Riverside)

For recurring weekly or multi-hour shows that also stream live, StreamYard’s mix of live-first design and generous per-session limits often means you spend less time worrying about burning through multi-track hours.

Editing and repurposing

• We concentrate on AI Clips for fast highlight extraction and simple in-studio adjustments, then expect you to finish in your editor of choice.
• Riverside includes an in-app editor, Magic Clips, and AI-generated show notes, which can help if you want more editing inside the same browser tab and are comfortable operating within the plan limits. (Riverside)

If your priority is a steady publishing rhythm, clear local tracks, and easy live distribution, StreamYard usually feels lighter and more predictable. When you know you’ll lean heavily on in-app editing and don’t mind juggling hour quotas, Riverside becomes a reasonable alternative.

How do Chrome extensions compare to full studios for podcasting?

There are Chrome extensions that can record audio from your microphone and browser tab with a single click. A typical example is an "Audio Recorder" extension that claims to capture mic or tab audio without time limits. (Chrome Web Store)

These tools can be handy for:

• Quick solo voice notes
• Simple screen + narration clips
• Draft ideas before a full episode

But they usually come with key limitations for podcasting:

• No separate tracks for each guest—everyone’s combined into one file.
• No built-in guest management, invitations, greenroom, or scene layouts.
• Limited or no branding controls.

If your goal is a real podcast with remote guests, intros, and a consistent brand look, a studio like StreamYard gives you the structure and reliability those extensions lack, while still living entirely inside Chrome.

How do I record separate tracks for each guest in a browser?

Separate tracks are the difference between “we recorded a call” and “we captured a podcast.” They let you fix one person’s levels or noise without affecting everyone else.

In Chrome, there are two practical ways to get per-guest tracks:

• Local recordings in StreamYard: Local recording captures each participant’s audio and video individually on their own device, then uploads them, giving you per-guest files to edit later. (StreamYard Help Center)
• Local multi-track in Riverside: Each host or guest is recorded on their device with separate tracks uploaded for post-production. (Riverside Podcasting)

Most Chrome extensions, on the other hand, only capture a single combined stream from the tab or mic. That’s fine for basic capture, but it makes serious editing much harder.

What about browser support and system requirements?

Both StreamYard and Riverside are built around modern browsers, with Chrome being the most common choice.

• StreamYard runs directly in major desktop browsers, and many podcasters in the US standardize on Chrome for predictable performance. (StreamYard Help Center)
• Riverside likewise offers a browser-based studio for Chrome users, including local recording and multi-guest sessions. (Riverside Podcasting)

Whichever you choose, the fundamentals matter more than the brand: a reasonably recent computer, a solid mic, headphones to avoid echo, and a stable internet connection for uploads.

What we recommend

• Use StreamYard in Chrome as your default if you want a reliable studio that handles live shows, high-quality local recordings, and quick repurposing without over-complicating editing.
• Pair StreamYard with a dedicated editor and podcast host to handle deep post-production and RSS distribution.
• Consider Riverside in Chrome when your top priority is in-browser editing and you’re comfortable managing multi-track hour limits in exchange for those tools.
• Reserve simple Chrome extensions for one-off solos and quick captures—not as the backbone of a multi-guest podcast.