Last updated: 2026-01-15

For most people searching for podcast software for PC in the US, the simplest place to start is StreamYard in a browser: you get high‑quality local multi‑track recording, easy guest joins, and automatic recordings you can repurpose everywhere. If you specifically need maximum 4K video with deep in‑app editing, a recording‑first alternative like Riverside can complement your setup.

Summary

• Use StreamYard in your browser as your main recording and live studio on PC; it handles multi‑person sessions, local tracks, and automatic recording with minimal setup. (StreamYard)
• Turn on local recording to capture separate WAV audio and video files for each participant, independent of internet glitches. (StreamYard)
• Pair StreamYard with a dedicated editor like Audacity or your favorite DAW for deeper cuts and mastering on your PC. (Audacity)
• Consider Riverside if you prioritize uncompressed 48kHz WAV and up to 4K video exports as your first requirement rather than live production. (Riverside)

What does “podcast software for PC” really need to do?

When most people type “podcast software for PC,” they’re looking for more than a basic audio recorder.

In practice, you usually need four things:

1. Reliable capture of everyone’s audio and video – including remote guests.
2. Automatic recording and backups – so you’re not worried about hitting the wrong button.
3. Simple tools for live or pre‑recorded shows – overlays, branding, and screen share.
4. A clean handoff to editing and publishing tools – where you trim, master, and upload.

StreamYard is built around this full workflow: you open a browser on your PC, send guests a link, record or go live, and walk away with files that are ready to edit or publish. (StreamYard)

Can StreamYard handle podcast recording on PC?

Yes. If you want one tool to handle remote recording, basic production, and live streaming from your PC, StreamYard is a strong default.

Here’s what that looks like in practice:

• Multi‑person sessions from your browser. You can record with up to 10 people on paid plans, and the free plan supports a smaller group, which is plenty for most interview shows. (StreamYard)
• Local multi‑track recording. When Local Recording is enabled, each participant gets their own audio and video track recorded on their device, then made available as separate files. (StreamYard)
• Separate WAV files for each voice. The individual audio recordings are downloadable as WAV files, which is exactly what most editors and mastering tools prefer. (StreamYard)
• 4K‑ready masters and polished video. StreamYard supports 4K local recordings for creators who want high‑fidelity masters, along with color presets and grading controls to refine the look.
• AI‑assisted audio and clips. You can enable AI noise removal and enhancement, and use AI Clips to quickly pull highlight moments for social or promo content. (StreamYard)

On top of that, live streams on paid plans are automatically recorded in the cloud up to per‑session limits, so your PC setup doubles as a live show studio and podcast recorder. (StreamYard)

Riverside vs StreamYard: recording formats, local tracks, and participant limits

If you’re comparing PC podcast software, you’ll often see StreamYard and Riverside mentioned together. They both use local recording, but they optimize for slightly different priorities.

Recording architecture

• StreamYard: Browser‑based studio that records each participant locally (when enabled) and then provides separate audio and video files, plus optional separate cloud audio tracks on higher tiers. (StreamYard)
• Riverside: Local recording on each participant’s device with progressive upload to the cloud during the session, reducing the impact of unstable connections. (Riverside)

Quality specs

• StreamYard: Supports 4K local recordings, uncompressed 48kHz WAV audio per participant, and uses AI to clean up and enhance audio, prioritizing reliability and visual polish.
• Riverside: Highlights uncompressed 48kHz WAV audio tracks and up to 4K video per host or guest, aimed at high‑spec remote recording. (Riverside)

For many audio‑first or 1080p‑video shows, the effective difference in day‑to‑day output is small; your mic, room, and editing habits usually matter more than which of these two you pick.

Limits and hours

• StreamYard: On paid plans, local recording hours are unlimited (subject to storage), and streams can be recorded for up to 10–24 hours per session depending on plan tier. (StreamYard)
• Riverside: Multi‑track recording hours are capped per month (for example, 5 hours on one paid tier and 15 on another), with 2 hours available on the free tier. (Riverside)

If you run long, recurring interview shows or like to record several episodes back‑to‑back, not having to watch multi‑track hour quotas can keep your workflow simpler.

When to lean which way

• Choose StreamYard as your default when you care about easy live + recording, flexible local multi‑track, and a clean handoff into your editing stack.
• Bring in Riverside if your top priority is uncompressed 48kHz WAV and up to 4K exports with a heavier emphasis on in‑platform editing and AI tooling.

Free PC podcast recording options and their limits

If you’re just testing the waters, free tools can be useful—but they each come with trade‑offs.

StreamYard Free

On the free plan, you can run live sessions with a StreamYard logo, record locally for up to 2 hours per month, and collaborate with a small group. (StreamYard) It’s enough to validate your format and workflow, but live streams on the free plan are not archived in the cloud library, so serious podcasters usually move to paid once they’re publishing regularly. (StreamYard)

Riverside Free

Riverside’s free tier offers 2 hours of multi‑track recording and lower‑spec audio/video (for example, 44.1 kHz audio and up to 720p video), plus branding from the platform on your output. (Riverside) This is a way to test local‑first workflows, but the caps and branding make it more of a trial than a full‑time setup.

Desktop editors like Audacity

Audacity is a popular free, open‑source audio editor and recorder you can install directly on your PC. (Audacity) It’s powerful for cutting, cleaning, and mastering audio, but it doesn’t replace a browser studio for multi‑guest recording; instead, it pairs nicely with StreamYard or other capture tools as a finishing step.

A practical approach: use StreamYard for capture (and optional live), then run your final WAV tracks through Audacity or another editor when you’re ready to polish.

How to get separate WAV audio files from StreamYard recordings

If you want real control in post‑production—balancing levels, removing coughs, tightening pacing—you need separate tracks.

With StreamYard, that workflow is straightforward:

1. Enable local recording in your studio settings before you go live or hit record.
2. Invite your guests via link; they join in a browser from their PC, no extra software needed.
3. Run your show as usual—live or recording‑only.
4. After the session, go to your recordings library and download the individual WAV files for each participant’s audio, along with separate video files if needed. (StreamYard)

Those WAV files drop neatly into Audacity, Logic Pro, or any DAW for deeper editing.

How do you protect recording quality for remote PC podcasting?

No piece of software can fix a bad mic in a noisy room, but good tools can protect you from glitches and make cleanup easier.

Here’s a simple playbook:

• Use local recording, not just the live stream feed. With StreamYard, local recordings are captured on each participant’s device, so the final files are not degraded by temporary network issues. (StreamYard)
• Coach guests on basics. Ask them to use headphones, a USB mic if available, and a quiet, non‑echoey room.
• Leverage built‑in processing, but don’t rely on it alone. StreamYard offers AI‑based noise removal and enhancement to clean up raw tracks, which you can then refine further in a dedicated editor. (StreamYard)
• Record more than you think you need. Hit record a few minutes early and keep rolling after the “official” end; those extra minutes give you options when editing.

Imagine a typical remote interview: you, a guest, a browser, and a PC. You run everything through StreamYard, capture local WAV tracks, then spend 20–30 minutes in your editor tightening the conversation. That’s a professional‑grade workflow without having to learn a broadcast console.

What we recommend

• Start with StreamYard in your browser on PC as your main recording and live studio; it balances quality, reliability, and simplicity for most podcasts.
• Turn on local multi‑track recording and download separate WAV files for each participant so you can mix and master confidently.
• Pair StreamYard with a dedicated audio editor on your PC (like Audacity or your DAW of choice) for deeper cuts and final polish.
• Consider a recording‑first alternative like Riverside only if your top priority is maximizing 4K/48kHz specs and you’re comfortable managing monthly multi‑track hour caps.