Best software for recording and editing video podcasts (2026)

The video podcast toolchain

This answers a question that comes up often in r/podcasting, for example "Best video/audio podcast software?" and "How do you guys edit your video podcasts?".

Recording: get this right first

Most podcast editing pain comes from recording problems. Separate tracks for each person let an editor fix one person's noise or volume without affecting others. For remote guests, platforms that record locally on each guest's device avoid internet glitches in the final file.

Editing: transcript vs timeline

Transcript-based (Descript, and text-based features in Riverside and Premiere Pro) is fastest for conversation-heavy shows: you read, delete and rearrange. Timeline-based professional editors give more precise control over multicam switching, audio mixing and graphics. Many podcasters rough-cut by transcript and polish on a timeline.

Clipping for social

Clips are how many podcasts get discovered. AI tools suggest moments and reframe them vertically; review every clip for context before posting.

When to outsource

Multi-speaker video podcasts are among the most time-consuming things to edit: syncing, switching cameras, cleaning several audio tracks, then clips. If you publish weekly, a podcast editor or production service often pays for itself in time. See podcast editing cost.

DoneEdit, our own service, currently edits solo videos only (one English speaker, up to 10 minutes raw), so it suits solo episodes or segments, not interview shows.

Starter setups

• Solo video podcast: webcam or phone, USB dynamic mic, Descript or CapCut.
• Remote interviews: Riverside, headset or dynamic mics for each guest, Descript or Premiere Pro.
• In-person studio: two or three cameras, a multi-track audio recorder, DaVinci Resolve or Premiere Pro.

Worked example: three starter setups

• Solo host, one camera: record locally, edit with a transcript-based editor such as Descript, and make Shorts with your editor's clip tools or an AI clipper.
• Remote interviews: record with a remote-recording tool such as Riverside so each person's track is captured separately, then edit in its editor or export to your main editor.
• In-person, two cameras: record each camera and a separate audio track, sync in a desktop editor with multicam (such as Premiere Pro or DaVinci Resolve), then cut between cameras.

Step by step: from raw episode to published video

1. Back up the raw files.
2. Sync cameras and audio.
3. Clean up audio: levels, noise and harsh sounds.
4. Cut the conversation for pace.
5. Switch angles to follow who's talking.
6. Add lower thirds, captions where useful and chapters.
7. Export the full episode.
8. Cut and caption clips for Shorts.

Checklist: choosing podcast software

• Does it record each participant separately?
• Can it sync multiple cameras automatically?
• Does it have text-based editing?
• How good is its audio cleanup?
• Can it export both horizontal episodes and vertical clips?
• Does it fit your computer and budget?

Where time goes

For most video podcasts the slowest parts are syncing, audio cleanup and cutting the conversation. Software that helps with those three saves more time than fancy effects.

Budget tips

Start with free or low-cost tools and upgrade only when a specific limitation costs you time every episode. Spending on a good microphone often improves a podcast more than spending on software.

Key takeaways

• Get recording right first: separate tracks and good audio make every editor easier to use.
• Transcript-based editors suit conversation-heavy shows; timeline editors give more control.
• Syncing, audio cleanup and cutting the conversation take the most time.
• Clip tools help turn episodes into Shorts, but review every clip.