Podcasting Tools: From First Episode to Full Production
Podcasting is having a second renaissance. Video podcasts on YouTube and Spotify are driving discovery faster than audio-only distribution ever could. But the core tools — hosting, recording, editing — haven’t changed as much as the distribution channels. Here’s what working podcasters actually use.
Buzzsprout: The Best Podcast Host for Beginners and Pros Alike
Buzzsprout (free for 2 hours/month, $12/month for 3 hours, $18/month for 6 hours, $24/month for 12 hours) is the most recommended podcast hosting platform for good reason: it’s the right balance of simplicity and power. Buzzsprout handles RSS feed generation, one-click distribution to Apple Podcasts, Spotify, YouTube, and every major directory, and provides clear analytics that make sense to non-technical creators.
Features that separate Buzzsprout from cheaper alternatives: Magic Mastering (automatic audio optimization — levels, noise reduction, EQ), dynamic content (insert pre-roll and post-roll audio that updates across all episodes, useful for timely promotions), and chapter markers (let listeners skip to segments they care about). The free plan is genuinely useful — 2 hours of upload per month with episodes hosted for 90 days. By the time you outgrow it, you’ll know exactly what you need.
Buzzsprout’s affiliate program pays a flat referral fee for new signups.
Captivate: Growth-Focused Podcast Hosting
Captivate ($17/month Personal, $44/month Professional, $90/month Business) was built by the team behind the UK’s largest podcast network — and their product reflects a network-level understanding of what grows shows. Captivate’s standout feature is “Podcast Networks” — group multiple shows under one brand, with cross-promotion tools, shared analytics, and centralized management. For creators launching a network of shows, Captivate’s architecture is purpose-built for this.
Captivate’s analytics go deeper than most hosts: listener geography, listening devices, episode drop-off points, and comparison analytics across your network. The “Calls to Action” feature lets you create visual CTAs that appear in podcast apps alongside your episodes — link to your website, newsletter, or product directly from the player. This direct-response capability is unique among podcast hosts.
Recording: Riverside (Remote) vs. SquadCast
For remote podcast recording, Riverside ($15/month, covered in depth in our Creator Tools guide) is the market leader. Local recording per participant, separate tracks, 4K video, and AI transcription. SquadCast (now part of Descript, $24/month) offers similar features with tighter Descript integration — if you already use Descript for editing, SquadCast eliminates the import step.
Editing: Descript vs. Audacity
Descript ($24/month, covered in our Creator Tools guide) is the text-based editor that lets you edit audio by editing a transcript. For interview-based podcasts where you need to cut segments, remove filler words, and rearrange content, Descript is the fastest editing tool available.
Audacity (free, open source) is the traditional waveform editor. Slower than Descript for content editing, but gives you precise control over audio quality — noise reduction, EQ, compression, normalization. Many podcasters use both: rough cut in Descript, final polish in Audacity. For solo podcasters who script their episodes, Audacity alone is sufficient — you’re not cutting around conversation.
The Podcast Tech Stack
- Beginner ($0-12/mo): Buzzsprout Free or $12/mo + Audacity (free) + your phone mic
- Intermediate ($27-40/mo): Buzzsprout $18/mo + Descript $24/mo + Samson Q2U mic ($70 one-time)
- Professional ($67+/mo): Captivate $44/mo + Riverside $24/mo + Descript Pro $40/mo