WesterAudio vs. Riverside: Full Comparison for Podcast Creators
Searching for the right podcast recording platform comes down to one question: are you making a video podcast or an audio podcast? Riverside was built for video creators who also make audio. WesterAudio was built for audio creators, full stop.
This WesterAudio vs. Riverside comparison covers every part of the workflow: solo recording, collaborative recording with remote guests, mixing and editing tools, and getting your finished episode out the door. It includes side-by-side feature tables and a pricing breakdown so you can see exactly where each platform wins.
Quick verdict
Choose WesterAudio if you care about audio quality and mixing control. WesterAudio includes a real browser DAW with Parametric EQ, high-pass and low-pass filters, Compressor, and studio Reverb. These are tools Riverside does not offer — and WesterAudio is completely free right now, with no account required. Riverside's comparable features start at $29/mo.
Choose Riverside if you need 4K video recording, AI editing, live streaming, or Android/iOS mobile recording. It's the stronger platform for video-first creators.
Round 01
Solo recording
Both platforms record in the browser without software installation. The key difference is friction. WesterAudio requires no account. Open a tab, pick your mic, and record WAV or MP3. Riverside requires a sign-up before you record a single second.
Riverside adds 4K video recording on paid plans and has iOS and Android mobile apps. WesterAudio is audio-only and browser-only. If you ever want to record video, Riverside wins this round outright.
| Feature | WesterAudio | Riverside |
|---|---|---|
| No account required | ✓ Record immediately | ✗ Sign-up required |
| Browser-based | ✓ Chrome, Firefox, Safari | ✓ Browser-based |
| WAV download | ✓ Free | ✓ Pro plan |
| MP3 download | ✓ Free | ✓ All plans |
| Video recording | ✗ Audio only | ✓ Up to 4K (Pro) |
| Mobile app | ✗ Browser only | ✓ iOS and Android |
Round 02
Collaboration recording
WesterAudio's Collab Room is free: host up to 2 guests (3 people total), no account needed for anyone. Everyone records locally on their own device, so audio quality doesn't depend on internet speed. Guests join via a 4-character room code or a shared link.
Riverside supports up to 9 guests on paid plans, records video per participant, and requires an account for everyone in the room. If your show involves panels of more than 3 people, or you need video per guest, Riverside has the edge.
| Feature | WesterAudio | Riverside |
|---|---|---|
| Collab Room access | ✓ Free | ✓ All paid plans |
| Max remote guests | Up to 2 (3 people total) | Up to 9 |
| Room code / invite system | ✓ 4-character code, shareable link | ✓ Reusable link |
| Separate track per participant | ✓ Included, free | 15 hrs/mo on Pro ($29/mo) |
| Local device recording | ✓ Each person records locally | ✓ Local recording |
| Account required to join | ✓ No account — host or guest | ✗ Account required for all |
| Video per participant | ✗ Audio only | ✓ Up to 4K per guest |
Round 03
Mixing and editing
WesterAudio's Mix Master is free for everyone: a real DAW in the browser with Parametric EQ, high-pass and low-pass filters, Compressor, and studio Reverb, plus clip editing on every track. More effects — denoiser, noise gate, de-esser, limiter — are on the roadmap and marked "soon" in the effects rack.
Riverside counters with AI editing features WesterAudio doesn't have: text-based editing, an AI agent that cuts filler words and silences automatically, auto-captions in 100+ languages, and AI clip generation. If post-production speed matters more than manual control, Riverside's AI tools save significant time.
| Feature | WesterAudio | Riverside |
|---|---|---|
| Clip editing and track levels | ✓ Free | ✓ All plans |
| Parametric EQ | ✓ Free | ✗ |
| High-pass and Low-pass filters | ✓ Free | ✗ |
| Compressor | ✓ Free | ✗ |
| Reverb | ✓ Free | ✗ |
| Denoiser | Coming soon | ✓ Magic Audio, Pro |
| Noise gate and de-esser | Coming soon | ✗ |
| AI editing agent | ✗ | ✓ Pro |
| Text-based editing | ✗ | ✓ Pro |
| Filler word and silence removal | ✗ Manual clipping | ✓ Automatic, Pro |
| Auto-captions | ✗ | ✓ 100+ languages, Pro |
| AI clip generation | ✗ | ✓ Pro |
Round 04
Publishing and distribution
This is Riverside's round. Riverside's Pro plan ($29/mo) includes RSS distribution to Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and major directories, plus video publishing to YouTube and social platforms. WesterAudio doesn't publish for you yet: you export finished WAV or MP3 files and upload them to whatever podcast host you already use (Spotify for Creators, Transistor, Buzzsprout, and the like). Built-in RSS distribution is on the WesterAudio roadmap.
| Feature | WesterAudio | Riverside |
|---|---|---|
| Built-in RSS distribution | ✗ On the roadmap | ✓ Pro ($29/mo) |
| Clean WAV/MP3 export for any host | ✓ Free | ✓ WAV on Pro |
| Video publishing (YouTube, social) | ✗ Audio only | ✓ Pro |
| Live streaming | ✗ | ✓ Live plan ($39/mo) |
Round 05
Pricing
WesterAudio is free. All of it: solo recording, the Collab Room, and the full Mix Master DAW, with no account and no credit card. Paid plans may arrive as the platform grows — the plan is for solo recording to stay free — but today there is nothing to pay for.
Riverside's entry paid tier (Pro at $29/mo, or $24/mo billed annually) is where RSS publishing, AI editing, and separate multi-track recording become available.
| Plan | WesterAudio | Riverside |
|---|---|---|
| Free | $0: everything — solo recording, Collab Room (3 people), full DAW mixer, no account needed | $0: limited (720p video, 2hr separate tracks one-time) |
| Paid | None yet — free while WesterAudio grows | Pro $29/mo (or $24/mo annually): 4K video, AI editing, RSS publishing. Live plan $39/mo. |
Which should you choose?
Choose WesterAudio if:
- You produce an audio-only podcast and don't need video recording
- You want to record solo with no account: download WAV or MP3, trim, and go
- You record with a co-host or a guest (up to 3 people, free, joined by room code)
- You want manual DAW-level control: parametric EQ, filters, compression, and reverb
- You want all of it free — WesterAudio currently costs nothing
Choose Riverside if:
- You produce a video podcast and need 4K recording per participant
- You record panels or roundtables with 4 to 9 guests
- You want AI editing: automatic filler word removal, text-based editing, AI clip generation
- You publish video content to YouTube or social platforms
- You need a mobile app for iOS or Android recording
Ready to try WesterAudio? No account needed. Open a tab, choose your mic, and record. Or share a room code and record with your co-host.
NO ACCOUNT NEEDED · CHROME, FIREFOX, SAFARI
Frequently asked questions
Is WesterAudio better than Riverside?
WesterAudio is better than Riverside for audio podcasters who want professional mixing control without paying for video features they do not use. WesterAudio includes a real browser DAW with Parametric EQ, high-pass and low-pass filters, Compressor, and Reverb. These are tools Riverside does not offer — and WesterAudio is currently free, with no account required. Riverside is better for creators who need 4K video recording, AI editing, live streaming, or a mobile app.
What is the difference between Riverside vs. WesterAudio?
Riverside is an all-in-one platform for video and audio content: recording up to 4K, AI editing, live streaming, and podcast hosting. WesterAudio is built specifically for audio creators: solo recording, collaborative recording with separate tracks, a full browser-based DAW for mixing, and clean WAV/MP3 exports for any podcast host. WesterAudio requires no account and is currently free; Riverside Pro costs $29/mo.
Can WesterAudio record video?
No. WesterAudio is audio-only. It records WAV and MP3 files. If you need video recording for a video podcast or YouTube content, Riverside is the better option. If your primary output is an audio podcast, WesterAudio gives you more mixing depth at a lower price.
How many people can record together on WesterAudio?
WesterAudio supports up to 3 participants in a collaborative session. Each person records locally on their own device, so audio quality stays crisp regardless of internet speed. Guests join via a 4-character room code with no account required. Riverside supports up to 9 guests on paid plans, which makes it better suited for larger panel recordings.
Does WesterAudio have podcast hosting and RSS distribution?
Not yet. WesterAudio exports finished WAV or MP3 files that you upload to any podcast host — Spotify for Creators, Transistor, Buzzsprout, or wherever your show already lives. Built-in RSS distribution is on the roadmap. Riverside includes RSS distribution on its Pro plan at $29/mo.
Does WesterAudio have AI editing tools?
No. WesterAudio's Mix Master gives you manual DAW-level control: Parametric EQ, Compressor, High-pass and Low-pass filters, and Reverb. WesterAudio is built for podcasters who want to shape their sound directly. If automatic filler word removal, text-based AI editing, or AI clip generation matter to your workflow, Riverside's Pro plan includes them.
