11 Best Podcast Editing Software to Take Your Episodes to the Next Level in 2023

Podcasting has been a lucrative, thriving, and trending market for years now, allowing people to have their voices and stories heard through episodic releases. Starting a podcast involves multiple tasks trying to figure out which recording equipment would work for your show to devising a strategy to market your episodes to the masses, there’s often little room to figure out much else – and that includes editing software.

Regardless of whether you’re a podcaster who does it all or hire a dedicated editor for a show, using good software to revise episodes can make the process easier, quicker, and more intuitive. With so many options out there, we’re sure you need some help narrowing your choices down – so read on to find the top podcast audio recording software.

With so many software out there, how do you select the right one for your podcast editing needs?

What should I consider when picking an editing software?

Depending on what your podcast editing needs are, price range, and what skill level you operate at, there are a variety of points to consider when choosing a podcast audio editing software:

1. User Interface and Ease of Use: Search for software that has a user-friendly and intuitive interface. You'll want a tool that includes effortless navigation and execution of edited podcast episodes, without requiring extensive learning.
2. Editing Features and Capabilities: Depending on what kind of editing you plan to do – from simple edits such as cleaning up background noise or more advanced podcast editing – it’s important to compare and contrast each software’s tools, features, and capacity.
3. Plugin Support: Consider whether you might need to use plugins for additional audio processing or effects. Some software allows you to extend its capabilities by integrating third-party plugins, which can greatly enhance your editing options.
4. Cost: Assess the pricing alternatives of various software solutions and determine if they correspond with your budget. Certain editing software provides free versions with restricted capabilities, while others present options for one-time purchases or subscriptions. Reflect upon your long-term podcasting objectives and select a solution that makes sense for you.
5. Workflow Integration: If you plan to incorporate other tools into your podcasting workflow, such as recording software or content management systems, consider whether the editing software can easily integrate with those tools. Compatibility and seamless workflow integration can save you time and effort.

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1. Notetracks

Notetracks is an online workstation with powerful collaboration, editing, and commenting features, allowing podcast editors, producers and teams to communicate and make changes in one dedicated space. Collaboration and communication is integral in the editing process, as being able to receive feedback from the team is paramount to correctly and thoroughly revising a podcast draft. Notetracks also has basic editing features that any podcast editor would need, such as splitting, trimming, pasting, and more, allowing for everything to be done in one space. Check us out for Free today.

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2. Adobe Audition

Renowned for its exceptional noise reduction features and top-notch audio track restoration and compression tools, Adobe Audition is a go-to choice for podcasters seeking professional-grade quality. One of its standout features is batch-processing capability, allowing you to effortlessly apply the same effects to multiple files in one go. This time-saving functionality ensures a streamlined editing process and lets you focus on what matters most: creating engaging and high-quality podcast content. While pricy, if you’re an editor looking for extensive, advanced features and tools, Adobe Audition could be exactly what you’re looking for. Subscribe today here.

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3. Pro Tools

Pro Tools isn’t considered the industry standard for nothing – with an expansive amount of features, automation options, and plug-ins, Pro Tools works for any kind of podcast editing situation, whether basic fixes or advanced revisions. With a free version available, users are encouraged to dip their toes into the software, as there is a learning curve if you are a beginner audio editor prior to purchase. However, with varied plans at all different price points, Pro Tools is often a first choice for new and seasoned editors alike. Learn more about Pro Tools by clicking here.

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4. Audacity

Audacity has been the choice of beginner editors everywhere for decades at this point – while not bursting at the seams with tons of features like some other softwares on this list, Audacity has everything you’d need to do the most important edits on an episode – clean up sections, remove unwanted noises, level the audio, and the like. Being completely, 100% free, Audacity is the perfect option for podcast editors just starting out or podcasters who edit their own episodes and just need the basics. Download Audacity for free here.

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5. Descript

Descript is the perfect audio editing software for newbie podcasters. Instead of messing around with audio files, you can export your podcast and make edits to text. The software automatically generates transcriptions of your audio clips, and you can effortlessly make changes by editing the text. Additionally, Descript also has a text-to-video editor, a super cool feature that sets them apart from the rest. Visit Descript’s site to determine which pricing works for you with free to premium options.

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6. GarageBand

Maybe more known for music creation, GarageBand is still a capable and acceptable DAW for podcast editors and creators. With a version that’s completely free for Mac users, the legendary app has a myriad of features, effects, instrumentation, and tools podcast editors should be taking advantage of. GarageBand offers real-time editing effects that enhance your sound quality, slashing the amount of time you typically spend on post-recording audio editing. Download GarageBand here.

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7. Reaper

Reaper is a complete, all-around reliable option for podcast editors everywhere, available at no cost for 60 days. Reaper comes equipped with thorough midi routing and multi-channel support, plug-in options, excellent compatibility with a variety of file types, and thousands of effects to take advantage of. Reaper is known as one of the most powerful affordable DAWs, with frequent updates and responsive customer support to ensure you’re editing your podcast at the highest calibre possible. Check out Reaper for 60 days, free and further look into licensing here.

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8. Hindenburg Journalist

Tailor-made for radio journalists and seasoned podcasters, Hindenburg Journalist’s podcast editing software is meticulously designed and optimized to meet a podcast editor’s specific needs. With varied automated capabilities like auto levelling and noise reduction, Hindenburg is an great choice if you’re looking to save time editing your podcast episodes. Hindenburg does not have a free version, but do offer a 30-day trial to take advantage of if the program works for you. Visit their website today to learn more about Hindenburg Journalist.

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9.  Riverside.fm

Riverside.fm is an excellent podcast recording and editing software that caters to beginners, professionals, and everyone in between. With their AI transcriptions, you can tweak your podcast by simply editing the transcript. Plus, they've got a bag of automated tools for fine-tuning your audio, personalizing your layout, and whipping up shareable clips. With more of a focus on video podcasts, Riverside.fm allows you to create excellent episodes in less time than traditional editors. It's the whole package, designed to make your podcasting experience smooth and enjoyable. Try out Riverside.fm for free today.

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10. Auphonic

With AI and audio editing co-mingling more than ever before, Auphonic has harnessed the power of automation to make your podcast editing easier than ever. Auphonic has several unique features such as automated levellers, multitrack algorithms, speech recognition, and metadata encoding to streamline your workflow and produce captivating podcasts. Additionally, if you’re looking to add video to your podcast episodes, Auphonic also has video support with built-in shareable audiograms. With an allotted two free hours each month, Auphonic is the perfect software to try out and see if working alongside AI is for you. Check it out today.

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11.  Audio Director

AudioDirector is a state-of-the-art audio editing software equipped with advanced AI features, accelerating the processes of multi-tracking, mixing, editing, and sound restoration with ease. Focused on tools specifically geared towards podcasters, such as a Voice Profiler & EQ Match, AI De-Reverb, Vocal Balance, and AI Speech Enhancement, AudioDirector provides the finest features available to edit your episodes flawlessly. With a large number of podcasters and podcast editors using AudioDirector as their preferred program, see what the fuss is about by checking out AudioDirector’s free and paid versions today for your Windows system.

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In Conclusion…

In the ever-expanding world of podcasting, having the right audio editing software can make all the difference in delivering a professional and engaging listening experience. Throughout this blog post, we here at Notetracks explored the top 12 podcast audio editing software options available today. From industry giants like Adobe Audition and GarageBand to specialized tools like Hindenburg Journalist and Descript, each software brings unique features and functionalities to the table.

Whether you're a beginner looking for user-friendly software or a seasoned professional seeking advanced automation and customization capabilities, there is an audio editing software on this list to suit your needs. These tools offer a range of benefits, including noise reduction, audio restoration, real-time effects, batch processing, and intuitive interfaces that streamline the editing process and give you more time to record amazing episodes.

What podcast audio editor do you prefer to use? Got any suggestions for the list? Give us a shout below and let us hear your thoughts.