Overview
Riverside (Riverside.fm) is basically the standard answer when someone asks, "How do I record a remote interview that doesn't look like a Zoom call?"
While tools like Zoom or Google Meet are great for meetings, they compress audio and video to ensure the call doesn't drop. This results in that familiar pixelated video and robotic audio. Riverside takes a different approach. It acts as a "local recording engine." It captures uncompressed 4K video and high-quality WAV audio directly on your guest's computer, independent of their internet connection speed.
Once the recording is done, it uploads those high-quality files to the cloud. Over the last few years, Riverside has pivoted from being just a recording tool to a full "AI Video Creation Platform." This means they now handle the entire workflow, from the initial capture to editing via transcript and generating vertical clips for TikTok or Reels.
It is built specifically for podcasters, marketing teams, and creators who need broadcast-quality results without shipping a physical hard drive to their guests.
Key Features
The Local Recording Engine
This is the core reason you pay for Riverside. It records up to 4K resolution video and 48kHz WAV audio locally on every participant's device. If your guest's Wi-Fi dips for 10 seconds, you might see a blurry image live, but the final file you download will be crisp and uninterrupted. It also records everyone on separate tracks, meaning if one guest coughs while another is speaking, you can easily cut the cough out in post-production without ruining the dialogue.
Text-Based Editor
Editing video usually involves dragging blocks around a timeline. Riverside simplifies this by letting you edit the video by modifying the transcript. If you delete a sentence in the text, the software automatically cuts that corresponding section of video and audio. It makes rough cuts incredibly fast, especially for producers who aren't professional video editors.
Magic Clips
For social media managers, this feature is a significant time-saver. The AI analyzes your long-form recording (like a 60-minute interview) and identifies "engaging" moments. It then automatically formats them into vertical (9:16) videos, adds captions, and centers the speaker. It isn't perfect, but it gets you 90% of the way to a finished Short or Reel in seconds.
Magic Audio
Audio engineering is a dark art for many creators. The "Magic Audio" button is an automated mixing tool that removes background noise, handles equalization, and normalizes volume levels across all speakers. It brings the audio up to a decent studio standard with a single click.
Pricing
Riverside has updated its pricing structure for late 2025. Note that prices generally drop if you commit to annual billing.
- Free Plan: Good for testing the waters. You get 2 hours of separate track recording, but exports are watermarked and video is capped at 720p.
- Standard Plan (~$15/mo billed yearly): This is the entry level for serious audio. You get 5 hours of separate audio/video tracks per month, no watermarks, and 4K video quality.
- Pro Plan (~$24/mo billed yearly): The most common pick for active creators. It bumps the limit to 15 hours per month and unlocks the AI features, including Magic Audio cleanup and full transcriptions. It also allows for live streaming to platforms like YouTube or LinkedIn.
- Business Plan: Custom pricing for enterprise needs, offering SSO, unlimited recording, and SOC 2 Type II compliance.
Pros & Cons
The Good
- Audio/Video Fidelity: The difference between a Riverside recording and a Zoom recording is immediately noticeable. The local recording creates files that look and sound like they were recorded in the same room.
- Guest Experience: Guests do not need to install anything. They click a link and open it in their browser. This reduces friction significantly when interviewing non-tech-savvy people.
- Rescue Mission: Because files upload in the background, you rarely lose data. Even if a computer crashes, the data uploaded up to that point is usually safe.
The Bad
- Browser Pickiness: Riverside relies heavily on protocols that run best in Chrome or Edge. If your guest tries to join via Safari or Firefox, they will likely run into issues or be forced to switch browsers.
- Resource Heavy: Recording 4K video locally in a browser tab eats up RAM and CPU. If your guest is on an old laptop with 20 other tabs open, their computer might struggle or freeze.
- Upload Wait Times: For long sessions (2+ hours), you have to wait for all guests to finish uploading their local files before the high-quality versions are available. If a guest closes the tab too early, you have to chase them down to reopen the page.
Verdict
If you are recording content where quality reflects on your brand (like a corporate podcast, a YouTube interview series, or client testimonials), Riverside is an essential tool. The "local recording" safety net alone is worth the subscription price to avoid the nightmare of internet dropouts ruining a good take.
However, if you are just holding internal team syncs or casual catch-ups, stick to Zoom or Teams. Riverside is a production tool, not a meeting tool. It demands a bit more computer power and patience from your guests, but the resulting quality is professional grade.