Side by side
Descript vs Riverside
Both stand on audio editing software. Which one you can start free with, which one lets you read the code, and what each costs once you pay.
Choose Descript if you want to edit recordings through their transcripts and use tools for recording, cleanup, and repurposing. The free plan is available, while the least expensive listed paid plan costs $16 a month billed annually. Look elsewhere if your workflow requires more than the Hobbyist plan’s listed monthly media hours or AI credits at that plan level.
Visit DescriptRiverside covers recording, editing, and publishing for podcasts and video, with webinar features available on a separate plan. Check the multi-track and separate-track download limits, browser support, and plan billing details against your needs.
Visit RiversideThe facts
| Descript | Riverside | |
|---|---|---|
| Free plan | Yes | Yes |
| Open source | Not published | Not published |
| Runs on | Mac, Web, Windows | Android, API, iPhone, Mac, Web, Windows |
| Lowest paid plan | Hobbyist: $16 per person a month | See the plans |
| Plans published | 5 | 6 |
| Maker | Descript | Riverside |
| Website | descript.com | riverside.com |
| On audio editing software | #12 of 131 | #8 of 131 |
Descript: what it does well
- Edit video and audio by changing an automatically generated transcript.
- Supports screen, camera, and remote 4K multitrack recording.
- Underlord can perform editing tasks; tools remove filler words and retakes.
- Creates clips, captions, translations, and dubbed video.
- Integrates with Google Drive, Slack, YouTube, Zoom, and editing apps.
What to know first
- The Hobbyist plan is limited to 10 media hours per month.
- The Hobbyist plan includes 400 AI credits per month.
- The Hobbyist plan exports watermark-free video at up to 1080p.
Riverside: what it does well
- Free plan includes two hours of multi-track recordings.
- Supports local recording and separate participant tracks.
- Pro includes text-based editing and audio enhancement.
- Webinar plan supports up to 100 registrants.
- Integrations include Adobe Premiere Pro and Final Cut Pro.
What to know first
- Free recordings include a Riverside watermark.
- Separate-track downloads have monthly limits on several plans.
- Some studio features are unavailable in Safari.
- Linux computers are unsupported for recording.
Alternatives to Descript Alternatives to Riverside The whole list