Overview

Iris.fm is a remote podcast recording service for interviewers who want separate participant recordings to edit after a call. It is best suited to browser-based sessions with a small group; the nine-person cap and lack of a guarantee against data loss make it a less compelling choice for larger productions or as the sole archive for valuable recordings.

Local recording means a live-call hiccup need not carry over to each participant’s saved files. Separate audio and video files give editors individual material to work with, while live captions are saved alongside the recording for show notes or repurposing. Progressive uploads back up sessions as they run, but Iris says its regular content backups do not guarantee against loss or corruption.

Key features

Individual local tracks: Each participant receives separate audio and video files, a useful foundation for post-production rather than a single combined recording. Video recording and automatic transcription are supported.
Browser-based guest access: Guests join from a link without an app, installation, or Iris account. That is practical for occasional interviewees who may not want to set up recording software.
Captions during recording: Real-time captions are saved with the session, giving creators text to use for show notes and other repurposing.
Room roles and device controls: Hosts, producers, and guests have distinct roles. Up to nine people can record at once, which works for interviews and modest roundtables but rules out larger panels.
Custom studio and uploads: Users can brand a studio with their own branding and URL. Paid plans include Google Drive and Dropbox uploads, useful for teams already using those services.
Usage billing: Recording hours count the overall session time rather than multiplying by participant count, so adding participants does not itself consume more hours.

Pricing

Iris is freemium, with paid plans starting at $9 /mo. The free plan costs 0.00 USD per free, is included without a credit card, and lets guests join in their browser. For a regular recording workflow, however, the stated hour allowances and production features begin with paid tiers.

Free — 0.00 USD per free: Browser guest access and no credit card requirement. It is the low-commitment option, but no recording-hour allowance or other included production features are stated for this tier.
Starter — $9 /mo: 2 hours of recording, local HD recording files, host/producer/guest roles, unlimited audio mastering and transcriptions, plus Google Drive and Dropbox uploads. It suits occasional creators who can work within two session hours.
Pro — $19 /mo: 5 hours of recording with the same listed features as Starter. The larger allowance better fits creators recording more regularly.
Studio — $29 /mo: 10 hours of recording and the same listed production features. This is the best fit among the stated tiers for heavier monthly use, though the nine-person room limit still applies.

Across paid plans, the recording-hour quota is based on total session time, not the number of participants. That keeps multi-person sessions from multiplying usage, but creators should choose a tier around their combined recording time.

Platforms

Iris supports Android, iOS, and web. Recording takes place in a browser, with support for desktop and laptop browsers as well as iPhone, Android, Chrome, Safari, Firefox, and Edge. Browser guest access reduces setup demands, though it does not remove the nine-person limit.

The service is operated in the United States, and information from users elsewhere is transferred to, stored, and processed in the United States. Iris says support usually replies within a few hours at support@iris.fm.

Who it's for

Iris is a strong fit for podcasters who prioritize individually recorded participant tracks, need both audio and video for editing, and want guests to join without an account or install. Its role controls and captions also suit small teams that divide session duties and want text to reuse after recording.

Look elsewhere if a production regularly needs more than nine simultaneous participants, or if a guaranteed backup is essential. Progressive uploads are useful during a session, but Iris does not promise that content cannot be lost or corrupted.

Pros and cons

Pros: Local separate audio and video files give editors participant-level material, and live captions are saved for follow-up use.
Pros: Guests can join in a browser without an account or installation, reducing friction for interviewees.
Pros: Paid recording hours count session time rather than participant count, which is favorable for multi-person conversations.
Cons: Rooms cap at nine people, excluding larger panels.
Cons: The stated backup policy is not a guarantee against loss or corruption, so important sessions should not rely on Iris as the only copy.
Cons: Paid-hour allowances range from 2 to 10 hours per month across the listed tiers, which may constrain frequent or long-form recording.

Alternatives

Riverside is another freemium option with Android, iOS, and web support among a broader platform range; consider it if that broader platform coverage or its free trial matters to your choice.

Spreaker may suit creators focused on publishing podcasts: its Free Speech plan includes one podcast and unlimited episodes, rather than Iris’s emphasis on recording separate participant tracks.

Async is worth considering if AI chat media uploads and export resolution are central: its free tier includes 10 lifetime AI credits, one hour of media upload to AI chat, up to 720p export, and 2 GB storage.

Zencastr is a possible alternative for creators seeking a free tier with unlimited recording and downloads, up to 4K video, unlimited track storage, and support for up to six participants. Iris allows up to nine participants, so its room cap is higher.

Adobe Podcast is a web-based option with a free plan and free trial; its free plan includes audio-only speech enhancement with per-file and daily limits, so it is a different fit from Iris’s participant-track recording workflow.

Airtape Studio is another web freemium option, with its free plan limited to two recording hours per month and two participants total.

Boomcaster offers a free-forever plan and a $20/month Starter plan with five hours of studio-quality recording and livestreaming; consider it if livestreaming is part of the requirement.

Waveroom may fit creators wanting a free tier with unlimited audio and video recordings, up to 2K video, 48 kHz WAV audio, and up to five participants.

For broader category browsing, see Podcast Recording Software and Video Podcast Software.

Verdict

Choose Iris.fm if your priority is separate local participant tracks, browser access for guests, and saved captions in a compact recording room. Its clearest advantage is an edit-friendly recording workflow with session-time billing that does not scale with participant count. Choose another service if you need more than nine people in a room or dependable protection against data loss beyond Iris’s stated backup approach.

	Iris.fm	StreamYard On-Air
Free plan	Yes	Yes
Free trial	No	No
Paid from	$9/mo	Free
Open source	No	No
Platforms	Android, iOS, Web	Web
Free plan	Yes	No
Paid from	9 /mo	—
Local recording	Yes	—
Separate audio tracks	Yes	—
Automatic transcription	Yes	—

Iris.fm vs StreamYard On-Air

Iris.fm

StreamYard On-Air