32 Best Podcast Tools to Produce, Edit, Host & Grow Your Show

Finding the best podcasting tools for your show can be overwhelming. There are tons of tools you need, many options to choose from, and most claim to be the best in their category. Choose wrong, and you risk poor audio quality, inefficient workflows, and a frustrating listener experience—sabotaging your show's success.

Which is probably why you're here.

We scoured online reviews and discussions in niche forums about the best tools for podcasting. We tapped into the wisdom of veteran podcasters—professionals who have been in the trenches, using these tools for years. And we also tested a few of them ourselves.

The result? A curated list of the ultimate podcasting arsenal that will empower you to:

Produce crystal-clear audio that captivates audiences
Edit effortlessly with pro-level precision
Host and distribute your show seamlessly across platforms
Gain insights to grow your listener base exponentially
Monetize your passion project

With our recommendations, you'll streamline your entire podcasting process from conception to monetization.

32 best podcast tools

Best podcast planning tools

Effective planning lays the foundation for a successful podcast. While simple solutions like Google Docs may work for basic outlining, dedicated podcast project management platforms offer powerful features to improve workflow and facilitate collaboration with team members or guests.

Trello: Best for visual project management

With its iconic boards and cards, Trello provides a visual workspace perfect for brainstorming episode ideas. Imagine sticky notes on a digital wall—you can move cards around, assign tasks to co-hosts, and keep track of research progress, all in one place.

Attach files to tasks, leave comments for clarity, and check items off as you grow your podcast.

No‎tion: Best for customizable workflows

Animated screenshot of a Notion dashboard — Source: Notion

Notion is a great tool for podcasters who value flexibility and customization in their project management. You can quickly get an overview of your podcast production process with customizable databases for episode details, research materials, and content calendar.

You can also plan each episode by creating dedicated pages for in-depth brainstorming, complete with reference links and comments. Whether you want to zoom in or out, Notion can do it.

Mo‎nday.com: Best for pre-built podcast templates

Collaborate with guests and co-hosts to plan podcast episodes, write scripts, and refine show notes using shareable Monday work docs.

Monday also lets you build a bespoke podcasting tool with pre-built templates and customizable reports that import your most important data related to listeners, monetization, and more.

Ca‎lendly: Best for guest scheduling

Scheduling guest appearances can be a headache of back-and-forth emails.

Calendly streamlines this process by allowing you to share a scheduling link with available time slots for guests to book themselves.

Po‎dmatch: Best for finding guests

Podmatch connects hosts with potential guests and vice-versa based on a podcast's niche and audience. Use it to discover and pitch potential guests that align with your show's topics and schedule interviews effortlessly.

Best podcast recording and editing tools

Editing transforms a bare recording into a polished, engaging podcast. And these are the tools you need in your arsenal for no-nonsense podcast editing.

De‎script: Best for versatile, effortless recording and editing

Descript combines podcast recording, transcription, and high-quality audio/video editing into one seamless experience. It throws out the old editing timeline and replaces it with a document-style interface, making audio and video editing as easy as editing a doc.

Really: Edit multitrack audio simply by editing text in the transcript. You can also create an AI clone of your voice and edit your audio by typing what you want to hear. Need to remove awkward pauses or rearrange segments? Drag, drop, and done.

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Re‎aper: Best for budget-conscious power users

If you want an easy learning curve without sacrificing functionality, Reaper could be your perfect match.

Users love it as a lightweight yet powerful tool that gives them full control over their edit, even on a phone or tablet browser. Plus, it comes with a refreshingly low one-time fee and abundant online tutorials.

Ad‎obe Audition: Best for professional production

Screenshot of Adobe Audition — Adobe Audition

Adobe Audition is an industry-leading audio editing software in a class of its own. Packed with an expansive toolkit, it enables professional-grade editing, mixing, restoration, and sound design. While its advanced feature set may involve a steeper learning curve, Audition is the gold standard for podcast producers demanding meticulous control over every detail.

Sq‎‎uadCast: Best for remote recording

Many podcasters have experienced the horror of recording with a remote guest whose internet is glitchy—or cuts out entirely. It's no fun.

SquadCast automatically records each participant locally with progressive uploads that save in real-time, which ensures a flawless final product even with network hiccups. Get raw, uncompressed, high-quality recordings for audio podcasts, video podcasts, social clips, and anything else you need for your production workflow.

Po‎‎dcastle: Best for AI-powered sound editing

While the recording process is crucial, excellent sound editing can elevate a podcast's production value. Podcastle’s AI-powered tools automatically edit out distracting background sounds, ensuring clean audio every time you record.

Best podcast hosting platforms

Podcast hosting platforms act as the digital home base for your show, ensuring it's easily accessible across major podcasting directories. Want to maximize your show’s visibility and reach? Start by picking one of the hosting platforms given below.

Bu‎zzsprout: Best for user-friendly hosting

Buzzsprout is a popular podcast hosting solution with great customer support, advanced analytics, and syndication to major podcast directories.

It's even got a free plan so you can try before committing to a paid plan. For a little bit extra per month, you can also take advantage of its built-in Magic Mastering tool, which will improve your audio quality automatically. You can also monetize your podcast via paid subscriptions and by using Buzzsprout Ads.

Ca‎ptivate: Best for seamless promotion

Captivate is a high-tech hosting platform that supports multiple podcasts and collaborators for a single price. The platform understands the importance of getting your podcast discovered and offers a built-in marketing suite to grow your audience.

In addition to features like custom show notes templates, episode planning tools, and snazzy social media embeds, Captivate also supports the newest Podcasting 2.0 features, like chapters, transcripts, and episode art.

Po‎dbean: Best for flexible, budget-friendly hosting

Podbean caters to podcasters with varying needs by offering a free plan alongside premium options. Its monetization options allow you to explore revenue streams beyond pitching for sponsorships as your podcast grows. Plus, its unique dashboard lets you record, edit, and host your podcast from a simple interface.

Ca‎stos: Best for business/brand podcasting

If you're a business or brand looking to launch a professional podcast, Castos is the platform to try. With unlimited podcasts, episodes, and downloads across all its plans, it provides the scalability required for corporate-level shows. And you also get a customizable podcast website to promote your show!

Best podcast tools for transcription and marketing copy

Transcription tools that convert spoken words into text can save you time and manual effort crafting episode outlines, show notes, transcriptions, and marketing materials.

De‎script: Best all-in-one solution

Beyond podcast editing, you can also use Descript to generate transcripts with industry-leading accuracy. Just upload your audio or video, choose from 23 languages, and Descript's AI whirs into action, generating a text transcript within seconds. From there, you can craft written content like show notes manually, or use Descript's AI Actions features to write show notes, YouTube descriptions, newsletters, blog posts, and more automatically.

Polish the transcript by removing filler words or use Descript's Overdub feature to fix mistakes and verbal slip-ups directly within the text. For seamless sharing, export your polished transcript in various formats, including DOCX, TXT, and HTML.

Ot‎ter.ai: Best for on-the-go capture

This AI-powered tool excels at real-time transcription, making it perfect for capturing interview audio or recording thoughts on the fly using just your smartphone. Otter's ability to transcribe speech into editable text means you can effortlessly transform ramblings into coherent outlines or drafts while maintaining that natural, conversational tone.

Sw‎ell AI: Best for repurposing content

Imagine creating an entire content ecosystem based on a single podcast episode.

From simple summaries and show notes to blog posts, newsletters, intro scripts, and even social media snippets, Swell AI lets you repurpose your podcast episodes into an array of written marketing materials.

You can also use its ChatEmbed feature on the episode page to let listeners ask questions about your podcast episode and other content.

Ca‎stmagic: Best for AI-powered content creation

Short on time but big on ideas? Castmagic uses AI to help you squeeze the most out of your podcast audio. From podcast transcriptions and episode titles to speaker bios, time stamps, and show notes, their Magic Chat feature will take the heavy lifting of podcast content creation off your plate.

Best podcast artwork design tools

While artistic skills are always an asset, user-friendly design tools have made it easier to create professional-grade artwork without extensive training. Check out these tools to create the perfect cover art for all your podcast episodes.

Ca‎nva: Best for beginner-friendly templates

Canva is a non-designer's dream come true. Their user-friendly drag-and-drop interface and pre-made podcast artwork templates make creating eye-catching visuals a breeze. There's a reason it's one of the most popular design solutions for podcasters everywhere.

Ad‎obe Firefly: Best for AI-powered design

Feeling creatively stuck? Input a text description of the design you want, and Adobe Firefly will generate artwork that reflects your podcast's concept, tone, and target audience. It even creates multiple variations based on your input. With the ability to add reference images, you can easily get images close to your desired style and structure.

Fi‎verr: Best for professional freelance design

This freelancing marketplace connects you with a pool of skilled designers who can create custom artwork tailored to your specific brand and vision. Browse portfolios, set your creative brief and budget, and collaborate with a designer to create custom designs tailored to your brand.

Best podcast scheduling and social media promotion tools

Just publishing your podcast episodes is half the battle. You'll also want to expand your show's reach to grow your audience. That's what these social media scheduling and promotion platforms are there to help you do.

Bu‎ffer: Best for intuitive scheduling and analytics

Buffer simplifies scheduling and analyzing your podcast promotions across multiple platforms. Its simple interface and flat learning curve can get you up and running more quickly. There's even a free plan that lets you connect up to three social channels and schedule up to 10 posts at a time.

La‎ter: Best for Instagram marketing

Later focuses on managing your Instagram presence, allowing you to create stunning social media posts promoting your latest podcast episodes. From visually planning your feed to analyzing performance metrics, it offers tailored tools to maximize your show's impact on the image-centric network.

Best podcast community tools

Building a dedicated community around your podcast fosters more profound connections with listeners, drives engagement, and creates a sustainable following. The right tools can provide digital spaces for your audience to interact, share feedback, and immerse themselves in your show's world.

Di‎scord: Best for real-time interaction

This dynamic voice and text chat platform allows you to create a server for listeners to interact, discuss episodes, and build a community. Host live Q&A sessions, share exclusive content, and foster a sense of belonging with this virtual hangout around your show.

Po‎dline.fm: Best for direct fan engagement

Want listener feedback you can play directly on your show? Podline allows listeners to leave voice messages directly from the web. These high-quality messages can be used in future episodes or just as private feedback to the host. With automatic transcription, you can easily sift through fan comments, enabling a two-way dialogue that deepens the creator-audience connection.

Mi‎ghty Networks: Best for customizable community platforms

Go beyond generic chatrooms. Mighty Networks allows you to create a fully branded online space that reflects your podcast's unique identity. From discussion forums and live streaming to paid memberships and more, this platform empowers you to design a thriving digital community tailored to your podcast.

Best podcast monetization tools

While passion fuels many podcasters, the ability to generate income from your podcast can be a game-changer—allowing you to invest more time and resources into creating exceptional content. These monetization tools will help you tap into potential revenue streams.

Po‎dcorn: Best for marketplace matching & streamlined sponsorships

Finding sponsors can feel like a daunting task. Podcorn simplifies the process as a marketplace connecting podcasters with relevant brands seeking advertising opportunities. Set your rates, create sponsorship proposals, and connect with potential sponsors directly on the Podcorn platform.

Pa‎treon: Best for membership revenue

Patreon is a fantastic tool for building a loyal listener base that is willing to support your podcast financially. Offer exclusive content, early access, or personalized shout-outs to incentivize listeners to become patrons. This recurring revenue stream allows you to focus on creating high-quality content without relying solely on advertising.

Ac‎ast: Best for comprehensive monetization

Acast is a podcast hosting platform that offers a comprehensive suite of monetization features, simplifying the process of earning income from your podcast. They offer options like dynamic ad insertion, subscriptions & premium content, and direct sponsorships with brands. Users report being satisfied with the consistency with which programmatic ad slots fill up, especially compared to other hosts like Spotify for Podcasters.

Best podcast analytics tools

Podcast analytics tools provide invaluable insights into key metrics for gauging your show's performance and impact. Use these tools to understand your audience's listening behaviors and preferences.

Ch‎artable: Best analytics tool with highest accuracy

Chartable is a widely used podcast analytics and attribution platform that offers publishers valuable insights and data to understand their audience better, measure performance, and make informed decisions. It is certified by the Interactive Advertising Bureau (IAB) for its industry-leading accuracy.

Chartable works seamlessly with major podcast hosting platforms, which makes analyzing data across multiple shows a breeze. It can track the marketing channels that drive listener growth and all reviews for your podcasts on Apple Podcasts and Spotify.

Li‎‎sten Notes: Best for audience size comparisons

When choosing podcasters to collaborate with, it's important to get a sense of the size of their audience—too small, and the collaboration may not benefit you much; too big, and the podcaster may not give you the time of day. Listen Notes gives you a rough estimate of how your audience size stacks up compared to other shows. The platform publishes a Listen Score and Global Rank for every podcast in its database so you can do a gut check before you send that cold outreach email.

Po‎dkite: Best for review/rating monitoring

Listener reviews and ratings can be the social proof a new listener needs to give your podcast a chance. Podkite consolidates your show's reviews and ratings into one unified dashboard, saving you the hassle of manually monitoring each platform.

You can use it to monitor competitor rankings and identify trends within your niche to stay ahead of the curve.

Descript: An all-in-one podcast production tool

Creating a captivating, successful podcast requires a well-rounded toolkit that supports you through every phase—from planning and recording to editing, promotion, and community-building. The best podcast tools for you will depend on your specific needs, budget, and podcasting style.

But sometimes it's best to get all the tools you need in one simple dashboard. For that, we recommend you try Descript.

Here’s why:

Recording: Whether you're capturing audio locally or recording remote guests, Descript ensures high fidelity thanks to its studio-quality recording capabilities.
Editing: Descript revolutionizes audio editing by allowing you to edit the text of your recording's transcript—no more wrestling with opaque timelines. Its intuitive interface and collaboration tools make polishing your episodes a breeze.
Transcription: Accurate transcripts are automatically generated, enabling easy editing, searchable audio logs, and the ability to repurpose your content into written formats.
Easy content repurposing: AI-powered features like automatic clips, podcast show notes, YouTube descriptions, chapters, blog posts, and newsletters are just a click away.
Overdubbing and screen recording: Need to add voiceover or capture on-screen tutorials? Descript's built-in Overdub and screen recording empower you to enhance your podcasts seamlessly.
Collaboration features: Working with a co-host or editor? Descript facilitates collaboration with real-time editing features and project sharing. Leave comments, give feedback, and work together to create a polished final product.
Publishing and distribution: Once your episode is complete, Descript simplifies publishing by allowing you to export and distribute your content across all major platforms.

As an all-in-one podcasting platform, Descript streamlines your entire production process, allowing you to focus on what matters most: delivering high-quality content that resonates with your audience.

Sign up for Descript today.

Podcast tools FAQs

What equipment should I use for a podcast?

Start with budget-friendly microphones, headphones, and recording software to set up a podcast. As your audience grows, consider upgrading to include a camera and higher-quality microphones, mixers, and sound treatment.

What program do most podcasters use?

Podcasters commonly use a variety of programs to create and edit their podcasts. Some popular tools include:

Descript
Squadcast
Audacity
Adobe Audition

What is the best device to listen to podcasts?

A smartphone is the best device to listen to podcasts. Smartphones provide quick access to various podcast platforms and apps, making them a flexible and convenient option for listening to podcasts.

What platform do most podcasters use?

Most podcasters use popular podcasting platforms like Buzzsprout, Captivate, and Podbean to host their shows. While hosting on a personal website is an option, hosting platforms are better because they can efficiently handle large audio and video files and create an RSS feed of your show.

32 best podcast tools to produce, edit, host, and grow your show

32 best podcast tools to produce, edit, host, and grow your show

What type of content do you primarily create?

What type of content do you primarily create?

32 best podcast tools

Best podcast planning tools