Riverside.fm Review: I Ditched Zoom & Never Looked Back

Has your podcast ever sounded like a broken walkie-talkie, and your video looked like it came from a flip phone?

If you’ve ever finished recording a great remote interview, only to realize your guest’s audio cut out or the video looks pixelated, you’re not the only one. Remote interviews often face technical issues like low-quality audio/video, disrupted conversations, and connection problems or distractions.

That’s where Riverside.fm steps in.

It turns your laptop or phone into a remote recording studio with crystal-clear 48kHz audio, up to 4K video, AI editing tools, and a dead-simple interface for guests (no logins or downloads). It’s designed to eliminate every pain point you’ve ever had with remote content creation.

In this Riverside.fm review, I’ll discuss the pros and cons, what it is, who it’s best for, and its key features. Then, I’ll show you how I used it to record, edit, and export a video.

I’ll finish the article by comparing Riverside with my top three alternatives (Trupeer, Loom, and Descript).

Whether you’re podcasting, live streaming, or conducting interviews, Riverside.fm makes sure your content looks and sounds like it came from a studio (not your spare bedroom). Let’s see what it’s capable of and if it’s right for you.

Verdict

Riverside.fm is a powerful tool for recording high-quality remote audio and video with built-in AI tools that simplify post-production. While it works best on Chrome and requires stable uploads, its ease of use and professional results make it a top choice for creators, teams, and brands.

What is Riverside.fm?

Riverside.fm is a remote recording platform that captures high-quality audio and video content that looks and sounds as if it were recorded in a professional studio. You can record locally, capturing up to 4K video for each participant independently of Internet connection speed.

The technology behind Riverside is called progressive upload technology. Rather than relying on your Internet connection during the actual recording (like Zoom does), Riverside records everything locally on each person’s device.

Riverside uploads these high-quality files in the background while you’re recording. That means you’re not sitting around for hours afterward waiting for files to process.

Riverside.fm Features

In addition to high-quality recording, Riverside.fm comes with integrated editing tools powered by AI to speed up workflows. Some of these tools help with transcription, search, text-based editing, and automatic creation of short social media clips from recordings.

It also supports live streaming to platforms like Facebook, YouTube, and Twitch. Guests can join recordings via browser or mobile apps without installing software, and up to seven guests can join in a single session.

Riverside.fm is widely used by individuals, businesses, and high-profile creators. Some of these include Hillary Clinton, Gary Vaynerchuk, and companies like Disney and Marvel.

Riverside.fm Background

Riverside.fm was founded in 2019 by Gideon and Nadav Keyson. They were two brothers who were frustrated with the same recording quality issues that plagued the rest of us. They wanted to bridge the gap between expensive studio setups and low-quality Skype or Google Meet recordings.

What Sets Riverside.fm Apart

What sets Riverside.fm apart from your typical Zoom call is the focus on content creation rather than just communication. Sure, you can chat with people, but everything about the platform is designed around capturing broadcast-quality content.

Once you experience the studio-quality sound from your home office, it’s pretty hard to go back to traditional video calls for content recording.

Overall, Riverside.fm is a remote podcast and video studio that lets you record high-quality audio and video, edit in the cloud, use AI tools, and live stream.

Who is Riverside.fm Best For?

Here are the types of people who benefit the most from using Riverside.fm:

• Podcasters can use Riverside.fm to record studio-quality audio and video for their podcasts and livestream while recording.
• Video creators can use Riverside.fm to record up to 4K video and create professional content for YouTube, interviews, or webinars.
• Businesses can use Riverside.fm to produce professional webinars, events, and videos without needing a physical studio.
• Media professionals can use Riverside.fm for reliable remote sessions with automatic backup, crash recovery, and real-time monitoring.
• Influencers and public figures can use Riverside.fm to record high-quality podcasts and interviews from anywhere.
• Remote teams and educators can use Riverside.fm to host interviews, courses, or panels with clear audio, great video, and easy guest participation.

Riverside.fm Key Features

Here are the Riverside.fm features to be aware of:

• High Quality Local Recording: Each person’s audio is recorded as uncompressed 48kHz WAV, and video can go up to 4K. You get studio-quality results no matter the Internet connection.
• Separate Audio & Video Tracks: Record guests on their own track to edit or fix each person’s audio or video without touching the rest.
• Progressive Uploading: Files upload in the background while you record, so they’re ready to download minutes after you’re done.
• AI Tools: Get automatic transcriptions, edit with text, create show notes, and pull highlight clips for social media.
• Built-in Editing: Trim, split, and add scenes and captions in Riverside before exporting with no additional software required.
• Live Streaming: Stream live to Facebook, YouTube, Twitch, LinkedIn, TikTok, etc. while recording high-quality content.
• Guest Invitations: Guests can join through a link or email without creating an account or installing anything.
• Virtual Green Room: A space to test your microphone, camera, and Internet before recording begins.
• Mobile App: Record high-quality shows on the go using iOS and Android devices.
• Teleprompter Tool: Let’s hosts read scripts while recording.
• Automatic Backup & Crash Recovery: Your recording saves as you go, so nothing is lost if your computer crashes or the connection drops.

How to Use Riverside.fm

Here’s how I used Riverside.fm to record, edit, and export a video:

1. Create a Riverside.fm Account
2. Record a Video
3. Give Riverside Access
4. Join the Studio
5. Explore the Recording Studio
6. Invite People to Join
7. Test Your Microphone & Webcam
8. Record Your Video
9. Process Your Video
10. Edit Your Video
11. Export Your Video

Step 1: Create a Riverside.fm Account

I started by going to riverside.com and selecting “Start for Free.” After creating an account, I was taken to my dashboard.

Step 2: Record a Video

Right at the top were some ways I could start creating a video with Riverside.fm:

• Record
• Edit
• Go live
• Plan (schedule a session or invite to record)
• Upload

Below that were some AI tools to explore:

• Animated Clips (Pro): Turn shorts into eye-catching animations.
• Magic Audio (Pro): Upgrade audio to studio quality.
• Magic Clips: Create shorts from full videos.
• Show Notes (Pro): Get instant summaries, chapters, and quotes.
• Captions: Add animated captions to boost engagement.
• Transcribe: Instantly transcribe uploaded files.
• AI Voice (Pro): Generate audio that sounds like you.

I started by hitting the “Record” button.

Step 3: Give Riverside Access

Next, I hit “Allow access” to join as a host and permitted Riverside to access my microphone and camera.

Step 4: Join the Studio

After previewing how my camera would look and adjusting my camera, microphone, and speaker settings, I hit “Join studio.”

Step 5: Explore the Recording Studio

Right off the bat, I liked how clean the interface was and how everything was laid out:

• My video preview and mic levels were front and center.
• Guest tiles appeared in a grid, making it easy to monitor everyone.
• Controls for recording, screen sharing, and settings sat neatly at the bottom.
• A sidebar offered access to chat, participants, and media files.

Step 6: Invite People to Join

The invite process stood out the most to me. The tile next to mine in the studio gave me two ways to invite guests to join that were simple and quick:

• Copy a direct link.
• Send an email invite straight from the platform.

The best part is that there’s no account creation required on their end, which removes the friction that kills so many remote recording sessions. Who wants to download Zoom or create accounts for other platforms?

Step 7: Test Your Microphone & Webcam

Some advice: Before you hit record, take advantage of Riverside’s free microphone and webcam tests to test your microphone levels and camera quality.

Send the link to your guests ahead of time so they can do the same and avoid technical issues during the session. The last thing you want is to record a 45-minute interview where your guest’s mic is picking up their air conditioning.

Step 8: Record Your Video

During recording, I love how minimal the interface stays. I had my basic controls at the bottom (record, pause, stop). I could also see my upload status in real-time at the top.

Step 9: Process Your Video

After recording (I just hit the “Leave” button), Riverside began processing my video and uploading my tracks. Thanks to the progressive uploads, Riverside had my files ready within minutes as opposed to hours.

Riverside automatically generates both MP4 video files and separate WAV audio files. I found this out after hitting the “High quality” download button.

Here were my video and audio download options:

• Raw video: The raw video file exactly as recorded.
• Aligned video: The raw video with padding added at the start if someone joined mid-call or if media was shared. It ensures all tracks are aligned when combining them in editing software.
• Raw audio: The audio exactly as recorded.
• Compressed audio: The raw audio compressed to about a tenth of the size for quickly sharing with others.

Step 10: Edit Your Video

Below my recorded video were two options: Edit and Share. I selected the “Edit” button.

The editor built into Riverside is pretty basic but functional for simple cuts and adjustments. My transcript was on the left, a preview of the video was on the right, and my timeline was at the bottom.

The timeline was where I could split the content and add chapters and scenes. Meanwhile, I could make text-based edits in the transcript to edit the video like a document.

It’s also worth mentioning the AI tools available within the editor:

• Remove pauses
• Remove filler words
• Find fluff (recommends parts to cut)
• Magic audio (apply for studio-quality sound)
• Smart mute (mute anyone who isn’t talking)
• Smart layouts (automatically switch camera views)
• Eye contact (fix gaze for natural eye contact)
• Animate clip

However, for anything beyond basic trimming, I’d recommend exporting everything to a more advanced video-editing software like Premiere Pro.

Step 11: Export Your Video

After a little bit of editing, I exported my video. To do this, I went to “Export” on the top right. I could export the video, audio, or timeline in Premiere Pro or Final Cut Pro formats.

Overall, Riverside.fm made the entire recording process smooth and simple. From inviting guests to editing and exporting my final video, everything felt quick and easy.

Top 3 Riverside.fm Alternatives

Here are the best Riverside alternatives I’d recommend.

Trupeer

The first Riverside.fm alternative I’d recommend is Trupeer. Trupeer is an AI platform that makes it easy to create product videos, engaging walkthroughs, and guides from simple screen recordings. It streamlines content creation with features like AI voiceovers, automated zooms, and script generation.

On the one hand, Riverside.fm is an excellent tool for remote recording. It records studio-quality audio and up to 4K video, separate tracks for each participant, and more.

Meanwhile, Trupeer stands out with AI tools that turn screen recordings into branded video demos or written guides in minutes. Some of its AI features include custom avatars and instant translations in 30+ languages.

Choose Trupeer to create AI video guides from screen recordings. For high-quality podcasting and remote interviews, choose Riverside.fm!

Read my Trupeer review or visit Trupeer!

Loom

Both platforms create high-quality video content quickly. Riverside.fm is made for creators who want studio-level remote podcasts and interviews. It’s great for serious podcasters or anyone who needs high-quality results.

However, Loom focuses more on communication for work and training. You can record your screen and/or camera, trim or stitch clips, and use AI to create titles and calls-to-action. It’s built for easy team collaboration with strong privacy controls.

Choose Loom for fast, easy business videos, team updates, and tutorials. Otherwise, choose Riverside.fm for professional podcasts, remote interviews, and live streams with high-quality audio/video.

Descript

The final Riverside.fm alternative I recommend is Descript. It uses AI to make editing podcasts and videos as easy as editing text.

Descript automatically transcribes, offers custom voice cloning, and adds captions. Meanwhile, Riverside.fm focuses on remote recording in studio-quality audio and video.

Choose Descript for easy AI editing. Otherwise, choose Riverside.fm for high-quality remote recording.

Riverside.fm Review: The Right Tool For You?

After recording and editing with Riverside.fm, I can confidently say it’s one of the smoothest remote recording tools I’ve used. From the studio-quality audio and video to the AI tools, everything felt built for creators who care about quality and efficiency.

The interface was easy to navigate, and uploads were ready within minutes. And while the built-in editor is basic, it’s more than enough for quick trims and enhancements before exporting to more robust video editors like Premiere Pro.

However, Riverside.fm may not be exactly what you’re looking for. If that’s the case, here are the best Riverside.fm alternatives I’d recommend:

• Trupeer is best for marketers creating AI-generated walkthroughs, video guides, or demonstrations from screen recordings.
• Loom is best for professionals needing quick business videos, team updates, or internal training.
• Descript is best for creators focused on fast text-based editing using transcripts.

Thanks for reading my Riverside.fm review! I hope you found it helpful.

Riverside.fm offers a free plan where you get two hours of multi-track recordings and access to the full suite of editing tools.

If you’re creating content that demands professionalism, Riverside.fm makes the process painless. Try it for yourself and see how you like it!

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Riverside.fm used for?

Riverside.fm is used as a remote recording platform for creating high-quality podcasts and video interviews with guests from anywhere in the world.

Can I use Riverside for free?

What is better than Riverside?

While Riverside.fm is a top choice for studio-quality remote recording, some platforms may be better depending on your needs. Trupeer stands out with AI voiceovers and customizable branding; Loom is best for work communication and training; and Descript is best for text-based editing.

What quality is Riverside recording?

Riverside.fm records video in up to 4K resolution and captures audio in studio-quality 48kHz WAV format. This quality is maintained by recording locally on each participant’s device for flawless results regardless of Internet conditions.

What is better, Descript or Riverside?

Descript is better for text-based editing, instant transcription, and quick content repurposing. Riverside.fm is the stronger choice for studio-quality remote audio/video recording (audio/video) with live streaming.