Pricing side by side
| Tier | Descript | Riverside |
|---|---|---|
| Free | 1 media hour/month, 720p export | 720p with watermark, 2 hrs separate-track recording |
| Entry | Hobbyist $24/mo · $16/mo annual | Pro $29/mo · $24/mo annual |
| Creator level | Creator $35/mo · $24/mo annual | Grow $39/mo · $34/mo annual |
| Business | $65/mo · $50/mo annual | Webinar $99/mo · $79/mo annual |
Official sources, checked Nov 2026. Descript · Riverside. Prices in USD unless shown otherwise. Vendors change pricing, so confirm on their site before buying.
Record remote guests? Riverside. Edit everything yourself? Descript.
Riverside records each guest on a separate track in high quality and includes podcast hosting on Pro. Descript is the better editor, you cut the episode by editing its transcript, and its Hobbyist plan is the cheapest way into either tool.
Descript
Best for editingFree plan; Hobbyist $24/mo ($16 annual), Creator $35/mo ($24 annual)
- Edit audio and video like a document
- Free plan to learn the workflow
- 4K export from Creator
- Free exports top out at 720p
- Media hours and AI credits are capped monthly
- Monthly billing costs up to 50% more than annual
Riverside
Best for recordingFree plan; Pro $29/mo ($24 annual), Grow $39/mo ($34 annual)
- Separate audio and video tracks per guest
- Podcast hosting included on Pro
- Free plan to test a recording
- Free plan is watermarked and 720p
- Live streaming needs Grow
- Webinar tools cost $99/mo
Plenty of podcasters record in Riverside and edit in Descript. If you only pay for one, decide which part of the job takes you longest.
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Frequently asked questions
Is Descript or Riverside cheaper?
Descript’s Hobbyist plan is the cheapest paid option at $16/month billed annually; at the creator level both are $24/month on annual billing (checked Nov 2026).
Do Descript and Riverside have free plans?
Yes. Descript Free gives 1 media hour a month at 720p; Riverside Free records at 720p with a watermark.
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