Best Free Podcast Software for Recording, Editing, and Hosting in 2026
Starting a podcast no longer requires expensive equipment or professional software subscriptions. Whether you're launching your first episode or testing new formats, free podcast software can deliver professional-quality results without the upfront investment. This guide breaks down the best free tools for each stage of your podcast workflow—from recording your first conversation to publishing episodes online.
Free Podcast Recording Software
Recording clean audio is the foundation of any successful podcast. Several free recording tools offer studio-quality capture without subscription fees.
Audacity
Audacity remains the gold standard for free podcast recording. This open-source software supports multi-track recording, real-time effects, and noise reduction—essential features for producing polished audio. Audacity works across Windows, macOS, and Linux, making it accessible regardless of your operating system. The software automatically converts tracks with different sample rates and formats in real time, eliminating technical barriers for beginners. Recent updates include optional AI-powered noise suppression through OpenVINO AI Tools on Muse Hub, available in Audacity 3.7.4 and later.
GarageBand
Mac and iOS users get a powerful recording tool built directly into their devices. GarageBand offers intuitive multi-track recording with professional effects and automatic mixing features. The interface is designed for creators at all skill levels, and the software integrates seamlessly with other Apple ecosystem tools.
OBS Studio
OBS Studio is primarily known for livestreaming, but it also functions as a powerful free recording tool for video podcasters. The software offers complete creative control with support for multiple camera angles, scene transitions, and complex audio routing. Keep in mind that OBS is a recording and streaming application—it does not include built-in editing tools, so you'll need a separate editor like Audacity for post-production.
Free Podcast Editing Software
Editing transforms raw recordings into polished, listener-ready episodes. These free tools provide the precision and flexibility needed for professional results.
Audacity
Beyond recording, Audacity excels as a full-featured editing platform. You can trim mistakes, adjust levels, apply noise reduction, and export in all major audio formats without limitations. The software supports unlimited audio tracks and includes compression, EQ, and fade effects essential for podcast production. While the interface appears traditional compared to newer tools, its stability and extensive plugin ecosystem make it the most reliable free option for serious editing.
Veed.io
Veed.io offers browser-based editing for quick podcast cleanups. You can trim episodes, cut mistakes, and export clean audio files without installing software. While not as feature-rich as desktop editors, Veed works well for simple edits and fast turnarounds when you need to publish quickly. Note that some advanced features like one-click audio cleanup require a paid subscription.
Podmod AI helps streamline your editing workflow by organizing your conversation into a topic timeline. Each topic is automatically tagged as you speak, making it easy to jump directly to key moments during post-production. This saves hours of manual scrubbing through raw audio to find specific segments worth highlighting.
Free Podcast Hosting Platforms
Hosting platforms distribute your finished episodes to listeners across directories like Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and YouTube Music. These free services handle RSS feeds, storage, and analytics without upfront costs.
Spotify for Creators
Spotify for Creators (formerly Spotify for Podcasters) offers unlimited hosting and automatic distribution at zero cost. The platform supports both audio and video podcasts with built-in monetization tools including the Spotify Partner Program and listener support features. Spotify integration is seamless, and you can manually distribute to other directories like Apple Podcasts through your RSS feed. The platform includes analytics to track listener behavior and episode performance.
RSS.com
RSS.com provides unlimited episode uploads on its Free Local & Niche plan with automatic transcripts and a customizable podcast website. This free tier is designed for creators serving specific communities, local audiences, or niche topics. The platform handles distribution across all major directories and includes scheduling tools for planning episode releases. Unlike some free hosts that limit storage or bandwidth, RSS.com removes those barriers entirely for qualifying podcasters.
Substack Podcasts
Substack Podcasts combines podcast hosting with newsletter publishing in one platform. This integration makes it easy to build an audience through written content while distributing audio episodes. The free plan includes unlimited hosting, an RSS feed for Apple Podcasts and Spotify, and the ability to publish both free and paid episodes.
SoundCloud (Free Plan)
SoundCloud offers 2 hours of total uploads on its free tier with a public page, basic stats, and an embeddable player. While storage is limited compared to other free hosts, the platform's social features and music-focused community can help podcasters reach new audiences organically.
Building a Complete Free Podcast Workflow
Combining these free tools creates a professional podcast production pipeline without recurring costs. Record episodes with Audacity or GarageBand, edit using Audacity's powerful multi-track editor, and host finished episodes on Spotify for Creators or RSS.com. During recording, Podmod AI delivers real-time research and fact-checking to enhance content quality as you speak. Instead of spending hours preparing outlines or pausing conversations to verify information, Podmod surfaces relevant stats, articles, images, and AI-generated answers instantly. This workflow improvement means you leave each recording session with cleaner takes and ready-made show notes—significantly reducing post-production time.
For creators focused on improving audio quality, free software provides all essential features including noise reduction, compression, and EQ. The main tradeoff is time invested in learning each tool compared to all-in-one paid platforms that streamline workflows with automated features.
Conclusion
Free podcast software has matured to the point where budget constraints no longer limit content quality. Audacity provides comprehensive recording and editing capabilities, while platforms like Spotify for Creators and RSS.com eliminate hosting costs entirely. These free options empower creators to focus on content and audience building rather than upfront software investments.
Next Steps
Ready to enhance your podcast workflow with real-time AI assistance?
Podmod AI works alongside your free recording software to deliver instant research, fact-checking, and context during live conversations. Stop pausing to look things up and start creating more engaging content from the moment you hit record.
Try Podmod AI for free and experience how real-time assistance transforms your podcast production process.