It's close: Descript edges it 8.4 to 8.3, so the right pick depends on what you need. Descript wins on 2 of the 5 scores, Riverside on 1, with 2 tied.
Podcasters and YouTubers who edit talking videos and hate timelines
Podcasters who interview guests online and want clean video and sound
Score by score
The details
| Feature | Descript | Riverside |
|---|---|---|
| Category | Social Media & Creator Tools | Social Media & Creator Tools |
| Category rank | #7 of 17 | #8 of 17 |
| Developer | Descript | Riverside |
| Pricing | Free + paid plans | Free + paid plans |
| Usable for free | Yes | Yes |
| iPhone & iPad | — | ✓ |
| Android | — | ✓ |
| Mac | ✓ | ✓ |
| Windows | ✓ | — |
| Web | ✓ | ✓ |
Common questions
Is Descript better than Riverside?
It's close: Descript edges it 8.4 to 8.3, so the right pick depends on what you need. Descript wins on 2 of the 5 scores, Riverside on 1, with 2 tied.
Which is cheaper, Descript or Riverside?
Descript: Free with a watermark; Hobbyist is $24 a month, or $16 a month billed yearly. Riverside: Free with a watermark; Pro is $29 a month, or $24 a month billed yearly. On value for money, Descript scores higher.
Do Descript and Riverside work on the same devices?
Only Descript runs on Windows. Only Riverside runs on iPhone & iPad, Android.
Which is more private, Descript or Riverside?
Descript scores higher on privacy (7.6/10). Descript says no user data trains its live AI models. Research models only use data from people who opt in to sharing, and partners such as OpenAI are barred from training on your data.
Strengths and weaknesses
Descript
- Editing words is easier than editing a timeline
- AI handles filler words, captions and clips
- Says your data doesn't train its live AI models
- Free exports are 720p with a watermark
- Free plan stops at 60 media minutes a month
- No iPhone or Android app listed
Descript turns your recording into text, then lets you edit the video by editing the words. Delete a sentence and that part of the clip is gone. Its AI helper, Underlord, can cut filler words, add captions and make short clips. Studio Sound cleans up noisy audio. The free plan gives you 60 minutes of media a month, but exports are 720p with a watermark.
Full Descript review
Riverside
- Each guest gets their own audio and video track
- Record, edit and make clips in one place
- Free plan has unlimited single-track recording
- Free plan puts a watermark on everything
- Only 2 hours of separate tracks on Free, one time
- Live streaming needs the $39 Grow plan
Riverside records each person on their own device, so a shaky internet connection doesn't spoil the sound or picture. You get a separate audio and video track for every guest, in up to 4K on paid plans. After that you can edit by text and make short clips with Magic Clips. The free plan is more of a trial: two hours of separate tracks, 720p video and a watermark.
Full Riverside review
