Quick Start
This guide covers every Riverside feature:
- Getting Started — Create account and basic setup
- How to Use Online Recording Studio — Record high-quality audio and video remotely
- How to Use Online Video Editor — Edit recordings with text-based tools
- How to Use Livestreaming Studio — Stream live to multiple platforms at once
- How to Use Webinar — Host interactive sessions for large audiences
- How to Use Podcast Hosting — Publish and distribute your podcast everywhere
- How to Use AI Co-Creator — Generate content from your recordings with AI
- How to Use Video Clipper — Create short social media clips automatically
- How to Use AI Show Notes — Auto-generate episode summaries and timestamps
- How to Use Audio & Video Transcription — Turn recordings into searchable text
Time needed: 5 minutes per feature
Also in this guide: Pro Tips | Common Mistakes | Troubleshooting | Pricing | Alternatives
Why Trust This Guide
I’ve used Riverside for over 12 months and tested every feature covered here. This how to use Riverside tutorial comes from real hands-on experience — not marketing fluff or vendor screenshots.
Riverside is one of the most powerful podcast recording tools available today.
But most users only scratch the surface of what it can do.
This guide shows you how to use every major feature.
Step by step, with screenshots and pro tips.
Riverside Tutorial
This complete Riverside tutorial walks you through every feature step by step, from initial setup to advanced tips that will make you a power user.
Riverside
Record studio-quality audio and video from anywhere. Riverside captures separate tracks for each participant with local recording technology. Start free — no credit card required.
Getting Started with Riverside
Before using any feature, complete this one-time setup.
It takes about 3 minutes.
Let’s walk through each step.
Step 1: Create Your Account
Go to Riverside’s website and click “Start for Free.”
Enter your email and create a password.
You can also sign up with your Google account.
✓ Checkpoint: Check your inbox for a confirmation email.
Step 2: Access the Dashboard
Riverside works entirely in your web browser.
Use Google Chrome for the best experience.
You can also download the Mac desktop app or mobile app.
Here’s what the dashboard looks like:
✓ Checkpoint: You should see the main dashboard with your studios listed.
Step 3: Complete Initial Setup
Click “New Studio” to create your first recording space.
Name your studio and choose your recording preferences.
Test your microphone and camera in the Green Room.
✅ Done: You’re ready to use any feature below.
How to Use Riverside Online Recording Studio
Online Recording Studio lets you record high-quality audio and video with remote guests.
Here’s how to use it step by step.
Watch Online Recording Studio in action:
Now let’s break down each step.
Step 1: Create a New Studio
Click “New Studio” from the Riverside dashboard.
Name your session and set it to record audio and video.
Enable 4K recording in the studio settings if you need it.
Step 2: Invite Your Guests
Copy the unique invite link from your studio.
Send it to your guests via email or message.
Guests join directly in their browser without creating an account.
✓ Checkpoint: You should see your guest appear in the Green Room.
Step 3: Start Recording
Click the red Record button when everyone is ready.
Riverside records separate audio and video tracks for each person.
Click Stop when your session is finished.
✅ Result: You now have separate high-quality tracks ready for editing.
💡 Pro Tip: Use headphones during recording to prevent echo and audio feedback between participants.
How to Use Riverside Online Video Editor
Online Video Editor lets you edit your recordings using text-based tools.
Here’s how to use it step by step.
Watch Online Video Editor in action:
Now let’s break down each step.
Step 1: Open Your Recording
Go to the Recordings tab in your dashboard.
Click on the session you want to edit.
The editor opens with your full transcript on the left.
Step 2: Edit Using the Transcript
Highlight any text in the transcript to select that video segment.
Delete words from the transcript to remove them from the video.
Riverside automatically removes silences and filler words for you.
✓ Checkpoint: You should see the timeline update as you edit text.
Step 3: Export Your Final Video
Choose your export format and resolution.
Add captions, layouts, or branding before exporting.
Click Export and download your finished video file.
✅ Result: You have a polished, edited video ready to publish.
💡 Pro Tip: Use the “Remove Silences” button first to cut dead air before you start detailed editing.
How to Use Riverside Livestreaming Studio
Livestreaming Studio lets you broadcast live to YouTube, LinkedIn, and Twitch at the same time.
Here’s how to use it step by step.
Watch Livestreaming Studio in action:
Now let’s break down each step.
Step 1: Connect Your Streaming Destinations
Open your studio settings and click “Live Stream.”
Connect your YouTube, Facebook, LinkedIn, or Twitch accounts.
You can also add custom RTMP destinations for other platforms.
Step 2: Configure Your Stream Layout
Choose a layout for your live stream in the studio.
Add your branding, overlays, and lower thirds if needed.
Preview everything before going live.
✓ Checkpoint: You should see a preview of your stream with all destinations listed.
Step 3: Go Live
Click “Go Live” to start broadcasting to all connected platforms.
Riverside records the full session locally while you stream.
End the stream when your session is complete.
✅ Result: Your live stream reaches multiple platforms and you keep a high-quality recording.
💡 Pro Tip: Always do a 30-second test stream to a private YouTube channel before going live publicly.
How to Use Riverside Webinar
Webinar lets you host interactive sessions for up to 1,000 audience members.
Here’s how to use it step by step.
Watch Webinar in action:
Now let’s break down each step.
Step 1: Create a Webinar Session
Click “New Studio” and select “Webinar” as the session type.
Set a title, date, and description for your event.
Customize the registration page with your branding.
Step 2: Share the Registration Link
Copy the webinar registration link from your settings.
Share it with your audience via email or social media.
Attendees register and receive a calendar invite automatically.
✓ Checkpoint: You should see registrations appearing in your dashboard.
Step 3: Host and Record Your Webinar
Start the webinar at the scheduled time.
Use Q&A, polls, and live call-ins to engage your audience.
Riverside records everything in 4K for repurposing later.
✅ Result: You hosted a professional webinar and have a recording ready to repurpose.
💡 Pro Tip: Enable live call-ins so audience members can join as speakers during the session.
How to Use Riverside Podcast Hosting
Podcast Hosting lets you publish and distribute your podcast to all major directories.
Here’s how to use it step by step.
Watch Podcast Hosting in action:
Now let’s break down each step.
Step 1: Set Up Your Podcast
Go to the Hosting tab in your Riverside dashboard.
Enter your podcast name, description, and cover art.
Choose your category and language settings.
Step 2: Publish Your First Episode
Select a recording from your library or upload an audio file.
Add the episode title, description, and show notes.
Set a publish date or release it right away.
✓ Checkpoint: You should see your episode listed in the Hosting tab.
Step 3: Distribute to Directories
Copy your RSS feed link from the hosting settings.
Submit it to Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and other directories.
New episodes automatically appear on all connected platforms.
✅ Result: Your podcast is live and available on every major listening platform.
💡 Pro Tip: Use the built-in analytics to track downloads and listener demographics for each episode.
How to Use Riverside AI Co-Creator
AI Co-Creator lets you generate blog posts, social captions, and newsletters from your recordings.
Here’s how to use it step by step.
Watch AI Co-Creator in action:
Now let’s break down each step.
Step 1: Open AI Co-Creator
Go to any completed recording in your dashboard.
Click the “AI Co-Creator” tab next to the editor.
The tool loads your transcript and prepares it for content generation.
Step 2: Choose Your Content Type
Select from blog post, LinkedIn post, newsletter, or custom prompt.
Set the tone and length for your content.
Click Generate to create your content.
✓ Checkpoint: You should see the AI-generated draft appear in the editor.
Step 3: Review and Export
Edit the draft to match your voice and add personal touches.
Copy the finished text or export it directly.
Repeat for different content formats from the same recording.
✅ Result: You turned one recording into multiple pieces of content.
💡 Pro Tip: Use custom prompts to match your brand voice instead of relying on default templates.
How to Use Riverside Video Clipper
Video Clipper lets you create short, vertical clips for social media from long recordings.
Here’s how to use it step by step.
Watch Video Clipper in action:
Now let’s break down each step.
Step 1: Open Magic Clips
Go to a completed recording and click “Magic Clips.”
Riverside’s AI scans your full recording for highlight moments.
It generates multiple clip suggestions in a few minutes.
Step 2: Select and Customize Clips
Browse the suggested clips and pick the ones you like.
Adjust the start and end points if needed.
Add captions, change the layout, or apply your brand colors.
✓ Checkpoint: You should see your customized clip in the preview window.
Step 3: Export Your Clips
Choose vertical (9:16) for TikTok and Reels or square (1:1) for LinkedIn.
Export all selected clips at once.
Download and share them directly to your social accounts.
✅ Result: You have multiple social media clips from a single recording session.
💡 Pro Tip: Enable auto-captions on your clips — videos with captions get 80% more engagement on social media.
How to Use Riverside AI Show Notes
AI Show Notes lets you auto-generate episode summaries, key takeaways, and timestamps.
Here’s how to use it step by step.
Watch AI Show Notes in action:
Now let’s break down each step.
Step 1: Generate Show Notes
Open a completed recording in your dashboard.
Click the “Show Notes” tab in the editor panel.
Riverside’s AI analyzes your transcript automatically.
Step 2: Review and Edit
Read through the generated summary and key points.
Edit any sections that need a personal touch.
Check the timestamps to make sure they match key topics.
✓ Checkpoint: You should see a full summary with timestamps and key takeaways.
Step 3: Copy and Publish
Copy the show notes to your clipboard.
Paste them into your podcast hosting description or blog.
Timestamps help listeners jump to the parts they care about.
✅ Result: Your episode has professional show notes ready in seconds.
💡 Pro Tip: Add your show notes as your YouTube video description to improve SEO and watch time.
How to Use Riverside Audio & Video Transcription
Audio & Video Transcription lets you turn recordings into searchable, editable text.
Here’s how to use it step by step.
Watch Audio & Video Transcription in action:
Now let’s break down each step.
Step 1: Access Your Transcript
Open any recording in your Riverside dashboard.
The transcript generates automatically after recording ends.
Each speaker is labeled separately in the transcript.
Step 2: Review and Correct
Click on any word in the transcript to jump to that moment.
Fix any words the AI misheard by clicking and editing.
Speaker labels can be renamed for accuracy.
✓ Checkpoint: You should see a clean, speaker-labeled transcript.
Step 3: Download or Use Your Transcript
Export the transcript as TXT, SRT, or VTT format.
Use SRT files for adding captions to your videos.
Transcripts support over 100 languages for global audiences.
✅ Result: You have an accurate transcript you can use for captions, blog posts, or SEO.
💡 Pro Tip: Download your transcript as SRT and upload it to YouTube for accurate closed captions.
Riverside Pro Tips and Shortcuts
After testing Riverside for over 12 months, here are my best tips.
Keyboard Shortcuts
| Action | Shortcut |
|---|---|
| Start/Stop Recording | Ctrl + Shift + R (Cmd + Shift + R on Mac) |
| Mute/Unmute Microphone | Ctrl + D (Cmd + D on Mac) |
| Turn Camera On/Off | Ctrl + E (Cmd + E on Mac) |
| Split Clip in Editor | S |
Hidden Features Most People Miss
- Producer Mode: Join a session as a producer without being recorded — perfect for managing guests behind the scenes.
- Async Recording: Send a recording link and let guests record on their own time — no scheduling needed.
- Custom Branding: Add your logo, colors, and background to the studio and all exported clips for a professional look.
Riverside Common Mistakes to Avoid
Mistake #1: Recording Without Testing Audio First
❌ Wrong: Jumping straight into recording without checking your microphone settings in the Green Room.
✅ Right: Always test audio and video in the Green Room before every recording session.
Mistake #2: Using Safari or Firefox Instead of Chrome
❌ Wrong: Opening Riverside in Safari or Firefox and wondering why features don’t work properly.
✅ Right: Use Google Chrome or the Riverside desktop app for the best performance.
Mistake #3: Not Using Headphones During Recording
❌ Wrong: Recording with laptop speakers which causes echo and audio bleed into other tracks.
✅ Right: Wear headphones so your microphone only picks up your voice, not your speakers.
Riverside Troubleshooting
Problem: Recording Upload Stuck or Incomplete
Cause: Closing the browser tab before the upload finishes after recording ends.
Fix: Keep the browser tab open until the upload progress bar reaches 100%. Check your internet connection and try refreshing the page.
Problem: Guest Cannot Join the Studio
Cause: The guest is using an unsupported browser or has blocked camera and microphone permissions.
Fix: Ask the guest to switch to Google Chrome and allow camera and microphone access when prompted.
Problem: Audio Quality Sounds Poor
Cause: Using built-in laptop microphone instead of a dedicated external microphone.
Fix: Connect a USB microphone or headset. Select it in the Green Room audio settings before recording.
📌 Note: If none of these fix your issue, contact Riverside support.
What is Riverside?
Riverside is a podcast and video recording tool that captures studio-quality audio and video from anywhere.
Think of it like having a professional recording studio in your browser.
Watch this quick overview:
It includes these key features:
- Online Recording Studio: Record separate audio and video tracks with remote guests in up to 4K quality.
- Online Video Editor: Edit recordings by editing text in the transcript — no timeline skills needed.
- Livestreaming Studio: Stream live to YouTube, LinkedIn, Facebook, and Twitch at the same time.
- Webinar: Host interactive 4K webinars for up to 1,000 attendees with Q&A and polls.
- Podcast Hosting: Publish episodes and distribute to Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and more.
- AI Co-Creator: Generate blog posts, social captions, and newsletters from recordings.
- Video Clipper: Auto-create short vertical clips for social media from long-form content.
- AI Show Notes: Generate episode summaries, timestamps, and key takeaways automatically.
- Audio & Video Transcription: Turn recordings into searchable text in 100+ languages.
For a full review, see our Riverside review.
Riverside Pricing
Here’s what Riverside costs in 2026:
| Plan | Price | Best For |
|---|---|---|
| Free | $0/month | Trying out Riverside with basic 720p recordings |
| Pro | $24/month | Solo creators who need 4K recording and AI editing tools |
| Live | $34/month | Podcasters and creators who also live stream |
| Webinar | $79/month | Businesses hosting large webinars and virtual events |
| Business | Contact Sales | Enterprise teams needing SSO, SLAs, and dedicated support |
Free plan: Yes — includes 2 hours of recording at 720p with Riverside watermark.
Free trial: Yes — 14-day free trial on Pro and Live plans.
💰 Best Value: Pro plan at $24/month — includes 4K recording, 15 hours of separate tracks, and all AI tools.
Riverside vs Alternatives
How does Riverside compare? Here’s the competitive landscape:
| Tool | Best For | Price | Rating |
|---|---|---|---|
| Riverside | Studio-quality remote recording | $24/mo | ⭐ 4.4 |
| Podcastle | AI-powered podcast editing | $11.99/mo | ⭐ 4.1 |
| Restream | Multistreaming to 30+ platforms | $16/mo | ⭐ 4.2 |
| Streamlabs | Free streaming with built-in alerts | Free/$27/mo | ⭐ 4.3 |
| StreamYard | Browser-based live streaming | $35.99/mo | ⭐ 4.4 |
| Zencastr | Budget podcast recording | $24/mo | ⭐ 4.1 |
| Ecamm | Mac-only live production | $16/mo | ⭐ 4.2 |
| Castr | Multi-platform live streaming | $12.50/mo | ⭐ 3.8 |
Quick picks:
- Best overall: Riverside — studio-quality recording with the best AI editing tools
- Best budget: Podcastle — full AI editing suite starting at $11.99/month
- Best for beginners: StreamYard — simple browser-based streaming with no setup
- Best for multistreaming: Restream — broadcast to 30+ platforms at once
🎯 Riverside Alternatives
Looking for Riverside alternatives? Here are the top options:
- 🧠 Podcastle: AI-powered recording and editing platform with magic dust noise removal and automatic leveling for podcasters.
- 🚀 Restream: Multistream to 30+ platforms at once with chat aggregation and analytics for live streamers.
- 💰 Streamlabs: Free streaming software with built-in alerts, overlays, and a merch store for growing creators.
- 👶 StreamYard: Browser-based live streaming with easy guest invites and custom branding for beginners.
- 🎯 Zencastr: Separate track recording with automatic post-production and free plan for budget-conscious podcasters.
- 🎨 Ecamm: Mac-only live production tool with scene switching, overlays, and RTMP support for Apple users.
- ⚡ Castr: Multi-platform live streaming with scheduling, pre-recorded streams, and low-latency delivery.
For the full list, see our Riverside alternatives guide.
⚔️ Riverside Compared
Here’s how Riverside stacks up against each competitor:
- Riverside vs Podcastle: Riverside wins on recording quality with local 4K capture. Podcastle has better AI editing tools for solo podcasters.
- Riverside vs Restream: Restream supports more streaming platforms. Riverside gives you a high-quality recording alongside your live stream.
- Riverside vs Streamlabs: Streamlabs is free for basic streaming. Riverside offers better recording quality and separate track exports.
- Riverside vs StreamYard: StreamYard is simpler for live streaming. Riverside is better for recording and editing podcast content.
- Riverside vs Zencastr: Both record separate tracks. Riverside adds live streaming, video editing, and AI tools that Zencastr lacks.
- Riverside vs Ecamm: Ecamm is Mac-only with powerful live production tools. Riverside works on any device with a browser.
- Riverside vs Castr: Castr focuses purely on live streaming delivery. Riverside combines recording, editing, and streaming in one platform.
Start Using Riverside Now
You learned how to use every major Riverside feature:
- ✅ Online Recording Studio
- ✅ Online Video Editor
- ✅ Livestreaming Studio
- ✅ Webinar
- ✅ Podcast Hosting
- ✅ AI Co-Creator
- ✅ Video Clipper
- ✅ AI Show Notes
- ✅ Audio & Video Transcription
Next step: Pick one feature and try it now.
Most people start with Online Recording Studio.
It takes less than 5 minutes.
Frequently Asked Questions
How to use Riverside recording?
Create a free account, click “New Studio,” and invite your guests with a link. Click the Record button to start. Riverside captures separate audio and video tracks locally on each device for the best quality.
Can you use Riverside for free?
Yes. Riverside offers a free plan with up to 2 hours of recording at 720p video quality. Free recordings include a Riverside watermark. You get access to basic editing tools and Magic Clips on the free plan.
What browser to use with Riverside?
Google Chrome works best with Riverside. The platform may not work properly in Safari, Firefox, or other browsers. You can also use the Riverside desktop app for Mac or the mobile app for iOS and Android.
How much does it cost to use Riverside?
Riverside starts free. Paid plans begin at $24/month for the Pro plan with 4K recording and AI tools. The Live plan costs $34/month and the Webinar plan costs $79/month. Annual billing saves up to 21%.
What is Riverside used for?
Riverside is used for recording podcasts, video interviews, webinars, and live streams. It captures studio-quality audio and video from anywhere using local recording technology. Creators also use it to edit, clip, and repurpose content with AI tools.
Can you use Riverside on a phone?
Yes. Riverside has a mobile app for both iOS and Android. You can record high-quality audio and video directly from your phone. The mobile app also supports joining as a guest in someone else’s recording session.
Is Riverside good for podcasting?
Yes. Riverside is one of the best tools for podcast recording. It captures separate tracks for each speaker, records locally for high quality, and includes editing, hosting, and AI tools all in one platform.
Can Riverside stream to YouTube?
Yes. With the Live plan or higher, you can stream directly to YouTube, LinkedIn, Facebook, Twitch, and custom RTMP destinations. Riverside streams in full HD (1080p) and records the session at the same time.
Why is Riverside better than Zoom?
Riverside records locally on each device, giving you studio-quality audio and video. Zoom records over the internet which lowers quality. Riverside also provides separate tracks, AI editing tools, and built-in clip creation that Zoom cannot match.
How long can you record on Riverside for free?
The free plan gives you 2 hours of multi-track recording per month. Video quality is limited to 720p and exports include a Riverside watermark. For longer recording times, the Pro plan offers 15 hours per month.
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