How to Use Riverside: Complete Feature Guide (2026)

Quick Start

This guide covers every Riverside feature:

• Getting Started — Create your free account and set up your first studio
• How to Use Online Recording Studio — Records every guest locally so quality never drops
• How to Use Online Video Editor — Cuts your episode by editing the transcript text
• How to Use Powerful Livestreaming Studio — Broadcasts your session live to several channels at once
• How to Use Webinar — Runs registration, slides and Q&A from one screen
• How to Use Podcast Hosting — Publishes finished episodes straight to Spotify and Apple
• How to Use AI Co-Creator — Cleans your sound and pulls out the strongest moments
• How to Use Video Clipper — Turns long recordings into vertical clips for Reels and Shorts
• How to Use AI Show Notes — Writes summaries, chapters and titles from your episode
• How to Use Audio & Video Transcription — Produces accurate transcripts in more than 100 languages

Time needed: 5 minutes per feature

Also in this guide: Pro Tips | Common Mistakes | Troubleshooting | Pricing | Alternatives

Why Trust This Guide

I have used Riverside for two years and tested every feature covered here.

This tutorial comes from real recording sessions with remote guests, not vendor screenshots.

Riverside is a browser based studio built to record high quality audio and video.

Most people learn how to use Riverside for a podcast and stop there.

It also handles video interviews, YouTube videos, webinars and live streaming.

This guide shows you every major feature, step by step, with screenshots and pro tips.

Riverside Tutorial

This How to Use Riverside tutorial walks you through each feature, from your first recording session to advanced tricks that save time.

Riverside

Record studio quality podcasts and video interviews from your browser. Riverside captures separate tracks locally on every device, so a weak connection never ruins the take. Start on the free plan, no credit card needed.

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Getting Started with Riverside

Before any feature, finish this one time setup.

It takes a few minutes.

Here is what the first run through looks like:

Now let us walk through each step.

Step 1: Create Your Free Account

Go to the Riverside website and click Start Free.

Sign up with Google or an email and password.

A free account gets you the free plan, which records up to two hours.

✓ Checkpoint: Check your inbox for the confirmation email.

Step 2: Open the Riverside Dashboard

Riverside runs in Chrome, so open it there rather than Safari or Firefox.

Desktop and mobile apps exist too, and both sync with the same Riverside account.

Here is what the dashboard looks like:

✓ Checkpoint: You should see the New Studio button on the left.

Step 3: Check Your Audio and Video Settings

Create a studio and you land in the green room first.

Pick your mic and camera, then watch the audio levels move as you talk.

Sort out good lighting and background noise now, not in post production.

How to Use Riverside Online Recording Studio

Online Recording Studio lets you record high quality audio and video with up to eight people.

Here is how to use it step by step.

Step 1: Set Up the Session

Name your studio and choose audio only or audio and video.

Pick audio only when you just want to record audio for a podcast feed.

Step 2: Invite Your Guests

Inviting guests takes one link, and they need no Riverside account.

Remote guests join in the browser and land in the green room first.

Here is what this looks like:

✓ Checkpoint: Every participant shows a green upload bar during the recording session.

Step 3: Hit the Record Button

Press the record button and speak for ten seconds as a test.

Local recording technology captures each person on their own device.

How to Use Riverside Online Video Editor

Online Video Editor gives you text based editing plus normal timeline controls for more detailed editing.

Here is how to use it step by step.

Step 1: Open the Editor

Click the recording in your media tab, then choose Edit.

The Riverside Magic Editor loads the transcript beside the timeline.

Step 2: Cut With Text Based Editing

Delete a sentence in the transcript and that part of the video disappears.

One click strips filler words like um and uh across the whole file.

Here is what this looks like:

✓ Checkpoint: The timeline shortens every time you delete transcript text.

Step 3: Polish and Export

Add music from the library, or add captions in the same panel.

Export separate video files or a single mixed track.

How to Use Riverside Livestreaming Studio

Powerful Livestreaming Studio sends your video to several social media platforms at the same time.

Here is how to use it step by step.

Step 1: Create a Live Session

Choose Livestream instead of Record when you open a new studio.

Step 2: Connect Your Channels

Link your YouTube channel, LinkedIn, X or a custom RTMP feed.

Riverside pushes one live streaming session to multiple platforms at once.

Here is what this looks like:

✓ Checkpoint: Each connected channel shows a green Live badge in the sidebar.

Step 3: Go Live and Record

Producer mode lets a teammate switch layouts while you talk.

Screen sharing works mid stream for demos and slides.

How to Use Riverside Webinar

Webinar runs sign ups, slides and live Q&A without a second tool.

Here is how to use it step by step.

Step 1: Build the Registration Page

Set a title, date and the fields you want attendees to fill in.

Step 2: Set the Stage

Upload slides and decide who appears on camera.

Any audience member can send questions without joining the stage.

Here is what this looks like:

✓ Checkpoint: Your registration link previews correctly before you send it.

Step 3: Run and Reuse It

Start the webinar, then keep the video recording for on demand replay.

How to Use Riverside Podcast Hosting

Podcast Hosting stores and distributes your show, so you skip a separate host.

Here is how to use it step by step.

Step 1: Send Your Episode to Hosting

Open a finished file and pick Publish, then Podcast Hosting.

Step 2: Fill In the Details

Add the title, episode number, cover art and description.

Riverside makes the RSS feed for you automatically.

Here is what this looks like:

✓ Checkpoint: Your episode shows a Published status with a live listen link.

Step 3: Distribute Everywhere

Submit that feed once to Spotify, Apple Podcasts and YouTube.

How to Use Riverside AI Co-Creator

AI Co-Creator improves your sound and finds the best moments in the recording.

Here is how to use it step by step.

Step 1: Open AI Co-Creator

Select a recording and open the AI panel on the right.

Step 2: Run Magic Audio

Magic Audio removes room echo and evens out quiet speakers.

It lifts recording quality on files captured with a cheap mic.

Here is what this looks like:

✓ Checkpoint: The waveform looks fuller and the volume difference between speakers shrinks.

Step 3: Pull the Highlights

Ask it for key points and it lists the strongest moments with timestamps.

How to Use Riverside Video Clipper

Video Clipper turns one long episode into social media clips in a few minutes.

Here is how to use it step by step.

Step 1: Open the Clipper

Pick a long recording and choose Create Clips.

Step 2: Generate Magic Clips

Magic Clips scans the transcript and suggests short segments automatically.

Each one is scored, so start with the highest ranked social media clips.

Here is what this looks like:

✓ Checkpoint: Vertical previews appear with the speaker centred in frame.

Step 3: Frame and Export

Switch to 9:16, add captions, then download or post directly.

How to Use Riverside AI Show Notes

AI Show Notes writes summaries and chapters from your finished podcast episode.

Here is how to use it step by step.

Step 1: Select the Episode

Open the file and click AI Show Notes in the side panel.

Step 2: Generate the Notes

It returns a summary, chapter markers, title ideas and key points.

Chapters carry timestamps you can paste straight into YouTube.

Here is what this looks like:

✓ Checkpoint: Chapter timestamps line up with the real topic changes.

Step 3: Edit and Publish

Trim the draft, add your links, then copy it into your episode description.

How to Use Riverside Audio & Video Transcriber

Audio & Video Transcription converts speech into text you can edit, search and reuse.

Here is how to use it step by step.

Step 1: Request a Transcript

Click the three dots beside any track and choose Transcribe.

Step 2: Pick Your Language

AI transcription covers more than 100 languages with speaker labels.

A one hour file usually finishes in about five minutes.

Here is what this looks like:

✓ Checkpoint: Speaker names appear next to each block of text.

Step 3: Export the File

Download SRT for subtitles, or TXT for your blog and newsletter.

Riverside Pro Tips and Shortcuts

After two years of recording, here are the tips that save time.

Most of the gains come from easy to use tools sitting one click away.

Keyboard Shortcuts

Hidden Features Most People Miss

• Teleprompter: Paste a script into the studio so you keep eye contact with the camera.
• Sound effects board: Load intro stings and sound effects, then fire them during the take.
• 4K toggle: Switch the studio to 4K for the best quality on YouTube videos.
• Media tab downloads: Grab raw video tracks any time, even after you export.

Riverside Common Mistakes to Avoid

Mistake #1: Closing the Tab Too Early

Mistake #2: Skipping the Green Room

Mistake #3: Recording in a Bare Room

Riverside Troubleshooting

Problem: The upload stalls after recording

Cause: The tab closed before progressive uploading finished sending the local files.

Fix: Reopen the studio link on the same device and browser to resume the upload.

Problem: Guests hear an echo

Cause: Someone is on speakers, so their mic captures your voice again.

Fix: Ask every guest for headphones, since that solves echo far better than software cancellation.

Problem: The camera or mic will not connect

Cause: Browser permissions are blocked, or another app is holding the device.

Fix: Close Zoom and Meet, then allow camera access in Chrome settings and refresh.

📌 Note: Internet issues rarely affect your files, because Riverside records locally and uploads in the background.

What is Riverside?

Riverside is a recording platform built for high quality podcast audio and video.

Think of it like a small studio that follows each guest home.

Watch this quick overview:

It includes these key features:

• Online Recording Studio: Records every guest locally so quality never drops
• Online Video Editor: Cuts your episode by editing the transcript text
• Powerful Livestreaming Studio: Broadcasts your session live to several channels at once
• Webinar: Runs registration, slides and Q&A from one screen
• Podcast Hosting: Publishes finished episodes straight to Spotify and Apple
• AI Co-Creator: Cleans your sound and pulls out the strongest moments
• Video Clipper: Turns long recordings into vertical clips for Reels and Shorts
• AI Show Notes: Writes summaries, chapters and titles from your episode
• Audio & Video Transcription: Produces accurate transcripts in more than 100 languages

For a full review, see our Riverside review.

Because it records on the device, recording quality does not fall when the connection wobbles.

Video quality holds at 4K even when a guest has patchy Wi-Fi at home.

Riverside Pricing

Here is what Riverside costs in 2026:

Free trial: Yes, a free plan records up to two hours with no card required.

Money-back guarantee: No refund window is advertised, so test on the free plan first.

💰 Best Value: Pro — it unlocks 4K video recording, full transcripts and the editor.

Riverside vs Alternatives

How does Riverside compare? Here is the competitive landscape:

Quick picks:

• Best overall: Riverside — local recordings plus an editor in one place.
• Best budget: Podcastle — cheaper entry plan with usable AI tools.
• Best for beginners: StreamYard — the simplest way to start a live show.
• Best for live streaming: Restream — the widest list of connected destinations.

🎯 Riverside Alternatives

Looking for Riverside alternatives? Here are the top options:

• 🚀 Podcastle: Browser recording with AI voice cleanup at a lower monthly price than Riverside.
• 💰 Restream: Built for pushing one broadcast to thirty plus destinations at once.
• 🎨 Streamlabs: Overlays, alerts and themes aimed squarely at gaming creators.
• ⚡ StreamYard: Fastest setup for a live show, with branded layouts and guest links.
• 🔒 Zencastr: Audio first recording with separate tracks and simple hosting included.
• 🧠 Ecamm: Mac only production suite with deep camera and scene control.
• 🏢 Castr: Streaming infrastructure with embeddable players and video on demand.

For the full list, see our Riverside alternatives guide.

⚔️ Riverside Compared

Here is how Riverside stacks up against each competitor:

• Riverside vs Podcastle: Riverside wins on recording quality, Podcastle wins on price for hobby shows.
• Riverside vs Restream: Restream reaches more destinations, Riverside gives far better local files.
• Riverside vs Streamlabs: Streamlabs suits gaming, Riverside suits interviews and business content.
• Riverside vs StreamYard: StreamYard is easier live, Riverside is stronger for recorded episodes.
• Riverside vs Zencastr: Zencastr is cheaper for audio, Riverside is better for video work.
• Riverside vs Ecamm: Ecamm offers more camera control, Riverside works on any operating system.
• Riverside vs Castr: Castr handles delivery, Riverside handles the actual recording and editing.

Start Using Riverside Now

You learned how to use every major Riverside feature:

• ✅ Online Recording Studio
• ✅ Online Video Editor
• ✅ Powerful 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 the Online Recording Studio.

It takes less than five minutes to invite people and start recording.

Frequently Asked Questions

How to use Riverside recording?

Create a studio from the Riverside dashboard, check your settings in the green room, invite guests by link, then press record. Files upload in the background automatically.

Can you use Riverside for free?

Yes. The free plan records up to two hours of separate audio and video tracks each month. Live streaming and full quality downloads need a paid plan.

What browser to use with Riverside?

Google Chrome is recommended. Safari and Firefox can drop features or block camera access. The desktop and mobile apps work well if you prefer not to use a browser.

How much does it cost to use Riverside?

Pro costs $24 per month, Live costs $34 per month and Webinar costs $79 per month. Business plans are quoted by contacting sales.

What is Riverside used for?

Recording podcasts, video interviews, webinars and YouTube videos. It also handles editing, transcription, clip generation and live streaming from the same studio.