20 Podcasting Tools, for High-quality Content

Podcasting continues to be an effective way to generate rich content for your website. With so many inexpensive and relatively simple tools available to capture and edit audio and video, even a podcasting novice can produce high-quality content with very little expense.
Here is a list of podcasting tools. There are useful apps and platforms to produce and distribute a podcast. There’s also a selection of microphones ideal for podcasting.

Apps and Platforms

Podbean. Podbean is a podcasting platform with publishing, management, syndication, and analysis tools. Publish and share your podcasts, and even sell them with no transaction fees. Price: Plans start at $5 per month.

Podbean.

PodOmatic. PodOmatic is a platform with customizable embedded players and promotional tools. Its directory contains over two million podcasts from independent podcasters. Create a minicast, combining audio and images to share on social media. Price: Basic account is free. Contact for pro support pricing.
Audcacity. Audacity is a free and open-source application for recording and editing audio. It features simple tools for splicing and mixing sound. Edit a variety of sound files and apply multiple effects, including changing speed or pitch. Audacity also features a podcasting forum for community support. Audacity is available for Mac, Windows, and Linux. Price: Free.
SoundCloud. SoundCloud is a social audio platform to create and share sound. Share audio privately or publicly to blogs, sites, and social networks. Share audio directly to Twitter, Tumblr, Facebook, and Foursquare. Access anywhere using the official iPhone and Android apps, as well as hundreds of creation and sharing apps built on the SoundCloud platform. Price: Free.

SoundCloud.

Libsysn. Libsyn (Liberated Syndication) is a podcast network to create, host, publish and promote your podcast. It has over 10,000 podcasts delivered to more than 18 million monthly audience members. With four different kinds of content accepted by its app, you can offer your audience extras, blog posts, transcripts and more all in one place. Price: Plans start at $5.
GarageBand. If you own a Mac, GarageBand is a full-feature tool to record and edit your podcast audio. Create and mix up to 255 audio tracks. GarageBand comes with a complete sound library of software instruments.
Ecamm Call Recorder. Ecamm Call Recorder is a tool to record audio and video calls with Skype or FaceTime. Get high-quality HD recordings. Easily convert into MP3 files for podcasting. Call Recorder’s multi-track recording lets you split tracks after a call. Available for Mac OS. Price: $29.95.

Ecamm.

Audio Hijack. Audio Hijack is a tool to record audio from apps like Skype or from an audio device, with customizable recording options for podcasts. Audio Hijack is also an ideal backup tool to record your source audio, in case there’s a problem with a guest’s audio track. Price: $49 for a license.
Simple Podcast Press. Simple Podcast Press is a player that will also grow your audience. Automatically add Opt-in Forms to all your existing and new podcast episodes to grow your email list. Add a sidebar widget that automatically showcases your latest podcast episodes. Works with all podcast feeds including Libsyn, SoundCloud, PodBean, and Blubrry. Price: $47 single license.
Smart Podcast Player. Smart Podcast Player is a customizable podcast player sleek enough for your website. Display your podcast artwork, and use your brand colors. Your library updates automatically anytime you publish a new episode to your feed. The mobile-responsive Smart Podcast Player is compatible with any podcast RSS feed from any podcast hosting service, including Libsyn and SoundCloud. Price: $97 per year.

Smart Podcast Player.

ScheduleOnce. ScheduleOnce is a scheduling assistant app that’s useful to book guest interviews. It integrates with a variety of calendar apps, including Google Calendar, Apple Calendar, and Outlook. Guests click your booking page and choose from available time slots. When booked, the appointment is automatically added to your calendar and confirmation is sent the guest. Price: Plans start at $5 per month.
SqueakPipe. SqueakPipe is a voice messaging tool. It’s useful if your podcast utilizes Q&As with questions submitted from listeners. Install a voicemail widget on your website and start interacting with your audience. You can use a custom button or the SpeakPipe side button. Price: Plans start at $7 per month.
Spreaker. Spreaker is a podcast platform to create, host, and distribute your podcasts. Pre-record or broadcast live via the studio console, from desktop or mobile device. Mix voice with tracks and effects on the fly. The application also allows easy sharing across all the major social networks, as well as providing embeddable players for any website. Price: Plans start at $4.99 per month.

Spreaker.

Sound Byte. The Sound Byte application puts sound effects at your fingertips. Select up to 75 recordings per rack (screen) and assign a button for each. Play multiple recordings simultaneously. You can select the sound output device to use, as well as which channels for left and right audio. Price: $39.
Buffer. Buffer is a tool to manage the sharing of content — including podcasts — on social media. Use Buffer to schedule your podcasts, and then analyze rich statistics on how your posts perform. Schedule your sharing in advance, and manage multiple social media accounts at once. Price: Individual account is free.
Google Hangouts On Air. Google Hangouts is a video and audio conferencing tool that can be used for interviewing guests. Hangouts On Air is for broadcasting live conversations. Take audience questions in advance and answer them live. Schedule broadcasts and go live in HD on Google+, YouTube, and your website. It will be recorded and automatically saved on your YouTube channel. Price: Free.
Blubrry PowerPress. Blubrry PowerPress brings the essential features for podcasting to WordPress. PowerPress offers iTunes support, media URL verification, six audio player options, three video player options, multiple format and media file types, category podcasting capabilities, platform migration tools, and more. Price: Blubrry basic is free. Premium plan is $5 per month.

Blubrry PowerPress.

Microphones

iRig Mic Cast. iRig Mic Cast is an ultra-compact recording microphone for iPhone and Android devices. It’s a pocket-sized solution to record interviews and field elements for a podcast. It has two sensitivity settings to record close-up or distant sources. Price: $39.99.
AudioTechnica AT2020 USB Mic. The AT2020 is another popular USB microphone that provides professional quality audio at an affordable price. Its cardioid pattern reduces pickup of sounds from the sides and rear, improving isolation of desired sound silence. This mic is ideal for home or field recording. Includes tripod desk stand, pivoting, and stand mount. It’s compatible with Mac and Windows. Price: $229 suggested retail.
Blue Yeti Microphone. The Yeti from Blue Microphone is a popular and affordable USB microphone for professional recording. It features four pattern settings for a multiple sound source and direction environments. Use it for a solo podcast, bi-directional interview, or even omni-directional mode to record an environment. Price: Contact on pricing.

Blue Yeti Microphones.