Top 5 AI Tools for Podcast Hosts in 2024

Skip the fluff - here are the 5 best AI tools that will save you hours on your podcast:

Quick picks based on your needs:

• Need guest research? GuestLab pulls data from LinkedIn and builds question lists
• Want easier editing? Descript lets you edit audio by deleting text
• Need transcripts? Otter.ai gives you 85-95% accurate live transcription
• Recording remote guests? Riverside records locally for perfect audio
• Want social content? Castmagic turns episodes into posts and newsletters

Start with the free plans to test what works for you. Most podcasters begin with just one tool (like Riverside for recording) and add more as their show grows.

The tools keep improving with each update. Pick what solves your biggest headache first - you can always add more later.

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GuestLab: AI Research Assistant

GuestLab turns hours of podcast prep into a 5-minute process. It's an AI tool that reads your guest's LinkedIn profile and hands you everything you need for your interview.

Here's what happens when you analyze a guest:

Pick your plan:

What's inside:

• Pulls data straight from LinkedIn
• Downloads research as PDF
• Digs into 5M+ episodes (Pro/Premium)
• Custom AI settings (Pro/Premium)
• Always-on support (Premium)

Each guest report includes:

• A ready-to-read introduction
• 10 conversation starters
• 20 questions that dig deep
• Background info that matters

GuestLab fits perfectly if you:

• Interview people every week
• Need research done FAST
• Want organized interview plans
• Search for talking points in career histories

Bottom line: GuestLab handles the heavy lifting of interview prep. You get to focus on what matters - connecting with your guest and running a great show.

2. Descript: Audio and Video Editor

Descript makes podcast editing as simple as typing in a document. Instead of messing with complex audio waveforms, you edit your podcast just like you'd edit a Word doc.

Here's what each plan costs:

The tools that make Descript FAST:

The software nails transcription with 95% accuracy across 23+ languages. See a mistake? Just highlight and fix it. Want cleaner audio? Click once. Need EQ or compression? They're built right in.

"Descript has been an absolute game-changer for easily producing high-quality video podcasts. What would have taken weeks and teams of people can now be done by one person in an hour." - Steve Patrizi, Chief Marketing Officer @ Revelo

Here's what makes Descript perfect for podcasters:

• Edit Like Text: Delete words, delete audio
• AI Voice Double: Fix flubs without new takes
• Clean Audio: Drop background noise
• Share Anywhere: Export in any format you need

Descript works best if you:

• Make weekly shows
• Need quick edits
• Work with a team
• Create social media clips

The AI handles the tech stuff. You focus on making great content. Less time editing = more time creating.

3. Otter.ai: Live Transcription Tool

Otter.ai converts your podcast audio into text while you record, hitting 85-95% accuracy. It spots speaker changes on its own and lets you fix transcripts as you listen.

Here's what sets Otter apart:

Otter works like a charm when you:

• Need text while recording
• Create show notes fast
• Work with a podcast team
• Make video captions

The tool comes packed with time-savers:

• Record right in the app
• Get AI-powered summaries
• Export with one click
• Find old content fast

Quick tips to get better results:

• Talk clearly
• Add industry terms to the dictionary
• Use AI Chat for quotes
• Send secure transcript links

While Descript focuses on editing, Otter SHINES at live transcription. It's the go-to choice for podcasters who want quick text versions or need to make their shows more accessible.

Want to try it out? The free plan gives you 300 minutes monthly - enough for five 1-hour episodes to see if it fits your needs.

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4. Riverside: Remote Recording Platform

Riverside records audio and video on each participant's device before uploading to the cloud. You get 48kHz WAV audio and 4K video - even with bad internet.

The platform packs these AI tools:

Here's the pricing:

Quick tips for better recordings:

• Check your setup in the Green Room
• Make sure guests use headphones
• Upload media files before recording
• Use "Join as Producer" for tech help

"If you want to be serious about podcasting, look at Riverside and see how it can help." - Louie, Podcast Host

Here's the bottom line:

While Otter.ai does live transcription, Riverside focuses on high-quality remote recording. It's built for podcasters who need top-notch sound quality, no matter where their guests are.

Want to try it out? Start with the free plan. But if you're podcasting regularly, go for the $19/month Standard plan - it gives you 5 hours of multi-track recording time.

5. Castmagic: Content Repurposing Tool

Castmagic transforms podcast episodes into multiple content formats using AI. They've processed 10M+ minutes of content for over 75,000 creators.

Here's what you get:

Pick your plan:

Want better results? Here's what works:

• Break content into 5-10 minute chunks
• Upload multiple episodes at once
• Set up prompts that match your style
• Review AI content before publishing

"As our two podcasts have grown to over 35 million downloads, we needed to find a way to streamline some of our process, especially when it came to curating content for our social channels. It's easy to use and a TIME SAVER!" - Jake Decker, Executive Producer, Maxwell Leadership

"A tool that my team uses that I mentioned in the live show is Castmagic. It helps make ALL of our show notes today and time stamps." - Noah Kagan, Founder Appsumo, Host Noah Kagan Presents

Here's what makes Castmagic different: While Riverside handles recording and Otter.ai does transcription, Castmagic turns one audio file into multiple content pieces.

Want to see it in action? Start with the 7-day free trial. Most podcasters find the $99/month Starter plan works best - it gives you enough minutes and features to run a regular show.

How These Tools Compare

Here's a clear breakdown of these 5 AI podcast tools:

Want to know which tool fits your needs? Here's a simple guide:

Free & Budget Options

• Start with GuestLab's free plan (1 guest/month)
• Try Descript or Riverside's basic free plans
• Get 300 free minutes on Otter.ai
• Test Castmagic with their 7-day trial

Pro Features & Pricing

• GuestLab Pro ($30/month): 10 guests/month
• Descript Creator ($35/month): Complete editing tools
• Riverside Pro ($24/month): 4K video + 15 hours storage
• Castmagic Starter ($99/month): 500 minutes

Storage & Limits

• Descript gives you 5TB cloud storage
• Riverside's Business plan has no storage limits
• Castmagic charges based on minutes
• GuestLab limits guests per plan
• Otter.ai caps transcription hours

Smart Tool Combinations

1. Start with GuestLab for research
2. Record your show in Riverside
3. Edit in Descript
4. Get transcripts from Otter.ai
5. Use Castmagic for content creation

Here's the bottom line: Don't feel pressured to buy everything at once. Most podcasters start with just a recording tool like Riverside and add more tools as their show grows.

Final Thoughts

Here's how to pick the right AI tools for your podcast in 2024:

Want to get the most from these tools? Here's what works:

• Pick ONE tool to start
• Check AI work for mistakes
• Solve your biggest headaches first
• Monitor time saved vs. cost

Here's what NOT to do:

Save money by:

• Mixing free and paid tools
• Starting with monthly plans
• Sharing accounts (when allowed)
• Looking for yearly deals

These tools get better with each update. New features pop up all the time, making your podcast work easier. Start small - you can add more tools as you need them.

Bottom line: AI handles the tech stuff. You bring the magic that makes your show stand out. Let these tools do the heavy lifting while you focus on what matters: making content your listeners love.

FAQs

What is the best AI tool for podcasting?

Let's cut through the noise. Here's what works best for different podcast tasks:

Here's what to pick based on your biggest headache:

Want more social reach? Descript or Riverside will grab your best moments and make them pop on Instagram, TikTok, and YouTube.

Need better guest interviews? GuestLab does the homework for you.

Hate editing? Descript lets you edit audio by just deleting text.

Recording remote guests? Riverside's got you covered with pro-level audio.

"Podcasting builds a direct line to your audience" - John Lee Dumas, Host of "Entrepreneurs on Fire"

My advice? Start with ONE tool's free version. You'll know when it's time to add more - your workflow will tell you.