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Video Production · head to head

HitFilm vs Riverside.fm

H

HitFilm

Video Production

Video editor and 3D compositor in one application, now owned by Artlist

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite
Riverside.fm logo

Riverside.fm

Video Production

High-quality remote podcast and video recording platform

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite

The short version

  • Each has a real cost: HitFilm editing and compositing share one interface, which suits a single operator and obstructs a team that wants to split the edit from the effects work.; Riverside.fm free plan limited to 2 hours of multi-track recording and adds a watermark
  • They diverge on capability: HitFilm covers Composite shots, Riverside.fm covers Remote recording.
  • Prices and features above were last checked on 1 September 2026.

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which HitFilm and Riverside.fm actually diverge.

Attributes where HitFilm and Riverside.fm differ
AttributeHitFilmRiverside.fm
Pricing modelPer user per monthfreemium
PlatformsWindows, macOSWeb, Ios, Android
FoundedUnknown2019

Identical on both: starting price (Free), free tier (Yes), user rating (Not yet rated), category (Video Production).

What each one covers

Drawn from each product's published feature list. An absence here means we hold no record of it - not that the product lacks it.

Only in HitFilm

  • Composite shots
  • Particle simulator
  • Camera tracking
  • Keying
  • Text and titling
  • Export presets

Only in Riverside.fm

  • Remote recording
  • High-quality capture
  • Automatic transcription
  • Video editing
  • Live streaming
  • Distribution tools
  • Zapier
  • IFTTT

What people use each for

The jobs each tool is most often brought in to do.

HitFilm

  • Cutting and finishing an effects-heavy short film without moving between an editor and a compositornot Riverside.fm
  • Producing a YouTube channel with recurring motion graphics on one subscriptionnot Riverside.fm
  • Learning compositing concepts on the free tier before committing to a paid effects toolnot Riverside.fm
  • Adding tracked 3D elements to live footage in a one-person productionnot Riverside.fm

Riverside.fm

  • Remote podcast and video interview recording with multi-track separationnot HitFilm

Where each one falls short

Documented limitations, not opinions. Every one is a constraint you would hit in normal use.

HitFilm

  • Editing and compositing share one interface, which suits a single operator and obstructs a team that wants to split the edit from the effects work.
  • The perpetual HitFilm Pro licence was retired after the Artlist acquisition, so long-standing owners who bought outright must subscribe to receive current versions.
  • Effects and add-on packs were historically sold separately, and archived projects can open with missing effects if the current plan does not cover them.
  • Performance falls off sharply on integrated graphics, so a machine that edits comfortably can still be unusable for the particle and 3D work that is the reason to choose HitFilm.
  • Colour management and delivery options are thinner than DaVinci Resolve, so any project with a broadcast or cinema deliverable ends up round-tripping to another application anyway.

Riverside.fm

  • Free plan limited to 2 hours of multi-track recording and adds a watermark
  • Pro plan at $29 per month caps separate-track recording at 5 hours per month
  • Business plan with unlimited storage and SSO is quote only, requiring contact with sales

Pricing, plan by plan

HitFilm

Free
  • Free$undefined/month
    • Editing and basic compositing
    • Limited export resolution
    • Limited effects set
  • Creator$undefined/month
    • Expanded effects
    • Higher export resolution
    • Additional export formats
  • Pro$undefined/month
    • Full effects set
    • Highest export resolution
    • Advanced compositing and tracking

Riverside.fm

Free
  • FreeFree
    • 2 hours of multi-track recordings
    • 720p video quality
    • 44.1 kHz audio
  • Pro$29/month
    • $24 per month annual
    • 4K video and 48kHz audio
    • No watermark
  • Grow$39/month
    • $34 per month annual
    • 1080p live streaming
    • Social media scheduling
  • Webinar$99/month
    • $79 per month annual
    • Host webinars up to 100 registrants
    • Lead capture tools

Which should you pick?

Choose HitFilm if

  • You need composite shots.
  • You want to start without paying.
  • You work on Windows, macOS.
  • You also want particle simulator.
HitFilm review

Choose Riverside.fm if

  • You need remote recording.
  • You want to start without paying.
  • You work on Web, Ios, Android.
  • You also want high-quality capture.
Riverside.fm review

Questions people ask

Is HitFilm or Riverside.fm better?
Neither clearly leads. HitFilm starts at Free and Riverside.fm at Free, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, HitFilm or Riverside.fm?
HitFilm starts at Free and Riverside.fm at Free.
Does HitFilm or Riverside.fm run on more platforms?
HitFilm runs on Windows, macOS. Riverside.fm runs on Web, Ios, Android.
Can I use HitFilm for free?
Both have a free tier, so you can try either at no cost before committing.
What is HitFilm best used for?
HitFilm is most often used for cutting and finishing an effects-heavy short film without moving between an editor and a compositor, producing a youtube channel with recurring motion graphics on one subscription, learning compositing concepts on the free tier before committing to a paid effects tool, adding tracked 3d elements to live footage in a one-person production. Of those, cutting and finishing an effects-heavy short film without moving between an editor and a compositor and producing a youtube channel with recurring motion graphics on one subscription are not what Riverside.fm is typically brought in for.
What can HitFilm do that Riverside.fm cannot?
HitFilm covers Composite shots, Particle simulator, Camera tracking, Keying. Riverside.fm covers Remote recording, High-quality capture, Automatic transcription, Video editing.

Answered from the vendors’ own pages

HitFilm: Is HitFilm still free?

There is still a free tier with limited effects and export resolution. The perpetual Pro licence is gone; the paid tiers are subscriptions.

Riverside.fm: How much does Riverside FM cost?

Pro plan is $29/month ($24 annually), Grow is $39/month ($34 annually), and Webinar is $99/month ($79 annually). A Free plan with 2 hours recording is available. Business plan requires contacting sales.

Source
HitFilm: What hardware does it actually need?

A discrete GPU with adequate video memory. Integrated graphics will run the editor but stall on composite shots, particles and 3D layers.

Riverside.fm: Does Riverside FM offer annual billing discounts?

Yes, annual billing provides up to 20% discount compared to monthly rates. Specific savings vary by plan tier.

Source
HitFilm: Does the Artlist acquisition affect the software?

It puts HitFilm inside a stock media subscription business. The licence model changed after the acquisition, and the roadmap now serves that business.

Riverside.fm: What is included in the Free plan?

The Free plan includes 2 hours of multi-track recordings, 720p video quality, 44.1 kHz audio, unlimited single-track recording, and a Riverside watermark on exports.

Source
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