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Software · head to head

Zencastr vs Fireside

Zencastr logo

Zencastr

Software

Free podcast recording in your browser

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite
Fireside logo

Fireside

Software

Podcast hosting with community features

From
$20/month
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite

The short version

  • Only Zencastr has a free tier, so it costs nothing to try first.
  • Each has a real cost: Zencastr the pricing page lists no dollar amount for any tier; the paid Enterprise tier is marked Custom and requires contacting sales; Fireside starter plan at $9 per month allows one podcast and 5 episodes per month
  • They diverge on capability: Zencastr covers Browser-based recording, Fireside covers Unlimited hosting.

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which Zencastr and Fireside actually diverge.

Attributes where Zencastr and Fireside differ
AttributeZencastrFireside
Starting priceFree$20/month
Pricing modelfreemiumsubscription
Free tierYesNo
Founded20152018

Identical on both: platforms (Web), user rating (Not yet rated), category (Unknown).

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 Zencastr

  • Browser-based recording
  • Separate tracks
  • Automatic postproduction
  • Video recording
  • Lossless audio
  • Cloud storage
  • Dropbox
  • Google Drive

Only in Fireside

  • Unlimited hosting
  • Community features
  • Distribution
  • Analytics
  • Listener engagement
  • Monetization
  • All podcast platforms
  • Email services

Both cover

  • Privacy controls
  • Web support

What people use each for

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

Zencastr

  • Recording remote podcast interviews with separate local tracks per guestnot Fireside
  • Recording video podcasts in the browser without guest software installsnot Fireside
  • Publishing recorded episodes and clips from one workspacenot Fireside

Fireside

  • Hosting a podcast together with a customisable podcast websitenot Zencastr
  • Running several shows as a podcast network from one accountnot Zencastr
  • Tracking episode download metrics and link clicksnot Zencastr

Where each one falls short

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

Zencastr

  • The pricing page lists no dollar amount for any tier; the paid Enterprise tier is marked Custom and requires contacting sales
  • The free tier caps a session at 6 participants
  • The free tier caps video streaming quality at 1080p
  • The free tier is limited to 5 podcast shows and 4 seats

Fireside

  • Starter plan at $9 per month allows one podcast and 5 episodes per month
  • Custom domain with SSL requires the $19 per month Standard plan; Starter sites sit on a Fireside subdomain
  • Additional podcasts beyond the one included on Standard cost $8 per month each
  • Bandwidth is capped at 1TB per month on Standard and 5TB per month on Professional
  • Advanced download metrics and click tracking require the $49 per month Professional plan

Pricing, plan by plan

Zencastr

Free
  • HobbyistFree
    • 8 hours/month audio
    • MP3 quality
    • Up to 2 guests
  • Professional$20/month
    • Unlimited recording
    • WAV lossless quality
    • Video recording

Fireside

$20/month
  • Creator$20/month
    • Unlimited hosting
    • Community features
    • Distribution
  • Network$50/month
    • Multiple shows
    • Team management
    • Advanced analytics

Which should you pick?

Choose Zencastr if

  • You need browser-based recording.
  • You want to start without paying.
  • You also want separate tracks.
Zencastr review

Choose Fireside if

  • You need unlimited hosting.
  • You also want community features.
Fireside review

Questions people ask

Is Zencastr or Fireside better?
Neither clearly leads. Zencastr starts at Free and Fireside at $20/month, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, Zencastr or Fireside?
Zencastr has a free tier; the other does not. Paid plans start at Free for Zencastr and $20/month for Fireside.
Does Zencastr or Fireside run on more platforms?
Both run on Web, so platform support will not decide this one for you.
Can I use Zencastr for free?
Yes. Zencastr has a free tier, so you can try it without paying. Fireside starts at $20/month.
What is Zencastr best used for?
Zencastr is most often used for recording remote podcast interviews with separate local tracks per guest, recording video podcasts in the browser without guest software installs, publishing recorded episodes and clips from one workspace. Of those, recording remote podcast interviews with separate local tracks per guest and recording video podcasts in the browser without guest software installs are not what Fireside is typically brought in for.
What can Zencastr do that Fireside cannot?
Zencastr covers Browser-based recording, Separate tracks, Automatic postproduction, Video recording. Fireside covers Unlimited hosting, Community features, Distribution, Analytics. Both handle Privacy controls, Web support.
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Related pages

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