SquadCast.fm is a remote podcast and video recording studio. See its free plan, paid pricing, features, pros and cons.
Category
Video Editing
Pricing
freemium, from Free (paid plans from $16/month billed annually)
Verified
Not yet
Last updated
July 19, 2026
Founded
2016
Headquarters
Oakland, California, USA
Free PlanWeb AppFree TrialAIFreemium
What Is SquadCast
SquadCast is a browser-based remote recording studio built specifically for podcasters and video creators who need to record high-quality, separate local tracks with guests in different locations.
Co-founded in 2016 and originally based in Oakland, California, SquadCast was acquired by Descript in August 2023 and now operates as SquadCast.fm by Descript, with its technology increasingly integrated into the broader Descript editing platform.
Key Features
Each participant's audio and video is recorded locally in the browser and uploaded to the cloud after the session, which avoids the choppy audio and lip-sync drift common with real-time call-recording software.
Higher tiers add Dolby audio processing, 4K video export, built-in AI tools for transcription and overdub, and team features like multiple shows, integrations, and priority support for producers managing recurring recording sessions.
Pricing
SquadCast uses a freemium model with a Free plan offering 1 recording hour per editor per month, and three paid tiers: Hobbyist at 16 dollars per month (annual billing), Creator at 24 dollars per month (annual billing), and Business at 50 dollars per month (annual billing), each roughly 40-50 percent higher when billed monthly.
Unused recording hours roll over up to twice the plan's monthly allotment, extra hours can be purchased a la carte, and the tool is included at no additional cost with any Descript subscription.
Key Features
Separate Local Track Recording — Records each participant's audio and video locally in their browser for studio-quality tracks free of internet-call compression.
Automatic Cloud Sync and Backup — Tracks upload and sync automatically after the session, protecting against dropped connections mid-recording.
Dolby Audio Processing — Built-in Dolby.io audio enhancement cleans up recordings on paid plans.
4K Video Recording and Export — Higher-tier plans support up to 4K video capture and export for video podcasts and YouTube content.
AI Transcription and Overdub — Automatic transcription plus AI voice regeneration and overdub tools for fixing flubbed lines without re-recording.
Multi-Show and Team Collaboration — Manage multiple shows and invite team members or co-producers with shared access on paid plans.
Integrations — Connects with third-party publishing and workflow tools to streamline the path from recording to a published episode.
Descript Bundle Access — Included free with any Descript subscription, tying recording directly into Descript's editing workflow.
Pros & Cons
Pros
Free plan available with no credit card required to start
Local recording avoids the audio quality issues of live call-recording tools
Bundled free with a Descript subscription
Rollover recording hours reduce waste for infrequent podcasters
AI transcription and overdub built in rather than a separate purchase
Cons
Now positioned primarily as an add-on to Descript rather than a fully independent product
Free plan recordings include a watermark and are limited to 1 hour per month
4K video and unlimited AI features require the pricier Creator or Business tier
Smaller standalone team since folding into Descript, which may affect long-term standalone development
Monthly billing carries a notable premium over annual billing
Pricing
Free $0 n/a
Hobbyist $16/month (annual) or $24/month (monthly) monthly or annual
Creator $24/month (annual) or $35/month (monthly) monthly or annual
Business $50/month (annual) or $65/month (monthly) monthly or annual
Frequently Asked Questions
Is SquadCast free
Yes, there is a Free plan offering 1 recording hour per editor per month with a watermark; paid plans start at 16 dollars per month billed annually.
Who owns SquadCast now
SquadCast was acquired by Descript in August 2023 and now operates as SquadCast.fm by Descript.
Does SquadCast record separate tracks for each guest
Yes, each participant's audio and video is recorded locally and separately, then synced in the cloud after the session.
Can I get SquadCast for free with Descript
Yes, SquadCast is included at no additional cost with any Descript subscription.
Does SquadCast support 4K video
4K video recording and export is available on the Creator and Business plans.
What happens to unused recording hours on SquadCast
Unused hours roll over automatically, up to twice the plan's monthly hour allotment.
Does SquadCast have AI features
Yes, plans include AI transcription, and paid tiers add unlimited AI overdub and voice regeneration.
Who founded SquadCast
SquadCast was co-founded in 2016 by Zachariah Moreno and Rockwell Felder.