Riverside vs. Zoom

While Zoom is built for meetings, Riverside is built for content creation. Get the same ease of use and reliability, but with studio-quality recording, AI-powered editing, and repurposing workflows that turn content into multiple assets.

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Riverside vs. Zoom: Full feature breakdown

Explore each platform’s features side-by-side.

Compare Riverside’s recording features

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Resolution

Record in uncompressed 4K video and 48kHz WAV audio resolution.

Record in 1080p only on Business type plans. Up to 48kHz audio resolution. Files are compressed.

Local recording

Record video and audio directly from each person’s device. Quality is unaffected by internet speed.

Zoom's local recording only saves files to your computer. Recording quality still depends on your internet connection.

Separate tracks

Get full control with separate audio, video, and screen share tracks for every participant.

Only individual audio tracks are available. Video is only available in a mixed-track.

Producer mode

Invite a Producer to manage recording sessions from behind the scenes.

No. Can only assign a co-host role with limited privileges.

Session hours

Unlimited streaming and single-track recording. Multitrack hours based on plan.

40-minute limit on free plan meetings.

Progressive uploads

Files upload to the cloud as you record. Safe and ready straight after your session.

Recordings upload only after your session ends. No back ups and you have to wait.

Cloud storage

No cap on cloud storage, no matter your plan.

Paid plans have cloud storage limits.

Frame rates and bit rates

Records at 24 FPS by default. Can record in custom 25, or 29.97 FPS on Business Plans

Supports up to 30 FPS, but with no user control. Bit rate varies based on connection.

Teleprompter

Teleprompter is available to any participant. Can adjust text speed, size, and format.

No teleprompter available.

Input and output controls

Select participant devices and control mic volume. On iOS and Android, you can also adjust camera settings.

You can only adjust camera controls of participants for pan-tilt-zoom cameras.

Async recording

Send guests a studio link with on-screen instructions to record in their own time.

No async recordings for guests.

Compare Riverside’s live event and webinar features

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Live streaming

Stream in up to 1080p HD.

Stream in up to 1080p HD. Only available on Business plans.

Multistreaming

Multistream to unlimited destinations.
(YouTube, Twitch, LinkedIn, X, custom RTMPs.)

Requires a separate Zoom app. Can only stream to 3 destinations at the same time.

Easy guest invites

Guests can join on their browsers by clicking on a link. No downloads or installs required.

Guests can join via a browser with limited functionality.

Sign up tracking

HubSpot & Salesforce CRM integration. Create custom registration forms to collect info.

Supports webinar registration with tracking links and reports.

Webinar analytics

Track registrations and viewers’ watch time. Export as CSV and sync to HubSpot and Salesforce.

Registration and participation analytics. Syncs to HubSpot, but not for Zoom Events.

Pre-recorded live events

Upload up to 10 pre-recorded videos to simulate a live event. Chat with your audience in real time and turn on your camera anytime.

Limited to one pre-recorded video, with the host camera hidden during playback.

Schedulling

Full calendar integration, and automatic time-zone conversion for international guests.

Scheduling works, but guests need the app installed. Time-zone adjustments are manual.

Participants

Invite up to 10 active speakers. Viewer cap depends on plans, going up to 10,000.

Plan dependent. Invite up to 5000 active participants and 50,000 viewers.

Live branding

Style your waiting room and studio. Add your logo, overlays, text, and other effects live.

Can add your logo watermark and brand your studio. No overlays or other live effects.

Layouts

Pick a grid or speaker view. Or, try a dynamic layout that shifts focus with the conversation.

Pick between a grid, speaker,
or multi-speaker view.

Audience engagement

Engage with Q&A, polls, and live audience call-ins. Has a unified chat for all channels.

Q&A, polls, breakout rooms and whiteboard features. No unified chat if multistreaming.

Compare Riverside’s editing features

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Full-suite editor

AI editing suite with video timeline, text-based editing, audio clean up, music, b-roll, and more.

Only basic trimming. Requires exporting to third-party tools for anything else.

Chat-based editing

Prompt Co-Creator to handle full video edits, audio cleanup, clip, thumbnails, and more.

Unavailable

Audio clean up

Enhance audio, remove background noise, cut silences and pauses, all with one click.

No post-production tools. Only live background noise cancellation.

Transcriptions

Transcripts with up to 99% accuracy. AI translations are also available.

Transcriptions are equally accurate. AI translations are available as well.

Show notes

Auto-generated transcript includes full show notes, titles, and descriptions.

AI Companion can only generate a text summary, but not formatted show notes.

Compare Riverside’s publishing features

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Podcast hosting

Unlimited storage with instant
publishing to major distributors.

Unavailable

Hosting analytics

Track your shows’ streams, audience demographics and top episodes.

Unavailable

Compare Riverside’s mobile features

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Mobile app

Record with guests on any iOS or Android. Trim, clip, and add captions, from your phone.

Only supports cloud recording
on the mobile app.

There’s a Riverside plan for every need.

From first-timers to full-time creators, find a plan that’s right for you.

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Join thousands of creators and businesses who switch to Riverside and never look back.

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John M. Jaramillo

Leadership Performance Coach

@CoachItOut

“Add relevant sentence here ”

I filmed my podcast -- which is currently at a total of 164 episodes published -- on @streamyardapp for years. At around Episode 138, I switched to @RiversidedotFM. I can't stress enough how life-changing it is -- in time, productivity, quality.

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Viktoriao S.

Virtual Event Manager

Mid-Market (51-1000 emp.)

“The live stream quality and stability are top-tier.”

I've hosted live conferences with hundreds of attendees and never experienced a dropped feed. The interface lets me monitor all speakers, trigger recordings, and handle technical issues discreetly using the producer controls.”

Portrait of a young man with curly hair wearing a dark jacket against a wooden background.

George T.

Software Engineer

Small-Business (50 or fewer emp.)

“The interface is just a dream. “

Plus, those built-in AI transcriptions and speaker tracks? Total lifesaver for editing – it's like having a whole studio right here in my browser. Seriously impressed!

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Eric B

Head of Sales

Small-Business (50 or fewer emp.)

“Riverside has completely upgraded our content game.”

What I like most is how complete the platform is. The AI tools, short-form content creation, branding, and multi-platform live streaming have all made our process smoother and more professional.

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Jasmine W.

Founder

Small-Business (50 or fewer emp.)

“I’m talking studio-level audio  and video”

Even when my guests are across the country on shaky Wi-Fi. Riverside records locally on each end, so everything comes out clean and crisp. I also love how easy it is to use.”