People don’t just listen to podcasts these days — they also watch them too. With video podcast streams growing 39% year over year, more and more podcast listeners are becoming podcast viewers.
Curious about breaking into video podcasting? The good news is that upgrading from audio to video podcasts is relatively simple. You only need the right equipment (plus a great idea) to get off the ground.
We’re deep-diving into all things video podcasting, from its equipment and software to recording tools and hosting platforms. We also explain the benefits of getting started and some tips and tricks for creating great content.
But first, let’s talk about what makes video podcasts unique.
- Comparing Video Podcasts to Audio Podcasts
- Benefits of Video Podcasts
- Everything You Need to Start a Video Podcast
- Tips for Creating Engaging Video Content
- The Bottom Line on Video Podcasts
Comparing Video Podcasts to Audio Podcasts
Video podcasts are exactly what you think they are: podcasts published with video. It could be a full-length recording of you speaking with your guests, or a slideshow with images so listeners can follow along.
For the record, video podcasts are not:
- Only for YouTube. There are other podcast hosting platforms capable of hosting video (more on this later).
- Necessarily ‘better’ than audio-only podcasts. They should complement or enhance the experience of your podcast’s audio.
- Inaccessibly expensive. It’s still possible to record video podcasts on tight or shoestring budgets.
In contrast, video podcasts are:
- A complement to audio podcasts. They need the same high-quality presentation as audio-only podcasts.
- Designed specifically for visuals. That way, you can enhance your viewer’s listening experience with charts, graphs, images, and other visual aids.
- Helpful for growing your viewership. You might retain more listeners, attract a larger audience, and get monetization opportunities that weren’t available before.
Benefits of Video Podcasts
You don’t need video to build a successful podcast, but it certainly helps with expanding your reach. Considering two in three podcast listeners prefer shows with video, it’s clear quality footage is becoming increasingly essential.
That’s because video podcasts are:
- More engaging than audio alone. This is especially true of younger audiences: a whopping 45% of Gen Z podcast listeners feel more connected to their favorite podcasters through video. Video podcasting also provides more nonverbal engagement, as viewers can see the demeanor, gestures, and body language of the host.
- Better for SEO. From a technical perspective, you can use embedded video to create audiovisual clips, embed highlights on landing pages, and post short snippets on social media. From a front-end perspective, videos are more compelling than text. Studies show video can increase organic website traffic by 157%.
- Save hours of time and effort. No need to generate thumbnails from scratch or keep racking your brain for social media content. With a video podcast, the ‘content recycling’ is endless. Just look at the Joe Rogan Experience: there’s a secondary YouTube channel just for video podcast clips. These shorter clips perform as well (or better) than the full interview, generating more watch time, higher ad rates, and more opportunities to monetize with sponsors.
With more and more audiences now opting for video podcasts, the best way to stay relevant is creating a video podcast of your own. You just need to make sure you’re doing this in order — starting with tools to successfully launch your venture.
Everything You Need to Start a Video Podcast
What does it take to bring a video podcast to life?
In most cases, hardware, editing software, recording tools, and a podcast hosting platform.
The actual tools you may need depend on your requirements — so let’s dive into everything you should know.
Video Podcast Equipment
Most people use the term ‘equipment’ in podcasting interchangeably with ‘hardware.’ Generally, ‘equipment’ refers to almost any podcasting tool you can hold (including cables, interfaces, SD cards, and more).
Unlike software, equipment can suffer from physical damage and break down/wear out over time. However, they rarely require updates or subscriptions unless you’re renting the equipment (which is not recommended).
You’ll need five different types of equipment for video podcasting:
- Camera
- Internet-connected device
- Microphone
- Mixer or Interface
- Recording Space
Podcast Camera
Podcast cameras come in many forms.
However, there are typically two options at your disposal:
Existing Equipment
Perhaps the easiest way to record a video podcast is simply to switch on your webcam or iPhone. That way, you can capture your voice and video for free — or at a very low cost if you don’t have a built-in device.
Of course, you can’t expect your existing hardware to provide the highest quality. They’re also not designed for multiple hosts (unless you plan to sit close together or record remotely).
If you do decide to record remote podcasts, keep in mind you’ll need additional recording software. This could be a tool such as Riverside.fm or a common freemium option such as Zoom.
Pros
- Cheap or free
- Simple to set up
- Doesn’t require technical expertise
Cons
- Middling quality
- Not designed for multiple hosts
- Requires software for remote recording
Recommendations
- Razer Kiyo – $49.99 USD
- Lumina 4K Webcam – $175 USD
- iPhone 15 Pro Max – $1,199 USD
Dedicated Cameras
If you don’t want to use your computer’s built-in webcam, you could always opt for a dedicated camera, such as a DSLR (digital single-lens reflex), for a higher-quality video.
Keep in mind most podcast cameras require additional accessories. SD cards, adapter cables, and specialized batteries aren’t cheap, and the cameras themselves are often expensive (often ~$200 – $800 USD). Plus, some dedicated cameras are complex and technical, which means getting them up and running might require a steep learning curve.
You can weigh more pros and cons in our comprehensive guide to podcast cameras. But for brevity’s sake, here are a few factors to consider:
Pros
- High-quality footage
- Easy to record anywhere
- Excellent for in-person podcasts
Cons
- Generally, a more expensive option
- May require special accessories (including specialty headphones)
- Tend to require more complicated operation
Recommendations
- Panasonic HC-V180K – $249.99 USD
- GoPro HERO10 – $249.99 USD
- Sony ZV-1 – $749.99 USD
Internet-Connected Device
This could be a phone, laptop, tablet, or desktop computer, depending on your setup and how much power you need. Most podcasters opt for devices that are light and transportable, although if you’re live streaming your podcast, you’ll likely need a larger desktop setup.
There’s a lot to know about recording devices for podcasting, and it’s likely more than you need while getting started. For this reason, we’re keeping it simple. You can refer to the helpful chart below for basic requirements and recommendations:
| Minimum Recommendations | Laptop | Tablet | Mobile Phone | Desktop |
| Processor | Intel Core i5; AMD Ryzen 5 | Intel Core i5; AMD Ryzen 5 | Intel Core i5; AMD Ryzen 5 | Intel Core i5; AMD Ryzen 5 |
| Quality | 4K resolution | 4K resolution | 4K resolution | 4K resolution |
| RAM | 16GB | 8GB | 3 to 4GB | 32GB |
| Storage | 256GB | 512GB | 128GB | 500GB to 1TB |
| Top Picks | Dell XPS 17; Acer Aspire 5; HP Spectre x360 | Amazon Fire Max 11; OnePlus Pad; iPad Pro | Samsung Galaxy; iPhone 15 series; Google Pixel | Dell OptiPlex Micro Form Factor; Lenovo IdeaCentre AIO 5i; Apple iMac |
Podcast Microphone
Mics are the cornerstone of any successful podcast. However, some models are better suited for video podcasting than others.
At a minimum, you should consider:
- Dynamic over condenser. Condenser mics are far more sensitive and may pick up the humming sounds of your video equipment.
- Mics designed for the human voice. Lavalier mics are a great option.
- Mics designed for filmography. For example, some microphones attach directly to cameras or sit high on boom arms to reduce jolts and unwanted disturbances.
There are several different podcast mics that fit these requirements.
We recommend:
- Shure MV7X: Best for premium quality
- PreSonus Revelator: Best for bundled software
- RØDE PodMic: Best for built-in hardware
- Audio-Technica AT2040: Best for flexible recording
- Samson Q2U: Best for tight budgets
Keep in mind your podcast mic won’t be the only thing influencing your audio. A poorly soundproofed podcast studio can negate even high-quality mics, so you should learn to limit reflections and reverb.
Podcast Mixer
You can’t use podcast mixers to capture video, but they can help you capture audio from multiple sources. Some models even stream audio to digital cameras so you can upload footage with pre-synced audio.
Again, you don’t need a mixer for video podcasting. It just makes it easier to publish a quality product. However, it may be wise to pick up a mixer if you plan on recording multiple people in-person, or if you want to stream audio from one source to another.
There are dozens of mixers on the market today, so it would be wise to compare and contrast your options. However, if you’re just looking for a simple way to get started, you can explore:
- TASCAM Mixcast 4: Best for beginners
- ZOOM PodTrak P8: Best for large shows
- RØDECaster Pro 2: Best for live streaming
Podcast Background
If you want to record outside of a podcast studio, you’ll need some way of improving your setting. The easiest way to do this is by dressing up your environment, which involves cleaning your background, soundproofing your studio, and of course, developing the right lighting.
- For cleaning your background: Make sure your recording space is clean and organized. That doesn’t mean you need a blank background, however. You can add whatever items you feel make sense for your show, whether that’s figurines, your movie collection, a bookcase, or something similar. Recording in an empty room is bad practice anyway, as it worsens reverb and other audio issues.
- For soundproofing your studio: Focus on small, carpeted spaces. You can always hang a curtain to dampen sound or add a unique flair to your show. You can also purchase audio-adjustment tools such as acoustic panels, bass traps, and ceiling clouds.
- For adjusting your lighting: You’ll need three basic angles. First, set a key light that shines directly on your speakers (like an O-Light). Then, set up fill lighting, which could be as simple as turning on the lights in your room. Finally, add a layer or depth with three-dimensional backlighting. Some podcasters prefer adding this with uplights and LEDs since they’re easy to move and adjust as needed.
- For developing art: The right podcast artwork can help you stand out from the crowd with tasteful thumbnails, backgrounds, merch, and more. There’s plenty of basic software you can use to create podcast artwork (like Canva), although you could also use generative AI tools like DALL·E 3 and Midjourney.
Video Podcast Recording
Once you have your recording hardware, you’ll need to find software to help you capture quality footage. There are three general avenues you can take: built-in software, third-party platforms, and cloud-based tools.
Here’s what you should know.
Built-In Software
As you likely guessed, built-in software is any podcast recording tool that exists on your phone, tablet, or computer’s operating system. Both Windows and macOS come with their own unique options — all of which are free (unless you wish to purchase upgrades).
Built-in tools offer everything you need to get started, including exportable footage and basic editing tools if desired. Just keep in mind they’re not as robust as paid tools, so as your podcast starts to grow, you may start feeling restricted.
Third-Party Platforms
Third-party platforms are rarely specifically designed for podcast video recording. However, they can still support basic recording, depending on what you’re looking for.
Zoom, for example, is best for recording remote shows. You can also connect your camera to OBS (Open Broadcaster Software)if you want to plug in your camera via USB.
Planning on live streaming? You can do so via YouTube. You can even install an encoder (software, hardware, or mobile) to stream with external audio and video equipment.
Again, third-party platforms aren’t always designed for podcasting, so you might not have access to advanced editing or hosting features. It’s a good idea to start small with several test runs to determine whether you’re comfortable on a specific platform.
Cloud-Based Tools
Cloud-based tools let you record podcast videos from anywhere with a WiFi connection. That way, you can capture footage out in the field and access your files from any device.
There are plenty of cloud-based tools on the market, each with varying degrees of quality for the cost. However, you’ll find there are several options that are low-cost or free, depending on what limitations you’re willing to live with.
Recommendations:
Video Editing Software
Editing software takes your captured footage and helps you ‘sweeten’ it so it aligns with your brand. There are many different types of tools on the market, although not all of them accommodate video recordings.
Here’s a fly-by overview covering the most popular tools, plus your options and alternatives while comparing various platforms.
TL;DR? Read our guide to podcast editing software.
Adobe AI: Best for Hands-Off Editing
Adobe AI is a cloud-based recording and editing tool that edits video audio in your browser. All you have to do is upload your footage (.MP4, .MOV, etc.), then switch on the auto-enhance feature to sweeten your audio.
There is a free version of Adobe AI, although it currently doesn’t support video files. Instead, you’ll have to upgrade to the Premium plan, which starts at $9.99 USD. Don’t forget you can’t do much to edit the actual video — you’ll need an additional tool for heavy edits.
Learn more in our guide to Adobe AI: Enhance.
Alternatives
REAPER: Best for Added Plugins
REAPER is a digital audio workstation that’s designed to host third-party plugins. With it, you can add titles, combine takes, zoom in and out, and perform other simple edits along this line.
Unlike many other editing platforms, REAPER DAW only requires a one-time subscription. Prices start at $60 for a personal use (discounted) license and $225 for a commercial license. If you’re not sure whether it makes sense for your needs, you can always test the platform free for 60 days.
Learn more in our guide to REAPER.
Alternatives
Hindenburg PRO: Best for Simple Editing
Hindenburg PRO allows you to edit video audio — which means you can’t rely on this platform to add subtitles, captions, or color filters. You can, however, easily export your XML session and master your episode without needing to separate audio and video files.
Video editing on Hindenburg PRO starts at $12 per month for personal users and $20 per month for business users. If you want to transcribe your audio, you’ll need to upgrade to the next tier ($15 to $35 per user per month). You can get a discount as a student or educator, but you’ll need to provide proof of ID before signing up.
Learn more in our guide to Hindenburg PRO.
Alternatives
Video-Only Hosting Platforms
Last but not least is the video hosting platform — a place where you can store both audio and video files. There are several free options on the market today, but not all of them are equal (or offer similar monetization opportunities).
Let’s take a look at your options.
| Price | Monetization Options | Features | Storage Space | |
| YouTube | $0 per month | Channel memberships;Super Chat & Super Stickers;Super ThanksShopping; Watch Page Ads;Shorts Feed Ads;YouTube Premium | Live streaming; Physical posting; YouTube Shorts | Unlimited |
| Spotify for Creators (formerly Spotify for Podcasters and Anchor) | $0 per month | Subscriptions; partner program; Spotify Open Access | Browser recording, podcast metrics, audience feedback, video podcasts, monetization tools | Unlimited |
Pssst — curious about audio podcast hosting platforms? Check out our complete guide to podcast hosts.
YouTube: Best for Free Hosting
At the time of writing, YouTube is the largest and most popular host for podcast visits. Approximately one in three people visit YouTube weekly for podcasts, compared to 27% visiting Spotify and 15% visiting Apple Podcasts.
YouTube allows you to upload unlimited videos and monetize content almost immediately. Before reaching the advertising threshold, you can create memberships and Super Chats to fund your endeavors. You can also tap into Shopping labels to advertise products and customized merchandise.
It’s hard to find many drawbacks to using YouTube, especially considering the platform is free. Just keep in mind there’s no built-in RSS feed outside the YouTube ecosystem, so you may need to manage cross-platform content syndication on your own.
Spotify for Creators: Best for Audience Engagement
With millions of viewers and more than a quarter million video podcasts, Spotify for Creators is a 100% free platform for managing podcast videos. It was renamed from Spotify for Podcasters in November 2024 and is one of the fastest-growing platforms for hosting video content.
Beyond YouTube’s simple commenting features, Spotify for Creators offers several audience engagement features. Viewers can engage in podcast polls or Q&As to feel closer to the host or provide them with inspiration.
The tradeoff, unfortunately, is fewer monetization opportunities — Spotify for Creators isn’t available in all regions. Plus, you’re limited by the size of your audience. You need 100 consistent listeners for 60 days before you’re even eligible for subscriptions.
Podbean: Best for Additional Features
Podbean is the only paid video host on this list, although it easily offers the most features. For $29 per month, you can tap into podcast AI, blog-to-podcast tools, advanced podcast statistics, and beyond.
There are also several monetization options to choose from. For example:
- The Ads Marketplace lets you join advertising partnerships for placements. Keep in mind you need to pass a safety check first.
- Dynamic ad insertion lets you place your own ads. You can decide how many and how often to play ads so you can more easily pick natural separation points for viewers.
- You can create and manage Apple-only podcasts for any subscribers who pay for exclusive episodes.
Depending on your goals, these monetization features may seem bare-bones. Plus, its Apple integration doesn’t make sense if you have subscribers on another platform — and if you need help with troubleshooting, you’ll have to upgrade your plan for live chat support.
However, Podbean does offer features that YouTube and Spotify cannot, including an exclusive AI tool and blog-to-podcast feature.
Tips for Creating Engaging Video Content
Video podcasting is both an art and a science, so you shouldn’t expect to do it perfectly on the first try. As you practice your skills and start testing your mettle, keep a few of these tips from the experts in mind:
Position your camera at eye level with your eye on the top third of the screen for a natural look, use soft light to light yourself, and go for a clean, uncluttered background ex. clear your desk. — David Chatziliadis, Video Editor @ TPC
In addition to capturing high-quality video and audio, make sure to incorporate visually appealing graphics and informative B-Roll or still images — Robert Van Vranken, Launch Specialist @ TPC
Keep your face visible and energetic – an engaged, expressive presence will naturally draw in your audience. — Easton Doran, Production Manager @ TPC
It’s all about the hook. Whether it’s short-form or long-form content, use the first 3-5s to grab someone’s attention.” — Quinn McGraw, Producer @ TPC
The Bottom Line on Video Podcasts
And as more and more people begin favoring video podcasts, more and more podcasters will rise to the challenge. Whether you’re just getting started or curious if you’re doing it ‘right,’ you can use this guide to get a lay of the land.
Not sure if video podcasting is right for you? You can always opt for trained professionals. With The Podcast Consultant, you can delegate any and all of your unwanted production tasks, from video production and remote recording to social media collateral and beyond.
Learn more about video services from The Podcast Consultant by scheduling a discovery call.