Async (formerly Podcastle) vs Auphonic (2026): Which AI Tool Is Better?

Both are popular podcast & audio tools. Here is how Async (formerly Podcastle) and Auphonic stack up on price, strengths and weaknesses, and which one we would pick.

Async (formerly Podcastle)

Podcastle rebranded as Async: recording, editing, AI voices and generation in one studio

7.2 /10

Pricing: Free plan, paid from $19.99/mo

Pros

Recording, editing and AI voices in one browser app
Voice API from the same company
40% saving on yearly plans
Existing Podcastle accounts carried over

Cons

Free plan is a lifetime trial (1 hour, 10 credits)
Generation models aren't named publicly
Credits don't roll over
Product still changing after the rebrand

Visit Async (formerly Podcastle) ↗

Auphonic

Automatic audio post-production: levelling, noise reduction, loudness and transcripts

8.2 /10

Pricing: Free plan, paid from $13/mo

Pros

Reliable automatic levelling and loudness
API and CLI on every plan, including free
One-time credits that never expire
Transcripts, chapters and publishing automation

Cons

Free productions carry an Auphonic jingle
Transcription and show notes are paid only
No recording or creative editing
USD prices are shown only in the browser (about $13 for S)

Visit Auphonic ↗

Async (formerly Podcastle) vs Auphonic at a glance

	Async (formerly Podcastle)	Auphonic
Editor score	7.2 / 10	8.2 / 10
Pricing model	Freemium	Freemium
Starting price	$19.99/mo	$13/mo
Reader upvotes	0	0
Best for	podcast-editor, ai-voice, recording	audio-post-production, loudness, podcasting
Model choice	No	No
Commercial use	No	No
No watermark (free)	No	No
API	Yes	Yes
Official MCP server	No	No
MCP client	No	No
Agent Skills	No	No
Brand kit	No	No
Teams	Yes	Yes
Content Credentials	No	No
Mobile app	No	No
20+ languages	No	No
Makes	Podcasts, Voiceovers & narration, YouTube & long video, Short-form video	Podcasts, Audiobooks, Captions & transcripts
AI models inside	0	0

Our pick

Auphonic edges it with a score of 8.2 versus 7.2. Auphonic is the better fit if you value: reliable automatic levelling and loudness, api and cli on every plan, including free. Choose Async (formerly Podcastle) instead if you need: recording, editing and ai voices in one browser app, voice api from the same company.