When you’re finally ready to record your course, the last thing you want is tech overwhelm. Descript, Riverside, Loom… they all sound promising, but which one is actually worth your time?

I’ve tested all three—and here’s the truth.

Descript: Powerful but Overwhelming

Descript is an AI-powered editor with features like:

• Overdubbing your voice
  
• Editing video by editing text
  
• AI-assisted video production
  

It’s brilliant if you’re creating AI-driven or heavily produced videos. In fact, my team has used it to create full courses where the instructor never hit record—we just cloned their voice and synced it to slides.

👉 But here’s the catch: Descript is complex. Even I hand most of the editing off to my team. If this is your first course, Descript will slow you down.

Riverside.fm: Studio-Quality for Podcasts & Livestreams

I love Riverside.fm for professional interviews, podcasts, and YouTube livestreams.

• It records each track separately (video, audio, screen)
  
• Produces studio-quality output even when recording remotely
  
• Great for professional-level content like video sales letters
  

👉 But again… it’s more tool than you need to get your first course out into the world. 🚀 The features are powerful but can easily create delays if all you need is to record a handful of lessons.

Loom: Simple, Affordable, and Beginner-Friendly

Now let’s talk about the tool I recommend to almost every new course creator: Loom.

• Ease of Use: Just open the desktop app and hit record.
  
• Built-In Editing: Trim mistakes, cut awkward starts and endings—done in minutes.
  
• Affordable: A business plan for around $12/month.
  
• Analytics: See who watched your video, how long they stayed, and where they dropped off.
  

Even though I own both Descript and Riverside (and have a professional editing team), I recorded my most recent program Course Complete entirely in Loom. Why? Because it was faster, simpler, and distraction-free.

Why Loom Wins for First-Time Course Creators

If this is your first course, here’s what matters most:

• ✅ Fast setup
  
• ✅ Easy editing
  
• ✅ Low tech learning curve
  
• ✅ Affordable pricing
  

That’s Loom in a nutshell. No feature overwhelm. No big setup. Just clean, clear lessons your students can watch right away.

And bonus? I’m not even an affiliate. Loom doesn’t have a program. I recommend it because it works—and because it’s what I actually use.

What’s Next in the Loom Training Series

This post is just the start! In the rest of my YouTube series, I’ll show you step by step how to:

• Set up your Loom desktop app for pro-quality recordings
• Record 4 types of course lessons (talking head, slides, whiteboard, screen share)
• Edit directly inside Loom

🎥 Watch the full YouTube series here → 

https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLqGmOXgAl_19JBUHZhXlZJ7aa0YIKlmQh

FAQ

Q: Can I use the Loom Chrome extension instead of the desktop app?
A: You can, but I always recommend the desktop app. It gives you more settings, smoother performance, and higher quality video.

Q: Is Loom free?
A: Loom offers a free plan, but for course creators, the Business plan (~$12.50/month) is worth it for unlimited recordings and advanced features.

Q: Do I need fancy gear to record with Loom?
A: Nope! A decent USB microphone (like Blue Yeti or Shure MV7) and your laptop camera are plenty to get started. This is my setup.

• 🎙️Shure MV7 Microphone: https://amzn.to/3I1SML1 
• Boom Arm to Attach to Your Desk: https://amzn.to/3I1SML1

Q: When should I switch to Descript or Riverside?
A: Use Loom to launch fast. Move to Descript if you want AI editing power. Use Riverside if you’re producing high-quality podcasts, interviews, or livestreams.

​​📌 Want to keep learning?

👉 Next up: [Loom Setup Guide: Best Desktop App Settings for Pro Course Videos]

Or if you’d rather binge the whole thing right now…
🎥 Watch the full Loom Course Recording Series on YouTube here » 

https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLqGmOXgAl_19JBUHZhXlZJ7aa0YIKlmQh

✨ By the end of the series, you’ll know exactly how to record, edit, and share professional course videos—without the overwhelm.

✨ Your Turn: Have you tried Loom, Descript, or Riverside? Which one felt easiest for you? Drop your thoughts in the comments—I’d love to hear.