kitio.aiDescript vs Async
A side-by-side look at pricing plans, free tiers, features, pros and cons, updated for 2026. Async has the lower starting price: about $15 a month, against $24 for Descript.
At a glance
Best for
Category
Pricing model
Starting price
Free plan
Made by
Based in
Rating
Key features
- Text-based audio and video editing
- Filler word removal
- Studio Sound cleanup
- AI voice regeneration
- Underlord AI assistant
- Remote recording
- Remote multitrack recording
- Magic Dust audio enhancement
- Transcript editing
- Voice cloning and TTS
- Podcast hosting
- Voice API
| Feature | Descript | Async |
|---|---|---|
| Best for | Edit podcasts and videos by editing the transcript | AI podcast and video creation platform, formerly Podcastle |
| Category | Audio & voice | Audio & voice |
| Pricing model | Freemium | Freemium |
| Starting price | $24/mo | $14.99/mo |
| Free plan | Yes | Yes |
| Made by | Descript | Async |
| Based in | United States | United States |
| Rating | No ratings yet | No ratings yet |
| Key features |
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Pricing compared
Async has the lower starting price: about $15 a month, against $24 for Descript.
Free plan
Cheapest paid plan
Top plan
Free trial
5 plans
Free
Free
- 100 one-time AI credits
- Limited AI tools
- 2 hours remote recording
Hobbyist
$24/mo
- Per person
- 10 media hours / month
- 400 AI credits / month
- Watermark-free exports
Creator
$35/mo
- Per person
- 30 media hours / month
- 800 AI credits / month
- Royalty-free stock library
Business
$65/mo
- Per person
- 40 media hours / month
- 1,500 AI credits / month
- Dedicated CSM and onboarding
Enterprise
Contact sales
- Custom AI controls
- Flexible licensing and billing
Prices in USD, checked Oct 28, 2026 or later. Plans change often, so confirm on each tool's site before you buy.
Pros and cons
Descript
- Editing feels like using a doc
- Strong one-click audio cleanup
- Recording to publishing in one app
- Media hour caps on each plan
- Can lag on long video projects
Async
- Recording, editing and hosting together
- Good audio enhancement
- Cheaper than most rivals
- AI credits make costs hard to predict
- Rebrand means older guides use Podcastle
Which one should you choose?
Choose Descript if you want:
- Editing feels like using a doc
- Strong one-click audio cleanup
- Recording to publishing in one app
Watch out: media hour caps on each plan.
Choose Async if you want:
- Recording, editing and hosting together
- Good audio enhancement
- Cheaper than most rivals
Watch out: ai credits make costs hard to predict.
Descript vs Async FAQ
What is the difference between Descript and Async?
Descript: Edit podcasts and videos by editing the transcript. Async: AI podcast and video creation platform, formerly Podcastle. Both are audio & voice tools.
Is Descript or Async cheaper?
Async has the lower starting price: about $15 a month, against $24 for Descript.
Do Descript and Async have free plans?
Descript: Yes. Async: Yes.
Who makes Descript?
Descript is made by Descript, based in United States.
Who makes Async?
Async is made by Async, based in United States.
Which should I choose, Descript or Async?
Choose Descript if you value editing feels like using a doc and strong one-click audio cleanup. Choose Async if you value recording, editing and hosting together and good audio enhancement.