Hipcast works a little differently that the other podcast software on our side-by-side comparison chart. The main difference is that Hipcast operates in the cloud. That means there is no download or installation necessary. Just type www.hipcast.com into your web browser and create an account. It’s not free but it’s definitely worth the money.

The content capture portion of Hipcast allows you to record sound files from the microphone connected to your computer right from the browser. This express form of podcasting saves you a lot of time, especially if you’re the type of podcaster who needs to get your thoughts out into the world the second they pass through you mind. Record, publish, done.

Hipcast also allows you to upload sound files already on your computer. For example, you may have recorded a podcast using another program like Audacity or GarageBand. Those programs are great for recording and editing podcasts but lack the means to publish them. Hipcast provides an upload function for such podcasts. It also provides tools that help you construct Meta data for your podcasts.

Mirroring the podcast software’s audio function are its video functions. Hipcast allows you to record a video podcast right through your computer’s webcam. However, if you want a higher-quality video podcast, Hipcast allows you to upload premade video files for distribution across the web. The podcast software plays nicely with a wide variety of video formats. Hipcast even allows you to upload videos you shoot on your mobile phone.

One of the features that Hipcast provides that other software on our lineup doesn’t is a mobile app. The Hipcast app allows you to record and upload podcasts right from your iPhone. This feature takes mobile podcasting to a new level. It means you can break away from your desk or a studio for podcast creation and publishing.

You can get the app by visiting the Hipcast website and following the links provided. Or you can skip that step and go straight to the iTunes store and search Hipcast. The Hipcast for iPhone app is compatible with any iOS device (iPhone, iPod Touch, iPad) with iOS 4.2 or later. Hipcast sadly does not make an Android version of the app. We hope their developers are hard at work to fix this omission.

Hipcast scored high marks in almost every category we ranked for podcast software. It really deserves to be in the top half (if not top three) products on our side-by-side comparison chart. Unfortunately, there was one key category for which Hipcast scored a zero – editing.

Hipcast provides zero editing features for your podcast and that’s a letdown. One of the most beautiful parts of being human is the ability to make mistakes and learn from them. However, that doesn’t mean you should let the whole world hear your mistakes. Sound and video files captured in Hipcast’s browser application must upload as is. It provides no ability to eliminate the proverbial brain fart.