Podium
Danish Windows DAW from Zynewave at US$50, with a freeware edition
Key data
| Company | Zynewave |
|---|---|
| Category | Music Production Software (DAWs) |
| Headquarters | Denmark (city not shown on the pages we read), Denmark |
| Founded | 2004 |
| EU Presence | Yes - Denmark (EU) |
| Data Location | Zynewave server; location not stated on the pages we read |
| Open Source | No |
| GDPR Compliant | Yes |
| Self-Hosting | No |
| Main Features | Audio and MIDI recording and editing, VST instrument and effect hosting, Podium Free edition, Nucleum freeware VST instrument |
| Pricing | Podium US$50; Podium Free is freeware |
| Best For | Windows users who want a low-cost DAW from a one-person Danish developer |
| Replaces | Avid Pro Tools |
Full review
Podium is developed by Zynewave, a company that states it was created in 2004 by Frits Nielsen. The company page is signed Zynewave Denmark, and Nielsen says he has worked on Podium since 1990.
Zynewave describes Podium as a modern DAW for Windows that records and edits audio and MIDI and hosts VST instrument and effect plugins. It lists the price as US$50.
What do Podium and Podium Free include?
Podium Free is a freeware edition that Zynewave calls fully functional with only a few feature limitations. Download and installation do not require registration.
Zynewave also offers Nucleum, a freeware VST instrument for Windows that works in hosts supporting 32-bit VST plugins.
How does Zynewave handle customer data?
Zynewave states that account data sits in a database on the zynewave.com server and that payments go through PayPal. Customer data is stated as accessible only to the Zynewave administrator and not shared with third parties.
The site also uses Google Analytics, which the privacy policy discloses.
What are the limits of this vendor?
Podium runs on Windows only, and Zynewave is a single-developer business with no company register number or address in the pages we read. The company page mentions VAT reporting to EU countries.
Teams that need support contracts or macOS and Linux versions need another tool.
Known limits
Podium is Windows only, and the pages we read show no legal form, street address or register number for Zynewave. Payments run through PayPal and the site uses Google Analytics. No post-production features are described. For a cross-platform option see Bitwig Studio.
Best suited to users of Podium
Windows users on a small budget who want to test a DAW for free first and then pay a single US$50 licence.
What works, what does not
Pros
- US$50 licence price published
- Podium Free edition needs no registration
- Hosts VST instrument and effect plugins
- Customer data stated as not shared with third parties
- Developer with named history since 2004
Cons
- Windows only
- No legal form or address on the pages we read
- Price quoted in US dollars
- Payments through PayPal and Google Analytics in use
Pros and Cons
Pros
- US$50 licence price published
- Podium Free edition needs no registration
- Hosts VST instrument and effect plugins
- Customer data stated as not shared with third parties
- Developer with named history since 2004
Cons
- Windows only
- No legal form or address on the pages we read
- Price quoted in US dollars
- Payments through PayPal and Google Analytics in use
Alternatives to Podium
Alternatives from Europe in the music production software (daws) group:
See all European music production software (daws) or compare them directly against Avid Pro Tools on our alternatives page.
Questions buyers ask
Yes. Zynewave, the developer of Podium, signs its company page from Denmark. The pages we read do not show a legal form or street address.
Yes. Podium Free is a freeware edition that Zynewave calls fully functional with only a few feature limitations, and it needs no registration to download.
No. Zynewave describes Podium as a DAW for Windows and lists no macOS or Linux version.