Best Audacity Alternatives 2026
Audacity is a versatile, open-source audio editing software perfect for beginners and professionals alike. Record live audio, convert tapes and records into digital recordings, edit audio files, and add effects. Export your recordings in various formats.
This free tool enables multi-track editing, offering functionalities like noise reduction, vocal isolation, and precise audio adjustments. Its open-source nature fosters a collaborative community and ensures continuous development. It supports a wide array of audio formats, making it compatible with diverse workflows and projects. Ideal for podcasters and musicians alike.
Recent Reviews
"As a voiceover artist, I rely on Audacity daily. The multi-track editing is essential for layering tracks and creating p..."
"Audacity is a great free audio editor, especially when starting out. It has enough functionality to handle basic audio e..."
"I use Audacity for all my podcast editing needs. Its ability to remove background noise and equalize the audio levels is..."
Audacity
Audacity is a free, open-source audio editor and recorder. It offers a wide range of features for editing audio files, including recording, mixing, and effects processing.
Platform Highlights
- Free and open source
- Multi-track editing
- Cross-platform support
- Steep learning curve for advanced features
- No official customer support
Based on 22,000+ creator reviews
Audacity Alternatives
Compare top audio editing platforms with detailed reviews and ratings
Adobe Audition
Adobe Audition is a professional audio workstation. It offers a comprehensive toolset for audio editing, mixing, restoration, and effects processing, tailored for audio professionals.
"Adobe Audition is a game-changer for my podcast production workflow. The spectral display is incredibly helpful for surg..."
GarageBand
GarageBand is Apple's free music creation software. It's a user-friendly platform for recording, editing, and mixing music, making it ideal for beginner and intermediate musicians.
"GarageBand is a fantastic entry point into the world of audio editing. I've been using it for composing backing tracks f..."
REAPER
REAPER is a digital audio workstation that offers a flexible and customizable environment. Known for efficiency, it provides music recording, editing, mixing, and mastering.
"REAPER has been a game-changer for my sound design work! The customization options are unparalleled, and I love how ligh..."
Logic Pro
Logic Pro is a professional digital audio workstation (DAW) by Apple. It provides advanced tools for music production, audio recording, mixing, and mastering for pros.
"Logic Pro is an absolute powerhouse! The sheer number of included plugins and virtual instruments is staggering. I've be..."
FL Studio
FL Studio is a popular DAW known for its intuitive workflow. Excellent for electronic music production, offering sequencing, composing, recording, editing, and mixing functionalities.
"FL Studio is my go-to DAW! The lifetime free updates are incredible value. The pattern-based sequencer is super intuitiv..."
Ableton Live
Ableton Live is a DAW recognized for its unique live performance capabilities and non-linear workflow. Renowned for music creation, and arrangement for musicians.
"Ableton Live has completely revolutionized my workflow! The Session View is incredibly intuitive for experimenting with..."
Pro Tools
Pro Tools is an industry-standard DAW. It is widely used for audio recording, editing, mixing, and mastering in music, film, and television production environments for professionals.
"Pro Tools is an absolute workhorse. As a seasoned sound engineer, I rely on its powerful editing capabilities and extens..."
What users say about Audacity
Real experiences from our community of users who have tried Audacity and its alternatives.
As a voiceover artist, I rely on Audacity daily. The multi-track editing is essential for layering tracks and creating professional-sounding recordings. I've found the learning curve manageable, and the abundance of online tutorials is incredibly helpful. Sometimes the interface feels a little dated, but the functionality is undeniably excellent for an audio editor.
Audacity is a great free audio editor, especially when starting out. It has enough functionality to handle basic audio editing tasks, like trimming, mixing, and applying simple effects. While it's not as advanced as some paid DAWs, it's perfect for quick edits and demo recordings. It can be clunky and crash with larger projects but for the price of free, it's hard to complain.
I use Audacity for all my podcast editing needs. Its ability to remove background noise and equalize the audio levels is a lifesaver. The spectral analysis tool is also incredibly useful for identifying and removing unwanted frequencies. The ease of use is unmatched and it really makes my audio sound much better than competitors.
Audacity is a fantastic audio editor for my professional needs. The noise reduction is surprisingly powerful, and the ability to apply effects non-destructively is a huge time-saver. I appreciate the open-source nature and the active community support. It handles large audio files with ease, making it my go-to tool for mastering podcasts.