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Free Audacity alternatives

Top Audio Editing & Music Production like Audacity

The most popular alternative to Audacity is ocenaudio, which has a free version. Other great alternatives to Audacity are GarageBand, Adobe Podcast, BandLab, and Auphonic.

Most alternatives to Audacity are in the Audio Editing & Music Production category, compared here by price, platform and features.

Audacity alternatives
AllFreeOpen source
8 apps

All Audacity alternatives

  1. ocenaudio

    ocenaudio is a free audio editor for Windows, macOS and Linux, intended for users who need more than a basic recorder without the complexity of a full studio. It previews effects in real time, lets you edit several selections at once, handles large files smoothly and supports VST plugins. It is a lightweight alternative to Audacity for quick edits and spectral analysis.

    7 ocenaudio alternatives

    Pros

    • Real-time effect preview speeds up quick edits
    • Lightweight and smooth even with large audio files
    • Free on Windows, macOS and Linux with no ads

    Cons

    • No multitrack editing, so it is not suited to mixing
    • Smaller community and fewer tutorials than Audacity
    Cost / License
    FreeProprietary
    Categories
    Audio Editing & Music Production
    Platforms
    WindowsMacLinux
    Features
    Ad-freeOffline modeVST plugins
    Visit websiteMore about ocenaudio

  2. GarageBand

    4.1(117.7K) · App Store

    GarageBand is Apple's free app for making music and recording audio on Mac, iPhone and iPad. It includes virtual instruments, a sound library with loops, guitar amp simulations, a virtual drummer and multi-track recording, along with piano and guitar lessons on Mac. Projects open in Logic Pro when users need more advanced production tools.

    8 GarageBand alternatives

    Pros

    • Free, with a friendly interface for beginners
    • Virtual drummer, loops and amp simulations get ideas down quickly
    • Projects open in Logic Pro when you need more power

    Cons

    • Apple devices only, with no Windows or Android version
    • Limited mixing, automation and routing for serious production
    Cost / License
    FreeProprietary
    Categories
    Audio Editing & Music Production
    Platforms
    MaciPhone
    Features
    MIDI supportMulti-track timelinePlugins & extensions
    Visit websiteMore about GarageBand

  3. Adobe Podcast

    Adobe Podcast is a set of web-based AI audio tools for podcasters and video creators. Its most used tool, Enhance Speech, removes background noise and echo from voice recordings, while Mic Check helps set up microphones and Studio lets you record and edit audio by editing its transcript. Basic use is free, with higher limits in the premium plan.

    8 Adobe Podcast alternatives

    Pros

    • Enhance Speech cleans up noisy voice recordings in one click
    • Runs in the browser with nothing to install
    • Transcript-based editing makes cutting speech as easy as editing text

    Cons

    • Enhanced audio can sound processed or artificial on some voices
    • Free use is capped; higher limits require the premium plan
    • Requires an Adobe account and uploading audio to Adobe’s servers
    Cost / License
    FreemiumProprietary
    Categories
    Audio Editing & Music Production
    Platforms
    Web
    Features
    Noise cancellationRemote podcast recordingSpeech to textText-based editing
    Visit websiteMore about Adobe Podcast

  4. BandLab

    4.7(508.9K) · App Store

    BandLab is a free, cloud-based music creation platform with a multi-track studio that works in the browser and on iOS and Android. Musicians can record, use loops and virtual instruments, collaborate on projects with others and publish songs to a built-in community. Core features are free, with an optional membership for extra tools and distribution services.

    8 BandLab alternatives

    Pros

    • Free multitrack studio in the browser and on mobile
    • Easy collaboration on songs with other musicians
    • Built-in community to publish and discover songs

    Cons

    • Fewer advanced mixing and editing tools than desktop DAWs
    • Cloud-based workflow depends on a good internet connection
    Cost / License
    FreemiumProprietary
    Categories
    Audio Editing & Music Production
    Platforms
    WebiPhoneAndroid
    Features
    Cross-device syncMIDI supportMulti-track timelineTeam collaboration
    Visit websiteMore about BandLab

  5. Auphonic

    Auphonic is a web service that automatically finishes spoken audio: it balances levels between speakers, normalizes loudness to broadcast and podcast standards, reduces noise and hum, and can cut filler words and silences. It also offers speech recognition, chapter marks, direct publishing to hosting services and an API. A monthly amount of free processing time is included.

    8 Auphonic alternatives

    Pros

    • Automatically levels speakers and normalizes loudness to podcast standards
    • Takes repetitive post-production off your plate for recurring shows
    • API and direct publishing fit into automated podcast workflows

    Cons

    • Little manual control compared with editing audio yourself in a DAW
    • Free processing time is limited each month
    Cost / License
    FreemiumProprietary
    Categories
    Audio Editing & Music Production
    Platforms
    Web
    Features
    API accessIntegrationsNoise cancellationSpeech to text
    Visit websiteMore about Auphonic

  6. LMMS

    10.5Kstars

    LMMS is a free, open source digital audio workstation for composing music on Windows, macOS and Linux. It provides a song editor, a beat and bassline editor, a piano roll and built-in synthesizers and samplers, and it can load VST instruments on Windows and Linux. It is a common starting point for beginners and hobbyists who want a no-cost alternative to FL Studio.

    8 LMMS alternatives

    Pros

    • Free and open source on Windows, macOS and Linux
    • Beat and bassline editor and piano roll suit electronic music beginners
    • Built-in synthesizers and samplers to start without extra plugins

    Cons

    • Audio recording is very limited, as it focuses on sequencing
    • VST instruments are not supported on macOS
    • Interface feels dated next to commercial DAWs
    Cost / License
    FreeOpen source
    Categories
    Audio Editing & Music Production
    Platforms
    WindowsMacLinux
    Features
    MIDI supportMulti-track timelineVST plugins
    Visit websiteMore about LMMS

  7. Pro Tools

    Pro Tools is Avid's digital audio workstation, long established in recording studios and in film and television post-production. It covers multitrack recording, precise audio editing, MIDI and mixing up to Dolby Atmos, and works with Avid control surfaces and AAX plugins. It runs on Windows and macOS, with a free Pro Tools Intro edition and Artist, Studio and Ultimate subscriptions.

    6 Pro Tools alternatives

    Pros

    • Industry standard in recording studios and post-production
    • Precise audio editing and a mature mixing workflow
    • Tight integration with Avid control surfaces and Dolby Atmos mixing

    Cons

    • Paid editions are expensive, especially Studio and Ultimate
    • Supports AAX plugins only, not VST
    • The free Intro edition is limited in tracks and features
    Cost / License
    FreemiumProprietary
    Categories
    Audio Editing & Music Production
    Platforms
    WindowsMac
    Features
    MIDI supportMulti-track timelinePlugins & extensions
    Visit websiteMore about Pro Tools

  8. Riverside

    4.7(20.1K) · App Store

    Riverside is an online studio for recording podcasts, interviews and video shows with remote guests. Each participant is recorded locally in high quality, so unstable connections do not ruin the result, and files upload progressively. It adds transcription, a text-based editor, background noise removal, AI clips for social media and live streaming, on the web and mobile apps.

    7 Riverside alternatives

    Pros

    • Local recording keeps quality high even on shaky connections
    • Transcript-based editor and AI clips speed up publishing
    • Guests join from a browser link or the mobile app

    Cons

    • Advanced editing and AI features are reserved for paid plans
    • Guests must stay connected until their local recording finishes uploading
    Cost / License
    FreemiumProprietary
    Categories
    Audio Editing & Music ProductionVideo Editing
    Platforms
    WebiPhoneAndroid
    Features
    Live streamingLong video to shortsNoise cancellationRemote podcast recordingSpeech to textText-based editing
    Visit websiteMore about Riverside

Audacity vs its alternatives at a glance

Pricing, platforms and the key features of Audacity, compared with its most popular alternatives.

Audacity vs its alternatives at a glance
AppPricingPlatformsMulti-track timelineNoise cancellationRemote podcast recordingVST plugins
AudacityFreeOpen sourceWindows, Mac, Linux
ocenaudioFreeWindows, Mac, Linux
GarageBandFreeMac, iPhone
Adobe PodcastFreemiumWeb
BandLabFreemiumWeb, iPhone, Android
AuphonicFreemiumWeb

Audacity alternatives: frequently asked questions

What is the best alternative to Audacity?

The most popular alternative to Audacity is ocenaudio: Free and easy audio editor with real-time effect preview. Other great alternatives are GarageBand, Adobe Podcast, BandLab, and Auphonic.

Is there a free alternative to Audacity?

Yes, 8 alternatives are free or have a free plan, including ocenaudio, GarageBand, Adobe Podcast, and BandLab.

Is there an open source alternative to Audacity?

Yes, one open source alternative is listed: LMMS.

Is Audacity free?

Yes, Audacity is free to use.

Compare Audacity with its alternatives

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