Audacity

Overview

Audacity is a desktop audio editor for people working with recorded sound who want multitrack editing, noise reduction and audio analysis without paying for a subscription. Its broad format and plugin support make it a capable choice for editing and refining audio; the absence of MIDI sequencing makes it a poor fit for workflows built around composing with MIDI.

Key features

Editing and analysis

Multitrack editing supports arranging recorded material across tracks, while noise reduction helps address unwanted sound. Spectrogram view gives editors a visual way to inspect audio, and support for 16-bit, 24-bit and 32-bit audio, with high-quality resampling and dithering, covers a range of audio-quality needs. Popular formats include MP3, M4A, AIFF, FLAC and WAV. Video synchronization is useful when audio needs to be aligned with video, though Audacity is not a video editor.

Plugins and collaboration

Third-party plugin support includes VST3, Nyquist, LV2 and Audio Unit. That gives users options to extend audio processing, but does not fill the gap for MIDI sequencing, which Audacity does not support. Cloud collaboration is also a capability, though its scope is not clear enough to make it a reason to choose Audacity over a dedicated collaboration workflow.

Pricing

Audacity is free for everyone. The Free plan costs nothing and provides an open-source desktop audio editor; Audacity Free is also free. There is no subscription to maintain, making it a straightforward option for individuals and teams that want desktop editing without recurring software costs. The GNU GPL license allows the source code to be viewed or modified.

Platforms

Audacity runs on Windows, macOS and Linux desktop computers. Despite platform lists that include mobile systems, there is no iOS or Android version, so it is not suitable for editing on a phone or tablet. The project dates to 2000 and is developed by a small remote team with community support. Help is available through the manual, forum and developer Discord.

Who it's for

Audacity suits podcasters, musicians and other editors whose work centers on recorded audio, especially those who value a free, modifiable desktop tool with plugin support and analysis features. It is a weaker choice for MIDI-based composition or for anyone who needs mobile editing. Readers comparing options for game-audio workflows can also browse Game Audio Editors and Audio Editing Software.

Pros and cons

Pros: Free for everyone, with no subscription, and open-source under the GNU GPL.

Pros: Multitrack editing, noise reduction, spectrogram analysis and support for common audio formats cover a useful range of recorded-audio work.

Pros: VST3, Nyquist, LV2 and Audio Unit support provides several ways to add compatible plugins.

Cons: No MIDI sequencing, ruling it out as a MIDI composition environment.

Cons: No iOS or Android app; work is limited to Windows, macOS and Linux desktops.

Alternatives

Pro Tools offers a free Intro plan with up to eight audio tracks, eight instrument tracks and eight MIDI tracks, so consider it if those MIDI tracks matter to your workflow. WavePad is a freemium alternative with Android and iOS support; its Master's Edition Annual Plan is $99 a year, while its Standard Edition Annual Plan is $60 a year.

GoldWave is a paid alternative with a One Year GoldWave License at $19 a year. PhotoDirector has a free Essential plan with limited features and no payment information required, but it is a different option to compare rather than a direct audio-editing substitute. Ocenaudio is another free downloadable desktop audio editor for Linux, macOS and Windows.

Ardour is a freemium alternative for Linux, macOS and Windows, with a Developing World plan at $1 a month. MixPad offers mobile as well as desktop platforms and has a Master's Edition with unlimited tracks and full VST support. Soundop is a paid Windows alternative with an Annual Plan at $2.99 a month, a Monthly Plan at $14.99 a month and a One Year License at $35.90 a year.

Verdict

Choose Audacity if you want a free, open-source desktop editor for recorded audio, with multitrack tools, noise reduction, analysis and plugin support. Look elsewhere if you need MIDI sequencing or want to edit on a mobile device.