Open Audio Analyzer
open-audio-analyzer.com
What it is
Open Audio Analyzer is free, open-source software for measuring loudness and spectrum in live audio and audio files. Its fourteen meter types include loudness, true peak, VU, spectrum, spectrogram, oscilloscope, phase scope and histogram. Loudness measurements follow EBU R 128 and ITU-R BS.1770-4, with momentary, short-term and integrated LUFS, loudness range and oversampled true peak. Users can arrange meters across tabs, save presets, choose delivery targets for streaming or broadcast, and create their own targets. A command-line tool analyzes individual files or album folders and can produce reports or CSV output. VST3 and Audio Unit plugins send measurements and DAW transport position to the app. An AAX plugin is in the plugin archive but is not signed for a released Pro Tools version. A tablet on the same network can display the app's published measurements over Wi-Fi. The maker says measurements stay on-device and audio is neither stored nor transmitted. The remote display link has no encryption or authentication. The app runs on Android, iOS, Linux, macOS and Windows.
Spec sheet
- What it does
- Open Audio Analyzer is a modular loudness and spectrum analyzer for live audio, files, DAWs and tablet monitoring.Read 15 Oct 2026 · open-audio-analyzer.com
- Purpose
- Open Audio Analyzer is a free, open-source loudness and spectrum analyzer for live audio and audio files.Read 29 Sep 2026 · open-audio-analyzer.com
- Platforms
- The maker lists desktop downloads for macOS 14.2+, Windows 10 1809+ and Linux; its privacy policy also covers iPadOS and Android builds.Read 29 Sep 2026 · open-audio-analyzer.com
- Privacy
- The maker says there are no accounts, analytics, telemetry, crash reporting, advertising or third-party services, and measurements stay on the device unless explicitly published locally.Read 15 Oct 2026 · open-audio-analyzer.com
- Support
- Technical support is directed to the public GitHub issue tracker, with documentation covering installation, metrics, keyboard controls, wire protocol and building.Read 15 Oct 2026 · open-audio-analyzer.com
- Headquarters
- Kirchheim, GermanyRead 23 Sep 2026 · open-audio-analyzer.com
- Maker
- The site identifies Jonas Grunau as its publisher and gives Kirchheim, Germany as the address.Read 29 Sep 2026 · open-audio-analyzer.com
- AlternativeTo activity
- AlternativeTo showed six GitHub stars, zero forks and three open issues when updated in September 2026, and had no user comments or reviews.Read 15 Oct 2026 · alternativeto.net
- AlternativeTo listing
- AlternativeTo lists the product as free, open source under GPL-3.0, and available for Mac, Windows, Linux, Android tablets and iPad.Read 15 Oct 2026 · alternativeto.net
- API and protocol
- The repository exposes a public C engine ABI and publishes a normative wire-protocol specification for display clients.Read 15 Oct 2026 · github.com
- Apple App Store compatibility
- The iPad listing requires iPadOS 15 or later and lists macOS 14.2 or later on Apple silicon as compatible.Read 15 Oct 2026 · apps.apple.com
- Apple privacy label
- Apple's listing shows Data Not Collected, based on the developer's stated privacy practices.Read 15 Oct 2026 · apps.apple.com
- Audio handling
- The maker says audio is measured in memory, discarded, never recorded or stored, and never transmitted by the app.Read 29 Sep 2026 · open-audio-analyzer.com
- Build requirements
- Building from source requires Flutter 3.44.5 stable and a native C toolchain such as Xcode tools, MSVC or gcc/clang.Read 15 Oct 2026 · open-audio-analyzer.com
- Canvas
- Users arrange fourteen resizable meter modules on a 24-column by 16-row grid across multiple tabs and save layouts as presets.Read 15 Oct 2026 · open-audio-analyzer.com
- Command-line tool
- The oaa CLI analyzes files, emits readable or CSV reports and can return a failing exit code when a delivery target is missed.Read 15 Oct 2026 · open-audio-analyzer.com
- Company headquarters
- The legal notice gives the provider address as Kirchheim, Germany.Read 15 Oct 2026 · open-audio-analyzer.com
- Company legal name
- The legal notice identifies Jonas Grunau as the provider and responsible person.Read 15 Oct 2026 · open-audio-analyzer.com
- Configuration
- Presets, skins, delivery targets and settings are stored as editable JSON in documented platform directories.Read 15 Oct 2026 · open-audio-analyzer.com
- Custom layouts
- Users can arrange meters across tabs and save layouts as presets, with delivery targets and colour skins.Read 29 Sep 2026 · open-audio-analyzer.com
- DAW hosts tested
- The maker lists Ableton Live, Logic Pro, Cubase, FL Studio and Studio One as tested hosts.Read 15 Oct 2026 · open-audio-analyzer.com
- DAW integrations
- Headless VST3, Audio Unit and AAX plugins stream DAW audio and transport data to the application.Read 15 Oct 2026 · github.com
- DAW plugins
- VST3 and Audio Unit plugins send measurements and DAW transport position to the app; an AAX plugin is available in the plugin archive but is not yet signed for a released Pro Tools version.Read 29 Sep 2026 · open-audio-analyzer.com
- Delivery checks
- The app includes streaming and broadcast delivery targets and allows users to create their own targets.Read 29 Sep 2026 · open-audio-analyzer.com
- Delivery validation
- Validator modules judge LUFS-I, true peak, loudness range and configured dynamics floors against delivery targets.Read 15 Oct 2026 · github.com
- Dynamics
- PSR and PLR compare true peak with loudness over three-second and whole-programme windows, with optional ODR-S and ODR-I labels.Read 15 Oct 2026 · open-audio-analyzer.com
- File analysis and CLI
- The command-line tool analyzes individual files or album folders and can produce readable reports or CSV output.Read 29 Sep 2026 · open-audio-analyzer.com
- File formats
- Offline analysis accepts WAV, AIFF, RF64, Wave64, FLAC and MP3 files.Read 15 Oct 2026 · open-audio-analyzer.com
- Licence
- The application, engine, CLI and website use GPL-3.0-or-later; the JUCE-based plugin uses AGPL-3.0-or-later.Read 15 Oct 2026 · open-audio-analyzer.com
- Limit: LUFS modes
- Only Continuous mode is implemented; Elapsed and Timecode modes are specified but not available on modules.Read 15 Oct 2026 · open-audio-analyzer.com
- Limit: offline workflow
- Offline analysis processes a file from start to finish without region selection or seeking.Read 15 Oct 2026 · open-audio-analyzer.com
- Limit: remote security
- The tablet display link has no authentication or encryption; anyone able to reach its port can read measurements and layout.Read 15 Oct 2026 · open-audio-analyzer.com
- Limit: system capture
- Capturing system output has no per-application selection, and macOS can show digital silence when permission is refused.Read 15 Oct 2026 · open-audio-analyzer.com
- Limit: unsupported formats
- Ogg Vorbis, Opus, AAC and ALAC are not supported for file analysis.Read 15 Oct 2026 · open-audio-analyzer.com
- Loudness measurement
- The engine reports momentary, short-term and integrated LUFS plus loudness range using EBU R 128 and ITU-R BS.1770-4 methods.Read 15 Oct 2026 · open-audio-analyzer.com
- Measurement standards
- Loudness measurements follow EBU R 128 and ITU-R BS.1770-4, including momentary, short-term and integrated LUFS, loudness range and oversampled true peak.Read 29 Sep 2026 · open-audio-analyzer.com
- Meter modules
- The module set includes Number Box, LUFS Meter, Digital Meter, Super Meter, VU Meter, Alert Meter, Validator, Histogram, Loudness Distribution, Spectrum Analyzer, Spectrogram, Oscilloscope, Phase Scope and Stereo Cloud.Read 15 Oct 2026 · github.com
- Network security limit
- The remote display link has no encryption or authentication, and the maker advises publishing only on a trusted network.Read 29 Sep 2026 · open-audio-analyzer.com
- Notable news: licence change
- The changelog records that version 0.14.0 on 27 August 2026 changed the engine, bindings, domain model and wire protocol from MIT to GPL-3.0-or-later while retaining AGPL-3.0-or-later for the plugin.Read 15 Oct 2026 · open-audio-analyzer.com
- Notable news: version 0.16.0
- The homepage identifies version 0.16.0 as the current release reviewed on the site.Read 15 Oct 2026 · open-audio-analyzer.com
- Praise: community reaction
- Two Reddit commenters responded that the project looked fantastic and that they wanted to try it quickly.Read 15 Oct 2026 · reddit.com
- Praise: modular design
- A Reddit commenter described the project as a strong modular meter-bridge concept with draggable modules, tabs and presets.Read 15 Oct 2026 · reddit.com
- Praise: standards testing
- The Reddit announcement highlighted BS.1770-4 and EBU R128 readings plus conformance tests on Linux, macOS and Windows.Read 15 Oct 2026 · reddit.com
- Rating on Apple App Store
- Apple says the app has not received enough ratings or reviews to display an overview.Read 15 Oct 2026 · apps.apple.com
- Report exports
- File reports can be exported as text, JSON, CSV or PNG.Read 15 Oct 2026 · open-audio-analyzer.com
- System requirements
- Official desktop minimums are macOS 14.2, Windows 10 version 1809, or Linux; macOS packages are universal for Apple silicon and Intel.Read 15 Oct 2026 · open-audio-analyzer.com
- Tablet display
- A tablet on the same network can display the desktop app’s published measurements and canvas layout over Wi-Fi.Read 29 Sep 2026 · open-audio-analyzer.com
- Tablet mirroring
- A tablet can mirror the desktop canvas over Wi-Fi using automatic discovery, QR pairing or a manually entered address.Read 15 Oct 2026 · open-audio-analyzer.com
- True peak
- True peak is calculated by oversampling rather than using sample peaks.Read 15 Oct 2026 · open-audio-analyzer.com
Plans and prices
Free Free No paid tier · no trial · no account · all downloads include application, plugin and CLI Read 15 Oct 2026 · open-audio-analyzer.com
Free software Free Available at no charge · No payment or paid plans stated · GPL-3.0-or-later app and engine; AGPL-3.0-or-later plugin Read 29 Sep 2026 · open-audio-analyzer.com
Strong points and limits
Strong points
- Free and open-source, with no paid plans stated.
- Measures against EBU R 128 and ITU-R BS.1770-4.
- Offers fourteen arrangeable meter types.
- Command-line tool can output CSV.
- Runs on Android, iOS, Linux, macOS and Windows.
Limits
- Remote display has no encryption or authentication.
- AAX plugin is not signed for a released Pro Tools version.
Who it suits
It suits audio users who need loudness measurements for live work or files, including those who want command-line analysis or DAW plugin input. Its remote tablet display is intended for use on a trusted network.
Open Audio Analyzer in depth
Read the full write-up
Overview
Open Audio Analyzer is a free, open-source loudness and spectrum analyzer for live signals and recorded files. It suits audio professionals and technically minded producers who want flexible metering, standards-based checks, and a command-line route for file reports. Its breadth is unusually practical at no charge, but the unsigned AAX plugin and unsecured tablet-display connection narrow where it fits.
Jonas Grunau publishes the software from Kirchheim, Germany. The maker says measurements are computed on the device, audio is processed in memory and discarded, and the app does not record, store, or transmit audio. It also says the app uses no accounts, analytics, telemetry, crash reporting, or advertising; technical questions go to its public GitHub issue tracker.
For more options, browse Audio Analysis Software.
Key features
Fourteen arrangeable meter types can be organized across tabs and saved as layout presets. Colour skins and delivery targets help tailor a workspace to repeat jobs, though the range is most useful to people who already know which measurements they need.
Standards-based loudness: EBU R 128 and ITU-R BS.1770-4 measurements include momentary, short-term, and integrated LUFS, loudness range, and oversampled true peak. That makes the app suitable for checking loudness and peak requirements across production and delivery workflows.
Visual analysis: Alongside loudness and true-peak meters, views include VU, spectrum, spectrogram, oscilloscope, phase scope, histogram, loudness distribution, and stereo cloud. This gives users several ways to inspect level, frequency, and stereo behavior in one configurable interface.
Delivery checks: Streaming and broadcast targets are built in, and users can define their own. That is useful when a workflow needs repeatable target checks rather than a collection of standalone meters.
File analysis and CLI: The command-line tool analyzes single files or album folders and can output readable reports or CSV. It is a good fit for repeatable or batch-oriented review, not only live monitoring.
DAW integration: VST3 and Audio Unit plugins send measurements and DAW transport position to the app. An AAX plugin is in the archive, but it is not signed for a released Pro Tools version, so Pro Tools users should not treat it as a ready option.
Tablet display: A tablet on the same network can show the desktop app’s published measurements and canvas layout over Wi-Fi. The link has no encryption or authentication, and the maker advises using it only on a trusted network.
Pricing
The Free software plan costs nothing. It includes the app and engine under GPL-3.0-or-later and the plugin under AGPL-3.0-or-later; there are no paid plans or trial period stated. There is no paid tier to unlock, so users get the full no-charge offering, with the license terms worth checking if they plan to redistribute or integrate components.
Platforms
Open Audio Analyzer is available on Android, iOS, Linux, macOS, and Windows. That range makes it relevant to mixed-device workflows, while the tablet feature specifically depends on a tablet and desktop app sharing a network.
Who it's for
Choose it if you need live metering alongside offline file analysis, want standards-based loudness checks, or value custom layouts and delivery targets without a subscription. Producers and engineers who need command-line reports for individual tracks or album folders also have a clear reason to consider it.
It is a weaker fit if your Pro Tools workflow depends on a signed AAX plugin, or if you need secure remote monitoring on an untrusted network. The remote display’s lack of encryption and authentication is a material limitation even though the maker says audio is never transmitted by the app.
Pros and cons
Pros — Broad metering in a free, open-source package: Fourteen module types, configurable tabs, presets, and colour skins support tailored monitoring without a paid plan.
Pros — Useful delivery and file workflows: Broadcast and streaming targets, custom targets, and CLI reports or CSV extend the app beyond a live meter display.
Pros — Local audio handling: The maker says audio stays on the device, is discarded after in-memory measurement, and is not recorded, stored, or transmitted.
Cons — Remote display is unsecured: No encryption or authentication means tablet access should be confined to a trusted network.
Cons — AAX is not ready for released Pro Tools: The available plugin is unsigned, limiting its practical value for that host.
Cons — The configurable breadth favors informed users: The app offers many measurement views and layout choices, but is less suited to someone seeking a single-purpose, preconfigured meter.
Alternatives
MediaInfo is a sensible alternative when the priority is open-source digital media analysis across desktop, mobile, web, and self-hosted platforms rather than Open Audio Analyzer’s loudness-meter and delivery-check workflow.
Open Sound Meter is worth considering for users who prefer its open-source desktop version and contribution model; Open Audio Analyzer is the stronger match when file analysis, CLI reports, and the described loudness standards are central.
ACRCloud may suit a reader seeking API access and willing to start with a 14-day free trial rather than a continuing free plan.
Room EQ Wizard is the better fit when room or audio measurement and EQ tools matter more than Open Audio Analyzer’s delivery targets and batch file reports; its free plan is limited to single-channel capture.
Dusk Audio Spectrum Analyzer is another free option for readers comparing spectrum-analysis tools on Linux, macOS, or Windows.
MeldaProduction MAnalyzer is a free effect for macOS and Windows; consider it when a plugin-based spectrum analyzer is the priority.
Metering Cockpit may suit users seeking a free macOS or Windows plugin workflow, though its reference files are limited to 10 minutes.
Blue Cat’s FreqAnalyst is a free real-time spectrum analyzer plugin for macOS and Windows, a narrower choice when spectrum analysis alone is needed.
Verdict
Open Audio Analyzer is a strong choice for audio engineers and producers who want configurable, standards-based live metering plus offline analysis and CLI reporting without paying. Its breadth and local processing are compelling; look elsewhere if your Pro Tools setup requires a signed AAX plugin or if tablet monitoring must be secured beyond a trusted network.
Verdict
Open Audio Analyzer combines live metering, file analysis and configurable layouts across five listed platforms. The unsigned AAX plugin and unsecured remote-display link are important constraints to consider.
Where Specifiction places it
- Audio Analysis Software#5 of 438.6
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