be quiet! IO Center vs Elgato Wave Link
be quiet! IO Center
bequiet.com
Elgato Wave Link
elgato.comSide by side
| Figure | be quiet! IO Center | Elgato Wave Link |
|---|---|---|
| Price from | Free | Free |
| Free plan | Yes | Yes |
| Free trial | — | — |
| Open source | — | — |
| Web | Yes | — |
| Windows | Yes | Yes |
| macOS | Yes | Yes |
| Linux | Yes | — |
| Plans published | 1 | 2 |
| Spec score · Gaming Peripheral Software | 8.9 (#2) | 7.9 (#12) |
| Purpose | IO Center lets users adjust RGB lighting, fine-tune device settings, and configure keybindings. | Wave Link provides broadcast-level audio routing and effects for content creators. |
| Support | The manufacturer’s contact page provides a dedicated topic for software issues and directs users to FAQs or direct contact. | Elgato provides FAQ, contact, and download links for Wave Link support. |
Plans
In their own words
be quiet! IO Center
be quiet! IO Center configures supported be quiet! keyboards, mice, and coolers. It lets users customize individual LEDs or select preset RGB effects, set keybindings, record macros, and manage profiles. Keys can be assigned functions such as media controls, mouse buttons, Windows tools, files, and applications; macros can include editable delays and action order. Profiles can be switched manually, launched when an application runs, or imported and exported as files. For supported cooler screens, users can select preset or uploaded images and videos, or browse GIPHY for animations and memes. Cooling controls include presets and PID control, which continues working after IO Center closes. Custom keyboard lighting effects require the software to remain running in the background. The Windows desktop app is compatible with Windows 11 Dynamic Lighting. IO Center Web works on Windows, macOS, and Linux in a Chromium-based browser without an account. Settings can be saved to keyboard onboard memory. The software is free.
Elgato Wave Link
Elgato Wave Link is a free audio routing and effects app for streamers, podcasters, professionals, and other content creators. It works with USB and XLR microphones, third-party interfaces, headsets, and capture cards recognized by the computer. A horizontal routing matrix lets users direct audio sources to outputs, with up to five independent mixes and separate routing and volume levels. Users can group multiple applications, such as Zoom, Teams, Discord, Spotify, or Chrome, into one channel. The app supports VST3 effects on Windows and Audio Unit effects on macOS, with unlimited effects per input. Mixes can feed OBS Studio, MS Teams, or any application that accepts audio input. Its Stream Deck plugin can change volume, mute channels, toggle effects, and switch mixes. The Wave Link 3.0 plan lists up to eight software or non-Wave inputs, four Wave-device inputs, and five virtual mixes. Windows requires Windows 11 and 8 GB RAM; macOS requires version 15.0 or newer and 8 GB RAM.