BlackHole vs Elgato Wave Link
BlackHole
existential.audio
Elgato Wave Link
elgato.comSide by side
| Figure | BlackHole | Elgato Wave Link |
|---|---|---|
| Price from | Free | Free |
| Free plan | Yes | Yes |
| Free trial | — | — |
| Open source | — | — |
| Windows | — | Yes |
| macOS | Yes | Yes |
| Plans published | 1 | 2 |
| Spec score · Audio Enhancement Software | 7.6 (#18) | 7.8 (#11) |
| Purpose | BlackHole is a macOS virtual audio loopback driver that lets applications pass audio to other applications with zero additional latency. | Wave Link provides broadcast-level audio routing and effects for content creators. |
| Support | The product page directs users to Discord for downloads, updates, and support, and also lists email support. | Elgato provides FAQ, contact, and download links for Wave Link support. |
Plans
In their own words
BlackHole
BlackHole has no write-up on Specifiction yet; its figures are above.
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.