CoreEQ vs EqLume
CoreEQ
github.comEqLume
github.comSide by side
| Figure | CoreEQ | EqLume |
|---|---|---|
| Price from | — | Free |
| Free plan | — | Yes |
| Free trial | — | — |
| Open source | — | — |
| macOS | Yes | Yes |
| Plans published | 0 | 2 |
| Spec score · Audio Equalizer Software | 7.4 (#13) | 7.7 (#10) |
| Audio processing | It uses Apple’s Core Audio process-tap API without a virtual audio driver or kernel extension. | It captures system audio through a Core Audio process tap and applies EQ without a virtual audio driver or kernel extension. |
| License | The repository identifies CoreEQ as licensed under Apache License 2.0. | The app source code is MIT-licensed, while the bundled Discogs-EffNet model is CC BY-NC-SA 4.0 and imposes non-commercial share-alike terms on distributions that include it. |
| Presets | It includes 22 built-in presets and supports custom presets, automatic gain, and A/B comparison. | It includes 21 genre presets, including hip-hop, EDM, rock, jazz, classical, and ambient. |
| Privacy | The project says it records, stores, or transmits no audio, and its security policy says captured audio must never be written to disk or leave the machine. | Audio is processed in memory on the Mac and is not recorded to disk, uploaded, or shared with the developer or third parties. |
| Purpose | CoreEQ is a system-wide equalizer for macOS that processes audio from music, video, calls, games, and other applications. | EqLume is a system-wide macOS equalizer that detects the genre of the current track and automatically applies a matching EQ preset. |
| Requirements | CoreEQ requires macOS 14.2 or later and permission to record system audio. | EqLume requires macOS 26.0 or later and an Apple silicon Mac. |
| Support | The README directs users to the guide’s troubleshooting section and says Settings → Diagnostics creates a report to attach to a bug report. | The project directs privacy questions and requests to its public GitHub issues page. |
Plans
In their own words
CoreEQ
CoreEQ is a free system-wide equalizer for macOS, processing audio from music, video, calls, games and other applications. It uses Apple’s Core Audio process-tap API without a virtual audio driver or kernel extension, and audio passes straight through when the app is quit. The filter chain combines an eleven-band ISO octave graphic equalizer with up to sixteen parametric bells, shelves and pass filters. Users get 22 built-in presets, custom presets, automatic gain and A/B comparison, with import and export for AutoEQ and EqualizerAPO presets. Settings can be saved per output device, while menu-bar controls adjust bass, mid and treble. The maker describes it as a local app that does not record, store or transmit captured audio and opens no network sockets or listening ports. CoreEQ requires macOS 14.2 or later and permission to record system audio. Release builds are currently unsigned and unnotarized.
EqLume
EqLume is a free system-wide equalizer for Apple silicon Macs running macOS 26.0 or later. It detects the genre of the current track and applies a matching EQ preset, with 21 presets that include hip-hop, EDM, rock, jazz, classical and ambient. The menu bar app shows a live spectrum analyzer and an EQ response curve. EqLume reads now-playing details from Spotify, YouTube Music, Apple Music and supported browsers, and offers transport controls for Spotify, Apple Music and YouTube Music. It uses a Core Audio process tap to capture system audio without a virtual audio driver or kernel extension. Audio is processed in memory, not recorded to disk or uploaded. Track and artist names may be sent to MusicBrainz and Apple iTunes Search for lookups. The built-in 3.5 mm headphone output uses tuned correction; other outputs can be enabled per device, while built-in speakers are unprocessed. The Mac App Store version omits the optional on-device classifier.