CoreEQ vs eqMac
CoreEQ
github.com
eqMac
eqmac.appSide by side
| Figure | CoreEQ | eqMac |
|---|---|---|
| Price from | — | Free |
| Free plan | — | Yes |
| Free trial | — | — |
| Open source | — | — |
| macOS | Yes | Yes |
| Plans published | 0 | 3 |
| Spec score · Audio Equalizer Software | 7.4 (#13) | 7.7 (#11) |
| Audio processing | It uses Apple’s Core Audio process-tap API without a virtual audio driver or kernel extension. | The maker says eqMac’s driver captures system audio and passes it to the app through a secure memory tunnel for processing. |
| Purpose | CoreEQ is a system-wide equalizer for macOS that processes audio from music, video, calls, games, and other applications. | eqMac is a system-wide audio equalizer and volume mixer for macOS. |
| 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 maker says Pro customers can contact support through the website, while the project also uses GitHub issues and a Discord community for help. |
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.
eqMac
eqMac is a system-wide audio equalizer and volume mixer for macOS. The free tier includes basic bass, mids and treble controls and a fixed 10-band equalizer. AutoEQ provides automatic headphone equalization from frequency responses, with support listed for 4,600 headphone presets. Pro adds unlimited customizable bands, a real-time spectrum analyzer, separate left and right channel EQ, AudioUnit hosting, spatial audio and per-application volume mixing. The maker says its driver captures system audio and passes it to the app through a secure memory tunnel for processing; it also says the driver runs in user space rather than the kernel. Downloads are listed for macOS 10.13 or later on Intel and Apple Silicon. The maker lists a free HTTP API for controlling eqMac, and remote control from iOS, iPadOS or Android devices on the same local network as a Pro feature. The free plan has no Pro features. Paid access is listed from $1/mo, while the Pro subscription page does not state a yearly price. Public GitHub code corresponds to version 1.3.2 without Pro features; newer releases are developed on a private fork.