DeepFilterNet vs NoNoise Mac

DeepFilterNet is a free, open-source framework for speech enhancement on full-band 48 kHz audio, using deep filtering. Its command-line tool suppresses noise in WAV files, with 48 kHz as its only supported sampling rate. A LADSPA plugin provides real-time noise suppression and can be used with PipeWire filter chains to create a virtual microphone or audio output, including for VoIP apps such as Zoom or Discord. The plugin's minimum latency is 20 ms from STFT processing, plus any delay added by the LADSPA host. The Rust command-line tool defaults to DeepFilterNet2; the Python interface documents DeepFilterNet and DeepFilterNet2. An optional post-filter may slightly over-attenuate very noisy sections. The framework supports Linux, macOS and Windows, though training is tested only under Linux. The Python package installs as deepfilternet, and an optional train extra adds data-loading functionality for Linux training. Code is available under either the MIT License or Apache License 2.0.

NoNoise Mac is a free macOS menu-bar app that reduces microphone background noise and room echo in real time. It uses DeepFilterNet3 compiled to CoreML, with audio processing on the Apple Neural Engine and Metal. Meeting, Podcast, Tutorial, and Custom modes provide suppression and voice-polish controls. Optional Broadcast Voice adds presence and de-essing, while Mouth Noise targets plosives and clicks.

The app sends cleaned microphone audio through its NoNoise Mic virtual microphone for use in apps such as Zoom, Meet, Discord, OBS, Slack, and QuickTime. Clean Incoming / Guest can denoise system audio, but requires macOS 14.4 or later. The project says audio stays on the Mac, with no telemetry or account. It supports built-in, USB, and XLR microphones via an interface, along with global hotkeys and a bundled CLI for local audio-file cleanup. NoNoise Mac requires an Apple Silicon Mac such as M1 or newer; Intel Macs are not supported. Its installer is not notarized and may require approval in macOS Privacy & Security settings.