DeskFX Audio Enhancer vs Radioform

DeskFX Audio Enhancer changes sound played through computer speakers or headphones in real time. It runs on Windows and macOS and works with music services, streaming TV and movies, games and other computer audio. Effects include equalization, amplification, reverb, chorus, wahwah, vibrato and tremolo. Users can layer an unlimited number of effects and choose from more than 30 presets. Equalizer options are visual, graphic and parametric, with a system-wide equalizer of up to 20 bands. NCH also describes uses in gyms, foyers, retail locations and waiting rooms, including pink-noise masking for privacy; low latency and CPU use are listed as suitable for live-stream applications. The free version is for non-commercial use. A commercial quarterly license is $9.99 a month, billed quarterly and renewing automatically. Annual licenses are $34.99 a year for personal use and $39.95 a year for commercial use; both note +VAT/year. System requirements list Windows 7 through 11 and macOS 10.9 or above.

Radioform is a free, open-source system-wide equalizer for macOS. It routes audio from Mac applications through a virtual output device and EQ engine to selected speakers or headphones. The equalizer provides ten bands from 32 Hz to 16 kHz, with adjustable gain and Q. Built-in presets cover Electronic, Acoustic, Classical, Hip-Hop, Pop, R&B, Rock, and Flat, and users can save named curves for particular headphones. A limiter and preamp are included to catch clipping when EQ is pushed hard. Radioform switches output devices without restarting and keeps equalization active after the change. It requires macOS 13.0 Ventura or later and runs on Apple Silicon and Intel Macs. The maker reports under 1% CPU usage on Apple Silicon and no audible delay. Releases are Apple-signed and notarized, with updates delivered through Sparkle. The maker says no data is collected. Radioform is licensed under GPLv3; its audio engine uses C++, while the native Swift and SwiftUI menu bar app uses macOS CoreAudio.