EasyEffects vs PC Equalizer

EasyEffects is free, open-source Linux software for applying audio effects to applications managed by the PipeWire audio server. It can process application output and microphone audio sent to recording applications. Available effects include equalizer, compressor, convolver, limiter, noise reduction, reverberation, pitch shift and stereo tools, with control over their processing order. Users can process input or output streams and exclude selected applications. Processed audio can be exposed through Easy Effects Source for recording and communication applications. Configurations can be saved, imported, reused on another system and set to load automatically for selected devices. A PipeWire tab reports version, quantum values, sample rate, installed modules and loaded clients. Most current Linux distributions package the application, and a sandboxed Flatpak includes available plugins. Some distribution packages may omit plugins needed for certain effects. EasyEffects is licensed under GNU GPL version 3 or later, and PipeWire must be installed.

PC Equalizer Pro is Windows software for customizing computer audio output and accessing Equalizer APO features. It offers a 10- or 20-band equalizer across all channels, with controls for Stereo, Mono, Swap, Invert, and Balance. Pan/Expand can widen or narrow the stereo image, while Multi-Delays creates echoes, delay, and reverb with up to 16 taps. Users can select built-in presets or save and delete their own, then assign presets to applications such as Winamp, Windows Media Player, and PotPlayer. The program can detect active audio players and load their assigned presets. It can also launch at startup, minimize to the System Tray, and notify users when an assigned preset changes. Equalizer APO setup is included in the PC Equalizer 2.1 installer; manual installation is suggested if PC Equalizer does not run properly. A free demo requires no license key, and the site lists a lifetime license for 3 PCs at 201700.00 USD once. Pricing is also shown as from $20, and a free trial is offered.