Elgato Wave Link vs SteelSeries GG

Elgato Wave Link is a free audio routing and effects app for streamers, podcasters, professionals, and other content creators. It works with USB and XLR microphones, third-party interfaces, headsets, and capture cards recognized by the computer. A horizontal routing matrix lets users direct audio sources to outputs, with up to five independent mixes and separate routing and volume levels. Users can group multiple applications, such as Zoom, Teams, Discord, Spotify, or Chrome, into one channel. The app supports VST3 effects on Windows and Audio Unit effects on macOS, with unlimited effects per input. Mixes can feed OBS Studio, MS Teams, or any application that accepts audio input. Its Stream Deck plugin can change volume, mute channels, toggle effects, and switch mixes. The Wave Link 3.0 plan lists up to eight software or non-Wave inputs, four Wave-device inputs, and five virtual mixes. Windows requires Windows 11 and 8 GB RAM; macOS requires version 15.0 or newer and 8 GB RAM.

SteelSeries GG is a free app for Windows and macOS that bundles services for gameplay clipping, audio tuning, device setup, and sharing. Sonar adjusts in-game audio, optimizes chat, reduces microphone noise, and balances game, chat, media, auxiliary, and microphone channels. It can route apps such as Spotify or Discord to separate streams and is described as working with any headset and microphone. Moments records gameplay, shares clips, and offers AI auto-clipping for selected games including Fortnite, Counter-Strike 2, and Valorant. Engine customizes compatible SteelSeries devices with lighting, audio, macros, button assignments, and game profiles. It includes equalizer options, bass boost, virtual surround, microphone presets, and reactive GameSense lighting tied to button presses or in-game events. Sonar and Moments list Windows 10 (RS5+) requirements, while Engine offers a macOS 11+ download. The listed GG plan is a free download for Windows 10+.