EXP Soundboard vs Soundboard Studio

EXP Soundboard is a free, open-source soundboard for playing custom clips through speakers or virtual audio devices. Users can load MP3 and WAV files, assign hotkeys for playback, adjust each sound’s volume, and configure the output. It also includes text to speech for playing custom messages. Gamers, streamers, and content creators are among its intended users. Audio can optionally be routed to Discord or OBS through Virtual Audio Cable or similar tools. The software is designed for Windows, with Windows 7, 8, 10, and 11 listed as compatible. It is also listed for Linux, macOS, and web: Mac and Linux use is through a virtual machine or Wine, while browser use runs through OnWorks in a virtual Windows environment. After installation, it works offline, except when used through OnWorks. Minimum requirements include Windows 7, a 1 GHz Intel or AMD CPU, 1 GB RAM, 50 MB free disk space, and Java Runtime Environment 8 or later. The site says the installer may be flagged by antivirus software and advises downloading from trusted sources.

Soundboard Studio is an iOS cartwall app for playing audio such as pads, music beds, voiceovers, sound effects and soundbites. It is presented for podcasts, shows and gigs, as well as studio, broadcast and theatre use. Any number of tracks can play at once, with a separate volume control for each. Tracks can be trimmed using a waveform, looped, faded in or out, or set to stop other tracks when played. Automations can play, stop or change the volume of other tracks when a track starts, stops or reaches its end. Audio can be bulk imported from Dropbox, Google Drive, iCloud Drive and other sources. The free version allows up to 24 tracks across four boards, but does not include background playback when the app is closed or track automations. Pro adds unlimited tracks and boards, background playback and automations. The weekly option is $6.99 a week and the yearly option is $59.99 a year; both begin with a 7-day free trial. A lifetime Pro purchase is $159.99 USD. The app is described as universal for iPad, iPhone and iPod touch. Its privacy policy says audio files and track settings are stored locally, and that personal information and analytics data are not collected.