Helvum vs MicMixer
Helvum
gitlab.freedesktop.orgMicMixer
github.comSide by side
| Figure | Helvum | MicMixer |
|---|---|---|
| Price from | Free | Free |
| Free plan | Yes | Yes |
| Free trial | — | — |
| Open source | — | Yes |
| Windows | — | Yes |
| Linux | Yes | — |
| Plans published | 1 | 2 |
| Spec score · Audio Enhancement Software | 7.5 (#20) | 8.2 (#8) |
| Distribution | Flathub lists Helvum as a free Linux Flatpak. | The maker offers a Windows installer, a ZIP version, and installation through Windows Package Manager (winget). |
| License | The project README says Helvum is distributed under the GPL3 license. | Current source is Apache License 2.0; releases through v2026.7.3 remain under the earlier MIT terms. |
| Purpose | Helvum is a graphical patchbay for PipeWire that routes audio, video, and MIDI data by creating or removing connections between applications and devices. | MicMixer mixes a microphone, music, and optional voice changer into one virtual microphone for games, Discord, and other voice chat apps. |
Plans
In their own words
Helvum
Helvum has no write-up on Specifiction yet; its figures are above.
MicMixer
MicMixer is a free, open-source Windows application that combines a microphone, music, and an optional voice changer into one virtual microphone for games, Discord, and other voice-chat software. Push-to-talk can gate the outgoing mix, while a setting allows music to continue during microphone gating. A configurable hotkey switches between normal and modified microphone modes, with an optional release delay. Music can come from local MP3 files, a YouTube link downloaded to MP3, or audio captured from a running application such as Spotify. A secondary output sends the complete mix to hardware that OBS Studio or Streamlabs Desktop can capture. MicMixer also provides a click-through status overlay and a local webpage usable as a browser source. It requires a virtual audio cable, with VB-CABLE recommended by the maker. The app supports Windows 10 and 11 on x64 and is self-contained.