JACK Audio Connection Kit vs Loopback
JACK Audio Connection Kit
jackaudio.org
Loopback
rogueamoeba.comSide by side
| Figure | JACK Audio Connection Kit | Loopback |
|---|---|---|
| Price from | Free | — |
| Free plan | Yes | — |
| Free trial | — | Yes |
| Open source | — | — |
| Windows | Yes | — |
| macOS | Yes | Yes |
| Linux | Yes | — |
| Plans published | 1 | 1 |
| Spec score · Audio Enhancement Software | 7.8 (#12) | 7.7 (#16) |
| Audio routing | JACK lets client applications connect to an audio device and share audio with each other. | Loopback routes audio between Mac applications by creating virtual audio devices from application sources and audio input devices. |
| Licensing | JACK is free software; the server uses the GPL and the library uses the LGPL, which permits proprietary programs to link with it. | One single-user license covers one user on one or more personally owned machines; shared-use environments require a license for each machine. |
| Support | The maker points users to JACK and Linux audio mailing lists, IRC channels, and community forums for discussion and help. | The support team is available by email and says it strives to reply in under 24 hours. |
Plans
In their own words
JACK Audio Connection Kit
JACK Audio Connection Kit is a free sound server API and daemon implementation for connecting audio and MIDI applications with real-time, low-latency operation. Client applications can connect to an audio device and share audio with one another. JACK emphasizes synchronous execution among clients. Applications communicate through callbacks and registered ports to send and receive data, and audio is represented internally as 32-bit floating-point values. Compatible applications listed by the project include Audacity, Ardour, Blender, Mixxx, QjackCtl, and VLC. JACK is available for Linux, macOS, and Windows. Linux users are directed to their distribution’s package manager for binaries; listed macOS installers are for macOS 10.12 or higher, and Windows installers are for Windows 7 or higher. The project hosts JACK1 and JACK2 source repositories on GitHub. The server uses the GPL, while the library uses the LGPL, which permits proprietary programs to link with it. The project directs users to mailing lists, IRC channels, and community forums for help. The software is distributed without warranty, including implied warranties of merchantability or fitness for a particular purpose.