Audacity

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Score9.1

Rank#3 of 130

PriceFree

Free planYes

Runs onAndroid, iOS, Linux, macOS, Windows

Summary

Audacity is a free desktop audio editor for Windows, macOS, and Linux. It supports multitrack editing, noise reduction, and common formats such as MP3, M4A, AIFF, FLAC, and WAV. Users can work with 16-bit, 24-bit, or 32-bit audio, with high-quality resampling and dithering. A Spectrogram view helps visualize and analyze audio clips, while third-party plugins—including VST3, Nyquist, LV2, and Audio Unit formats—can extend the editor. Audacity also supports video synchronization and cloud collaboration. Its source code is available to view or modify under the GNU GPL, and no subscription is required. Despite some platform listings that include mobile devices, there is no Audacity mobile version for iOS or Android. The software is developed by a small remote team supported by the community. Help is available through the manual, forum, and developer Discord.

Who it is for

Audacity suits people who want free desktop software for multitrack audio editing, noise reduction, or spectrogram analysis. It is for desktop use rather than iOS or Android editing.

What is good

Free with no subscription required
Available for Windows, macOS, and Linux
Supports multitrack editing and noise reduction
Accepts several third-party plugin formats
Source code is available under the GNU GPL

What to know first

No mobile version for iOS or Android
Desktop platforms are Windows, macOS, and Linux

Verdict

Audacity offers a wide set of desktop audio editing and analysis features without a subscription. Its key limitation is the lack of a mobile version.

Audacity plans and pricing

All plans

Free Free Open-source desktop audio editor · No subscription required audacityteam.org · 21 Sept 2026

Audacity Free Free audacityteam.org · 27 Sept 2026

Compared on audio editing software

Free plan: Yesaudacityteam.org
Supported platforms: Windows, macOS, Linuxaudacityteam.org
Multitrack editing: Yesaudacityteam.org
MIDI sequencing: Noaudacityteam.org
Third-party plugins: Yesaudacityteam.org
Noise reduction: Yesaudacityteam.org
Video synchronization: Yesaudacityteam.org
Cloud collaboration: Yesaudacityteam.org

Facts

Free plan: Yesaudacityteam.org · 21 Sept 2026
Multitrack editing: Yesaudacityteam.org · 21 Sept 2026
Noise reduction: Yesaudacityteam.org · 21 Sept 2026
Supported platforms: Windows, macOS, Linuxaudacityteam.org · 21 Sept 2026
MIDI sequencing: Noaudacityteam.org · 21 Sept 2026
Third-party plugins: Yesaudacityteam.org · 21 Sept 2026
Video synchronization: Yesaudacityteam.org · 21 Sept 2026
Cloud collaboration: Yesaudacityteam.org · 21 Sept 2026
Free Software: Audacity is free for everyone.audacityteam.org · 27 Sept 2026
Open Source: The source code is open to view or modify and licensed under the GNU GPL.audacityteam.org · 27 Sept 2026
Desktop Platforms: Available for Windows, macOS, and Linux desktop computers.audacityteam.org · 27 Sept 2026
No Mobile App: There is no mobile version for iOS or Android.audacityteam.org · 27 Sept 2026
Refund Guidance: Refunds may apply to cloud storage purchases or unofficial mobile app purchases.audacityteam.org · 27 Sept 2026
Audio Formats: Supports popular formats including MP3, M4A, AIFF, FLAC, and WAV.audacityteam.org · 27 Sept 2026
Plugin Support: Supports third-party plugins, including VST3, Nyquist, LV2, and Audio Unit.audacityteam.org · 27 Sept 2026
Noise Reduction: Includes tools for reducing background static and noise.audacityteam.org · 27 Sept 2026
Cloud Collaboration: Audio.com supports collaboration, versioned backups, and sharing or publishing projects.audacityteam.org · 27 Sept 2026
Audio Quality: Supports 16-bit, 24-bit, and 32-bit audio with high-quality resampling and dithering.audacityteam.org · 27 Sept 2026
Spectrogram Analysis: Provides Spectrogram view for visualizing and analyzing audio clips.audacityteam.org · 27 Sept 2026
Website Cookies: The website uses Matomo analytics and says it has no third-party tracking.audacityteam.org · 27 Sept 2026
Support Channels: Support is available through the manual, forum, and developer Discord.audacityteam.org · 27 Sept 2026
Development Team: Audacity is developed by a small remote team supported by the community.audacityteam.org · 27 Sept 2026