Elgato Wave Link

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Score6.8

Rank#6 of 38

PriceFree

Free planYes

Runs onmacOS, Windows

Summary

Elgato Wave Link is a free audio-routing and effects app for content creators on Windows and macOS. It works with USB and XLR microphones, third-party interfaces, headsets and capture cards recognized by the computer. A horizontal routing matrix sends audio sources to output mixes, with up to five independent mixes and separate routing and volume levels. Applications such as Zoom, Teams, Discord, Spotify or Chrome can be grouped into a channel. Wave Link supports VST3 effects on Windows and Audio Unit effects on macOS, with unlimited effects per input; effects can come from Elgato Marketplace or third-party plugins. Mixes can be sent to OBS Studio, MS Teams or other applications that accept audio input. A Stream Deck plugin can adjust volume, mute channels, toggle effects and switch mixes. The Wave Link 3.0 plan lists up to eight software or non-Wave input channels, 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. ASIO is not supported, and effects may add latency.

Who it is for

Wave Link suits streamers, podcasters, professionals and other content creators who need to route audio and apply effects. It works with recognized microphones, interfaces, headsets and capture cards on supported Windows and macOS systems.

What is good

Supports up to five independent output mixes
Groups multiple applications into one channel
Allows unlimited effects per input
Sends mixes to OBS Studio and other audio-input apps

What to know first

ASIO is not supported
Effects may add latency
Windows requires Windows 11 and 8 GB RAM
macOS requires version 15.0 or newer and 8 GB RAM

Verdict

Wave Link offers flexible routing and effects without a subscription or feature gates. Confirm that your operating system meets its requirements and that the lack of ASIO support fits your setup.

Elgato Wave Link plans and pricing

All plans

Free Free Available on Windows and macOS · Works with any microphone or audio interface · No subscription or feature gates elgato.com · 20 Sept 2026

Wave Link 3.0 Free Windows 11 or macOS 15.0+ · up to 8 software/non-Wave input channels · up to 4 Wave-device inputs · up to 5 virtual mixes elgato.com · 30 Sept 2026

Compared on gaming peripheral software

Free plan: Yeselgato.com
Noise reduction: Yeselgato.com
Equalizer: Yeselgato.com
Audio routing: Yeselgato.com
Supported platforms: Windows, macOSelgato.com

Facts

Purpose: Wave Link provides broadcast-level audio routing and effects for content creators.elgato.com · 30 Sept 2026
Microphone compatibility: It works with USB and XLR microphones, third-party interfaces, headsets, and capture cards recognized by the computer.elgato.com · 30 Sept 2026
Routing: Users can send any audio source to any output mix through a horizontal routing matrix.elgato.com · 30 Sept 2026
Independent mixes: Wave Link supports up to five independent output mixes with separate routing and volume levels.elgato.com · 30 Sept 2026
App grouping: Multiple applications can be grouped into one channel, such as Zoom, Teams, Discord, Spotify, or Chrome.elgato.com · 30 Sept 2026
Audio effects: It supports VST3 effects on Windows and Audio Unit effects on macOS, with unlimited effects per input.elgato.com · 30 Sept 2026
Integrations: Wave Link can send mixes to OBS Studio, MS Teams, or any application that accepts audio input.elgato.com · 30 Sept 2026
Stream Deck: The Wave Link Stream Deck plugin can adjust volume, mute channels, toggle effects, and switch mixes.elgato.com · 30 Sept 2026
Marketplace: Audio effects can be installed from Elgato Marketplace or supplied as third-party plugins.elgato.com · 30 Sept 2026
System requirements: Windows requires Windows 11 with 8 GB RAM, while macOS requires macOS 15.0 or newer with 8 GB RAM.elgato.com · 30 Sept 2026
Notable limit: ASIO is not supported, and effects may add additional latency.elgato.com · 30 Sept 2026
Security support: Elgato says it accepts vulnerability reports through a support ticket and provides security updates for at least two years after a product's last sale date on elgato.com.elgato.com · 30 Sept 2026
Audience: Elgato describes Wave Link as designed for streamers, podcasters, professionals, and content creators.elgato.com · 30 Sept 2026
Support: Elgato provides FAQ, contact, and download links for Wave Link support.elgato.com · 30 Sept 2026