Audacity
Free open-source audio editor for podcasts, music, and sound cleanup.
Quick facts
- Price model
- Open source
- Starting price
- Free
- Best for
- Podcast editing · Audio cleanup · Simple multitrack
- Replaces
- Adobe Audition, Hindenburg Pro subscriptions
- Platforms
- MacWindowsLinux
- Last verified
- 2026-06-22
Why it's listed
Good enough for most podcasts—save DAW rent until you outgrow it.
Audacity records, edits, and exports multi-track audio with effects and noise reduction. Podcasters and musicians use it daily without a DAW subscription.
The catch
Destructive editing workflow; not a full Logic/Ableton replacement for music production.
Good fit for
- Podcasters
- Teachers recording lectures
Not ideal for
- Electronic music producers needing MIDI suites
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