FREE
Audacity
Free, open-source audio editor and recorder – record voice and podcasts, remove noise, cut and join clips, and convert audio formats.
PRICEFree
RUNS ONWindows, macOS, Linux
About Audacity
Audacity is a free, open-source audio editor and recorder. It is widely used to record voice-overs and podcasts, clean up recordings, cut and join audio clips, and convert between audio formats.
Main features:
- Record from a microphone, line input or your computer's playback
- Cut, copy, paste, trim and join audio with multi-track editing
- Noise reduction to remove hiss, hum and background noise
- Built-in effects: normalise, amplify, compressor, equalizer, fade in/out, change speed and pitch
- Import and export WAV, MP3, FLAC, OGG, AIFF and more
- Spectrogram view for detailed analysis and repair
- Batch processing with macros
- Support for plugins to add more effects
Audacity is completely free, with no ads or time limits, and runs on Windows, macOS and Linux.
Key features
RecordingRecord from a microphone, line input or computer playback
EditingCut, copy, paste, trim and join audio
Noise reductionRemove hiss, hum and background noise
EffectsNormalise, compressor, equalizer, fades, speed and pitch
Format conversionWAV, MP3, FLAC, OGG, AIFF and more
MacrosBatch-process many files
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Good and keep in mind
Good
- Completely free and open source
- Great for voice, podcasts and clean-up
- Runs on Windows, Mac and Linux
Keep in mind
- Interface looks dated compared with paid editors
- Some advanced features need plugins
Frequently asked questions
Is Audacity free?
Yes. Audacity is completely free and open source, with no ads and no time limits.
Can I record my voice or a podcast with Audacity?
Yes. Audacity can record from a microphone and is widely used for podcasts, voice-overs and narration.
Can Audacity remove background noise?
Yes. The built-in Noise Reduction effect removes steady background noise such as hiss and hum.
What operating systems does Audacity support?
Audacity runs on Windows, macOS and Linux.
Where can I download Audacity safely?
Download it from the official Audacity website using the link on this page. Avoid unofficial sites that bundle extra software.