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Audacity

Free open-source audio recording and editing software.

Windows, macOS, Linux GNU General Public License v2 (GPL-2.0) v3.6.0 Updated Mar 2026 4.7/5

Overview & Review

Audacity is one of the most popular free audio editing and recording software tools available today. It is widely used by podcasters, musicians, educators, and audio engineers for recording, editing, and enhancing audio files.

Audacity allows users to record live audio using microphones or mixers, digitize recordings from other media, and edit sound files with professional-grade tools. The software supports many audio formats including WAV, MP3, FLAC, AIFF, and OGG.

One of the biggest advantages of Audacity is its powerful editing capabilities. Users can cut, copy, trim, and mix audio tracks easily. It also includes features such as noise reduction, equalization, compression, pitch shifting, and audio effects that help improve sound quality.

Audacity supports multi-track editing, which allows users to work with several audio layers simultaneously. This makes it an excellent tool for creating podcasts, music recordings, voiceovers, and audio projects.

The software also supports third-party plugins such as VST, LADSPA, and Nyquist plugins that extend its functionality with additional audio effects and tools.

Because Audacity is open-source software, it is continuously improved by a global community of developers. It is available for Windows, macOS, and Linux and remains one of the most trusted audio editing tools for both beginners and professionals.

Disclaimer

Audacity is an open-source audio editing software developed by the Audacity Team. This website is not affiliated with or endorsed by the Audacity project. All trademarks, logos, and product names belong to their respective owners.

Download links provided on this page direct users to official sources or verified mirrors to ensure safe and authentic downloads. Software information such as version numbers, file size, and system requirements may change over time, so users should verify details on the official Audacity website before installation.

Why We Recommend Audacity

Audacity is a powerful yet easy-to-use audio editing software that provides professional recording and editing tools completely free of charge. Its strong community support, wide format compatibility, and extensive audio effects make it an excellent choice for podcasting, music production, and audio editing.

Pros & Cons

Pros

• Completely free and open-source
• Powerful audio recording and editing tools
• Supports multiple audio formats
• Multi-track audio editing
• Large collection of built-in audio effects
• Supports VST and third-party plugins
• Available for Windows, macOS, and Linux

Cons

• Interface may look outdated compared to modern editors
• Limited advanced mixing features compared to professional DAWs
• Large projects can consume more system resources

System requirements

WindowsWindows 10 or Windows 11 2 GB RAM recommended 100 MB free disk space
macOSmacOS 11 or later Intel or Apple Silicon processor 2 GB RAM recommended
LinuxModern Linux distribution with GTK support 2 GB RAM recommended

Download Options

PlatformSizeDownload
Windows
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Linux
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MAC
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Audacity FAQ

Common questions about Audacity audio editor

Is Audacity free to use?

Yes, Audacity is completely free and open-source software released under the GNU General Public License.

Can Audacity record audio from a microphone?

Yes, Audacity allows users to record audio directly from microphones, mixers, and other input devices.

Does Audacity support MP3 files?

Yes, Audacity can import and export MP3 files along with other popular audio formats like WAV, FLAC, and OGG.

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