Pick by the job
Most audio jobs are small: cut the silence at the start, remove a cough, raise the volume, export an MP3. A waveform editor does all of that. A multitrack editor or a full recording studio only pays off when you mix several sources.
| Job | Good fit from this list |
|---|---|
| Cut a clip or trim silence, nothing to install | Our trim audio tool, Wavacity, AudioMass |
| Quick edits with effects you hear while adjusting | ocenaudio, which plays the processed signal while you move the controls |
| Podcast or voice-over with several tracks | Audacity, Tenacity |
| Editing on Linux with the KDE desktop | Kwave |
| Recording and mixing a band | Ardour, or the free music production software list |
What the free terms allow
The open source editors here can be used without a fee: Audacity says it has always been and will always remain free for everyone, Tenacity is GPLv2 or later, Wavacity is released under the GNU GPL v2, Kwave is GPL-2.0+ and AudioMass is under the MIT License.
Two entries have conditions to read first:
- WavePad offers a free version that is available for non-commercial use only. It does not expire, but editing a paid client's podcast with it is not covered.
- Ardour is licensed under the GNU GPL v2, and its download page offers the source code for free, which you build yourself without help from the developers. The ready-to-run versions for Linux, macOS and Windows are paid.
ocenaudio's download page offers every version for free but names no license and says nothing on commercial use.
Export without losing quality
Every time you save an MP3, the encoder throws away a bit of the sound again. Keep the original recording, edit in a lossless format such as WAV or FLAC, and export the MP3 or AAC only once at the end. Our guide to lossy and lossless compression explains why repeated saving hurts.
If the editor cannot open your file, convert it first with the audio converter. If the sound is inside a video, the MP4 to MP3 converter pulls out the audio track. Both run in your browser.
Browser editors and privacy
Wavacity calls itself a port of the Audacity audio editor to the web browser with no install required, and AudioMass describes itself as a free full-featured web-based audio and waveform editing tool that you can also run on your own computer with a small local server. Neither page says in plain words whether files are uploaded, so for interviews and other private recordings use a desktop editor or run AudioMass locally.
Audacity itself works offline. Its site describes audio.com as an optional online companion for backups and sharing, so nothing has to leave your computer unless you choose that.
For voice recordings you did not make yourself, see the free text-to-speech list, and for clips to add, the free sound effects list.
Frequently asked questions
What is the best free audio editor?
For most people Audacity, a multitrack editor and recorder for Windows, macOS and Linux that says it will always remain free for everyone. If you want something simpler, ocenaudio is a free download for Windows, macOS and Linux and lets you hear effects while you adjust them.
Can I edit audio in the browser without installing anything?
Yes. Wavacity is a port of Audacity to the web browser with no install required, and AudioMass is a web-based waveform editor. For a quick cut, our trim audio tool runs in your browser as well.
Is the free version of WavePad allowed for business use?
No. NCH says the free version is available for non-commercial use only and is meant for use at home. It does not expire, and you can upgrade to a paid edition later.
Is Ardour free?
Ardour is open source under the GNU GPL v2, and the source code is free to download and build yourself. The developers do not help with building it. The ready-to-run versions for Linux, macOS and Windows are paid.
What is the difference between Audacity and Tenacity?
Tenacity is a fork of Audacity, a multitrack audio editor and recorder for Windows, macOS, Linux and other systems. It is developed by volunteers and licensed under the GPL version 2 or later, while Audacity is maintained by Muse Group and contributors under GPLv3.