18 Best Free Audio Recording Software I've Tested [2025]

Why I picked it: it’s steady and flexible, and the new AI tools make cleaning up sound easier without changing how the program feels.

Best for: multitrack audio recording

OS: Windows, macOS, GNU/Linux

Audacity is a free, open-source recorder for Windows, macOS, and Linux. It works with multiple tracks, so you can record a voice, a guitar, or anything else on separate layers. The design looks plain but stays practical. I liked how it kept everything smooth, even with several clips running at once. Trimming and mixing feel direct, nothing fancy, just steady control. On macOS, system audio still needs a quick setup with BlackHole, but once that’s done, it works without a hitch.

One of the latest major updates, version 3.7.4, brought OpenVINO AI plugin support to macOS. It added tools for noise suppression, music separation, transcription, and audio enhancement, making the program more capable for detailed editing and cleanup.

Key features:

• Record external or system audio
• Apply effects onto recorded audio
• Read and use the source code

Why I picked it: it lets you move from idea to sound fast, no breaks or fuss, just music taking shape.

Best for: recording and performing live music

OS: Windows, macOS

Ableton Live runs quietly in the background, letting you focus on the sound itself. It works on Windows and macOS and blends instruments, vocals, and samples in one space. I recorded a few lines, tried looping them, then stacked a synth over the top. The timing stayed sharp, no hiccups. Editing feels hands-on, almost tactile. You trim, stretch, and twist sound until it fits. It took me a little while to get used to the layout, but after that, everything clicked.

The newest version, Ableton Live 12, puts more life into how ideas form. The updated MIDI tools build melodies and rhythms inside the session without breaking your focus. It makes creating faster, a bit more instinctive, like sketching music before it slips away.

Key features:

• Record multiple takes and choose your favorite
• Wide range of tools to edit and add effects to your audio
• Play audio recordings while you perform live

Why I picked it: it makes recording across devices feel natural, like carrying the same project from one room to another.

Best for: recording live music

OS: macOS, iOS, iPadOS

GarageBand is Apple’s audio-recording and editing app for Mac, iPad, and iPhone. It supports multitrack recording, built-in instruments, and sound effects. I tried recording a vocal line on the iPad and picked it up later on the Mac thanks to iCloud Drive syncing of the project file. The interface stays simple, and exporting your audio works smoothly though moving to the Music app on iOS needs a couple of extra taps.

In the latest update, GarageBand received a refreshed icon for iOS 26 and macOS Tahoe and includes performance and stability improvements across devices.

Key features:

• iCloud sync lets you work on multiple devices on the go
• Easily export audio to your Music app
• Multiple tools to help record and edit audio

Why I picked it: it does small jobs well, trimming and cleaning without slowing you down.

Best for: recording and editing audio quickly

OS: Windows, macOS, Chromebook

WavePad runs quietly and gets things done without fuss. I used it on both Windows and a phone, and the layout stayed simple enough that I didn’t have to hunt for tools. Recording a few clips was quick, and trimming them felt natural, like slicing bits off a tape reel. The built-in effects help smooth rough edges or clean up background hiss. You can tweak volume, balance, and tone without slowing down. It handles one track at a time, so bigger projects need other software, but for small edits or voice work, it feels light and steady. Chromebook access exists, though with fewer options and a stripped-down interface. It’s a modest tool that works better than it looks.

Key features:

• Range of audio-editing tools
• Edit multiple audio files simultaneously
• Add effects to your audio
• Remove unwanted sounds

Why I picked it: it feels built by people who care about recording, with tools that make sense once you settle in.

Best for: professional audio recording

OS: Windows, macOS, Linux

Ardour has the feel of a studio tool made by people who actually use it. It runs on Windows, macOS, and Linux, and everything about it feels serious, built for those who already know how to handle sound. I tested it with a few live recordings, pushing levels, layering tracks, and the system stayed calm. The workflow takes a little learning, but once it clicks, it’s quick and deliberate. You can choose how to record, keeping takes non-destructive or writing them directly to the file. Pulling in a video works too, though each project sticks to one clip, which keeps it focused. The open source code is there for anyone who wants to dig deeper or shape the program to their own habits. Ardour doesn’t try to impress; it just gives you the space to work.

Key features:

• Video import and audio extraction tool
• Source code is available to view and use
• Ability to record non-destructively or destructively
• Wide range of audio-editing tools, effects, and plugins

Why I picked it: it’s fast, quiet, and dependable, the kind of tool that just lets you work.

Best for: analyzing recorded audio

OS: Windows, macOS, Linux

Ocenaudio keeps things light. It opens fast, edits faster, and doesn’t get in its own way. I used it on a few voice recordings, cutting and smoothing them while the program quietly handled background processing. Built on the Ocen Framework, it runs cleanly on Windows, macOS, and Linux. You can grab several parts of a track at once, listen, fix, and move on without pausing. The spectrogram view helps catch small flaws hiding in the sound. It isn’t trying to be a full studio suite, just a quick, steady editor that feels dependable when you need to get work done.

Key features:

• Tasks that take time are run in the background, keeping the app responsive while editing audio
• Select, listen to, and edit multiple portions of an audio track at the same time
• View recorded audio files as spectrograms

Why I picked it: the AI cleanup and text-based editing feel practical, not flashy, and help keep the sound real.

Best for: professional podcast creation

OS: Windows

AudioDirector works like a compact studio in one clean window. It runs smoothly on Windows and handles everything from quick voice fixes to full post-production. I cleaned up a few podcast clips, and the AI tools pulled out background noise without dulling the tone. Batch editing lets you apply the same adjustments across multiple files, saving time on repetitive work. Adding background music or sound effects is simple, and the live preview helps balance everything naturally. It keeps the workflow clear and focused without drowning you in extra controls.

The latest update added a dedicated Podcast Studio and a text-based editing tool that turns speech into editable text. AI speech enhancement has also improved, making dialogue sound clearer and more natural with minimal effort.

Key features:

• Enhance voice recordings with artificial intelligence
• Remove unwanted sounds from recorded audio
• Quickly apply edits made on one audio file to others
• Add music and sound effects to your recorded audio

Why I picked it: it handles rough audio calmly, fixes what needs fixing, and never feels heavy.

Best for: audio editors familiar with applications in Adobe suite

OS: Windows, macOS

Adobe^® Audition^® feels steady and clean on Windows. It handles quick voice fixes as easily as full multitrack mixes. I tested it on a few messy interview clips, and the noise reduction worked quietly in the background, keeping the voice natural. The shift between waveform, spectral, and multitrack views feels fluid, like moving between different workbenches. Batch processing takes care of routine edits, freeing you to focus on sound itself. I liked how smoothly it links with Premiere^® Pro, no need to shuffle files around. It stays responsive even during long sessions, and the workflow keeps a nice balance between control and simplicity.

Key features:

• Multiple ways to view audio tracks
• Good at cleaning and restoring recorded audio
• Integrated with other Adobe applications like Premiere^® Pro

Why I picked it: it’s plain on the surface but sharp where it counts, especially for cleaning and quick experiments.

Best for: professional audio recording on the go

OS: Windows

GoldWave has a plain look but a certain charm once you start using it. I ran it through a few recordings and even digitized an old cassette. It didn’t fuss or crash, just did the job. The interface feels a bit dated, though the shortcut options make daily use smoother. Batch processing saves a lot of time when you’re sorting through piles of clips. I liked the visual tools that let you see where noise or peaks hide before hitting play. The vocal remover works, not perfectly, but enough to experiment. It’s the kind of software that feels honest about what it can do, and that makes it easy to keep around.

Key features:

• Customize keyboard shortcuts
• Process, convert, and edit large numbers of audio files in one go
• Visualize audio in different ways while analyzing and editing
• Record audio from different sources, including unusual ones like cassette decks or turntables
• Take out vocals from a song

Why I picked it: it makes capturing system sound effortless, and the visual layout actually helps you think through the setup.

Best for: recording and broadcasting computer audio

OS: macOS

Audio Hijack works quietly but earns its place fast. I used it to record a few web streams and phone calls, and it didn’t miss a beat. The audio stayed clean even when switching between apps. Boosting volume feels natural, like adjusting a real mixer, and the changes come through instantly. The block-style interface can look strange at first, but it’s easy to follow once you drag a few pieces around. I liked how simple it was to stream directly to an online radio feed, no complicated setup or extra software. It feels like something built by people who actually record sound for a living.

Key features:

• Capture computer audio from applications, calls, web streams, and other sources
• Increase the volume of audio
• Quickly tweak recorded audio and export it to a different app for further processing
• Broadcast your audio live to internet radio services worldwide
• Route audio to servers for livestreams

Why I picked it: it’s small, direct, and quick to respond, like an old utility that still earns its keep.

Best for: simple audio recording and editing

OS: Windows

Wavosaur opens with no fuss and gets straight to work. It feels small, almost minimal, but that’s what makes it quick. I chopped up a few samples, added fades, and everything responded instantly. The layout is plain, more like an old utility than a studio app, yet it’s easy to follow once you move around a bit. VST effects load fine, though some take a heartbeat to show up. Looping short clips is simple, just a few clicks and you’re done. I liked that it doesn’t try to impress, it just lets you focus on sound and nothing else.

Key features:

• Basic audio-editing and processing tools
• Install and use VST plugin effects
• Create and export audio loops

Why I picked it: it starts instantly and just records, no menus, no waiting, no wasted motion.

Best for: corporate audio recording

OS: Windows, macOS, iOS

RecordPad keeps things simple. It starts fast, no loading screens or setup. I used it to record a few short interviews, just to see how it handled quick sessions. The voice activation worked better than I expected; it caught every word without filling the file with dead air. Trimming rough edges is easy enough, though you can tell it’s not made for deep editing. Exporting to MP3 or WAV takes almost no time. I liked how the shortcuts still respond while other windows are open. It feels small, focused, and built for people who just want to capture sound and move on.

Key features:

• Record and export audio
• Voice activation allows you to only record when someone is speaking
• Keyboard shortcuts that still work while you use other programs
• Can integrate with other programs

Why I picked it: it keeps online sessions reliable with clean local files that save you from connection dropouts.

Best for: professionals interested in recording interviews and podcasts

OS: any that supports a modern Internet browser

Riverside.fm feels simple in the best way. You open it, hit the record button, and forget about the tech. It runs in the browser or on the Mac app, whichever feels easier that day. I tried it for a few remote interviews, and even when someone joined from a phone, the sound stayed crisp. Each person’s track saves locally, so the connection hiccups don’t ruin the audio. The files come out clean and separate for editing, which is a small relief after long sessions. Uploads start right away and usually finish before you close the tab. The built-in editor is plain but handy when you just want to trim or sync quickly. I was also surprised by how well the transcription works in over 100 languages. Riverside doesn’t try to impress, it just lets you record and move on.

Key features:

• Records audio and video locally for each participant
• Uploads audio and video while recording
• Video and audio tracks are kept separate
• Transcribe audio with artificial intelligence, with support for dozens of languages
• Simple audio- and video-editing tools

Why I picked it: it feels handcrafted, not crowded, just focused on getting sound right the first time.

Best for: musicians working on Windows 11 or earlier

OS: Windows

Zynewave Podium runs only on Windows, and it feels like a tool built by someone who cares about the essentials more than the extras. It records clean sound from USB instruments or microphones without fuss. The interface can stretch across a few windows, which makes long sessions a bit easier to manage. I liked the way it handled simple edits and plugins; it felt solid, not flashy. There’s a small library of freeware add-ons that help shape the sound in different ways. Still, it misses some modern touches like VST3 or time-stretching, and that can slow you down if you’re used to bigger DAWs. For focused recording sessions, though, it gets the job done quietly and well.

Key features:

• Plug instruments into your laptop or PC via USB and record
• A range of freeware plugins that can enhance your recording and editing capabilities
• The ability to split the app into multiple windows

Why I picked it: it opens fast and captures what’s in front of you before the moment’s gone.

Best for: recording voice notes on Windows

OS: Windows

Lucky Recorder starts fast and feels direct. One tap and it’s already recording, no setup or waiting. I used it to catch ideas between tasks, and it never glitched or asked for attention. The layout is bare but steady, making it easy to stay focused on the sound. Sharing or saving takes only a few seconds, and recordings play back clearly. There are no time caps or background clutter. It’s a quiet tool that just works and stays out of the way.

Key features:

• Record and share audio recordings
• Playback audio recordings

Why I picked it: it’s lean and adaptable, quietly powerful once you find your rhythm.

Best for: experienced professional audio editors

OS: Windows, macOS, Linux

Reaper doesn’t try to impress you at first glance. It opens fast, uses little power, and waits for you to get to work. I tried running it from a USB drive, expecting it to lag, but it stayed smooth throughout. It connects easily to hardware and plugins, and the controls feel sharp once you find your rhythm. The interface reveals itself gradually, quiet but clear. What I liked most is how it lets you build your own workflow instead of forcing one on you.

Version 7 adds Track Lanes for managing takes and Swipe Comping for piecing together clean performances. Both tools feel practical, the kind you end up using without thinking, like they were always part of the setup.

Key features:

• Supports a wide variety of external and digital devices and plugins
• Can be modified and improved by those with know-how
• Powerful suite of professional audio-editing tools

Why I picked it: it stays smooth under pressure and makes long recording sessions easy to manage.

Best for: professional audio recording and mastering

OS: Windows, macOS

Sound Forge Audio Studio focuses on quick voice capture, instrument recording, and basic mastering. The interface is clear and steady, with smooth access to multi-channel recording and editing. It supports surround projects and works well with USB microphones or other audio gear. I liked how it stayed responsive even with several tracks running. The layout is simple, and automation helps speed up repetitive tasks. Everything here feels purposeful and reliable during long sessions.

One of the most recent versions introduces improved real-time waveform monitoring and a redesigned remote recording window that makes it easier to capture takes while reading scripts or viewing other apps.

Key features:

• Separate recording control panel
• Multiple channels
• Create specific, complex actions that can then be executed with one click
• Edit in and for surround sound