Audacity

Audio & music production

Free & open sourceEditorial overview
A CLOSER LOOK

What is Audacity?

Record, edit, and export audio for spoken-word projects and other sound workflows.

Audio recording

Audio editing

Format conversion

Plugin support

Know what you're signing up for.

Audacity is free and open source. The application has no subscription fee; optional services and third-party resources may have separate costs.

Selected options, checked 13 November 2026. Confirm current terms with the provider.

Check current official pricing

The useful parts. The trade-offs.

Why consider it

A free starting point for audio editing.

Runs on Windows, macOS, and Linux.

What to keep in mind

Optional plugins may be paid.

Good results still depend on the recording quality.

How to use it well

Record a short test and listen for room noise and clipping. Work on a copy when experimenting with processing.

Save the project before exporting the audio file you intend to publish.

Official sources

A few things you might be wondering.

Is Audacity free?

Audacity is free and open source. The application has no subscription fee; optional services and third-party resources may have separate costs.

Are all plugins free?

No. The core application is free, but some plugins and companion services have separate prices.

Where can I check the latest prices?

Use the provider link on this page. Billing period, location, team size, promotions, taxes, and optional extras may affect the amount you pay.

How should I compare this tool with alternatives?

Choose tools for the same task, then compare their feature limits, platform support, and total cost for your team. The Compare button helps you keep a shortlist.

Are the user reviews moderated?

Yes. New reviews are submitted for moderation. We show published user reviews separately from the editorial overview and never assign a default user rating.

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