Professional audio editing software transforms raw recordings into polished productions. Whether you’re producing music, editing podcasts for your blog, creating sound effects, or mastering tracks, the right audio editor provides the tools to achieve studio-quality results on your computer.
This guide covers the best audio editing software for different skill levels and budgets. From free options that rival premium tools to industry-standard DAWs used by professional studios, you’ll find software that matches your audio production needs.
What Makes Great Audio Editing Software?
Before exploring specific tools, understand what features matter for audio editing:
- Multi-track editing – Layer and mix multiple audio sources
- Non-destructive workflow – Make changes without altering original files
- Effects and plugins – Apply EQ, compression, reverb, and more
- Noise reduction – Clean up recordings with background noise
- Format support – Import and export various audio formats
- MIDI integration – Work with virtual instruments
1. Adobe Audition
Adobe Audition provides comprehensive audio editing for professionals working with podcasts, video soundtracks, and music production. Its integration with other Adobe applications makes it ideal for multimedia creators.
Key features:
- Waveform, multitrack, and spectral display editing
- AI-powered speech enhancement
- Adaptive noise reduction
- Essential Sound panel for quick fixes
- Seamless Premiere Pro integration
- Extensive effects library
Best for: Video editors, podcasters, and multimedia creators already using Adobe Creative Cloud.
Platform: Windows, macOS
Price: $22.99/month or included in Creative Cloud All Apps
2. Logic Pro
Apple’s Logic Pro offers a complete professional recording studio at an accessible price. Its combination of advanced features and intuitive design makes it popular among musicians and producers.
Key features:
- Spatial Audio and Dolby Atmos support
- AI-powered drummer tracks
- Comprehensive plugin collection
- Step sequencer for beat creation
- Live Loops for improvisational composition
- 7000+ royalty-free Apple Loops
Best for: Musicians, composers, and producers on Mac who want professional capabilities at a one-time price.
Platform: macOS, iPad
Price: $199.99 one-time purchase
3. Audacity
Audacity remains the most capable free audio editor available. This open-source software handles everything from simple edits to complex multi-track projects, making it an excellent starting point for beginners and a reliable backup for professionals.
Key features:
- Multi-track recording and editing
- Extensive effect plugins
- Noise removal and audio restoration
- Spectral analysis and visualization
- Support for VST plugins
- Cross-platform compatibility
Best for: Podcasters, voice-over artists, and anyone starting with audio editing who wants professional features without cost.
Platform: Windows, macOS, Linux
Price: Free (open source)
4. Ableton Live
Ableton Live revolutionized music production with its unique session view designed for live performance and improvisation. It’s become the standard for electronic music producers and live performers.
Key features:
- Session View for non-linear composition
- Powerful warping and time-stretching
- Extensive instrument and effect library
- Max for Live integration
- Link for syncing with other devices
- Probability-based MIDI tools
Best for: Electronic music producers, DJs, and live performers who need real-time manipulation.
Platform: Windows, macOS
Price: $99 (Intro), $449 (Standard), $749 (Suite)
5. Pro Tools
Pro Tools remains the industry standard for professional recording studios. Its advanced mixing, editing, and collaboration features make it the choice for commercial music and post-production.
Key features:
- Advanced audio quantize and editing
- Cloud collaboration tools
- Surround and immersive audio support
- Elastic Audio time stretching
- Comprehensive mixing environment
- Industry-standard compatibility
Best for: Professional studios, film/TV post-production, and engineers who need industry-standard compatibility.
Platform: Windows, macOS
Price: $9.99/month (Artist), $34.99/month (Studio)
6. Reaper
Reaper delivers professional-grade DAW features at an remarkably affordable price. Its efficiency, customizability, and active development make it a favorite among experienced users who want powerful tools without the premium price tag.
Key features:
- Highly customizable interface
- Runs from portable drives
- Extensive routing capabilities
- Scripting and macro support
- Low system requirements
- Regular free updates
Best for: Power users who value customization, efficiency, and affordability without sacrificing professional features.
Platform: Windows, macOS, Linux
Price: $60 (discounted license), $225 (commercial license)
7. Cubase
Steinberg’s Cubase pioneered many DAW features now considered standard. Its comprehensive MIDI capabilities and audio tools make it particularly popular for composers and songwriters.
Key features:
- Advanced MIDI editing tools
- VariAudio for pitch correction
- Audio warp quantization
- Score editor for notation
- Chord track and assistant
- Extensive plugin collection
Best for: Composers, songwriters, and producers who need advanced MIDI and scoring capabilities.
Platform: Windows, macOS
Price: $99 (Elements), $329 (Artist), $579 (Pro)
8. FL Studio
FL Studio has grown from a simple loop-based tool to a comprehensive DAW favored by hip-hop and electronic producers. Its lifetime free updates and unique workflow attract a devoted user base.
Key features:
- Pattern-based sequencing
- Flex time stretching
- Piano roll with advanced tools
- Built-in synthesizers and samplers
- Lifetime free updates
- Mobile companion app
Best for: Beat makers, hip-hop producers, and electronic musicians who prefer pattern-based workflows.
Platform: Windows, macOS
Price: $99 (Fruity), $199 (Producer), $299 (Signature), $499 (All Plugins)
9. Studio One
PreSonus Studio One combines professional features with a modern, streamlined interface. Its drag-and-drop workflow and integrated mastering environment simplify the production process.
Key features:
- Drag-and-drop everything
- Integrated Project page for mastering
- Scratch pads for idea capture
- Chord detection and arrangement
- Show Page for live performance
- ARA integration for Melodyne
Best for: Musicians and producers who value modern workflow design and integrated mastering.
Platform: Windows, macOS
Price: Free (Prime), $99 (Artist), $399 (Professional)
10. Sound Forge
Sound Forge focuses on precision audio editing and mastering rather than multi-track production. It excels at detailed waveform editing, restoration, and processing individual audio files.
Key features:
- Sample-accurate waveform editing
- Batch processing capabilities
- SpectraLayers integration
- Audio restoration tools
- CD burning and DDP export
- VST3 plugin support
Best for: Sound designers, mastering engineers, and anyone focusing on detailed single-file editing.
Platform: Windows
Price: $59.99 (Audio Studio), $399 (Pro)
11. GarageBand
Apple’s GarageBand provides an accessible entry point to music production. Despite being free, it includes professional-quality instruments and lessons that make it perfect for learning.
Key features:
- Virtual instruments and amps
- Built-in music lessons
- Live Loops for DJ-style creation
- Beat sequencer for electronic beats
- Logic Pro project compatibility
- iOS and Mac synchronization
Best for: Beginners learning music production and Mac/iOS users wanting a capable free option.
Platform: macOS, iOS
Price: Free
12. Descript
Descript transforms audio editing by treating recordings like text documents. Edit your podcast or voice-over by editing the transcript—delete a word from the text, and it disappears from the audio. AI features handle tedious tasks automatically.
Key features:
- Text-based audio editing
- AI voice cloning for corrections (Overdub)
- Automatic filler word removal
- Studio Sound for background noise removal
- Transcription built-in
- Multi-track editing
Best for: Podcasters, course creators, and anyone editing dialogue-heavy content who wants faster workflows.
Platform: Windows, macOS, Web
Price: Free tier available; Creator $12/month; Pro $24/month
13. Hindenburg
Hindenburg is purpose-built for spoken word content. Unlike music-focused DAWs, it’s designed specifically for podcasters, journalists, and radio producers with tools that match their workflows.
Key features:
- Automatic audio leveling
- Voice profiler for consistent sound
- Clipboard for organizing clips
- Built-in publishing to podcast hosts
- Noise reduction and EQ
- Non-destructive editing
Best for: Podcasters, radio producers, and journalists who want tools designed for voice, not music.
Platform: Windows, macOS
Price: Narrator $95; Journalist $375; Pro $499
14. Adobe Podcast
Adobe Podcast offers AI-powered audio enhancement for free. Its Enhance Speech feature can transform noisy recordings into studio-quality audio with one click, making it invaluable for cleaning up interviews and remote recordings.
Key features:
- AI-powered Enhance Speech
- Automatic transcription
- Remote recording with guests
- Mic check for audio setup
- Browser-based workflow
- Export to other editors
Best for: Anyone needing quick audio cleanup, podcasters recording remotely, and creators wanting free AI enhancement.
Platform: Web
Price: Free
15. BandLab
BandLab provides a complete DAW entirely free in your browser. No downloads, no subscriptions—just open the website and start creating. Its social features let you collaborate with musicians worldwide.
Key features:
- Full DAW in browser
- Virtual instruments and loops
- Real-time collaboration
- Mobile apps included
- Unlimited cloud storage
- Mastering assistant
Best for: Beginners, students, and musicians wanting free cloud-based production with collaboration features.
Platform: Web, iOS, Android
Price: Free
Audio Editing Best Practices
Good audio software is only part of the equation. Follow these practices to improve your results:
Record the best audio possible. No amount of editing fixes a bad recording. Use proper microphone placement, control room acoustics, and monitor levels during recording. Time spent on good capture saves hours in post-production.
Normalize after editing, not before. Wait until you’ve finished all edits before adjusting overall levels. Normalizing too early limits your headroom and can cause clipping when you add effects or adjust EQ.
Use reference tracks. Compare your work to professionally produced audio in the same genre. This helps you identify frequency imbalances and guides your mixing decisions toward industry-standard results.
Take listening breaks. Ear fatigue sets in quickly during editing sessions. Step away regularly to reset your perception. Fresh ears catch problems you’d miss after hours of continuous listening.
Choosing the Right Audio Editor
Your ideal audio editor depends on your primary use case:
For podcasting: Descript, Hindenburg, or Adobe Audition provide excellent speech editing tools. Descript’s text-based editing is particularly fast for dialogue.
For music production: Logic Pro, Ableton Live, or FL Studio offer comprehensive instruments and production features.
For video post-production: Pro Tools or Adobe Audition integrate well with video editing workflows.
For AI-assisted editing: Descript and Adobe Podcast use AI to automate cleanup, transcription, and filler word removal.
For budget-conscious users: Audacity, GarageBand, BandLab, and Adobe Podcast deliver professional results completely free.
For beginners: GarageBand or Audacity provide gentle learning curves while teaching fundamental concepts.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best free audio editing software?
Audacity offers the most features among free audio editors, with multi-track editing, effects, and plugin support. GarageBand provides an excellent free option for Mac users, including virtual instruments and music lessons.
What audio software do professionals use?
Professional recording studios typically use Pro Tools for its industry-standard compatibility and advanced features. Music producers often prefer Ableton Live, Logic Pro, or FL Studio depending on their genre and workflow preferences.
What is the difference between a DAW and audio editor?
A DAW (Digital Audio Workstation) like Logic Pro or Ableton includes multi-track recording, MIDI, virtual instruments, and mixing capabilities for full music production. Audio editors like Audacity or Sound Forge focus primarily on editing existing audio files rather than creating new compositions.
Can I learn audio editing without musical experience?
Absolutely. Podcast editing, voice-over work, and audio restoration don’t require musical training. Start with free software like Audacity to learn fundamental concepts like cutting, fading, and applying effects.
What computer specs do I need for audio editing?
Basic audio editing works on most modern computers. For professional music production with many tracks and plugins, aim for at least 16GB RAM, an SSD for project files, and a multi-core processor. Audio interfaces improve recording quality but aren’t required for editing existing files.
Related resources: For creating visual content to accompany your audio, explore our guides on photo editing apps and video editing software. If you’re starting a music-related website, check out the free music WordPress themes. Working on video soundtracks? See our WordPress themes for filmmakers. Ready to start your WordPress website?
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