Top 12 Best Free Audio Recording Software

You may often need to take quick voice notes, record voiceover, or create a podcast, then a professional audio recording software is necessary. So, here we list the 12 best free audio recorders for both Windows and Mac users, and you can pick one to start your audio recording now.

  • EaseUS RecExperts
    Audacity
    Ardour
    Adobe Audition
    Ocenaudio
    Audio Highjack
    Zynewave Podium
    GarageBand
    Sound Forge
    RecordPad
  • Wavosaur
    Mixcraft

Last updated:

March 20, 2022

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Whether you are a professional or regular user, you may more or less need to deal with audio recording activities in your study or work, like recording your voice for a product demo, taking voice notes in online conferences, etc. Then finding an easy yet powerful audio recording software is very important. We have tested a great many sound recorders, and picked out the 12 best ones to share with you on this page. Compatible with Windows, Mac, or the web, these audio recorders will help you capture any sound with simple clicks. Now, let's get started!

  • Our Pick
  • Platform
  • Price
  • Rating
  • Preview
  • Editing
  • EaseUS RecExperts

  • Win/Mac
  • $19.95
  • 4.8
  • Yes
  • Yes
  • Audacity

  • Win/Mac/linux
  • Free
  • 3.9
  • No
  • Yes
  • Ardour

  • Win/Mac/linux
  • Free
  • 4.0
  • No
  • Yes
  • Adobe Audition

  • Win/Mac
  • $20.99
  • 4.0
  • Yes
  • Yes
  • Ocenaudio

  • Win/Mac/linux
  • Free
  • 4.0
  • Yes
  • No
  • Audio Highjack

  • Mac
  • $62
  • 4.0
  • No
  • No
  • Zynewave Podium

  • Win
  • $50
  • 4.2
  • Yes
  • Yes
  • GarageBand

  • Mac/iOS
  • Free
  • 4.3
  • No
  • Yes
  • Sound Forge

  • Win/Mac
  • Free
  • 4.2
  • Yes
  • Yes
  • RecordPad

  • Win/Mac
  • $14.99
  • 4.2
  • Yes
  • No
  • Wavosaur

  • Win
  • Free
  • 3.5
  • Yes
  • Yes
  • Mixcraft

  • Win
  • $129
  • 3.2
  • Yes
  • Yes

1. EaseUS RecExperts

Platform: Windows and macOS

EaseUS RecExperts is our top pick while speaking of the best audio recording software. It comes with an intuitive UI and workflow, letting you capture sounds with simple clicks. This program is perfect for recording streaming music, lectures, audio chats, and even Internet broadcasts. One of its highlights is the schedule recording option that will start or stop your audio recording at a specific time. Beyond that, once the recording is over, it lets you export your recorded audio files in various formats, including MP3, FLAC, AAC, and many more.

EaseUS RecExperts

More than an audio recorder, this program also performs well in capturing screens. You can rely on it to record live streams, grab the highlights in your gameplay, or create demo or tutorial videos. In a word, almost all your screen and audio recording needs can be meet here.

Pros

  • Friendly user interface
  • Record voice, screen, and webcam without lag
  • Allow adjusting volume, sample rate, bitrate, etc.
  • Provide some essential editing tools

Cons

  • No noise-canceling tools

2. Audacity

Platform: Windows, macOS, and Linux

Audacity is an open-source audio recording software that can run smoothly on Windows, Mac, and Linux computers. Coming with a straightforward interface, this audio recorder and editor will not assault you with unnecessary graphics aesthetics. On the contrary, it makes the recording as easy as possible.

Audacity

This free audio recorder enables you to record live audio through a microphone or mixer, or even digitize recordings from other media. Besides, it offers lots of editing options (cutting, copying, pasting, deleting...) to make your recordings stand out. If needed, you also can add plugins, as it supports LADSPA, LV2, VST, and Audio Unit effects plugins.

Pros

  • Completely free
  • Support multitrack recording and editing
  • Come with a wide range of virtual instruments
  • Built with many useful audio editing tools

Cons

  • Not updated frequently
  • Has limited mixing functionalities

3. Ardour

Platform: Windows, macOS, and Linux

Ardour is an open-source and free audio recording software for musicians, programmers, and professional recording engineers. It is packed with a friendly audio interface and a plethora of intuitive features that will help you create high-quality recordings without hassle.

Ardour

One of its most significant advantages of recording is that it supports multitrack recording, which means you can start capturing lots of different sounds simultaneously. Plus, this free audio recorder enables you to import audio or MIDI from your hard drive or the Freesound database to mix audio and get creative recordings.

Pros

  • Completely free
  • Support plugin a microphone or keyboard
  • Provide many audio editing tools, including stretching, copying, aligning, trimming, etc.
  • Allow extracting audio from video with one click

Cons

  • A little complicated for novices

4. Adobe Audition

Platform: Windows and macOS

Adobe Audition is one of the most professional audio recording software that is designed to accelerate video production workflows and audio. This software has a comprehensive toolset that includes multitrack, waveform, and spectral display for recording, mixing, and editing audio content.

Adobe Audition

With its help, you will create your music recordings without efforteffort; you can even record sound simultaneously from multiple microphones because of its multitrack recording functions. Moreover, it performs perfectly in audio editing once you finish your recording. For instance, you can rearrange any song to fit any duration with Remix, or use the essential sound panel to get professional-quality audio.

Pros

  • A great toolkit for audio recording, editing, and mixing
  • Help you get the best oomph effects for your audio recordings
  • The audio break can be repaired with perfection

Cons

  • A little expensive compared to other audio recorders
  • The interface is high tech and not friendly to beginners

5. Ocenaudio

Platform: Windows, macOS, and Linux

Ocenaudio is an easy-to-use, functional, and cross-platform audio recording and editing program, and it is the ideal software for people who want to edit and analyze audio files without complications. Working with this free sound recorder, you can quickly start the audio recording with one simple click.

Ocenaudio

Beyond that, it supports VST plugins, which give you access to numerous effects such as EQ, gain, and filtering. Also, it offers a real-time preview that allows you to hear the processed signal while adjusting the controls, which will ease the configuration of audio effects.

Pros

  • Support a toolset of audio editing, analysis, and manipulation
  • The multi-selection for delicate editions feature is available
  • No limit to the length or quantity of audio files you can edit
  • Allow previewing in real-time

Cons

  • Cannot load files from CD
  • Not compatible with Windows 10 and later version

6. Audio Hijack

Platform: macOS

Audio Hijack is an audio recorder for macOS users. Whether you want to capture sound from your microphone, mixer, other input devices, or even your Mac’s system, you can always get it done at once within three simple steps. 

Audio Hijack

This audio recording software makes it easy to capture web streaming music, VoIP calls, podcast, Internet radio, and many more. It is worth mentioning that it offers a Bulletproof recording feature, which means you will never lose your recording even if the power goes out or your computer crashes.

Pros

  • A lot of easy-to-use audio effects are available
  • Come with an intuitive interface
  • Export audio recordings in popular formats, including MP3, AAC, and others

Cons

  • Cannot edit audio files
  • More expensive than other audio recorders

7. Zynewave Podium

Platform: Windows

If you are searching for a modern digital workstation that helps you record and edit audio on Windows PC, look no more than Zynewave Podium. It supports recording and editing of audio and MIDI, and hosts VST instrument and effect plugins.  

Zynewave Podium

When speaking of audio recording, one of its most remarkable features is Audio Bouncing, which enables you to record audio and combine them from multiple tracks into a single one. In addition, you also can control your recordings with other tools like Mixer Busses, Object-Based Project Structure, etc.

Pros

  • Allow you to customize the user interface
  • A free version is available, which has few limited functions
  • Regular updates of software fixes bug

Cons

  • Only work on Windows PC
  • Less information you can get from its official website

8. GarageBand

Platform: macOS

GarageBand is a good voice recorder as well as music editor on Mac. You can use it to record your voice, make sound snippets, or create a fantastic podcast quickly. However, aside from audio recording, it is also an excellent music editor that provides lots of virtual software instruments like keyboard, guitar, and drum. If you work on MacBook Pro with the Touch Bar function, you can turn the Touch Bar into drum pads or a one-octave keyboard for recording and playing.

GarageBand

To conclude, Apple GarageBand is an amazing tool you can use for creative tracks in many different genres such as Hip Hop, EDM, and many more.

Pros

  • Best for both Professionals and beginners for music recording and editing
  • Built with MIDI keyboards by default
  • Come with a great collection of built-in lessons for piano and guitar

Cons

  • Only for Mac or iOS devices
  • Need to download if you want to use instruments

9. Sound Forge

Platform: Windows and macOS

Another professional vocal recording software is called Sound Forge, which has become the tool of choice for many globally-successful producers, including Grammy winners. It comes with powerful voice recording/editing tools, fast processing, and innovative workflows and is regarded as a popular audio workstation worldwide.

Sound Forge

Once your finish the music recording, you can use this software to apply a number of effects at your disposal to improve the quality of your recordings. There are 11 DirectX plugins audio effects that come with a large number of presets, so you can easily find the right sound you are looking for. Last but not least, you can preview your recordings before you save your recorded audio file.

Pros

  • Customize the interface and toolbar according to your convenience
  • Capture recording up to 32 audio channels and in 64-bit/768 kHz
  • Optimize the loudness of recordings without sacrificing transparency
  • Support the VST plugins

Cons

  • Does not offer lots of options for noise reduction
  • A little restrictive to people looking for a full feature DAW

10. RecordPad

Platform: Windows, macOS, iOS, and Android

RecordPad, a quick and easy audio recording software for Windows users, is mainly used to create an audio book or capture voiceover. Using this software, you can record audio notes, messages, or songs in WAV or MP3 format. Another feature of this audio software is that it lets you customize the interface based on your needs.

RecordPad

Moreover, integrated with WavePad Audio Editing Software, it also lets you edit your recordings by applying sound effects. Thus, you can get a standout audio file at last.

Pros

  • A voice-activated recording option is available
  • Allow sending recordings via email or uploading to an FTP server
  • Burn recordings directly to CD effortlessly

Cons

  • Only save audio file in MP3 and WAV format

11. Wavosaur

Platform: Windows

Wavosaur is a free audio recorder and editor that assists you in recording and processing audio without much hassle. It has no installer and does not write in the registry, so you can carry this software on a USB drive for recording on the go.

Wavosaur

Apart from recording audio, this freeware has all the features to help you edit your audio files like cutting, copying, pasting, etc. Also, it supports VST plugins, ASIO driver, multichannel WAV files, real-time effect processing, and many more.

Pros

  • Record and edit audio for free
  • Support audio conversion tasks
  • Support for multichannel WAV. 8 bits, 16 bits, 24 bits, etc.

Cons

  • Not compatible with Windows 7 and later version
  • The latest update was in 2020

12. Mixcraft

Platform: Windows

The last audio recording software is Mixcraft, a complete recording studio for everyone. It lets you record unlimited audio and virtual instrument tracks and then edit the recorded sound with no hassle.

Mixcraft

Mixcraft provides a massive loop library, and you can use them to broaden your sound palette infinitely. Most importantly, it offers support for a vast array of hardware control surfaces, including Mackie Control-compatible mixing boards and Novation's Launchpad.

Pros

  • Packed with routing and control features
  • Allow editing video clips
  • Plentiful loop library
  • Offer a suite of effects and instruments

Cons

  • Only available for Windows
  • Much expensive

The Bottom Line

Whether you want to create a podcast, or only want to capture sound from your computer, every single audio recording software listed here will help you complete your tasks in seconds. Whether you are a novice, expert, or creative user, this list of best audio recorders will perfectly suit your needs best.

Related Questions

1. What is the best software for audio recording?
Actually, there are lots of software for audio recording, and it is hard to say what the best audio recording software is, as the answer might be different for professionals and beginners. For example, if you are a novice dealing with easy audio recording tasks, software like EaseUS RecExperts, RecordPad, Audacity may be the right tool for you. However, if you are an expert, you may treat Adobe Audition, Ardour, Ocenaudio as the best audio recording software.
2. Does Windows have audio recording software?
Yes, Windows has an inbuilt audio recording software called Microsoft Voice Recorder App. It lets you record your microphone on Windows 10, and trim the recordings with some simple tools.
3. What is the best free recording software for PC?
Here is some best free recording software for PC:
  • EaseUS RecExperts
  • Wavosaur
  • Zynewave Podium
  • Ardour
  • Audacity
  • ...
4. Is audacity good for recording?
Yes. Audacity is an open-source audio recorder for almost all operating systems. This freeware provides more features for meeting most people's needs. Besides, it is an excellent audio editor, which helps you optimize your audio recordings in the same program.

Jane

Written by

Jane is an experienced editor for EaseUS focused on tech blog writing. Familiar with all kinds of video editing and screen recording software on the market, she specializes in composing posts about recording and editing videos. All the topics she chooses are aimed at providing more instructive information to users.

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