The best audio editing software of 2025: Expert tested and reviewed

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You person the quiescent area, the top-quality microphone, excellent speakers, and a reliable signaling level -- but without the close audio editing bundle oregon Digital Audio Workstation (DAW) to backmost you, your caller audio accumulation mightiness autumn short.

Many of america present expect clear, prime dependable erstwhile we perceive not lone to songs, but besides erstwhile we perceive to podcasts, societal media videos, YouTube content, movie and TV shows, and selling materials. Listeners -- and imaginable subscribers -- are acold much apt to crook disconnected if audio tracks are unpleasant to perceive to and not up to scratch (think however plosives tin wounded your ears!), and truthful investing successful the close audio exertion for high-quality accumulation is captious for ensuring your task succeeds.

What is the champion audio editing bundle close now?

The champion audio editing bundle is Adobe Audition. Available for Windows and macOS, Adobe Audition is simply a professional-grade exertion with a wide array of customization options and workflow absorption setups. If you're an manufacture professional, this solution is 1 you should earnestly consider. Subscriptions commencement from $23/month, and a escaped proceedings is available.

Alternatively, I would urge either Audacity oregon Ocenaudio if you are looking for an entry-level, escaped audio exertion to larn the ropes.

Also: Best photograph editing bundle 2025

The ZDNET squad has tracked the ebb and travel of user technologies for decades. We've covered everything from TVs and laptops to audio equipment, and audio editing bundle is nary exception.

Some of america are actively progressive successful podcasts and video projects, truthful we cognize a happening oregon 2 astir editing -- and portion I was compiling my apical recommendations for audio editing bundle suites, I person tested galore solutions personally. I besides see lawsuit feedback and the company's level of enactment successful providing updates.

Read connected to find retired the remainder of my favourite audio editing bundle packages successful 2025.

The champion audio editing bundle successful 2025

Adobe Audition is simply a fashionable audio editing bundle suite that is my favourite prime wide successful 2025.

Why we similar it: It's a large all-rounder DAW with some basal and precocious tools suitable for podcasting, voiceover editing, and creating oregon mixing audio tracks.

Adobe has provided an extended array of audio editing tools, and arsenic an audio exertion archetypal -- creator 2nd -- this bundle focuses connected editing improvements and polishing up existing audio files.

Features see audio cleanup, multi-track mixing, restoration, diagnostics, and enactment for third-party plugins. There's besides an Essential Sound sheet for streamlining the audio editing process.

There's besides plentifulness of tutorials disposable done Adobe to assistance you get started.

Who it's for: Professionals who request an extended toolkit and a cleanable DAW for their adjacent project.

Adobe Audition is portion of Creative Cloud and is disposable connected an yearly subscription for $23/month. You tin wage month-by-month, too, but the terms volition increase.

Who should look elsewhere: If you are caller to the satellite of audio editing, you mightiness find this solution overwhelming astatine first. In that case, see either Audacity oregon Ocenaudio to get a consciousness for audio editing workstations and tools earlier signing up for Adobe Audition. In addition, there's nary MIDI support, truthful it mightiness not beryllium the champion prime for musicians.

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Audacity is my favourite unfastened root audio exertion and volition entreaty to anyone who wants a cross-platform option.

Why we similar it: Available for Windows, Mac, and Linux machines, Audacity is simply a fashionable audio exertion that provides each of the basal (and immoderate advanced) functions audio editors whitethorn request for their podcasts, interviews, societal media content, and schoolhouse projects.

Features see unrecorded recording, non-destructive editing, equalization, mixing, applying effects, multi-track editing, and record importation successful formats specified arsenic WAV and FLAC.

As it is unfastened source, Audacity besides supports galore third-party plugins.

In Audacity's latest release, mentation 3.7.4, the developers person included Intel OpenVINO AI plugin macOS support, which provides effects specified arsenic euphony separation, sound suppression, and transcription utilizing the OpenAI Whisper model.

Who it's for: Audacity is escaped and, arsenic an unfastened root project, volition apt ever stay so. If you privation to debar a subscription-based DAW oregon editing platform, Audacity mightiness suit you.

Who should look elsewhere: It's not the astir beginner-friendly enactment astir and it doesn't person the afloat features of immoderate different DAWs, and truthful if you privation a escaped solution, cheque retired Ocenaudio, oregon if you privation a much precocious solution, Adobe Audition mightiness suit you.

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If you're looking for an audio exertion that volition assistance you larn the ropes and let you to beryllium arsenic originative arsenic you want, Ocenaudio should beryllium connected your radar.

Why we similar it: It's beginner-friendly, and champion of each -- wholly free.

Ocenaudio originated arsenic a task developed by a Brazilian assemblage probe group, which was subsequently released to the public. It isn't unfastened source, but it does connection galore of the basal audio editing tools that beginners and casual creators need, including the quality to import and export audio files, cleanable up and rebalance content, cheque levels, multi-select streams, and use effects.

Who it's for: Anyone caller to the satellite of audio way editing, those who privation to larn the basics for free, oregon students who request an exertion for schoolhouse projects.

Who should look elsewhere: Ocenaudio is amusive to usage and volition service basal usage cases, but it doesn't lucifer the capabilities of a fully-fledged DAW. If you request precocious editing tools, see Adobe Audition oregon Avid Pro Tools.

Oceanaudio features: Runs connected Windows, macOS, Linux | Spectral presumption | Basic editing tools | VST plugin enactment | Free

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Mac users who are conscionable starting retired successful audio editing but mean to postgraduate to professional-grade tools should see trying retired Apple's GarageBand suite.

Why we similar it: GarageBand is downloaded by default and is disposable successful the macOS and iOS ecosystems. If you ain a MacBook, for example, you've apt seen the iconic guitar icon successful your Launchpad.

It's slick, cleanable -- arsenic you expect from galore Apple apps -- and casual to use. The dashboard includes an equalizer and you tin instrumentality vantage of virtual instrumentalist and loop presets, a comparatively ample dependable library, a mixer, MIDI support, and compression to make oregon amended your audio tracks.

The latest of GarageBand focused connected bug fixes and usability improvements, including fixing a swathe of issues with the software's VoiceOver functionality.

Who it's for: Mac users oregon anyone hoping to modulation from an easy-to-understand workplace to nonrecreational tools. While GarageBand is free, erstwhile you consciousness similar you are ready, you tin upgrade to Logic Pro -- Apple's reply to a much established DAW. Logic Pro, disposable for $200, offers a acold much extended scope of editing functions, including Dolby Atmos tools, plugins, transportation correction, a 200-step undo history, and virtual workplace assistants.

Who should look elsewhere: Windows users won't beryllium capable to bask utilizing either GarageBand oregon Logic Pro, and truthful they volition request to look elsewhere.

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Avid Pro Tools is different professional-grade audio exertion that works champion connected dedicated workstations.

Why we similar it: Available for Windows and Mac machines, Avid Pro Tools is simply a top-notch integer audio workstation that whitethorn beryllium indispensable if you are moving connected analyzable pieces and euphony projects arsenic a dependable technologist oregon composer.

Pro Tools isn't for the faint-hearted, and it volition instrumentality clip and survey to usage this bundle to its afloat potential. But erstwhile combined with a dedicated workstation, this DAW volition springiness you each of the precocious tools you request to record, edit, mix, splice, and equilibrium your audio tracks.

Features of Avid Pro Tools see rendering, simultaneous signaling inputs, instrumentality and MIDI tracks, video editing, implicit 130 plugins pre-installed, way compiling, Dolby Atmos mixing, batch record management, and more.

The latest update, Pro Tools 2025.6, includes a caller AI speech-to-text investigation tool, ARA enactment for Dreamtonics Synthesizer V and Waves Sync Vx plugins, and Splice integration enhancements.

Who it's for: A adjacent subordinate of excavation pointed maine toward Avid Pro Tools and allowed maine to trial the bundle connected their dedicated workstation. As an manufacture nonrecreational who travels and works successful euphony and unrecorded events, helium told maine that portion helium started his travel with Adobe Audition, helium present relies connected this suite instead. If you're a moving professional, entree to Avid Pro Tools whitethorn beryllium a necessity.

Who should look elsewhere: The outgo whitethorn deter immoderate users, and galore customers kick astir the firm's concern practices alternatively than the DAW itself.

While the basal Pro Tools Artist subscription works retired cheaper than Adobe Audition, priced astatine $9.99/month oregon $99/year, subscriptions with afloat workflow setups and immersive mixing volition outgo you $35/month (or $299/year), oregon up to $99/month ($599/year), depending connected the featurs you need.

If you privation thing that is much affordable, oregon adjacent free, cheque retired my different recommendations.

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Also: The champion online video editors of 2025

To assistance you determine connected the champion audo exertion for your adjacent project, see each of our favourite recommendations and their notable features, arsenic below:

Audio editing software	Suitable for..	Notable features	Price
Adobe Audition	Advanced users	Professional-grade tools, accessible, recording, remixing, effects, repairs	$23/month
Audacity	Mid level+	Open source, plugin support, multi-platform, preset packs	Free
Ocenaudio	Beginners	Plugin support, effect and editing previews, spectrogram review	Free
GarageBand	Beginners+	MacOS compatible, easy-to-understand UI, ample dependable library	Free, upgradable
Avid Pro Tools	Advanced users	Professional-grade tools, manufacture focus, workstation UI	$99/year+

When we were compiling our recommendations for the champion audio editing software, we explored each of the following:

Hands-on testing: Where possible, we behaviour hands-on investigating and utilize our experiences, on with feedback from experts, successful our wide recommendations.
Use cases: We included a scope of audio editing bundle solutions suitable for assorted usage cases, including post-event production, unrecorded events, marketing, voiceovers, podcasts, and societal media.
Workflows: We considered however each audio exertion sets up workflow management, which is particularly important for nonrecreational users.
Operating systems: We included options suitable for much than conscionable 1 operating strategy and included solutions suitable for some Windows and Mac machines.
Template resources: While they are not required, template libraries and resources -- specified arsenic instrumental sounds -- tin beryllium highly utile successful immoderate productions and they tin beryllium invaluable for beginners to larn from. We similar to spot immoderate benignant of room disposable to users.
Customer feedback: We person considered idiosyncratic feedback with each of our recommendations
Cost: We person included a scope of audio editing solutions that volition suit each budget, including escaped editors and professional-grade bundle connected lifetime, monthly, and yearly subscription structures. We besides similar to spot escaped trials.

Choose this audio editing software...	If you want...
Adobe Audition	The champion audio editing bundle overall. Adobe Audition provides astir each instrumentality an audio nonrecreational could inquire for, including recording, editing features, remixing, cleanups, and compatibility with video instauration and editing software.
Audacity	An unfastened root audio editing bundle solution. Audacity is often updated with caller tools and features, and arsenic a bonus, it works connected Windows, macOS, and Linux. While its idiosyncratic interface is simply a tad dull, you person a immense scope of tools and third-party plugins to explore.
Ocenaudio	A escaped audio editing bundle enactment that is large for beginners. I similar this enactment for abbreviated skits and societal media content, and portion you deficiency precocious tools, it's a large mode to larn the basics.
GarageBand	A transitional audio exertion successful Apple's ecosystem. If you similar Macs and privation to yet larn capable to determination connected to much precocious audio editing, commencement with GarageBand, and past upgrade to Logic Pro.
Avid Pro Tools	End-to-end audio accumulation software. Avid Pro Tools is an manufacture favorite, backed by a immense scope of tools and present AI assistance.

When you're trying to determine what audio exertion is close for you, see the pursuing factors:

The learning curve: If you are caller to the satellite of audio editing software, see investigating a beginner-friendly solution. Perhaps download a escaped solution archetypal to larn the ropes, and past subscribe to a paid, nonrecreational suite.
Use cases: What bash you program to usage audio editing bundle for, too the hint successful the name? Consider whether oregon not a solution is suitable for unrecorded events, podcasts, euphony production, oregon otherwise.
Plugins and add-ons: You whitethorn privation bundle that supports plugin compatibility oregon third-party bundle and add-ons. Check for immoderate enactment issues earlier making a purchase.
Free options: If you are a new, casual, oregon hobbyist exertion and lone privation bundle for experimentation oregon schoolhouse projects, for example, a escaped exertion mightiness beryllium sufficient. However, you mightiness not beryllium capable to entree galore of the tools that springiness audio that other polish.
Platform: Are you a Mac, Windows, oregon mobile-first user? Some audio editors are lone compatible with 1 benignant of operating system, and truthful you'll request to cheque their compatibility first.
File format support: If possible, see what record formats you similar oregon volition beryllium moving with. It's champion to enactment with lossless formats for the champion editing possible, truthful cheque your bundle is compatible.
Video: Do you besides privation video enactment and compatibility? If so, a dedicated audio exertion mightiness not acceptable your needs.
Price: You request to determine what you are comfy paying, and how. Some audio editors are free, others necessitate 1 one-off outgo for a beingness license, and immoderate are subscription-based and volition necessitate a monthly oregon yearly licensing fee.

Latest news

Ableton 12.2 has been released, which includes caller car filters, expressive chords, and a Bounce to New Track feature.
Amazon has published a set of blogs that usher readers connected however to edit and transcode audio via AWS.
Audacity's latest version includes 32-bit PCM enactment for the FLAC importer.

It tin be! While utilizing immoderate audio editors tin beryllium overwhelming astatine the start, if you prime a beginner-friendly enactment first, they tin assistance usher you done the basics. I besides urge exploring YouTube videos to thatch you the fundamentals -- and successful particular, absorption connected the benignant of project, specified arsenic podcasting oregon unrecorded amusement accumulation editing.

It's besides easier if you person entree to earthy audio files alternatively than files imported into compressed formats, arsenic you person much accusation to enactment with.

Apple's GarageBand is simply a large audio exertion that volition suit galore casual projects -- arsenic agelong arsenic you are a Mac user. It's simple, casual to learn, and works good for editing songs, creating voiceovers, and for selling oregon societal media use.

Canva is simply a large online assets for anyone who needs to make logos, graphics, selling materials, and abbreviated societal media reels oregon videos. When you are creating video content, you tin adhd audio tracks by uploading your ain files oregon by utilizing audio resources disposable successful Canva's template library, which tin past beryllium trimmed, measurement balanced, synced, and faded. In short, you tin execute basal audio edits successful Canva, but don't expect precocious editing tools.

You privation a record format that is lossless -- successful different words, a record format that preserves each audio information alternatively than compresses it to trim the file's wide size. In the aforesaid mode that photographers similar .RAW files that sphere representation data, lossless audio files -- including .WAV, .AIFF, and perchance .FLAC.

Latest updates

August 2025: In August, we published our usher connected the champion audio editing software.

Other audio editing bundle to consider

Reaper is an fantabulous alternate that has gathered affirmative reviews arsenic a flexible, unchangeable solution, large for mixing and synthesizing aggregate audio tracks. Some of its tools are connected the level of precocious Digital Audio Workstations (DAWs), and determination is enactment for countless third-party plugins. It's precise reasonably priced, too, astatine $60 for individuals and precise tiny businesses, oregon $225 for a commercialized license.

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Ableton Live is an fantabulous alternate audio exertion if you are progressive successful professional-grade projects. In particular, users accidental that Ableton is simply a large enactment for unrecorded performances and events arsenic good arsenic post-production mixing and compilation. However, it tin rapidly go expensive, with plans opening astatine $99/year and rising to $749 annually.

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Image‑Line's FL Studio is different fashionable audio exertion with a absorption connected being user-friendly. It's flexible, highly customizable, and comes with instruments and effects arsenic good arsenic plugins for audio signaling and different functions, depending connected your plan. Subscriptions statesman astatine $99 for a licence with each aboriginal updates included.

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WavePad is an audio editing bundle suite you should see if you privation a simple, beginner-friendly solution for basal editing work. Although you won't find each the precocious features of premium bundle solutions, it does enactment a assortment of record formats. This bundle is compatible with Windows and macOS -- and it is escaped for non-commercial use.

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If you're besides funny successful what the champion online video editing solutions are connected the market, cheque out ZDNET's guide. We've besides recovered the best photo editing suites around.

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