# Audacity

A free multi-track audio editor for recording, cleanup, and quick edits.

HTML: https://softbests.com/software/audacity
Markdown: https://softbests.com/software/audacity.md
Website: https://www.audacityteam.org

- Category: [Productivity](https://softbests.com/category/productivity)
- Pricing: Open source
- Platforms: macOS, Windows, Linux

## Best for

Podcasters, teachers, and musicians who need to record and clean up audio without a DAW subscription.

## Why it deserves attention

Audacity records from a microphone or system audio, edits multiple tracks, and handles noise reduction, normalization, compression, equalization, fades, and spectral repair. It exports WAV, MP3, FLAC, Ogg, and other formats, supports macros for repetitive cleanup, and has a large library of tutorials. It is GPL-licensed, free, and runs on macOS, Windows, and Linux. It is an editor rather than a full DAW: MIDI sequencing, virtual instruments, and complex mixing automation are limited, and the interface shows its age compared with modern audio tools.

## Can replace

- Adobe Audition
- GarageBand

## Related and alternatives

- [VLC](https://softbests.com/software/vlc)
- [HandBrake](https://softbests.com/software/handbrake)