Audacity is still the best free audio editor — but it won't run on your phone

Audacity remains one of the best free tools for editing and recording audio, offering a full multitrack workflow without a price tag. The open-source program can capture live sound from a microphone or mixer, digitize recordings from other media, and on recent versions of Windows it can even grab streaming audio. You can import sound files, edit them, combine them with new recordings, and export the results in several common formats.

Podcasters will find plenty to work with. Audacity includes a large collection of effects, preset EQ curves with real-time preview, and an auto-duck feature that makes it easy to mix music or voiceovers under a main track. Native support covers WAV, AIFF, AU, FLAC, and MP3, so there is no need for extra converters or plugins for everyday tasks.

Is Audacity safe? Yes. It has been around for many years as a free and open-source project, and its code is publicly reviewed. The program did face controversy in 2021, after the company behind it was acquired by Muse Group and the privacy policy was changed. Community backlash pushed the developers to walk back the most criticized changes, and Audacity got back on track.

The biggest limitation is platforms. Audacity is not available for Android or iOS, so mobile users are out of luck. If you need similar functionality on a phone or tablet, WavePad offers comparable features for free on mobile devices.

As for features, Audacity packs more than 100 sound effects, supports 16-bit, 24-bit, and 32-bit audio files, and includes a simple compressor and built-in mixer. The Plot Spectrum window provides detailed frequency analysis for those who need to inspect their audio closely. Batch processing lets you apply the same tuning to several files at once, saving time when working with large sets of recordings. All of this makes Audacity a solid choice for both beginners and experienced editors who want a capable tool without paying for a subscription.