Soundboard software lets you trigger sound effects, jingles and clips with a click or a hotkey while you're live, recording or chatting. Some play straight into Discord or games, some are built for podcasts and radio, and some let your viewers set off sounds. Nine options follow in no particular order.
A well-timed drum roll or crowd cheer can make a stream feel like a show. Fumbling through a folder of audio files to find it can't.
A soundboard puts your clips on buttons and hotkeys. The nine options below are listed alphabetically and in no particular order, and every description comes from the vendor's own website, read this week. If you're new to sounds in calls, my guide to using the soundboard on Discord covers the built-in option first.
Soundboard apps side by side
I checked the free plan column on each tool's own website or store listing, as of Oct 2026. Yes means the page names a free plan, a free version, a free account, a free edition, an open source release or says the tool itself is free. Trial only means a time-limited trial. Not stated means the page I read named neither, even where there's a button inviting you to try it, so check the vendor's page before you sign up.
| Tool | Type | Good for | Free plan |
|---|---|---|---|
| Blerp | Interactive stream alert builder | Viewer-triggered sounds on stream | Not stated |
| Farrago | Mac soundboard app | Podcasters and radio shows on a Mac | Trial only |
| Jingle Palette | Free jingle player for Windows | Community and student radio stations | Yes |
| Podcast Soundboard | Sound player for web, phone and desktop | Live events and shows on any device | Yes |
| Resanance | Free Windows soundboard | Discord calls on Windows | Yes |
| Soundpad | Soundboard for voice chats | Hotkeys while gaming | Not stated |
| Soundux | Cross-platform soundboard | Linux and multi-app setups | Not stated |
| Voicemod | Voice changer with soundboard | Meme sounds alongside a voice changer | Yes |
| Voicy | Online sound library and soundboards | Finding meme and reaction sounds fast | Yes |
Nine soundboard apps
Blerp
Best for: Twitch, Kick and YouTube streamers who want viewers to trigger sound alerts with follows, subs, raids and tips.
Farrago
Best for: Mac podcasters and radio hosts who want rapid-fire sound bites and music clips triggered from the keyboard or mouse.
Jingle Palette
Best for: Small radio studios that need an instant jingle player that handles MP3, OGG and WAV files.
Podcast Soundboard
Best for: Hosts of live shows and events who want one custom soundboard on the web, iOS, Android, Windows and macOS.
Resanance
Best for: Gamers on Windows who want a free soundboard that plays into Discord or any app that accepts audio input.
Soundpad
Best for: PC gamers who want hotkeys for every sound and volume normalisation so clips match their own voice level in chat.
Soundux
Best for: Users on Linux or mixed setups who need a cross-platform soundboard that works with Discord, TeamSpeak and Steam.
Voicemod
Best for: Streamers and gamers who already change their voice live and want a meme soundboard in the same PC app.
Voicy
Best for: Creators and chat regulars who want a big library of meme, film and reaction sounds plus soundboards to share.
Which soundboard suits which setup
- Discord calls on Windows: Resanance or Soundpad.
- Linux or mixed setups: Soundux.
- Meme sounds plus a voice changer: Voicemod.
- Finding sounds fast: Voicy.
- Viewers triggering sounds: Blerp.
- Podcasts and radio on a Mac: Farrago.
- Radio jingles on Windows: Jingle Palette.
- Live events on any device: Podcast Soundboard.
Who owns the sounds on your board
GOV.UK explains that copyright in a sound and music recording usually lasts 70 years from when it's first published.
That matters because the funniest clips are often film quotes, TV moments and song snippets, and they belong to someone. A stream or podcast that plays them can be muted, taken down or hit with a claim. Sounds you've recorded yourself, or ones licensed for reuse, are the safer choice.
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Built-in soundboard or a separate app?
Some chat and streaming platforms now have a soundboard built in. That's fine for a few clips in a call with friends.
A separate app earns its place when you want hotkeys that work while a game is in focus, volume levels that match your voice, folders for different shows or one board you can use across several apps.
For live shows and radio, look for instant playback, lists you can run in order and a way to stop a clip mid-play without hunting for the button.
Questions to ask before you install a soundboard
- Does it play into Discord, OBS or the app you use?
- Can you set hotkeys that work in full-screen games?
- Can you balance the volume of loud and quiet clips?
- Which audio file types does it accept?
- Does it need a virtual audio cable to route sound?
- Can you organise clips into boards or pages?
Signs you've outgrown clicking audio files
- You miss the moment. Hotkeys fire clips instantly.
- Some clips blast and others whisper. Normalise the volume.
- Friends can't hear your sounds. Route audio to the mic.
- Each show needs different clips. Use separate boards.
Do you make soundboard software? Tool makers can ask to be considered for a featured place on this list.
My plain advice on soundboards
Start with a small board of five to ten sounds you'll really use and assign each one a hotkey you can reach without looking. A huge library sounds fun, but you'll only remember a handful when you're live.
Then test the levels with a friend on a call. If you stream as well, my guide to the best live streaming software covers how the audio gets from your board to your viewers.
Frequently asked questions
What is a soundboard app?
It's software that plays sound effects, music clips or voice lines when you press a button or hotkey, usually into a voice chat, stream or recording.
Is there a free soundboard for Discord?
Yes. Several soundboard apps are free and play into Discord through your microphone input. Check the free plan column above and confirm on each site.
Do I need a virtual audio cable?
Some soundboards route sound for you, while others need a virtual audio device so other apps can hear it. Check the setup guide for the one you choose.
Can I use copyrighted sounds on stream?
It's risky. Film, TV and music clips are usually protected, and platforms can mute or remove streams that use them. Use your own recordings or licensed sounds.
Can viewers trigger sounds on my stream?
Yes. Some tools link sounds to follows, subs, raids or tips, so viewers set them off as alerts.
Which soundboard works on a Mac?
Look for apps built for macOS or cross-platform soundboards. The table shows the type of each tool so you can spot them quickly.
