- Adobe Audition alternatives at a glance
- Ten Adobe Audition alternatives to consider
- The storage warning many editors ignore
- What to compare in an audio editor
- How to edit a podcast episode quickly
- Which kind of audio editor suits you
- Questions to ask before you switch editors
- Audio editing mistakes to avoid
- My plain advice on Adobe Audition alternatives
- Frequently asked questions
Adobe Audition alternatives are other audio editors for recording, cleaning up and mixing voice, podcasts and music. Free open-source editors suit beginners and simple jobs, while professional tools suit audio repair and broadcast work. Pick by the jobs you do most, and keep active projects on a fast internal drive.
Audition is a capable audio editor, especially if you already use other Adobe apps. But if you only edit a podcast each week, or you want something on Linux or with a one-off licence, there are good choices.
Here are ten Adobe Audition alternatives in no particular order, sorted alphabetically, from free editors to professional audio tools. Each description comes from the vendor's own website, re-checked today. If you host a show, my guide on choosing podcast guests matters as much as the editing.
List your usual jobs. Cutting interviews, removing noise, mastering music and recording voiceovers each favour different tools.
Then check your platform. Some editors run on Windows, Mac and Linux, and some are Mac-only.
Adobe Audition alternatives at a glance
In the free plan column, Yes means the tool's own site describes a free version, free plan or free download, Trial only means a time-limited trial, and No means neither is stated. Free versions nearly always come with limits, so check them before you commit.
| Tool | Type | Good for | Free plan |
|---|---|---|---|
| Acoustica | Audio editor | Restoration and mastering | Yes |
| Audacity | Open-source audio editor | Free everyday editing | Yes |
| Fission | Mac audio editor | Fast lossless trims | Trial only |
| GoldWave | Audio editor | Detailed waveform editing | Trial only |
| Hindenburg | Podcast and radio editor | Spoken-word storytelling | Trial only |
| iZotope RX | Audio repair software | Fixing noisy recordings | Trial only |
| Ocenaudio | Free audio editor | Simple, fast editing | Yes |
| Reaper | Digital audio workstation | Flexible multitrack work | Trial only |
| Tenacity | Open-source audio editor | Community-led editing | Yes |
| TwistedWave | Audio editor | Quick voice edits | Trial only |
Ten Adobe Audition alternatives to consider
Acoustica
Best for: Editors who want an audio editor with restoration and mastering tools.
Audacity
Best for: Beginners and podcasters who want free recording and editing on any computer.
Fission
Best for: Mac users who want quick, lossless trimming of audio files.
GoldWave
Best for: People who want a long-established editor for detailed audio work.
Hindenburg
Best for: Podcasters and radio producers who edit spoken-word stories.
iZotope RX
Best for: Editors who need to remove noise, clicks and hum from recordings.
Ocenaudio
Best for: People who want a free, easy editor with real-time effect previews.
Reaper
Best for: Producers who want a flexible, lightweight multitrack recorder and editor.
Tenacity
Best for: Users who want a community-led, open-source multitrack audio editor.
TwistedWave
Best for: Voiceover artists who want a simple, quick editor for voice work.
The storage warning many editors ignore
Here's a tip from Audacity's own support pages that applies to most editors. It warns against saving active projects on external drives, USB sticks or network storage, because the program needs fast, uninterrupted access to storage while recording and editing.
So edit on your computer's internal drive, then copy finished projects to external storage. It's a small habit that prevents a lot of mysterious glitches and crashes. The same page also explains that saving a project and exporting audio are different, so always export a finished file to share.
What to compare in an audio editor
- Editing: multitrack or single file.
- Repair: noise, click and hum removal.
- Effects: compression, EQ and loudness tools.
- Platform: Windows, Mac and Linux.
- Export: MP3, WAV and podcast loudness targets.
How to edit a podcast episode quickly
- Record each voice on its own track if you can.
- Cut long pauses and false starts.
- Remove background noise gently.
- Even out volume with a compressor.
- Export at the loudness your podcast host recommends.
Which kind of audio editor suits you
If you edit a weekly podcast, a free multitrack editor plus a little noise reduction is often all you need.
If you rescue recordings from noisy rooms, dedicated repair software is worth learning, because it fixes problems other editors can't.
And if you produce music or complex mixes, a full digital audio workstation gives you the tracks, routing and plugins you'll want.
Questions to ask before you switch editors
Audio editors feel very different, so check these before you move a show across.
- Does it run on every computer I edit on?
- Can it open my old project files, or only audio?
- Does it include noise reduction?
- Can it export at my host's loudness target?
- Is there a one-off licence or a subscription?
Audio editing mistakes to avoid
- Editing on external drives. Work on internal storage.
- Over-processing. Gentle noise reduction sounds better.
- Forgetting to export. Projects aren't audio files.
- Ignoring loudness. Match platform levels.
If you're thinking about earning from your show, my look at how podcasts make money is worth a read.
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Do you make audio editing tools? Tool makers can ask to be considered for a featured place on this list.
My plain advice on Adobe Audition alternatives
Start free and upgrade only when a job demands it. Many podcasters never need more than a solid free editor and good recording habits.
And fix sound at the source. A quiet room and a decent microphone save more editing time than any plugin.
Frequently asked questions
What's a free alternative to Adobe Audition?
Open-source audio editors are free and handle most podcast work.
Can I edit podcasts for free?
Yes. Free editors cover cutting, noise reduction and export.
Should I save projects on an external drive?
The support guidance quoted above advises against it for active projects.
What's the difference between saving and exporting?
Saving keeps the project. Exporting creates an audio file to share.
Which editor is best for noise removal?
Dedicated repair tools are strongest for noisy recordings.
Do I need a digital audio workstation?
For music and complex mixes, yes. For simple podcasts, not always.
Can I edit audio on Linux?
Yes. Several editors run on Linux.
What's loudness normalisation?
Adjusting overall volume to a standard level for platforms.
Can I record directly into these editors?
Most can record from a microphone.
What format should I export podcasts in?
MP3 is common. Check your host's guidance.
Do I need plugins?
Built-in effects are enough to start.
Can I edit video audio?
Yes. Export the audio, edit it, then bring it back.
Can I edit audio on an iPad?
Some audio editors run on iPad, though desktop tools are more capable.
What's a noise gate?
A tool that cuts sound below a set level, such as background hiss.
Do I need headphones to edit?
Yes. Closed headphones help you hear problems clearly.
Can I remove echo from a recording?
Some repair tools reduce room echo, though prevention works better.
What sample rate should I record at?
44.1 or 48 kHz suits most podcasts and video.
