Whether you're creating music, editing podcasts, trimming clips, cleaning up recordings, or experimenting with effects, It is important to know in depth what each program on the market offers.We present the best audio editors for PC at your fingertips.
Our selection includes a detailed overview of free and paid programs, both for beginners and advanced users, and clear advice based on the experience of those who know the most. We also help you understand all the key features that can make a difference and gather useful tips and tricks to help you get the most out of your chosen editor.
Types of audio editors for PC
When it comes to choosing audio editors, there are several categories to distinguish between:
- Free audio editors: They offer basic (and sometimes advanced) features at no cost. They are usually sufficient for simple tasks or for beginners.
- Professional or paid editors: Adds advanced tools, plugin support, true multitrack editing, mastering, real-time processing, and high-quality exports. Tailored for music producers, sound engineers, and studios.
- online editors: They work entirely in the browser, without installation, and are designed for quick tasks or low-resource users. Many leverage artificial intelligence to improve results and facilitate editing.
- Cross-platform software: Compatible with Windows, Mac and sometimes Linux, so as not to depend on a single operating system.
The choice depends mainly on your specific needs, your experience and your budget.
Essential features of a good audio editor
Before diving into the list, it's worth knowing what features can make the difference between mediocre software and truly useful software:
- Intuitive and customizable interfaceA good tool layout streamlines work and reduces the learning curve. Some programs allow you to customize the layout and appearance to your preferences.
- Multiple Format Support: Being able to import and export in WAV, MP3, FLAC, OGG, AAC, AIFF, etc., makes it easy to integrate with other projects and distribute your audio.
- Multitrack recording and non-destructive editing: Working with multiple tracks at once and being able to easily undo changes provides freedom and flexibility.
- Support for plugins and effects: The ability to add new features through VST, LADSPA, AU and other plugins extends the program's resources almost infinitely.
- Batch processing and quick editing: If you need to process many files at once, editors that offer bulk processing can save you a lot of time.
- Filters and advanced tools: noise reduction, parametric equalizers, multiband compression, spectral analysis… are essential for those seeking professional quality.
- Tutorials, help, and an active community: Having manuals, video tutorials, or user forums can make all the difference when it comes to solving problems or asking questions.
Now that you know the main things, let's look at the best audio editors for PC and what each one offers.
Top Free and Open Source Audio Editors
Audacity
Audacity It is probably the most well-known and widely used audio editor in the world. It is an absolutely free, open source and cross-platform, compatible with Windows, Mac and Linux. It is ideal for both simple tasks and more complex multi-track jobs..
Among its virtues stands out the real-time recording from microphones, instruments, or system sources. It allows you to combine, cut, mix, and apply effects such as reverb, equalization, noise reduction, and pitch shifting. Its interface may seem outdated compared to some competitors, but it is functional and offers Customizable keyboard shortcuts, multi-track editing, and plugin support (VST, LADSPA, Nyquist, LV2, Audio Unit Effect).
Audacity supports most common sound qualities (16, 24, 32 bits), Import and export in WAV, MP3, OGG, FLAC formats and many others, although direct MP3 export requires installing the LAME encoder separately. It offers detailed tutorials and a very active international community ready to answer questions.
Some of your limitations are the lack of advanced real-time effects and limited support for MIDI, but for the vast majority of users It is more than enoughIt's a perfect choice for podcasting, basic editing, and non-professional music projects.
Ocenaudio
If you are looking for something simpler than Audacity but just as powerful in basic tasks, Ocenaudio is another excellent choice. Free, cross-platform, and with a neat, colorful and intuitive interface, allows you to edit and process audio quickly and efficiently.
Functions range from recording and cutting to applying effects such as noise reduction, filters, 31-band equalization, and pitch shifting. It supports keyboard shortcuts and stands out for its batch processing to save time, and includes features such as scrubbing, searching, and timeline markings for precise work.
Its ease of use makes it a favorite for many non-expert users who want good results without complications. Ocenaudio is lightweight, powerful and free.
Ardor
Designed with the professional recording and mixing, Ardor It is one of the most powerful free DAWs (Digital Audio Workstations), especially appreciated in Linux and Mac environments. It allows a Advanced multitrack work, non-destructive editing, synchronization and mastering and offers all kinds of possibilities through plugins and effects.
The learning curve is a bit steeper, but in return you get study-level tools. It has no official support for Windows, but Unix-based users find it one of the best free options available.
Other free editors to consider
- Wavosaur: Free, lightweight and portable editor (no installation required), interesting for quick tasks and manipulation of WAV and MP3 files.
- LMMS (Linux MultiMedia Studio): Another open source program worth mentioning. Especially useful for creating bases, beats and electronic music, features a powerful sequencer and support for VST plugins.
- Traverso-DAW: Multiplatform, with an intuitive interface and designed for low-power devices.
- qtractor, Rosegarden: More focused on MIDI editing in Linux environments, ideal for those who want to experiment with computer-based music.
The best professional and paid audio editors
If you need Advanced tools for music production, true multitrack editing or masteringProfessional programs offer many more possibilities. Here are the highlights:
Adobe Audition
A benchmark in the sector and very popular among professional content creators. Adobe Audition combine a modern and sophisticated interface with high-level features: multitrack editing, advanced waveform visualization, audio restoration, AI cleanup, integration with other Adobe products, automation, audio grading, and mastering.
It allows you to edit audio clips, remove complex noise, apply extremely refined effects, work in batches, and synchronize with video projects. It supports plugins, a wide variety of formats and is available for both Windows and Mac.. It is paid through subscription, but perfectly recognizes the needs of demanding podcasters, technicians, and music producers.
Wavepad
Wavepad It is another advanced option, available in both free and paid versions (with more features). It stands out for including FFT and TFFT spectral analysis, noise reduction, batch editing, precise waveform editing, support for all formats popular (MP3, WAV, FLAC, OGG, M4A…), audio restoration, and export at sample rates up to 192 kHz.
Its control panel is designed to move quickly between tasks, bookmarks, searching for specific sections, and equalization. Perfect for both musicians and content creators who want more control than with basic programs.
Acoustica
Developed by Acon Digital, Acoustica It is an editor with Standard and Premium versions that allows you to edit and navigate individual or multiple tracks, keeping the quality intact.
Offer processing effects chains using plugins, scheduled recording and ultra-fast, non-destructive editing engines. Perfect for those who want a balance between power and ease of use.
Other professional editors
- Ableton Live, FL Studio, Cubase, Pro Tools: Complex and comprehensive DAWs, geared toward music production. Each has its own unique features and loyal user communities.
- Reason, Renoise, Cakewalk SONAR: Also very popular among producers, although with different approaches and specialties.
- GarageBand: Mac only, it's a simplified, free Logic Pro alternative that's perfect for getting started with music composition.
- Sound Forge. Focused on Windows, it's ideal for high-level audio editing and mastering. Its clean and organized interface allows you to trim, edit, mix, and apply advanced effects to multiple tracks simultaneously.
The best free online audio editors
Would you rather not install anything on your computer? Online audio editors have made significant progress, offering features that only a few years ago seemed unthinkable on a website. Some even leverage artificial intelligence to restore recordings, remove voices, change pitch, or transcribe audio to text.
These tools allow edit from any browser (Windows, Mac, Linux, mobile) and are often ideal for quick tasks, clipping, restoration, or collaborative online projects. Below are the most highly rated:
MyEdit: The most complete editor with AI
MyEdit stands out for one simple yet powerful web interface and for incorporating artificial intelligence tools for restoration, voice modification, noise removal, conversion between formats, and voice-to-text transcription. It's free (with premium version for advanced features) and allows exporting in WAV and MP3.
Its main features include a BPM finder, noise remover, voice modulator, cutting, mixing, and quick production for podcasts and music. It is ideal for those looking for an almost professional result without having to download or configure programs..
Other options
- veed.io: Very popular for editing audio within videos. It allows you to record voiceovers, add royalty-free music, translate audio, and remove background noise thanks to its integration with Dolby technology. Its free version offers virtually everything you need to edit short audio clips or podcasts.
- MP3 Cutter. Focused on simplicity and speed. It allows you to cut, extract, adjust volume, equalize, and mix multiple tracks. It includes a crossfade function and is perfect if you just need to trim or join fragments without complications.
- CapCutKnown for making video editing for TikTok easy, it also includes a powerful online audio editor that lets you extract audio, add effects, copyright-free music, and create projects tailored for social media.
- Bear Audio Tool. With the ability to work with up to 300 formats and an unlimited number of tracks, it stands out for its simple interface and tools for joining files, applying fade effects, and performing quick conversions.
- Audio Joiner. Specialized in combining multiple files into one. Ideal for those who need to quickly join songs, podcasts, or clips, with support for different formats and crossfading effects.
How to choose the perfect audio editor
With so many alternatives, the key is be clear about the main use you are going to give itHere are some practical tips:
- If you just need record voice and cut fragments, a free editor like Audacity, Ocenaudio or even online options like MP3 Cutter are more than enough.
- If you are interested in music production, multitrack editing or advanced mixing, the ideal is to bet on complete DAWs like The essential programs for composing and producing music on Windows.
- To Restore old recordings, remove noise, or clean up audio in just a few steps, AI-powered editors like MyEdit or advanced modules in WavePad and Adobe Audition will make your job much easier.
- If yours is audio editing for video, CapCut, Veed.io or Adobe Audition integration with Premiere can be your allies.
- Put it on the scale too your operating system, hardware, program language, whether you need plugin support, whether you'll be working in a group, and of course, your budget.
It's important to keep in mind that applying too many effects can impair naturalness and clarity, so it's always best to work judiciously and thoroughly review the results before exporting.