Editing Sounds Like a Pro – 10 Best Audio Editors for Mac

Home-based music production used to be incredibly expensive a decade or two ago, with most quality audio creations being done in professional recording studios and by expert sound engineers.

Today, that situation is vastly different, as the rise of powerful DAWs, user-friendly music editing apps, and professional-focused Macs has allowed users to create professional-sounding tracks from the comfort of their homes.

That's why today's article will delve deeper into the best audio editing software for Mac. We'll explore the tools, highlight their best features, and look into their strengths, weaknesses, and unique selling points so you can find the one that best suits your audio editing on Mac needs.

Before we probe further into each audio editor for Mac, here's a quick comparison table so you know what to expect from each tool, even before our in-depth review.

Best Audio Editors for Mac Reviewed

Now that you know which Mac audio editors made our list of the best audio editing software for Mac, it's time to dive into each tool and look into what it offers. Let's jump right in.

1. Wondershare Filmora

Wondershare Filmora Best for general audio recording and editing on Mac on Capterra
Specifications Supported OS: macOS 10.15 and newer, Windows, Android, iOS Free trial & Pricing: 3 days; $4.16/month – $79.99 (one time)	Top features Trim & split audio files Music visualizer Audio mixer Beat detection Music and sound stock media A vast of audio effects AI music and audio effects generation
Reasons to buy AI-powered audio editing tools Extensive library of audio effects Remarkably intuitive user interface Cross-platform compatibility	Reasons to avoid Primarily a video editing tool

Why We Picked It

Despite primarily being a cross-platform video editing tool, Filmora packs a heavy punch in the audio editing category. The app's remarkably user-friendly interface is jam-packed with audio editing tools and AI-powered features that can make Mac audio edits quick and seamless, regardless of your skill.

The app's beginner-first approach to audio editing makes Filmora one of the most straightforward audio editors for macOS to master, allowing even complete novices to find their way around Filmora's numerous audio editing tools and AI-powered features like Music Generator, Vocal Remover, Auto Beat Sync, Audio Denoise, etc. Moreover, Filmora for Mac works smoothly on Mac computer with M1, M2, or M3 chip.

2. Riverside

Riverside Top Mac audio editor for podcasts and interviews on Capterra
Specifications Supported OS: Online platform (Mac OS X 10.7 or newer; Windows, iOS, Android) Free trial & Pricing: No free trial; $19/month – $288/year	Top features AI-powered audio cleanup Background noise removal studio-quality audio recording
Reasons to buy Studio-quality audio recording Locally saved recordings Affordable pricing for premium plans	Reasons to avoid Occasional echo issues Limited free plan

Why We Picked It

With podcasts becoming all the rage in recent years, Riverside took it upon themselves to create a platform that offers everything you'll ever need to record discussions and stories.

If that's what you're after, there's no need to look further than Riverside, as you'll have a great time interviewing guests and cleaning up your audio with the platform's AI-powered tools.

There are, however, a few drawbacks that those looking for a Mac audio editor should be aware of. The platform is focused on podcasting, so you'll be missing a few audio-editing tools that are present even in free Mac audio editors like GarageBand or Audacity.

3. GarageBand

GarageBand Best free native macOS audio and music editing software for novices on the Mac App Store
Specifications Supported OS: macOS 13.5 or later, iOS Free trial & Pricing: Free to use	Top features Built-in lessons for piano and guitar Plugins Royalty-free music packs
Reasons to buy Accessible and intuitive interface Built-in loops and producer packs Support for MIDI interfaces	Reasons to avoid Limited advanced features Lacks a mixing console view

Why We Picked It

GarageBand is a free digital audio workstation (DAW) and music creation software developed by Apple Inc. for macOS and iOS devices. It was first introduced on January 6, 2004, and has since evolved into a powerful tool for creating, recording, editing, and sharing music and podcasts. GarageBand is a lighter, amateur-oriented offshoot of Logic Pro, another professional music editor for Mac developed by Apple.

If you're looking for a high-end program with a proper mixer and detailed audio level controls, GarageBand isn't the program you're looking for. However, for someone who wants to start recording and making music for free and enjoys a simplified user interface, GarageBand can be the perfect free audio editing software for Macs.

It offers tremendous flexibility, various plugins, preset loops and packs, enjoyable instrument lessons, and a simple and streamlined interface that you'll have no issues using regardless of your skill level or editing experience.

4. Adobe Audition

Adobe Audition Best for professional-grade audio editing projects and speech enhancement on Capterra
Specifications Supported OS: macOS 12 or later, Windows Free trial & Pricing: 7 days; $22.99/month	Top features Recording, editing, mixing, and mastering audio. Waveform and spectral editing Multitrack editing Extensive sound effects assets Third-party plugin support
Reasons to buy Highly customizable and intuitive interface Professional-grade tools Great at recording in loud environments Integration with Adobe Creative Cloud	Reasons to avoid Expensive subscription-only model Steep learning curve

Why We Picked It

Adobe Audition is a professional digital audio workstation (DAW) and audio editing software developed by Adobe Systems. The software is available for both Windows and macOS platforms and is widely used by audio professionals, podcasters, musicians, and content creators.

Adobe Audition offers a comprehensive set of tools and features for recording, editing, mixing, and mastering audio. It supports multitrack editing, which allows users to work on multiple audio tracks simultaneously and easily combine them into a single project. Additionally, the software includes various audio effects, advanced noise reduction capabilities, and support for third-party plugins, enabling users to enhance and refine their audio content.

Whether you're recording in noisy environments and need a capable background noise and echo removal tool or want to create studio-quality audio edits, Adobe Audition is the way to go. Often hailed as the best music editing software for Mac, Audition offers numerous advanced features that'll grant outstanding audio editing results.

While its interface can be confusing for beginners and the app doesn't support MIDI, Adobe Audition still stands as a terrific audio editor for Mac thanks to its waveform and spectral editing features, multi-track mixing capabilities, and plenty of sound effects to go around, albeit at a steep price.

5. Audacity

Audacity Best free and open-source audio editor for beginners and intermediates on Capterra
Specifications Supported OS: macOS 12 & 13 (with older versions supporting Mac OS X 10.4 and up), Windows, Linux Free trial & Pricing: Open source and free to use	Top features Record audio from various sources Enormous library of free audio effects Multitrack editing Batch processing
Reasons to buy Entirely free to use Cross-platform compatibility Large user community and support Support for almost all audio formats	Reasons to avoid Unintuitive user interface No built-in MIDI support Limited features compared to professional DAWs

Why We Picked It

Audacity is a free, open-source digital audio workstation (DAW) and audio editing software available for Windows, macOS, and Linux platforms. Since its initial release in 2000, Audacity has gained immense popularity among amateur and professional musicians, podcasters, and content creators due to its affordability and versatility.

Despite being an open-source and free-to-use audio editor, Audacity can easily be compared to even the most expensive audio editing software for Mac. While its interface can feel outdated, it packs a heavy punch in the audio editing game. Audacity offers various tools and features for recording, editing, and exporting audio. These include multitrack editing, audio effects, noise reduction, and support for multiple file formats. Though it may not have the advanced capabilities of professional DAWs, it provides a solid foundation for basic to intermediate audio editing tasks.

6. FL Studio

FL Studio Best for producers seeking customization and MIDI compositions on Capterra
Specifications Supported OS: macOS 10.12 and later, Windows, Android, iOS Free trial & Pricing: 30 days; $99 – $539 (one time)	Top features Comprehensive plugin library Easy-to-adjust automation clips Pattern-based MIDI tools Powerful piano roll
Reasons to buy Regular updates and lifetime free upgrades Fully-fledged DAW with a fantastic interface Excellent MIDI composition tools	Reasons to avoid Relatively expensive compared to other DAWs Steep learning curve Limited audio recording capabilities

Why We Picked It

FL Studio, formerly known as FruityLoops, is a popular digital audio workstation (DAW) and music production software developed by Belgian company Image-Line. It is available for both Windows and macOS platforms and is widely used by electronic music producers, hip-hop artists, and other musicians.

FL Studio's pattern-based workflow enables users to create and arrange music by combining different patterns, making it particularly suitable for electronic and loop-based music production. What's more, the software boasts a versatile piano roll editor for creating and editing melodies, chords, and percussion patterns, with a range of tools for manipulating notes and automating parameters.

While there are a few limitations in FL Studio, this fully built and colorful DAW is one of the best audio editing software for Mac available today. It's jam-packed with preloaded demo songs, has audio recording and mixer routing features, and has a unique interface you'll love.

Even though it's not a native app, its implementation, performance, and DAW capabilities are on par with those of Apple's Logic Pro. Its workflow and interface are customizable, and there are tons of plugins to create with, making FL Studio a fantastic option for both beginners and professionals.

While FL Studio's interface is user-friendly, the software has a wealth of features that may present a learning curve for beginners or those transitioning from other DAWs.

In addition, although FL Studio supports audio recording, its primary focus is on MIDI and loop-based production, which may make it less suitable for those seeking more extensive audio recording and editing capabilities.

7. WavePad

WavePad Best for Mac audio editors who need essential audio editing tools without the complexity of a full-fledged DAW on Capterra
Specifications Supported OS: macOS 10.5 and later, Windows, Android, iOS, ChromeOS Free trial & Pricing: 14 days; $39.95 – $69.95 (one time)	Top features Multi-view interface Great audio file support Batch processing
Reasons to buy Easy to learn Linear and logarithmic Spectral Analysis Excellent batch editing tools Supports for most audio file formats	Reasons to avoid Limited support for third-party plugins No multitrack editing Limited preset library

Why We Picked It

Developed by NCH Software, WavePad is an easy-to-use audio editing software for Mac, Windows, iOS, Android, and Chrome OS. This Mac OS X audio editor offers a streamlined and attractive user interface, customizable menus, varying track views, and more.

Although it has limited audio effects and presets and an annoying popup asking you to buy the full version, WavePad supports most audio file formats and is capable of batch audio editing operations, making it a worthy competitor in our book.

Overall, WavePad is an excellent choice for Mac users who need a user-friendly, easy-to-learn audio editing software with essential features for recording and editing audio files. While it may not offer the advanced capabilities of professional DAWs, it provides a solid foundation for users who require essential audio editing tools without the complexity of a full-fledged DAW.

8. Logic Pro

Logic Pro Best native macOS audio and music editing software for professionals on Capterra
Specifications Supported OS: macOS 13.5 or later Free trial & Pricing: 90 days; $199.99 (one time)	Top features Live loops MIDI editing Virtual instruments
Reasons to buy Native Mac app made by Apple Fully-fledged DAW with a simple user interface A vast library of virtual instruments and audio effects	Reasons to avoid Challenging for beginners to master High upfront cost

Why We Picked It

What GarageBand is for simplified music production, Logic Pro is for professional-grade audio editing on Macs. While its upfront cost of $199.99 is expensive for most beginners, it's undeniably a worthwhile investment for professional musicians, producers, or audio engineers looking for high-quality Mac audio editing software for the long run.

The native app seamlessly integrates with Apple hardware and software, creating a music editor for Mac that's both fast and robust. It also packs a heavy punch when it comes to DAW features and has an extensive audio effects library.

9. Cubase

Cubase Best for professional-grade music production and MIDI editing on Capterra
Specifications Supported OS: macOS 10.12 and later, Windows, Android, iOS Free trial & Pricing: 60 days; $99.99 – $579.99	Top features Wave plugin and VST integration Fantastic audio mastering tools Multi-track recording and editing
Reasons to buy Responsive audio engine Excellent instrument bundle Support for all VST3 plugins	Reasons to avoid Slow updates and confusing documentation Challenging audio environment setup

Why We Picked It

Packing a fantastic audio engine, a robust plugin and instrument library, a well-designed MixConsole, and powerful audio editing and automation tools, Cubase is one of the best DAWs on the market. It has a long history, with its first appearance in 1989. While its development has been slow at times, when the tools finally get there, they're excellent.

Although it's an incredibly potent DAW, Cubase isn't as popular as its competitors due to its unintuitive design. Many of its features are hidden deep inside menus and aren't as well implemented as with other DAWs, making it challenging to master.

10. Ableton Live

Ableton Live Best for recording multiple musicians, composing from scratch, and performing live on Capterra
Specifications Supported OS: macOS 11 or higher, Windows Free trial & Pricing: 30 days; $99 – $749	Top features Meld and Roar presets Automation tools Audio warping
Reasons to buy Generative MIDI tools and effects Flexible user interface and workflow Terrific preset packs	Reasons to avoid Features have a steep learning curve MIDI tools don't have the best implementation

Why We Picked It

Effortless and speedy sampling and resampling, tremendous live functionality, MIDI macros, fantastic presets, etc. These are just a handful of features packed into Ableton Live, a professional-grade music editor for Mac made with live performances and quick music composition in mind.

Yet, a few drawbacks must also be mentioned. Despite the pricing and what marketing says, Ableton Live still isn't a fully-fledged DAW. While it has excellent automation, MIDI support, and great music creation tools, you should be aware that Ableton lacks a pitch correction tool and notation view.

How to Pick the Right Audio Editing Software for Your Needs

While user ratings and features do tell a lot about a particular Mac audio editor, finding the right software for your specific also requires considering a few key aspects, such as these:

• Budget - Let's face it. Money plays a crucial role in deciding on a particular Mac audio editor. While fully-fledged DAWs like FL Studio and Cubase undoubtedly offer robust audio editing tools, they come with a hefty price tag. For a budget-conscious user, free audio editing software like Audacity and GarageBand or inexpensive audio editors like Filmora can be an excellent choice.
• Editing Needs - Are you a hobbyist looking for audio editing software for Mac to occasionally experiment with? Do you need a fully-fledged DAW for a music production studio? Considering the features you need from a Mac audio editor can significantly simplify your decision.
• Skill Level - Regarding Mac audio editing software, expert musicians and professional sound engineers might not care about a tool's interface or ease of use. However, for someone without experience, these factors should be vital in deciding on a particular Mac audio editor.

It's worth noting that, for some users, compatibility is another vital aspect worth considering. Your Mac might not be running the latest version of macOS, which will limit your choices in the Mac audio editing software category.

How We Picked the Best Audio Editing Software for Mac

Creating the list of the best audio editing software for Mac was no easy task. To keep things fair, we tested numerous Mac audio editors on the same computer system and looked into several key aspects. Here's what the testing process entailed:

Note: Premium Plan Value refers to a particular Mac audio editor's pro version and its pricing. That includes the length of the free trial, subscription costs, and the availability of one-time fees.