Audacity vs GoldWave

Last Updated:

Our analysts compared Audacity vs GoldWave based on data from our 400+ point analysis of Audio Editing Software, user reviews and our own crowdsourced data from our free software selection platform.

Audacity Software Tool
GoldWave Software Tool

Product Basics

Audacity is a versatile audio editing software that excels in tasks such as recording, editing, and mixing audio tracks. It is particularly well-suited for podcasters, musicians, and sound engineers due to its robust feature set and user-friendly interface. The software supports multi-track editing, allowing users to manipulate multiple audio files simultaneously, which is essential for complex projects.

One of the standout benefits of Audacity is its open-source nature, making it freely accessible to users, which is a significant advantage over many paid alternatives. It offers powerful features like noise reduction, pitch correction, and a wide array of effects and plugins, enhancing its utility for professional and amateur users alike. The software's ability to handle various audio formats and its compatibility with different operating systems further add to its appeal.

Compared to similar products, users often praise Audacity for its reliability and comprehensive toolset, although some note that its interface can be less intuitive for beginners. Pricing is not a concern with Audacity as it is free, but for tailored needs, users are encouraged to contact SelectHub for a detailed pricing quote.

read more...

GoldWave is a comprehensive audio editing software designed for tasks such as recording, editing, restoring, and converting audio files. It is particularly well-suited for audio professionals, musicians, podcasters, and sound engineers due to its robust feature set and user-friendly interface. Industries like music production, broadcasting, and multimedia development find GoldWave especially beneficial for its precision and versatility.

One of the standout benefits of GoldWave is its extensive range of powerful features, including noise reduction, audio restoration, and multi-track editing. Users appreciate its ability to handle large files and perform complex audio processing tasks efficiently. The software also supports a wide array of audio formats, making it a versatile tool for various audio projects.

Compared to similar products, GoldWave is often praised for its affordability and ease of use. While specific pricing details are not always readily available, users are encouraged to contact SelectHub for a personalized pricing quote based on their individual needs.

read more...
$0 Free, Open-Source
Free Trial is unavailable →
Get a free price quote
Tailored to your specific needs
$47 One-Time
Get a free price quote
Tailored to your specific needs
Small 
i
Medium 
i
Large 
i
Small 
i
Medium 
i
Large 
i
Windows
Mac
Linux
Android
Chromebook
Windows
Mac
Linux
Android
Chromebook
Cloud
On-Premise
Mobile
Cloud
On-Premise
Mobile

Product Assistance

Documentation
In Person
Live Online
Videos
Webinars
Documentation
In Person
Live Online
Videos
Webinars
Email
Phone
Chat
FAQ
Forum
Knowledge Base
24/7 Live Support
Email
Phone
Chat
FAQ
Forum
Knowledge Base
24/7 Live Support

Product Insights

  • Cost-Effective Solution: Audacity is free and open-source, making it accessible for individuals and businesses without the need for expensive licenses.
  • Cross-Platform Compatibility: Available on Windows, macOS, and Linux, ensuring seamless integration across different operating systems.
  • Comprehensive Editing Tools: Offers a wide range of editing tools such as cut, copy, paste, and delete, allowing for precise audio manipulation.
  • High-Quality Audio Output: Supports high-quality audio formats like WAV and AIFF, ensuring professional-grade sound production.
  • Multi-Track Editing: Enables users to work on multiple audio tracks simultaneously, facilitating complex audio projects.
  • Extensive Plugin Support: Compatible with various plugins, including VST, LV2, and LADSPA, to extend functionality and enhance audio effects.
  • Noise Reduction Capabilities: Features effective noise reduction tools to clean up recordings and improve audio clarity.
  • Customizable Interface: Allows users to personalize the workspace to suit their workflow, improving efficiency and user experience.
  • Batch Processing: Facilitates the processing of multiple files at once, saving time on repetitive tasks.
  • Detailed Spectrogram View: Provides a visual representation of audio frequencies, aiding in precise editing and analysis.
  • Community Support: Backed by a large user community and extensive online resources, offering assistance and tutorials for all skill levels.
  • Regular Updates: Continuously improved with regular updates, ensuring the software remains current with new features and bug fixes.
  • Export Flexibility: Supports exporting in various formats, including MP3, OGG, and FLAC, catering to different distribution needs.
  • Real-Time Preview: Allows users to preview effects in real-time, making it easier to achieve the desired audio outcome.
  • Undo/Redo Functionality: Provides robust undo and redo options, allowing users to experiment without the risk of losing previous work.
read more...
  • Enhanced Productivity: GoldWave's batch processing feature allows users to apply the same edits to multiple files simultaneously, saving significant time and effort.
  • Precision Editing: The software offers detailed waveform and spectral views, enabling users to make precise adjustments to their audio files.
  • Cost-Effective Solution: With a one-time purchase option, GoldWave provides a budget-friendly alternative to subscription-based audio editing software.
  • Comprehensive Toolset: GoldWave includes a wide range of built-in effects and filters, reducing the need for additional plugins or external software.
  • High-Quality Output: The software supports high-resolution audio formats, ensuring that edited files maintain their original quality.
  • User-Friendly Interface: GoldWave's intuitive design makes it accessible for both beginners and experienced audio editors, minimizing the learning curve.
  • Customizable Workflow: Users can tailor the interface and toolbars to suit their specific needs, enhancing overall efficiency and comfort.
  • Reliable Performance: GoldWave is known for its stability and reliability, reducing the risk of crashes and data loss during critical editing tasks.
  • Extensive File Compatibility: The software supports a wide range of audio formats, ensuring seamless integration with various projects and devices.
  • Advanced Noise Reduction: GoldWave's noise reduction tools help users clean up recordings by removing unwanted background noise, improving audio clarity.
  • Efficient Audio Restoration: The software includes features for repairing and restoring old or damaged audio files, preserving valuable recordings.
  • Convenient Accessibility: GoldWave offers a portable version, allowing users to carry the software on a USB drive and use it on different computers without installation.
  • Comprehensive Support: Users have access to detailed documentation, tutorials, and a responsive support team, ensuring they can resolve issues quickly.
  • Regular Updates: GoldWave is frequently updated with new features and improvements, ensuring it remains a cutting-edge tool for audio editing.
  • Time-Saving Shortcuts: The software supports customizable keyboard shortcuts, enabling users to perform common tasks more quickly and efficiently.
read more...
  • Multi-Track Editing: Allows users to work on multiple audio tracks simultaneously, facilitating complex audio projects.
  • Cross-Platform Compatibility: Available on Windows, macOS, and Linux, ensuring accessibility for a wide range of users.
  • Audio Effects: Includes a variety of built-in effects such as reverb, delay, and equalization to enhance audio quality.
  • Spectral Analysis: Provides a spectrogram view for detailed frequency analysis, useful for audio forensics and research.
  • Noise Reduction: Features tools to reduce background noise, improving the clarity of recordings.
  • Support for Various File Formats: Can import and export a wide range of audio file formats including WAV, MP3, FLAC, and OGG.
  • Batch Processing: Enables the application of effects and conversions to multiple files at once, saving time on repetitive tasks.
  • Plugin Support: Compatible with VST, LV2, and LADSPA plugins, allowing for extended functionality through third-party tools.
  • Envelope Tool: Allows for precise control over volume changes within a track, facilitating dynamic audio adjustments.
  • Label Tracks: Provides the ability to add labels and annotations to tracks, aiding in organization and navigation.
  • Time and Pitch Adjustment: Offers tools to change the tempo or pitch of audio without affecting the other, useful for music production and remixing.
  • Recording Capabilities: Supports recording from multiple sources including microphones and line inputs, suitable for podcasting and voiceovers.
  • Undo/Redo Functionality: Unlimited undo and redo options allow for non-destructive editing, ensuring flexibility in the editing process.
  • Keyboard Shortcuts: Extensive keyboard shortcut support enhances workflow efficiency for power users.
  • Real-Time Preview: Allows users to preview effects in real-time before applying them, ensuring desired outcomes.
  • Metadata Editor: Includes a built-in editor for adding and modifying metadata tags, useful for organizing and cataloging audio files.
  • Customizable Interface: Users can adjust the layout and appearance of the interface to suit their preferences and workflow needs.
  • Open Source: As an open-source project, Audacity benefits from community contributions and regular updates, ensuring continuous improvement and innovation.
read more...
  • Multi-Track Editing: Allows users to work on multiple audio tracks simultaneously, facilitating complex audio projects.
  • Batch Processing: Automates the processing of large numbers of files, saving time on repetitive tasks like format conversion and effect application.
  • Audio Restoration: Includes tools for noise reduction, pop/click removal, and spectral analysis to clean up old or damaged recordings.
  • Effect Plugins: Offers a wide range of built-in effects such as reverb, echo, and equalization, with support for VST plugins to extend functionality.
  • Real-Time Visualizations: Provides real-time visual feedback through spectrograms, waveforms, and level meters, aiding in precise editing.
  • Customizable Interface: Features a user-friendly interface that can be tailored to individual workflows, including customizable toolbars and keyboard shortcuts.
  • File Format Support: Supports a broad array of audio formats including MP3, WAV, OGG, and FLAC, ensuring compatibility with various media types.
  • Voice Recording: Enables high-quality voice recording with options for direct microphone input and real-time monitoring.
  • CD Ripping and Burning: Facilitates the extraction of audio from CDs and the creation of custom audio CDs directly within the software.
  • Time and Pitch Modification: Allows precise control over time stretching and pitch shifting, useful for music production and voice manipulation.
  • Script Editor: Includes a scripting feature for automating complex tasks, enhancing productivity for advanced users.
  • Cross-Platform Availability: Available for both Windows and macOS, ensuring accessibility for a wide range of users.
  • Comprehensive Help Resources: Provides extensive documentation, tutorials, and customer support to assist users in mastering the software.
read more...

Product Ranking

#1

among all
Audio Editing Software

#16

among all
Audio Editing Software

Find out who the leaders are

Analyst Rating Summary

63
60
89
89
100
100
95
82
Show More Show More
Audio Formats and Conversion
Basic Editing Tools
Audio Recording
Advanced Editing Tools
Effects and Processing
Audio Formats and Conversion
Advanced Editing Tools
Effects and Processing

Analyst Ratings for Functional Requirements Customize This Data Customize This Data

Audacity
GoldWave
+ Add Product + Add Product
Advanced Editing Tools Audio Formats And Conversion Audio Recording Basic Editing Tools Effects And Processing Platform Capabilities 89 100 95 100 87 68 89 100 82 80 89 73 0 25 50 75 100
75%
25%
0%
75%
25%
0%
100%
0%
0%
100%
0%
0%
100%
0%
0%
67%
33%
0%
100%
0%
0%
80%
0%
20%
73%
18%
9%
73%
18%
9%
63%
13%
24%
75%
0%
25%

Analyst Ratings for Technical Requirements Customize This Data Customize This Data

14%
43%
43%
14%
14%
72%
0%
0%
100%
20%
0%
80%

Synopsis of User Ratings and Reviews

Free and Accessible: Audacity is a free and open-source audio editing software, making it a cost-effective choice for businesses with budget constraints.
Cross-Platform Compatibility: Audacity runs seamlessly on various operating systems, including Windows, macOS, and Linux, ensuring accessibility for businesses with diverse technology environments.
Extensive Plugin Support: Audacity supports a wide range of plugins, allowing businesses to extend its functionality and tailor it to their specific audio editing needs.
Built-in Effects: Audacity offers a collection of built-in audio effects, such as noise reduction, equalization, and compression, enabling businesses to enhance and refine their audio content.
Show more
Easy to Use: GoldWave is known for its intuitive interface, which many users find easy to navigate without requiring tutorials. This allows both novice and experienced users to quickly grasp the software's functionality and begin editing audio effectively.
Comprehensive Feature Set: From basic editing functions like cut, copy, and paste to advanced effects and analysis tools, GoldWave offers a wide array of features. This comprehensive suite caters to a variety of audio editing needs, making it suitable for tasks ranging from simple clean-up to complex audio production.
Efficient Workflow: GoldWave includes features like batch processing, allowing users to apply effects or conversions to multiple files simultaneously. This streamlines repetitive tasks, saving time and increasing productivity, especially when working with large audio libraries.
Highly Configurable: Users can customize keyboard shortcuts, rearrange the interface layout, and even personalize waveform colors to suit their preferences. This level of customization allows for a more comfortable and efficient workflow tailored to individual needs and workflows.
Wide Format Support: GoldWave is compatible with a broad range of audio file formats, ensuring users can work with various audio sources without encountering compatibility issues. This versatility is crucial for professionals who handle diverse audio projects and need to work seamlessly across different formats.
Show more
Occasional Instability: Audacity can sometimes experience hangs or crashes, potentially causing frustration and disrupting workflow, especially during time-sensitive projects.
Limited Multitrack Recording: The software lacks robust multitrack recording features, making it unsuitable for projects that require recording and mixing multiple audio sources simultaneously, such as a band recording session.
Basic Envelope Editor: While functional, the envelope editor's visual representation could be more intuitive and user-friendly, potentially making precise audio level adjustments more cumbersome than necessary.
Show more
Interface Challenges: Some users have reported experiencing difficulties with the user interface, finding it less intuitive than other audio editing software.
Limited Editing Features: Compared to other professional audio editing programs, GoldWave may have limitations in its advanced editing capabilities, potentially impacting complex audio projects.
Show more

Is Audacity audacious enough to be your go-to audio editing software? User reviews from the last year reveal a resounding "yes," particularly for those seeking a free and feature-rich tool. Users consistently highlight Audacity's comprehensive functionality, often comparing it favorably to paid alternatives like Adobe Audition. For instance, one user raves about Audacity's ability to "capture audio all day without issue," praising its lighter system footprint compared to Audition. This robust feature set, coupled with its intuitive interface, makes it a popular choice for both beginners and seasoned podcasters. However, some users find Audacity's extensive features a double-edged sword, admitting that the learning curve can be initially steep. Others point to the outdated interface as a drawback, describing it as "straight out of a clipart site from 1998." While these criticisms exist, they are often outweighed by the sheer value proposition of a free tool that rivals paid counterparts in functionality. Ultimately, Audacity emerges as the ideal choice for budget-conscious users, hobbyists, and anyone seeking a reliable workhorse for basic to intermediate audio editing tasks. Its comprehensive features, ease of use, and cross-platform compatibility make it a compelling option for a wide range of users.

Show more

Is GoldWave worth its weight in gold, or is it just fool's gold? User reviews from the last year paint a largely positive picture of this audio editing software, highlighting its user-friendly interface and powerful features. Many users praise GoldWave for its intuitive design, claiming that even beginners can jump in and start editing without needing extensive tutorials. This ease of use, coupled with its comprehensive suite of tools, makes it a strong contender against competitors like Audacity. However, some users find GoldWave's interface somewhat dated, wishing for a more modern look and feel. Despite this, the software's strengths lie in its powerful editing capabilities, including over 40 audio effects, real-time visualizations, and batch processing. Its support for various file formats and highly configurable interface, allowing customization of shortcuts and layouts, further solidify its position as a versatile tool for both basic and advanced audio editing tasks. GoldWave is an excellent choice for anyone looking for a reliable and affordable audio editing solution, from podcasters and musicians to video editors and casual users. Its ease of use, combined with its powerful features and affordable lifetime license, makes it a compelling option for both beginners and experienced users alike.

Show more

Screenshots

Top Alternatives in Audio Editing Software


Ableton Live

Adobe Audition

AudioDirector 365

Cubase

FL Studio

GarageBand

GoldWave

Logic Pro

Ocenaudio

Pro Tools

Reaper

Reason Studios

Sound Forge

Soundtrap

Studio One

WavePad

WE DISTILL IT INTO REAL REQUIREMENTS, COMPARISON REPORTS, PRICE GUIDES and more...

Compare products
Comparison Report
Just drag this link to the bookmark bar.
?
Table settings