Audacity - Free Download (2026)

Name: Audacity
Availability: InStock
Author: Audacity Team

Audacity - Audio Editor

Audacity is a free, open source audio editor for Windows, Mac, and Linux. It has been around since 2000 and is probably the most used free audio tool in the world. Record from a microphone, edit recordings, apply effects, mix multiple tracks, and export to MP3, WAV, FLAC, or OGG. Now owned by Muse Group, which bought it in 2021 and caused a small controversy by proposing telemetry that users pushed back on (it is now opt-in only).

What it does

The recording side is straightforward: pick your input device, hit Record, and go. You can record from a microphone, line input, or system audio. The editor shows audio as waveforms on a timeline. Cut, copy, paste, and trim work like a text editor but for sound. Multiple tracks let you layer recordings and mix them with per-track volume and pan controls.

The noise reduction tool is the feature most people come for. Select a section of background noise, let Audacity analyze it (Effect > Noise Reduction > Get Noise Profile), then apply it to the whole recording. It works surprisingly well for removing hum, hiss, and room noise. Other useful effects: normalize (even out volume), vocal isolation, tempo and pitch changes, and silence trimming.

Audacity supports VST, LADSPA, and LV2 plugins for additional effects. Export handles MP3 (any bitrate), WAV (16/24/32-bit), FLAC, and OGG.

Advantages

Free and open source with no feature restrictions
Noise reduction works well for basic recordings
Multi-track editing and mixing
VST plugin support for additional effects
Cross-platform (Windows, Mac, Linux)

Drawbacks

Destructive editing by default - no real-time non-destructive workflow like in a DAW
Interface looks dated and the learning curve for effects is steeper than it needs to be
Not suitable for music production - no MIDI, no virtual instruments
Muse Group acquisition raised privacy concerns in 2021 (telemetry is now opt-in)

Who it is for

Audacity is the go-to for podcasters, students, and anyone who needs to record and clean up audio without paying for software. If you need a full music production setup with MIDI and virtual instruments, you need a DAW like Reaper or GarageBand instead.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Audacity free?

Yes, Audacity is free and open source (GPL license). There are no paid features or premium tiers.

Is Audacity safe after the Muse Group acquisition?

Yes. In 2021, Muse Group proposed telemetry that users pushed back on. All data collection is now opt-in. The software remains open source and the code is publicly auditable.

How do I remove background noise in Audacity?

Select a section that has only background noise. Go to Effect > Noise Reduction > Get Noise Profile. Then select the entire recording and apply Effect > Noise Reduction again with your preferred settings.

Can Audacity record system audio?

Yes, but you need to select the correct input. On Windows, choose Windows WASAPI as the host and your speaker output as the recording device. On some systems you may need to enable Stereo Mix in your sound settings.

What is the difference between Audacity and a DAW?

Audacity is a basic audio editor for recording and editing. DAWs like Reaper, FL Studio, or GarageBand add MIDI support, virtual instruments, real-time effects, and non-destructive editing for music production.

Features & How-To Guide

#	Feature	How to use
1	Audio editing (cutting/copying/pasting)	Select fragment › Ctrl+X (cut) / Ctrl+C (copy) / Ctrl+V (paste). Edit on multiple tracks.
2	Export to MP3/WAV/FLAC/OGG	File › Export audio › Choose format and quality settings (bitrate for MP3, bit depth for WAV).
3	Noise reduction	Effects › Noise Reduction › Step 1: select fragment with noise › Get noise profile › Step 2: select all › Apply.
4	Audio recording 6	Red Record button or R. Choose source: microphone/line/stereo mix in toolbar.
5	Volume normalization and leveling	Effects › Normalization › Set target peak level (e.g. -1 dB). Equalizes recording volume.
6	Multi-track mixing	Tracks › Add new track. Import multiple files › Mix with volume and pan adjustment per track.
7	Vocal isolation	Effects › Vocal Isolation › Choose mode (remove vocals or isolate vocals). Works on stereo.
8	Audio format conversion 4	File › Open file in one format › File › Export as different format.
9	Audio tempo and pitch change	Effects › Change tempo (without changing pitch) or Change pitch (without changing tempo).
10	Recording from multiple sources	Settings › Recording › Enable multi-track recording. Records simultaneously from microphone and system.
11	VST/LADSPA/LV2 plugin support	Effects › Add/remove plugins › Scan available plugins. VST plugins for additional effects.
12	Silence fragment removal	Effects › Truncate silence › Set loudness threshold and minimum silence duration.