Head-to-head
Adobe Audition vs Audacity
2 tools, 11 differing data points, mostly pricing and positioning.
The verdict
Adobe Audition or Audacity?
Section 01
Pricing, plan by plan
Every plan each vendor publishes, monthly and yearly where both are offered.
AAdobe Audition
Adobe Audition
— · $22.99/mo billed yearly
Also included in Creative Cloud Pro
AAudacity
Free
Free
Free, open-source software with no paid tier
Section 02
Pros and cons
From each tool's full review, written from the same checked facts.
AAdobe Audition
Pros
- Combines multitrack, waveform and spectral editing with a Video Panel that syncs picture to the timeline while mixing.
- Noise Reduction and Restoration effects cover hiss, hum, reverb and click and pop repair in one suite.
- Match Loudness supports EBU R128, ITU BS1770 and ATSC A/85 broadcast standards with true peak limiting.
- Exports mono, stereo and 5.1 surround mixdowns together, and integrates directly with Premiere Pro, After Effects and Adobe Media Encoder.
Cons
- Sold by subscription, with no one-time purchase or perpetual license option.
- Requires an Adobe ID and an internet connection to activate and use, even though it never runs in a browser.
- Has no free plan, only a 7-day trial.
AAudacity
Pros
- Free forever, open source, and needs no account to run.
- Multitrack editing, spectral editing, noise reduction and loudness normalization all built in.
- Whisper AI powers local, on-device transcription of speech to text.
- Supports VST, LV2, LADSPA and Audio Unit plugins plus scripting through Macros and Nyquist.
Cons
- Pulls the audio track out of a video file but cannot display, edit or export back into the video picture.
- Has no dedicated surround panner or monitoring workflow for mixing in 5.1 or 7.1.
- AI stem separation and dialogue isolation are separate plugins distributed through MuseHub, not part of the default install.
Side by side
| Company | ||
| Founded | 1982 | 2000 |
| HQ | USA | — |
| Platforms | Windows, Mac | Windows, Mac, Linux |
| Pricing | ||
| Pricing model | Subscription | — |
| Free plan | No | Yes, the whole app |
| Free trial | Yes, 7 days | No |
| Starting price | $22.99/mo billed yearly | Free |
| All plans | Adobe Audition | Free — Free |
| Positioning | ||
| Best for | Video and podcast editors already in Adobe's apps who need spectral repair and broadcast loudness | Podcasters and anyone editing recordings who want a free, open-source audio editor |
| Differentiator | Adobe Audition combines multitrack, spectral editing and restoration with a video panel and broadcast loudness tools. | Audacity is a free, open-source audio editor with multitrack and spectral editing and plugin support. |
| Competitors | Audacity, Sound Forge, Pro Tools | Adobe Audition, Sound Forge, GarageBand |
Section 03
Adobe Audition vs Audacity: common questions
Is Adobe Audition or Audacity cheaper?
Adobe Audition's cheapest paid plan is $22.99/mo billed yearly and Audacity's is Free. Compare what each plan includes below before going on price alone.
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