Head-to-head
Adobe Audition vs Sound Forge
2 tools, 10 differing data points, mostly pricing and positioning.
The verdict
Adobe Audition or Sound Forge?
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
SSound Forge
Sound Forge
$24.95/mo · $12.50/mo billed yearly
Sound Forge Plus
$33.95/mo · $16.66/mo billed yearly
Sound Forge (perpetual)
$299.95 one-time
Sound Forge Plus (perpetual)
$399.95 one-time
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.
SSound Forge
Pros
- Can be bought once as a perpetual license instead of a subscription, for either the Sound Forge or Sound Forge Plus edition.
- DeHisser, DeClicker/DeCrackler and DeClipper restoration tools alongside loudness metering built for CALM Act compliance.
- A Batch Converter applies effects and processes multiple files automatically.
- VST2, VST3 and ARA plugin support, with ARA integrating Celemony's Melodyne directly into the waveform editor.
Cons
- Does not function as a digital audio workstation and cannot record a multitrack project, by design.
- Has no spectrogram or frequency-based editing view; its WaveColor feature is a colour-coded waveform view instead.
- Runs on Windows alone, with no Mac version.
Side by side
| Company | ||
| Founded | 1982 | 1995 |
| HQ | USA | — |
| Platforms | Windows, Mac | Windows |
| Pricing | ||
| Pricing model | Subscription | One-time purchase or subscription |
| Free plan | No | No |
| Free trial | Yes, 7 days | Yes, 15 days |
| Starting price | $22.99/mo billed yearly | $24.95/mo (Sound Forge) |
| All plans | Adobe Audition | Sound Forge — $24.95/mo Sound Forge Plus — $33.95/mo Sound Forge (perpetual) — $299.95 one-time Sound Forge Plus (perpetual) — $399.95 one-time |
| Positioning | ||
| Best for | Video and podcast editors already in Adobe's apps who need spectral repair and broadcast loudness | Windows users who master and restore single audio files and want to buy the editor once |
| Differentiator | Adobe Audition combines multitrack, spectral editing and restoration with a video panel and broadcast loudness tools. | Sound Forge is a Windows audio editor for mastering and restoration, rented or bought once. |
| Competitors | Audacity, Sound Forge, Pro Tools | Adobe Audition, Audacity, Reaper |
Section 03
Adobe Audition vs Sound Forge: common questions
Is Adobe Audition or Sound Forge cheaper?
Adobe Audition's cheapest paid plan is $22.99/mo billed yearly and Sound Forge's is $24.95/mo (Sound Forge). Compare what each plan includes below before going on price alone.
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