Our take: The default free choice for recording, cutting and noise reduction on your own computer; it must be installed, so it is less handy on shared PCs or phones.
- Free and open source
- No account needed
- Windows, macOS, Linux
- Not tested by us yet
- ? China access — not tested yet
Checked before installing
Checked 28 Sep 2026 · from official pricing and help pages · not tested hands-on yet
Your data: Editing happens on your computer. Per the official FAQ, the app only collects error-reporting and update data; cloud storage is optional.
Data sheet
Every row shows how we know it
| Price | Free, GNU GPL license Official |
|---|---|
| Latest version | 4.0.0 (per download page) Official |
| Platforms | Windows, macOS (Apple Silicon and Intel), Linux Official |
| Account | Not required for the desktop app Official |
| Data collection | Error reporting and update data only Official |
| Access from China | — Not tested |
When to use it
Pick it to trim podcast or interview recordings and reduce noise without uploading files anywhere.
Before you use it
Download only from audacityteam.org and treat the cloud sign-up prompts as optional.
How to use it
- Download the installer for your OS from audacityteam.org.
- Open an audio file or record a new one.
- Apply edits and effects, then export to MP3 or WAV.
Alternatives
- Wavacity — Runs in the browser, no installOn-device
- TwistedWave Online — Online waveform editorCloud
Checked 28 Sep 2026 · compiled from official information, not yet tested by us. Found something outdated? Tell us. · Audacity download (official)