8 Best Free Audio Editing Tools 2026 — Edit Like a Pro

Updated: August 27, 2026 • 15 min read

Why Use Free Audio Editors?

Audio editing is essential for podcasts, music, and content creation. Here are the 8 best free tools.

1. Audacity (Free)

Audacity is the most popular free audio editor. Open-source with professional features.

• Best for: General audio editing
• Features: Multi-track, effects, plugins
• Platforms: Windows, Mac, Linux

2. GarageBand (Free)

GarageBand is Apple's free music creation tool. Great for beginners and musicians.

• Best for: Music creation
• Features: Loops, instruments, effects
• Platforms: macOS, iOS

3. Ocenaudio (Free)

Ocenaudio is a fast, easy-to-use audio editor. Great for quick edits.

• Best for: Quick editing
• Features: Real-time preview, effects
• Platforms: Windows, Mac, Linux

4. Ardour (Free)

Ardour is a free digital audio workstation. Professional multi-track recording and editing.

• Best for: Recording and mixing
• Features: Unlimited tracks, MIDI
• Platforms: Windows, Mac, Linux

5. LMMS (Free)

LMMS is a free music production tool. Create beats, melodies, and mix tracks.

• Best for: Beat making
• Features: Synths, effects, MIDI
• Platforms: Windows, Mac, Linux

6. WavePad (Free)

WavePad offers free audio editing with effects and noise reduction.

• Best for: Noise reduction
• Features: Effects, batch processing
• Platforms: Windows, Mac

7. Audio Cutter (Free)

Audio Cutter is a free online tool. Cut, trim, and merge audio files in browser.

• Best for: Quick online edits
• Features: Cut, trim, fade, merge
• Platforms: Web-based

8. BFXR (Free)

BFXR generates retro game sound effects. Great for indie games.

• Best for: Sound effects
• Features: 100+ sound types
• Platforms: Web-based

Comparison Table

Tool	Best For	Multi-track	Platform
Audacity	General editing	Yes	All
GarageBand	Music	Yes	Apple
Ardour	Recording	Yes	All
LMMS	Beat making	Yes	All
Audio Cutter	Quick edits	No	Web

Which One Should You Choose?

For general editing, Audacity. For music, GarageBand. For beats, LMMS. For quick edits, Audio Cutter.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I record with these tools?

Yes, Audacity, GarageBand, and Ardour support multi-track recording.

Can I remove background noise?

Audacity and WavePad have excellent noise reduction features.

What formats are supported?

All tools support MP3, WAV, and most common formats.

Can I create podcasts?

Yes, Audacity is the most popular free podcast editor.

Can I make music?

GarageBand, LMMS, and Ardour are all excellent for music production.