Creating polished audio is essential for podcasts, music, videos, and more, and for that, you need some audio editing software. This lets you easily cut, trim, clean, and enhance recordings – whether that’s fixing background noise or adding effects.

Today’s software offers powerful features like AI-powered processing and spectral editing, often at affordable prices. But choosing the right one all depends on your setup, the type of audio you’re recording, your requirements, and your budget.

In our guide to the best audio editing software, we’ll walk you through the top picks on the market. This list covers software for all levels, helping you find the perfect solution to make your audio sound its best.

2. Magix SOUND FORGE Pro 17

Key features

• Includes an extensive range of audio effects for audio editing, mixing, and mastering
• ARA2 support with certain DAWs
• Multichannel audio editing up to 64-bit/768kHz audio quality

Pros

• Capable of hosting third-party VSTs without sacrificing performance
• Includes all the tools you need to clean and restore audio
• Customisable user interface lets you adjust to your personal taste

Cons:

• Could be overwhelming for beginners looking only for audio editing.

Magix SOUND FORGE Pro 17 is a powerful audio editing suite designed for professional-grade recording, editing, and mastering. With support for high-resolution audio up to 64-bit/768 kHz, it ensures pristine sound quality, making it ideal for music production, podcasting, and sound design. Its intuitive layout and extensive toolset provide you with everything needed for precise editing and creative flexibility.

The software includes advanced features like spectral editing, batch processing, and sophisticated audio restoration tools. It also offers high-quality plugins for mastering, such as the Steinberg SpectraLayers Pro integration, which allows for deep editing of individual frequencies. These tools make it a fantastic choice for tackling complex audio projects that demand attention to detail.

What sets SOUND FORGE Pro 17 apart is its efficient workflow. The streamlined interface and enhanced processing speed help you focus more on creativity and less on navigating menus. Additionally, the multi-channel recording capabilities and real-time visualisation tools give you precise control over your audio, whether you’re working on a mix or cleaning up audio files.

3. Acon Acoustica 7 Premium

Key features

• Drag-and-drop editing
• Includes Waveform and Spectrogram view modes
• Comes loaded with a range of studio-quality effects

Pros

• Modular design lets you customise your workflow
• Offers a lot of value for money
• Keep a monitor on your levels with true peak, hold and RMS indicators, meaning no additional metering plugins are needed

Cons

• Larger projects can become CPU-hungry

Acon Acoustica 7 Premium is a versatile audio editing tool that excels in tasks like post-production, mastering, and restoration. One of its standout features is the spectral editing interface, which provides a detailed visual representation of audio frequencies. This makes it easy to pinpoint and address specific issues, such as removing unwanted noise or isolating problematic elements in a recording.

The software supports multi-channel audio, including Dolby Atmos 7.1.2, which is ideal for immersive sound projects like film or gaming audio. Built-in tools like the Restoration Suite are perfect for repairing damaged audio, offering features such as noise reduction, click removal, and de-essing.

The Verberate 2 plugin delivers rich, natural-sounding reverbs, while Equalize 2 allows precise frequency adjustments with its flexible curve design.

Acoustica 7 Premium also includes time-saving features like batch processing, which lets you apply edits across multiple files simultaneously. The recent update to version 7.5 introduced automatic speech transcription, making it an excellent choice for podcast editing or subtitling workflows.

In essence, with this software, you get a brilliant balance of professional-grade tools and an intuitive design that caters to users of all levels. Whether you’re mastering a track or restoring a recording, Acoustica 7 Premium provides reliable, high-quality results.

4. Accentize dxRevive Pro

Key features

• Utilises machine-learning and AI-based algorithms
• Capable of restoring band-limited audio, including phone call recordings
• Simple and streamlined interface

Pros

• Entirely local processing and a convenient workflow for easy operation
• Efficiently restore missing frequencies and remove codec artifacts
• Trained on multiple languages to ensure restoration is compatible with any input voice

Cons

• Limited to only vocal restoration

Accentize dxRevive Pro is a dialogue restoration plugin that leverages AI technology to enhance audio quality. It offers real-time processing to remove background noise, reduce reverb, and restore missing frequencies, aiming to transform recordings into studio-like quality.

The software provides two main algorithms: ‘Studio’ and ‘Retain’. The ‘Studio’ algorithm performs comprehensive processing, including de-reverb, noise suppression, and source enhancement, to deliver a polished sound. The ‘Retain’ algorithm focuses on noise and artefact reduction while preserving the original character of the recording.

A key feature is the ability to divide audio into into four frequency bands, allowing precise control over processing in specific areas. This flexibility enables targeted enhancement or reduction, which is particularly useful for complex audio issues.

What differentiates dxRevive Pro from other audio editors is its user-friendly interface combined with advanced AI capabilities. The plugin operates in real-time with minimal latency, making it suitable for various applications, including podcasting, broadcasting, and video production.

By integrating sophisticated algorithms with an intuitive design, dxRevive Pro simplifies the process of dialogue restoration, making high-quality audio editing accessible and efficient.

5. RipX DAW Pro

Key features

• Award-winning Audioshop tools and Harmonic Editor
• Transforms audio into stems to manipulate and repair non-destructively
• Write custom tools and plugins inside the DAW with RipScript

Pros

• State-of-the-art stem separation
• Excellent repairing and audio clean-up tools
• Functionality goes much further than just audio editing

Cons

• Non-conventional design means there will be a large learning curve

RipX DAW Pro is an innovative audio editing software that combines advanced stem separation with creative sound manipulation tools. Its AI-driven technology allows you to isolate individual elements from a mix, such as vocals, drums, and bass, facilitating detailed editing and remixing.

The software’s interface displays separated stems in a MIDI-like grid, enabling precise adjustments to pitch, timing, and timbre. This visual approach simplifies complex editing tasks, making it accessible for users at various skill levels.

RipX DAW Pro also offers features like harmonic editing, allowing you to modify individual harmonics within a sound for unique tonal adjustments. Its real-time processing capabilities ensure efficient workflow, essential for professional audio projects.

What sets RipX DAW Pro apart is its ability to reconstruct lost or damaged audio files. In cases of data loss, the software can extract stems from existing mixes, aiding in the recovery of original session elements.

By integrating AI-powered separation with intuitive editing tools, RipX DAW Pro provides a versatile platform for music production, remixing, and audio restoration. Its unique capabilities make it a valuable addition to any audio professional’s toolkit.

6. WaveLab Pro 12

Key features

• Complete visualisation of your waveform with multi-colour waveform and several different modes
• Comprehensive loudness analysis
• Drag and drop usability throughout

Pros

• Complete suite for audio restoration, mastering and analysis
• ARA Plugin compatibility lets you integrate Wavelab into other DAWs for advanced audio editing capabilities
• Edit audio to video with Video Playback support

Cons

• Asset location and folder storage need work

WaveLab Pro 12 is a sophisticated audio editing and mastering tool, ideal for professionals who need a precise and efficient workflow. With over 80 new features, it offers powerful tools for mastering, restoration, and audio editing, making it a favourite among engineers and producers.

One of the standout features is the integration of Audio Random Access (ARA) 2, allowing seamless communication with DAWs like Cubase and Nuendo. This ensures a smooth transition between editing and production tasks, enhancing overall efficiency. The addition of the Startup Assistant further streamlines workflows, offering quick access to recent projects, templates, and tutorials.

WaveLab Pro 12 also excels in mastering, with tools like the SuperVision metering plugin and loudness normalisation, ensuring tracks meet professional standards. The montage editor allows for detailed multi-track assembly, while improved drag-and-drop functionality makes collaboration and file management seamless.

By combining advanced functionality with user-friendly design, WaveLab Pro 12 provides a comprehensive solution for audio professionals. Whether mastering or editing, it offers the precision and flexibility needed to achieve exceptional results.

7. Acon Acoustica 7 Standard

Key features

• Stereo, multitrack editor
• Features wide range of analysers with true level metering, peak, hold, and RMS indicators
• Host of audio restoration tools including DeWind, DeRustle, DeBuzz, and more

Pros

• Very affordable audio editor with lots of bang for the buck
• Streamlined set of tools to help refine your workflow
• Editing tools including time-stretching are very high quality

Cons

• Lack of waveform analysis when compared to other options

Acon Acoustica 7 Standard is a comprehensive audio editing tool designed for both beginners and professionals. It offers a range of features to enhance your audio projects. The software provides a user-friendly interface with tab-based navigation and detachable windows, allowing you to customise your workspace for efficient editing.

One of the best features is the Cleaning Wizard, which simplifies audio clean-up tasks and makes it easier to remove unwanted noise from your recordings. Additionally, Acoustica 7 Standard supports multi-channel audio editing, enabling precise control over complex audio projects.

The software also includes a suite of 14 effects, such as dynamics processing, equalisation, convolution reverb, chorus, echo, modulation, and exciter effects. But despite its wealth of features, it’s easy to use. And thanks to the ability to save processing chains and apply them to batch-process audio files, Acoustica 7 Standard offers an efficient, enjoyable workflow.

8. iZotope RX11 Elements

Key features

• Streamlined audio repair tools
• Intelligent Repair Assistant powered by machine learning
• Ideal for music, post-production, and content creation

Pros

• Automated audio clean-up saves a huge amount of time
• Customisable signal chain internally within the plugin
• Suitable for post-production, music production, and much more

Cons

• Lacks the depth in controls of other offerings

iZotope RX 11 Elements is a user-friendly audio repair tool designed for fast and effective clean-up of recordings. Ideal for podcasters, musicians, and content creators, it offers essential features like De-click, De-clip, De-hum, and Voice De-noise to tackle common audio issues such as clicks, distortion, hum, and background noise.

Its intuitive interface ensures an easy workflow, while the real-time spectrogram view allows precise editing. RX 11 Elements is perfect for those looking to enhance their audio quality without delving into complex processes, making it an accessible and reliable solution for improving sound clarity in a variety of projects.

9. Sonnox Oxford DeNoiser (Native)

Key features

• Differential listening mode
• Three distinct sections: De-Hisser, Detection, and Removal
• Mid-side noise removal mode

Pros

• Maintains your original audio’s tone with Air and Colour controls
• Ideal solution for broadcasting, film, TV, podcasting, and music applications
• Maintains volume levels with auto-gain

Cons

• Dated interface design can be slightly off-putting

The Sonnox Oxford DeNoiser is a highly effective tool for reducing unwanted noise in audio recordings while preserving the integrity of the original material. Using a sophisticated “noise fingerprint” method, it analyses and isolates noise from recordings, such as hiss or air-conditioning hum, with a high degree of precision.

Unlike traditional noise reduction approaches, it continuously evaluates the noise profile over time, adapting to variations in the noise floor for more accurate results.

The Auto mode is particularly user-friendly, detecting non-varying noise frequencies in real time and maintaining a consistent noise reduction level relative to the signal. The Freeze function locks the noise profile, which is useful for sections with constant noise, while Manual mode allows for fine-tuning by ear.

Additionally, the Mid/Sides mode offers the ability to clean up stereo signals selectively, ensuring stereo integrity remains intact.

The Warmth and Air controls are standout features, allowing you to reintroduce high-end detail and life to processed audio. Whether cleaning up live recordings or improving old tape tracks, the Sonnox Oxford DeNoiser provides precise, reliable results for a wide range of restoration tasks.

10. Acon Extract Dialogue

Key features

• Fully automated noise reduction based on deep-learning neural networks
• Cross-platform compatible with Windows and Mac on 32 and 64-bit applications
• Fully automated to work inside of your selected DAW

Pros

• Preserve realism by manually setting the threshold for reduction instead of removal
• Sensitivity control split into three frequency bands for maximised reduction
• Ability to listen to noise in solo to ensure you’re attenuating only what you want to remove

Cons

• Quite pricey for an editor that performs only one job

The Acon Extract Dialogue is a powerful tool for separating dialogue from background noise, offering exceptional clarity for spoken-word recordings. Built with advanced machine learning, the software effectively identifies and isolates speech while minimising distracting elements such as wind, traffic, or crowd noise. This makes it a valuable solution for podcast editing, film post-production, and live broadcast environments.

One of the key features is its real-time processing capability, which enables swift and efficient audio clean-up. The plugin includes an easy-to-navigate interface with sliders for fine-tuning the balance between the dialogue and residual noise. This ensures that you can achieve professional results with minimal effort.

What sets Extract Dialogue apart is its ability to handle complex audio environments. It retains the natural quality of speech, even in noisy settings, without introducing harsh artefacts. The software’s ability to separate dialogue and unwanted sound elements automatically makes it a time-saving tool for professionals who need reliable results.

Whether you’re cleaning up location audio or enhancing speech for clarity, Acon Extract Dialogue is a precise and efficient solution for improving spoken-word recordings.

11. Sonnox Oxford DeClicker (Native)

Key features

• Removes unwanted pop, click, and crackle from vintage audio or field recordings
• Three discrete sections offer control over threshold and sensitivity
• Innovative graphic interface plots artefacts by volume, frequency, and duration

Pros

• Refine the regions where artefacts remain untouched with Exclude Box
• Dedicated Dialogue Mode automates the response of algorithms for speech
• Isolate the sidechain or differential independently to hear exactly what you’re removing to leave the correct signal in tact

Cons

• Much like DeNoiser, the interface could benefit from modernisation

The Sonnox Oxford DeClicker is a precise tool for addressing pops, clicks, and crackles in your audio recordings. It features three independent sections – De-Pop, De-Click, and De-Crackle – designed to remove noise events of varying durations, from longer pops to subtle crackling. Each section has its own threshold and sensitivity controls, allowing for tailored noise detection and removal.

What makes the Oxford DeClicker unique is its ability to categorise and display noise events as colour-coded dots on a graphical interface. For additional control, the Exclude Box feature lets you isolate specific frequency areas and prevent unnecessary processing. This is particularly useful for audio with complex dynamics, such as distorted guitars or raspy brass instruments.

For dialogue restoration, the DeClicker offers a dedicated Dialogue Mode. This mode applies separate processing to speech and non-speech events, ensuring spoken-word clarity without compromising other elements of the recording. With sidechain filtering and real-time analysis, it’s easy to fine-tune the processing for professional results.

The Sonnox Oxford DeClicker combines versatility and accuracy, making it great for removing unwanted noise while preserving the natural character of your audio.