Audacity

by Muse Group · Audio & music production

Open sourceWindowsMacLinux

Free audio recorder and editor for podcasts, voice-overs and music.

Official download from audacityteam.org (opens in a new tab)

Opens audacityteam.org, Muse Group's own site. No mirror, no bundle.

Overview

What is Audacity?

Audacity records and edits audio with effects such as noise reduction, compression and normalisation. Download it from audacityteam.org; the publisher's download page also points to the optional MuseHub installer, which you do not need.

Key features

  • Multi-track recording and editing
  • Noise reduction and effects
  • Exports to MP3, WAV and more
  • Plugins (VST3, LV2)

Best for

  • Podcast editing
  • Cleaning up voice recordings
  • Converting audio formats

Included in starter kits

Install

How to install Audacity

  1. 1Open the official Audacity download page on audacityteam.org.
  2. 2Pick the build for your system (Windows, Mac, Linux; check x64, ARM or Apple silicon where offered).
  3. 3Run the installer and read each screen; decline anything you did not ask for.
  4. 4Keep it updated from the app's own updater or your package manager.

Install from the command line

  • Windows · winget

    winget install --id Audacity.Audacity -e --source winget

  • Mac · Homebrew

    brew install --cask audacity

  • Linux · Flatpak (Flathub)

    flatpak install flathub org.audacityteam.Audacity

Package IDs checked against the public winget, Homebrew and Flathub repositories on 1 Nov 2026. Build a script for several apps.

Safety

Download Audacity safely

  • Check the domain

    The real download lives on audacityteam.org. Look-alike domains and search ads are the most common trap.

  • Skip mirrors

    Download portals can wrap installers in adware or old versions. You never need them for this app.

  • Verify if you can

    If the publisher lists a checksum, compare it with our in-browser checker before running the file.

  • Watch the installer

    Untick extras, browser changes or trials you did not ask for.

Open the checksum checker

Alternatives

Audacity alternatives

Other audio & music production apps, closest platform match first.

All audio

FAQ

Audacity questions

Where can I download Audacity safely?

Download Audacity only from Muse Group's official site at audacityteam.org. Avoid mirror and "download portal" sites, which can bundle extra software with the installer.

Is Audacity free?

Yes. Audacity is open-source software and free to use.

Does Audacity work on Windows, Mac and Linux?

Audacity is available for Windows, Mac, Linux. Check Muse Group's download page for exact system requirements and whether your processor (x64, ARM or Apple silicon) is supported.

Can I install Audacity from the command line?

Yes, with winget on Windows (winget install --id Audacity.Audacity -e); Homebrew on Mac (brew install --cask audacity); Flatpak on Linux (flatpak install flathub org.audacityteam.Audacity). Package managers fetch the publisher's files and make updates easy.

What are good alternatives to Audacity?

See the alternatives section on this page and the full audio & music production list on AltFTool, which shows each app's licence and platforms side by side.