The Best Audio Mixing Software in 2026
We researched these products from their official websites—pricing pages, plan tables and product documentation—and ranked them by the category’s core job, value for money and verified features. The comparison focuses on tools for balancing, routing, processing and delivering final mixes: audio mixing software.
Our top picks
-
Top ranked
Fairlight Live#1 of 289.4/10A capable free mixer for teams handling complex live, broadcast, and immersive audio.
Free plan
-
Runner-up
Waves eMotion LV1#2 of 289.2/10A high-capacity live mixer for networked FOH, monitor, broadcast and recording workflows.
-
Top-ranked free plan
MixPad#3 of 288.9/10A flexible freemium mixer for recording, editing, and producing audio across desktop and mobile.
Free plan
Advertiser disclosure: iTechGuides is reader-supported. Vendors can pay for top positions in our rankings and for a place on other products' pages, and we may earn a commission when you click some links. Bought places stand at the number bought; this page and our disclosure say so. Paying vendors may get a fuller, more detailed review from our editors, and that review can change their score. How we rank.
The full ranking 28 tools, best first
-
Best forFree professional live audio mixing
A capable free mixer for teams handling complex live, broadcast, and immersive audio.
- Surround mixing
- Live audio input
9.4/10★★★★★Visit Fairlight Live -
Best forProfessional networked live mixing
A high-capacity live mixer for networked FOH, monitor, broadcast and recording workflows.
- Live audio input
9.2/10★★★★★Visit Waves Audio -
Best forAffordable multitrack recording and mixing
A flexible freemium mixer for recording, editing, and producing audio across desktop and mobile.
8.9/10★★★★☆Visit MixPad -
Best forFeature-rich DJ mixing on a budget
A feature-rich DJ mixer with a free plan and paid tiers for advanced setups.
- Stem separation
8.8/10★★★★☆Visit VirtualDJ -
Best forPaid four-deck and DVS mixing
A paid four-deck and DVS platform with stems, effects, and flexible performance tools.
- Stem separation
8.7/10★★★★☆Visit Traktor Pro 4 -
Best forDolby Atmos mastering workflows
A focused renderer for Dolby Atmos monitoring, re-rendering, and master-file creation.
- Surround mixing
- Live audio input
8.6/10★★★★☆Visit Dolby -
Best forProfessional four-deck DJ mixing
A deep four-deck DJ platform with stems, effects, recording and streaming integrations.
- Stem separation
8.5/10★★★★☆Visit Serato -
Best forCloud-connected DJ library workflows
A broad DJ workflow with cloud sync, STEMS, DVS, video and streaming access.
- Stem separation
8.4/10★★★★☆Visit rekordbox -
Best forFree object-based spatial mixing
A free entry point for object-based spatial mixing with binaural and surround workflows.
- Surround mixing
8.3/10★★★★☆Visit L-ISA Studio -
Best forFree open-source DJ mixing
A capable free DJ mixer with four decks, DVS, effects, recording, and broadcasting.
8.2/10★★★★☆Visit Mixxx -
Best forCross-platform DJ and video mixing
A broad DJ toolkit with four-deck mixing, stems, video, DVS, and streaming integrations.
- Stem separation
8.1/10★★★★☆Visit djay -
Best forFree streaming and creator audio routing
A focused free mixer for creators who need flexible routing, effects, and stream controls.
7.8/10★★★★☆Visit Elgato -
Best forFree streamer and creator mixing
A free Windows and macOS mixer for stream, chat, recording, and creator audio workflows.
7.8/10★★★★☆Visit RØDE -
Best forFree streaming and voice-chat mixing
A focused free mixer for routing microphones, apps, and chats into streams.
- Live audio input
7.8/10★★★★☆Visit Steinberg -
Best forLinux users needing basic system audio controls
A free Linux utility for master and per-channel audio controls, not multitrack production.
7.8/10★★★★☆Visit KDE -
Best forLive plug-in hosting and routing
A focused live plugin host with flexible routing and MIDI-driven control.
- Live audio input
7.8/10★★★★☆Visit LiveProfessor -
Best forFree immersive live mixing
A free Windows and macOS mixer for immersive live sound, studio work, and education.
- Live audio input
7.5/10★★★★☆Visit SPACEHUB -
Best forProfessional object-based spatial mixing
A specialized choice for professional object-based spatial mixing across live, studio, and post workflows.
- Surround mixing
- Live audio input
7.4/10★★★★☆Try SPAT Revolution -
Best forImmersive sound design and mixing
A specialized workstation for particle-based spatial mixing, immersive formats, and post-production.
- Surround mixing
7.3/10★★★★☆Try Sound Particles -
Best forVirtual radio mixing
A broadcast-focused Windows suite for virtual radio mixing, routing, monitoring, and control.
- Live audio input
7.2/10★★★★☆Visit Lawo -
Best forLow-cost Windows audio routing
A low-cost Windows mixer for routing physical and application audio.
- Surround mixing
- Live audio input
7.1/10★★★★☆Visit VB-Audio -
Best forCollaborative web-based stem review
A focused web workspace for real-time stem review, comments, and mix decisions.
6.9/10★★★☆☆Visit STEM -
Best forVideo-capable entertainment DJ mixing
A paid desktop DJ suite that adds video, karaoke, broadcasting and controller support.
6.7/10★★★☆☆Visit UltraMixer -
Best forAffordable controller-focused DJ mixing
Affordable, controller-focused DJ mixing with stems, streaming and four-deck support.
- Stem separation
6.6/10★★★☆☆Visit DJUCED -
Best forLinux users exploring open-source audio and MIDI editing
A Linux desktop environment for multitrack editing, synthesis, and MIDI sequencing.
6.4/10★★★☆☆Visit BEAST -
Best forBasic Windows MIDI and audio projects
A focused Windows music tool with MIDI, multitrack recording, editing, and a free three-track edition.
- Live audio input
6.3/10★★★☆☆Visit Z-Maestro -
Best forListeners mixing ambient soundscapes for personal use
A soundscape generator for ambient listening, not audio-production mixing.
6.1/10★★★☆☆Visit Defonic -
Best forFree immersive show-file mixing
A free app for stereo, 3D and i3D preparation around KLANG workflows.
- Surround mixing
6.0/10★★★☆☆Visit KLANG
No tools match those filters.
Compare at a glance
| # | Tool | Free plan | Paid from | Score |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Fairlight Live | Yes | Free | 9.4 |
| 2 | Waves eMotion LV1 | 9.2 | ||
| 3 | MixPad | Yes | 8.9 | |
| 4 | VirtualDJ | Yes | $4/mo | 8.8 |
| 5 | Traktor Pro 4 | No | $149 one-time | 8.7 |
| 6 | Dolby Atmos Renderer | No | 8.6 | |
| 7 | Serato DJ Pro | No | $11.99/mo | 8.5 |
| 8 | rekordbox | Yes | 8.4 | |
| 9 | L-ISA Studio | Yes | 8.3 | |
| 10 | Mixxx | Yes | Free | 8.2 |
| 11 | djay | Yes | 8.1 | |
| 12 | Elgato Wave Link | Yes | Free | 7.8 |
| 13 | RØDE UNIFY | Yes | Free | 7.8 |
| 14 | Steinberg MixKey | Yes | Free | 7.8 |
| 15 | KMix | Yes | Free | 7.8 |
| 16 | LiveProfessor | No | €69 one-time | 7.8 |
| 17 | SPACEHUB Producer | Yes | Free | 7.5 |
| 18 | SPAT Revolution | No | $199/yr | 7.4 |
| 19 | Sound Particles | No | $9.95/mo | 7.3 |
| 20 | Lawo R3LAY | No | 7.2 | |
| 21 | Voicemeeter | Yes | $15 one-time | 7.1 |
| 22 | STEM | Yes | Free | 6.9 |
| 23 | UltraMixer | No | 6.7 | |
| 24 | DJUCED | Yes | 6.6 | |
| 25 | BEAST | Yes | Free | 6.4 |
| 26 | Z-Maestro | Yes | 6.3 | |
| 27 | Defonic | $19 one-time | 6.1 | |
| 28 | KLANG:app | Yes | Free | 6.0 |
Head-to-head All 22 comparisons →
- Fairlight Live vs Waves eMotion LV1
- Fairlight Live vs MixPad
- Fairlight Live vs VirtualDJ
- Fairlight Live vs Traktor Pro 4
- Fairlight Live vs Dolby Atmos Renderer
- Fairlight Live vs Serato DJ Pro
- Fairlight Live vs rekordbox
- Waves eMotion LV1 vs MixPad
- Waves eMotion LV1 vs VirtualDJ
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How we rank audio mixing software
Every tool on this page was researched by iTechGuides Editors from its official website — pricing pages, plan tables and product documentation. We rank on how well each one does this category's core job, what the free or entry plan includes, and where it falls short. Where we have enough verified facts, the score out of 10 is a rubric — job fit, value and how much we could verify — shown with its breakdown on every tool's page; a tool we have not verified enough to score yet shows its rank without a number. Scores are re-checked when a product changes its plans. Read the full editorial policy, or submit a tool we missed.
Reviewed by iTechGuides Editors · Editorial team · Updated Oct 2026
Last updated · How we research and update