Adobe Audition vs Audacity

Adobe Audition7.8Visit Audacity7.7Visit

Higher score Adobe Audition #4 in Audiobook Production Software 7.8/10 7-day trial Free trial✓ 1 of 3 features Visit Adobe Audition

vs

Audacity #5 in Audiobook Production Software 7.7/10 Free plan Free plan✓ 1 of 3 features Visit Audacity

• Adobe Audition fits best

  Adobe users editing and mixing audiobook audio

• Audacity fits best

  Free audiobook editing on desktop

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Side by side

Feature	Adobe Audition 7.8/10 Visit ↗	Audacity 7.7/10 Visit ↗
At a glance
Editor score	7.8	7.7
Ranking	#4 in Audiobook Production Software	#5 in Audiobook Production Software
Best for	Adobe users editing and mixing audiobook audio	Free audiobook editing on desktop
Pricing model	Paid	Free
Starting price	—	Free
Free plan	—	✓ (best)
Free trial	7 days	—
Deployment	Cloud, Desktop	Desktop
Platforms	Windows, macOS	Windows, macOS, Linux
Support	Phone, Live chat, Community, Docs	Email, Community, Docs
Integrations	2 integrations	2 integrations
Built for	Solo, Small business, Mid-market, Enterprise	Solo, Small business
Features Adobe Audition 1/3 · Audacity 1/3
Remote recording	Not checked yet	Not checked yet
Noise reduction	✓	✓
Chapter markers	Not checked yet	Not checked yet
Specs
Audio export formats	Not checked yet	Not checked yet
Platforms	Not checked yet	Not checked yet
Simultaneous audio tracks	Not checked yet	Not checked yet
Our review
Pros	Multitrack sessions support unlimited mono, stereo, and 5.1 tracks. Noise-reduction and audio-restoration effects support cleanup work. Premiere project import and video synchronization fit Adobe workflows.	Multitrack editing, recording, and mixing across Windows, macOS, and Linux Noise reduction targets hiss, hum, fan noise, and buzzing Common format conversion plus broad third-party audio plugin support
Cons	It is a paid subscription, with no free plan. It is a desktop application for Windows and macOS. Its focus is audio editing, not audiobook chaptering and delivery.	No audiobook-specific navigation or export workflows are listed Desktop software, not a standalone hosted editor MIDI editing is limited
Our verdict	Adobe Audition is desktop software for recording, editing, mixing, restoring, and mastering audio. For audiobook producers, its strongest fit is the editing and mixing stage: waveform and multitrack editors, layered sessions, and… Read the review →	Audacity is a free, open-source desktop audio editor for recording, editing, mixing, and exporting audio. For audiobook production, its multitrack editing and recording can support voice tracks, while noise reduction and effects such as… Read the review →

Strengths and trade-offs

• Adobe Audition — where it wins

  • Multitrack sessions support unlimited mono, stereo, and 5.1 tracks.
  • Noise-reduction and audio-restoration effects support cleanup work.
  • Premiere project import and video synchronization fit Adobe workflows.

  Where it doesn't

  • It is a paid subscription, with no free plan.
  • It is a desktop application for Windows and macOS.
  • Its focus is audio editing, not audiobook chaptering and delivery.

• Audacity — where it wins

  • Multitrack editing, recording, and mixing across Windows, macOS, and Linux
  • Noise reduction targets hiss, hum, fan noise, and buzzing
  • Common format conversion plus broad third-party audio plugin support

  Where it doesn't

  • No audiobook-specific navigation or export workflows are listed
  • Desktop software, not a standalone hosted editor
  • MIDI editing is limited

• Adobe Audition7.8/10 · 7-day trial

  A capable multitrack audio editor for audiobook makers already in Adobe workflows.

  Visit Adobe AuditionFull verdict →
• Audacity7.7/10 · Free plan

  A free multitrack desktop editor for audiobook recording and cleanup, without audiobook-specific workflows.

  Visit AudacityFull verdict →