AudioPad vs Sound Show

AudioPad9.4Visit Sound Show9.1Visit

Higher score AudioPad #1 in Soundboard Software 9.4/10 Free plan Free plan✓ 4 of 6 features Visit AudioPad

vs

Sound Show #3 in Soundboard Software 9.1/10 Free plan Free plan✓ 4 of 6 features Visit Sound Show

• AudioPad fits best

  Free cross-platform soundboard users

• Sound Show fits best

  Cross-platform live-show production

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.

Side by side

Feature	AudioPad 9.4/10 Visit ↗	Sound Show 9.1/10 Visit ↗
At a glance
Editor score	9.4	9.1
Ranking	#1 in Soundboard Software	#3 in Soundboard Software
Best for	Free cross-platform soundboard users	Cross-platform live-show production
Pricing model	Free	Free plan + paid
Starting price	Free	€25 one-time
Free plan	✓	✓
Free trial	—	—
Deployment	Desktop	Desktop, Mobile
Platforms	Windows, Linux	Windows, macOS, Linux, Android
Integrations	6 integrations	6 integrations
Built for	Solo, Small business	Solo, Small business, Mid-market
Features AudioPad 4/6 · Sound Show 4/6
Desktop app	✓	✓
Browser app	Not checked yet	—
Hotkey triggering	✓	✓
Streaming integrations	✓	✓
Voice effects	Not checked yet	Not checked yet
Multiple soundboards	✓	✓
Our review
Pros	Unlimited sounds with custom global hotkeys Sub-20ms latency and separate local/transmitted volume controls Works with Discord, Zoom, Teams, OBS Studio, Steam, and Slack	Runs on Windows, macOS, Linux, and Android Supports tabs, hotkeys, fades, playlists, effects, and sequences Connects with MIDI, Stream Deck, OBS, QLC+, and remote control
Cons	Desktop support is limited to Windows and Linux Runs locally rather than providing cloud-based access License references identify both MIT License and GPLv3	Free plan limits each tab to 40 sounds and 10 tabs Some Free-plan modules are locked Desktop and mobile Pro licenses are separate purchases
Our verdict	AudioPad is a free, open-source desktop soundboard for gamers, streamers, and voice-chat users. It plays music, sound effects, memes, and voice clips through a microphone input, with global hotkeys for triggering sounds and support for… Read the review →	Sound Show is a desktop and mobile soundboard and multimedia player for live performances. It suits theatre technicians, DJs, podcast and radio producers, streamers, role-playing game masters, and teams running parties, corporate events,… Read the review →

Strengths and trade-offs

• AudioPad — where it wins

  • Unlimited sounds with custom global hotkeys
  • Sub-20ms latency and separate local/transmitted volume controls
  • Works with Discord, Zoom, Teams, OBS Studio, Steam, and Slack

  Where it doesn't

  • Desktop support is limited to Windows and Linux
  • Runs locally rather than providing cloud-based access
  • License references identify both MIT License and GPLv3

• Sound Show — where it wins

  • Runs on Windows, macOS, Linux, and Android
  • Supports tabs, hotkeys, fades, playlists, effects, and sequences
  • Connects with MIDI, Stream Deck, OBS, QLC+, and remote control

  Where it doesn't

  • Free plan limits each tab to 40 sounds and 10 tabs
  • Some Free-plan modules are locked
  • Desktop and mobile Pro licenses are separate purchases

• AudioPad9.4/10 · Free plan

  A strong free choice for desktop sound triggers, routing, and voice-chat playback.

  Visit AudioPadFull verdict →
• Sound Show9.1/10 · Free plan

  A flexible cross-platform soundboard for live shows, streaming, and multimedia cues.

  Visit Sound ShowFull verdict →