Elgato Wave Link vs Splitwave

Elgato Wave Link9.1Visit Splitwave9.0Visit

Higher score Elgato Wave Link #3 in Audio Enhancement Software 9.1/10 Free plan Free plan✓ 3 of 5 features Visit Elgato

vs

Splitwave #4 in Audio Enhancement Software 9.0/10 Free plan Free plan✓ 3 of 5 features Visit Splitwave

• Elgato Wave Link fits best

  Free cross-platform stream mixing

• Splitwave fits best

  Cross-platform open-source audio production

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Side by side

Feature	Elgato Wave Link 9.1/10 Visit ↗	Splitwave 9.0/10 Visit ↗
At a glance
Editor score	9.1	9.0
Ranking	#3 in Audio Enhancement Software	#4 in Audio Enhancement Software
Best for	Free cross-platform stream mixing	Cross-platform open-source audio production
Pricing model	Free	Free
Starting price	Free	Free plan
Free plan	✓	✓
Free trial	—	—
Deployment	Desktop	Desktop
Platforms	Windows, macOS	macOS, Linux, Windows
Integrations	4 integrations	8 integrations
Features Elgato Wave Link 3/5 · Splitwave 3/5
Noise reduction	✓	✓
Equalizer	✓	✓
Virtual surround	Not checked yet	Not checked yet
Audio routing	✓	✓
App-specific profiles	Not checked yet	Not checked yet
Specs
Supported platforms	Windows, macOS	macOS, Linux, Windows
Equalizer bands	Not checked yet	10 bands
Our review
Pros	Free on Windows and macOS with no subscriptions or feature gates Supports up to five independent output mixes and eight software channels Works with VST3, Audio Unit, AI Voice Focus, and Stream Deck controls	Free and open source under the MIT license Routes microphones, apps, files, effects, and plugins in real time Supports macOS, Linux, and Windows with broad recording formats
Cons	Limited to Windows and macOS Supports up to four hardware inputs Plugin support differs between Windows and macOS	Virtual audio devices are available only on macOS and Linux The node-based workflow may require careful pipeline configuration Its wide feature set may exceed the needs of simple audio enhancement
Our verdict	Elgato Wave Link is free audio mixing and routing software for streamers, podcasters, gamers, and other creators. It works with any microphone or audio interface recognized by a Windows or macOS computer, including non-Elgato devices. The… Read the review →	Splitwave is a desktop audio router for macOS, Linux, and Windows, designed for users who need more than basic volume or tone adjustment. Its node-based graph connects microphones, system audio, per-application audio, WAV files, effects,… Read the review →

Strengths and trade-offs

• Elgato Wave Link — where it wins

  • Free on Windows and macOS with no subscriptions or feature gates
  • Supports up to five independent output mixes and eight software channels
  • Works with VST3, Audio Unit, AI Voice Focus, and Stream Deck controls

  Where it doesn't

  • Limited to Windows and macOS
  • Supports up to four hardware inputs
  • Plugin support differs between Windows and macOS

• Splitwave — where it wins

  • Free and open source under the MIT license
  • Routes microphones, apps, files, effects, and plugins in real time
  • Supports macOS, Linux, and Windows with broad recording formats

  Where it doesn't

  • Virtual audio devices are available only on macOS and Linux
  • The node-based workflow may require careful pipeline configuration
  • Its wide feature set may exceed the needs of simple audio enhancement

• Elgato Wave Link9.1/10 · Free plan

  A free mixer for creators who need flexible routing, multiple mixes, and plugin effects.

  Visit ElgatoFull verdict →
• Splitwave9.0/10 · Free plan

  A free, cross-platform audio router for live processing, recording, streaming, and DAW workflows.

  Visit SplitwaveFull verdict →