Equalizer APO vs EQBase

EAEqualizer APO9.0Visit EQBase6.9Visit

Higher score EA Equalizer APO #1 in Audio Equalizer Software 9.0/10 Free plan Free plan✓ 3 of 4 features Visit Equalizer APO

vs

EQBase #8 in Audio Equalizer Software 6.9/10 Free plan · paid from $4.99/mo Free plan✓ 4 of 4 features Visit EQBase

• Equalizer APO fits best

  Windows users needing a powerful free system EQ

• EQBase fits best

  Mac users wanting room correction and recording

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Side by side

Feature	EAEqualizer APO 9.0/10 Visit ↗	EQBase 6.9/10 Visit ↗
At a glance
Editor score	9.0	6.9
Ranking	#1 in Audio Equalizer Software	#8 in Audio Equalizer Software
Best for	Windows users needing a powerful free system EQ	Mac users wanting room correction and recording
Pricing model	Free	Free plan + paid
Starting price	Not published	$4.99/mo
Free plan	✓	✓
Free trial	—	—
Deployment	Desktop	Desktop
Platforms	Windows	macOS
Support	Docs	Email, Docs
Built for	Solo, Small business	Solo, Small business
Features Equalizer APO 3/4 · EQBase 4/4
System-wide control	✓	✓
Per-app controls	✓	✓
Parametric EQ	✓	✓
Device profiles	Not published	✓ (best)
Specs
Desktop operating systems	Windows	Macos
EQ band count	Not published	24 bands
Our review
Pros	System-wide parametric and graphic equalization Virtually unlimited filters with very low latency VST support plus Room EQ Wizard and Voicemeeter integrations	Free system-wide 10-band EQ with headphone correction profiles Pro adds room correction, routing, recording and per-app controls Supports macOS on Apple silicon and Intel without a normal driver install
Cons	Windows-only availability Does not support ASIO or WASAPI exclusive mode Advanced configuration may suit experienced desktop users better	Available only for macOS 14.4 or later Parametric EQ and advanced mixing features require Pro Audiophile mode and Pro routing use a user-space Core Audio driver
Our verdict	Equalizer APO is open-source audio equalizer software for Windows. It operates through the Windows Audio Processing Object infrastructure, applying system-wide processing to supported audio applications and selected devices. Its audience… Read the review →	EQBase is a macOS desktop application for applying equalization across system audio and individual applications. It suits Mac users who want to adjust headphones, speakers, rooms or app audio from one place, with recording and preset… Read the review →

Strengths and trade-offs

• Equalizer APO — where it wins

  • System-wide parametric and graphic equalization
  • Virtually unlimited filters with very low latency
  • VST support plus Room EQ Wizard and Voicemeeter integrations

  Where it doesn't

  • Windows-only availability
  • Does not support ASIO or WASAPI exclusive mode
  • Advanced configuration may suit experienced desktop users better

• EQBase — where it wins

  • Free system-wide 10-band EQ with headphone correction profiles
  • Pro adds room correction, routing, recording and per-app controls
  • Supports macOS on Apple silicon and Intel without a normal driver install

  Where it doesn't

  • Available only for macOS 14.4 or later
  • Parametric EQ and advanced mixing features require Pro
  • Audiophile mode and Pro routing use a user-space Core Audio driver

• EAEqualizer APO9.0/10 · Free plan

  A powerful free Windows system EQ with deep filtering, low latency, and VST support.

  Visit Equalizer APOFull verdict →
• EQBase6.9/10 · Free plan · paid from $4.99/mo

  A capable Mac audio correction tool with a useful free tier and deep Pro controls.

  Visit EQBaseFull verdict →