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Head-to-head · Audio Analysis Software

Insight 2 vs Smaart

  • Updated Oct 2026
  • Both researched from official sources
  • 3 checks side by side
Higher score Insight 2 #1 in Audio Analysis Software 9.1/10 10-day trial Free trial✓ 2 of 3 features Visit iZotope
Smaart #3 in Audio Analysis Software 8.9/10 30-day trial Free trial✓ 1 of 3 features Visit Smaart

Insight 2 leads on 0 checks, Smaart on 0, and 3 are even. Who comes out ahead on the 3 yes/no, price and count checks where we have data for both products. The editor score weighs everything else too.

Our verdict

  • Highest scoreInsight 2 · 9.1/10
  • Free trialboth
  • Most featuresInsight 2 · 2 of 3

Insight 2 scores higher on our rubric for audio analysis software: 9.1 against 8.9 out of 10; our editors rank them #1 and #3.

On plugin support, Insight 2 gives you Vst where Smaart offers None.

Insight 2 is the better fit for professional loudness and immersive metering. Smaart is the better fit for professional live sound measurement.

  • Insight 2 fits best

    Professional loudness and immersive metering

  • Smaart fits best

    Professional live sound measurement

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 Insight 2 9.1/10 Visit ↗ Smaart 8.9/10 Visit ↗
At a glance
Editor score 9.1 8.9
Ranking #1 in Audio Analysis Software #3 in Audio Analysis Software
Best for Professional loudness and immersive metering Professional live sound measurement
Pricing model Paid Paid
Starting price $199 one-time $159/yr
Free plan — —
Free trial 10 days 30 days
Free trial length 10 days 30 days
Deployment Desktop Desktop, Mobile
Platforms Windows, macOS Windows, macOS, iOS, Android
Support Docs Email, Phone, Docs
Integrations 1 integrations 2 integrations
Built for Solo, Small business, Mid-market Small business, Mid-market, Enterprise
Features Insight 2 2/3 · Smaart 1/3
Real-time analysis ✓ ✓
Offline file analysis Not checked yet Not checked yet
Loudness standards ✓ (best) Not checked yet
Specs
Maximum channels 10 channels Not checked yet
Plugin support Vst None
Analysis views loudness, levels, sound field, spectrogram, intelligibility, spectrum, history RTA, spectrograph, magnitude, coherence, phase, live impulse response, linear, logarithmic, energy time curve, frequency, histogram, SPL history
Our review
Pros
  • Supports stereo through Dolby Atmos 7.1.2 configurations
  • Combines loudness, levels, sound field, spectrogram, and intelligibility tools
  • Provides customizable layouts and broadcast loudness target profiles
  • Broad real-time, transfer-function, impulse-response, and SPL analysis
  • Desktop support for Windows and macOS, plus iOS and Android apps
  • Signal generation, calibration, reporting, alarms, and remote SPL viewing
Cons
  • The perpetual license costs $199
  • Supports up to 10 audio channels
  • Intelligibility Meter analysis requires Relay input
  • No free plan; the demo is limited to 30 days
  • Advanced capabilities require higher-priced editions
  • No plugin support is listed
Our verdict

Insight 2 is an audio metering and analysis plug-in for music producers, mix engineers, mastering engineers, and post-production professionals. It runs in compatible digital audio workstations on macOS and Windows, with tools for loudness,…

Read the review →

Smaart is an acoustic test and measurement platform from Rational Acoustics for audio engineers, system designers, installers, and acoustical consultants. Its desktop editions run on Windows and macOS, while Smaart RTA mobile apps for iOS…

Read the review →
  1. Insight 2Audio Analysis Software 9.110-day trial
  2. SmaartAudio Analysis Software 8.930-day trial

Strengths and trade-offs

  • Insight 2 — where it wins

    • Supports stereo through Dolby Atmos 7.1.2 configurations
    • Combines loudness, levels, sound field, spectrogram, and intelligibility tools
    • Provides customizable layouts and broadcast loudness target profiles

    Where it doesn't

    • The perpetual license costs $199
    • Supports up to 10 audio channels
    • Intelligibility Meter analysis requires Relay input

  • Smaart — where it wins

    • Broad real-time, transfer-function, impulse-response, and SPL analysis
    • Desktop support for Windows and macOS, plus iOS and Android apps
    • Signal generation, calibration, reporting, alarms, and remote SPL viewing

    Where it doesn't

    • No free plan; the demo is limited to 30 days
    • Advanced capabilities require higher-priced editions
    • No plugin support is listed

More comparisons

All audio analysis software comparisons → · Full ranking →

Reviewed by iTechGuides Editors · Editorial team · Updated Oct 2026

Last updated · How we research and update