Suggestions appear as you type. Use the up and down arrows to choose one and Enter to open it.

This page's audience our own tag's counts — open to see them
–Visits
–Page views
–Clicks to vendors
–Time on page
–Reading now
Clicks to vendors, by tool
  • –
Top countries
  • –
Devices
  • –

– · visits, page views and clicks counted by our own tag, which counts more than our checked analytics; every figure rounded down · how we count

Head-to-head · Audio Equalizer Software

SotF vs SteelSeries Sonar

  • Updated Oct 2026
  • Both researched from official sources
  • 3 checks side by side
Higher score SotF #3 in Audio Equalizer Software 9.1/10 Free plan Free plan✓ 2 of 4 features Visit SotF
SteelSeries Sonar #4 in Audio Equalizer Software 9.0/10 Free plan Free plan✓ 0 of 4 features Visit SteelSeries

SotF leads on 0 checks, SteelSeries Sonar 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 scoreSotF · 9.1/10
  • Free planboth
  • Most featuresSotF · 2 of 4

SotF scores higher on our rubric for audio equalizer software: 9.1 against 9.0 out of 10; our editors rank them #3 and #4.

SotF is the better fit for cross-platform room and headphone EQ workflows. SteelSeries Sonar is the better fit for windows gamers and streamers.

  • SotF fits best

    Cross-platform room and headphone EQ workflows

  • SteelSeries Sonar fits best

    Windows gamers and streamers

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 SotF 9.1/10 Visit ↗ SteelSeries Sonar 9.0/10 Visit ↗
At a glance
Editor score 9.1 9.0
Ranking #3 in Audio Equalizer Software #4 in Audio Equalizer Software
Best for Cross-platform room and headphone EQ workflows Windows gamers and streamers
Pricing model Free Free
Starting price Free plan Free
Free plan ✓ ✓
Free trial — —
Deployment Desktop Desktop
Platforms Windows, macOS, Linux Windows
Integrations 6 integrations 5 integrations
Features SotF 2/4 · SteelSeries Sonar 0/4
System-wide control ✓ (best) Not checked yet
Per-app controls Not checked yet Not checked yet
Parametric EQ ✓ (best) Not checked yet
Device profiles Not checked yet Not checked yet
Specs
Desktop operating systems Both Not checked yet
EQ band count Not checked yet Not checked yet
Our review
Pros
  • Free and open-source across Windows, macOS, and Linux
  • Measurement-based room EQ plus headphone target-curve optimization
  • Exports to CamillaDSP, Equalizer APO, EasyEffects, Wavelet, PipeWire, and Roon
  • Free access to EQ, spatial audio, routing, mixing, and AI noise cancellation
  • Routes applications into separate game, chat, media, and microphone streams
  • Works with any microphone and integrates with Discord, OBS, Twitch, and XSplit
Cons
  • System-wide routing through a HAL driver is limited to macOS
  • The broad processing toolkit may exceed the needs of simple EQ users
  • Surround upmixing is specified up to 9.1.6 Atmos
  • Available only on Windows
  • Distributed through SteelSeries GG
  • Advanced audio controls may require more setup than basic equalizers
Our verdict

SotF is a free, open-source desktop application for music playback, equalization, room correction, headphone optimization, and audio processing. It supports FLAC, MP3, AAC, ALAC, Vorbis, and other common formats, while its Windows, macOS,…

Read the review →

SteelSeries Sonar is Windows audio software for gamers and streamers who need more than a basic equalizer. It combines a parametric equalizer with up to 10 bands, 360° spatial audio, ClearCast AI noise cancellation, microphone processing,…

Read the review →
  1. SotFAudio Equalizer Software 9.1Free plan
  2. SteelSeries SonarAudio Equalizer Software 9.0Free plan

Strengths and trade-offs

  • SotF — where it wins

    • Free and open-source across Windows, macOS, and Linux
    • Measurement-based room EQ plus headphone target-curve optimization
    • Exports to CamillaDSP, Equalizer APO, EasyEffects, Wavelet, PipeWire, and Roon

    Where it doesn't

    • System-wide routing through a HAL driver is limited to macOS
    • The broad processing toolkit may exceed the needs of simple EQ users
    • Surround upmixing is specified up to 9.1.6 Atmos

  • SteelSeries Sonar — where it wins

    • Free access to EQ, spatial audio, routing, mixing, and AI noise cancellation
    • Routes applications into separate game, chat, media, and microphone streams
    • Works with any microphone and integrates with Discord, OBS, Twitch, and XSplit

    Where it doesn't

    • Available only on Windows
    • Distributed through SteelSeries GG
    • Advanced audio controls may require more setup than basic equalizers

More comparisons

All audio equalizer software comparisons → · Full ranking →

Reviewed by iTechGuides Editors · Editorial team · Updated Oct 2026

Last updated · How we research and update