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Head-to-head · Audio Enhancement Software

Splitwave vs FxSound

  • Updated Oct 2026
  • Both researched from official sources
  • 6 checks side by side
Higher score Splitwave #4 in Audio Enhancement Software 9.0/10 Free plan Free plan✓ 3 of 5 features Visit Splitwave
FxSound #7 in Audio Enhancement Software 8.7/10 Free plan Free plan✓ 4 of 5 features Visit FxSound

Splitwave leads on 0 checks, FxSound on 0, and 6 are even. Who comes out ahead on the 6 yes/no, price and count checks where we have data for both products. The editor score weighs everything else too.

Our verdict

  • Highest scoreSplitwave · 9.0/10
  • Free planboth
  • Most featuresFxSound · 4 of 5

Splitwave scores higher on our rubric for audio enhancement software: 9.0 against 8.7 out of 10; our editors rank them #4 and #7.

Splitwave is the better fit for cross-platform open-source audio production. FxSound is the better fit for free Windows system-wide enhancement.

  • Splitwave fits best

    Cross-platform open-source audio production

  • FxSound fits best

    Free Windows system-wide enhancement

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 Splitwave 9.0/10 Visit ↗ FxSound 8.7/10 Visit ↗
At a glance
Editor score 9.0 8.7
Ranking #4 in Audio Enhancement Software #7 in Audio Enhancement Software
Best for Cross-platform open-source audio production Free Windows system-wide enhancement
Pricing model Free Free
Starting price Free plan Free plan
Free plan ✓ ✓
Free trial — —
Deployment Desktop Desktop
Platforms macOS, Linux, Windows Windows
Features Splitwave 3/5 · FxSound 4/5
Noise reduction ✓ ✓
Equalizer ✓ ✓
Virtual surround Not checked yet ✓ (best)
Audio routing ✓ ✓
App-specific profiles Not checked yet —
Specs
Supported platforms macOS, Linux, Windows windows
Equalizer bands 10 bands Not checked yet
Our review
Pros
  • 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
  • System-wide processing through a virtual audio driver
  • EQ, effects, presets, bass, volume, and spatial controls
  • Free and open-source with Intel/AMD and ARM64 installers
Cons
  • 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
  • Windows-only platform support
  • No app profiles for separate application settings
  • No paid tier for additional plan-based features
Our verdict

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 →

FxSound is free, open-source audio enhancement software for Windows. It processes system audio through a virtual audio driver, making it suitable for music listeners, gamers, transcriptionists, and people using low-quality speakers or…

Read the review →
  1. SplitwaveAudio Enhancement Software 9.0Free plan
  2. FxSoundAudio Enhancement Software 8.7Free plan

Strengths and trade-offs

  • 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
  • FxSound — where it wins

    • System-wide processing through a virtual audio driver
    • EQ, effects, presets, bass, volume, and spatial controls
    • Free and open-source with Intel/AMD and ARM64 installers

    Where it doesn't

    • Windows-only platform support
    • No app profiles for separate application settings
    • No paid tier for additional plan-based features
  • Splitwave9.0/10 · Free plan

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

    Visit SplitwaveFull verdict →
  • FxSound8.7/10 · Free plan

    A free Windows system-wide enhancer with EQ, effects, routing, and spatial processing.

    Visit FxSoundFull verdict →

More comparisons

Reviewed by iTechGuides Editors · Editorial team · Updated Oct 2026

Last updated · How we research and update