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 Enhancement Software

SteelSeries Sonar vs FxSound

  • Updated Oct 2026
  • Both researched from official sources
  • 6 checks side by side
Higher score SteelSeries Sonar #1 in Audio Enhancement Software 9.4/10 Free plan Free plan✓ 5 of 5 features Visit site
FxSound #7 in Audio Enhancement Software 8.7/10 Free plan Free plan✓ 4 of 5 features Visit FxSound

SteelSeries Sonar leads on 1 check, FxSound on 0, and 5 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 scoreSteelSeries Sonar · 9.4/10
  • Free planboth
  • Most featuresSteelSeries Sonar · 5 of 5

SteelSeries Sonar scores higher on our rubric for audio enhancement software: 9.4 against 8.7 out of 10; our editors rank them #1 and #7.

SteelSeries Sonar offers app-specific profiles; FxSound doesn't.

SteelSeries Sonar is the better fit for windows gamers and streamers. FxSound is the better fit for free Windows system-wide enhancement.

  • SteelSeries Sonar fits best

    Windows gamers and streamers

  • 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 SteelSeries Sonar 9.4/10 Visit ↗ FxSound 8.7/10 Visit ↗
At a glance
Editor score 9.4 8.7
Ranking #1 in Audio Enhancement Software #7 in Audio Enhancement Software
Best for Windows gamers and streamers Free Windows system-wide enhancement
Pricing model Free Free
Starting price Free Free plan
Free plan ✓ ✓
Free trial — —
Deployment Desktop Desktop
Platforms Windows Windows
Features SteelSeries Sonar 5/5 · FxSound 4/5
Noise reduction ✓ ✓
Equalizer ✓ ✓
Virtual surround ✓ ✓
Audio routing ✓ ✓
App-specific profiles ✓ (best) —
Specs
Supported platforms windows windows
Equalizer bands Not checked yet Not checked yet
Our review
Pros
  • Free AI noise cancellation and microphone processing
  • 10-band EQ, spatial audio, presets, and keyboard shortcuts
  • Routing, submixes, and integrations with Discord, OBS, Twitch, and XSplit
  • 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
  • Windows-only support limits platform flexibility
  • Distributed through SteelSeries GG rather than as a standalone app
  • No paid tier for expanded features or service levels
  • Windows-only platform support
  • No app profiles for separate application settings
  • No paid tier for additional plan-based features
Our verdict

SteelSeries Sonar is free Windows audio software for gamers and streamers who want more control over game, chat, media, auxiliary, and microphone channels. It combines equalization, spatial audio, microphone processing, noise cancellation,…

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. SteelSeries SonarAudio Enhancement Software 9.4Free plan
  2. FxSoundAudio Enhancement Software 8.7Free plan

Strengths and trade-offs

  • SteelSeries Sonar — where it wins

    • Free AI noise cancellation and microphone processing
    • 10-band EQ, spatial audio, presets, and keyboard shortcuts
    • Routing, submixes, and integrations with Discord, OBS, Twitch, and XSplit

    Where it doesn't

    • Windows-only support limits platform flexibility
    • Distributed through SteelSeries GG rather than as a standalone app
    • No paid tier for expanded features or service levels

  • 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
  • SteelSeries Sonar9.4/10 · Free plan

    A capable free Windows audio suite for gamers and streamers who want detailed control.

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

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

    Visit FxSoundFull verdict →

More comparisons

All audio enhancement software comparisons → · Full ranking →

Reviewed by iTechGuides Editors · Editorial team · Updated Oct 2026

Last updated · How we research and update