Voicemeeter vs Elgato Wave Link

Voicemeeter9.2Visit Elgato Wave Link9.1Visit

Higher score Voicemeeter #2 in Audio Enhancement Software 9.2/10 Free plan Free plan✓ 4 of 5 features Visit VB-Audio

vs

Elgato Wave Link #3 in Audio Enhancement Software 9.1/10 Free plan Free plan✓ 3 of 5 features Visit Elgato

• Voicemeeter fits best

  Advanced Windows audio routing

• Elgato Wave Link fits best

  Free cross-platform stream mixing

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Side by side

Feature	Voicemeeter 9.2/10 Visit ↗	Elgato Wave Link 9.1/10 Visit ↗
At a glance
Editor score	9.2	9.1
Ranking	#2 in Audio Enhancement Software	#3 in Audio Enhancement Software
Best for	Advanced Windows audio routing	Free cross-platform stream mixing
Pricing model	Free plan + paid	Free
Starting price	—	Free
Free plan	✓	✓
Free trial	—	—
Deployment	Desktop	Desktop
Platforms	Windows	Windows, macOS
Integrations	6 integrations	4 integrations
Features Voicemeeter 4/5 · Elgato Wave Link 3/5
Noise reduction	✓	✓
Equalizer	✓	✓
Virtual surround	✓ (best)	Not checked yet
Audio routing	✓	✓
App-specific profiles	Not checked yet	Not checked yet
Specs
Supported platforms	windows	Windows, macOS
Equalizer bands	3 bands	Not checked yet
Our review
Pros	Routes hardware and software audio to multiple outputs Supports multichannel mixing, effects, denoising, and recording Includes VBAN network audio, macro buttons, and remote controls	Free on Windows and macOS with no subscriptions or feature gates Supports up to five independent output mixes and eight software channels Works with VST3, Audio Unit, AI Voice Focus, and Stream Deck controls
Cons	Windows-only availability limits cross-platform setups Advanced features require moving beyond Standard The interface may demand audio-routing knowledge	Limited to Windows and macOS Supports up to four hardware inputs Plugin support differs between Windows and macOS
Our verdict	Voicemeeter is a Windows virtual audio mixer and audio-driver application for connecting microphones, sound cards, software players, games, conferencing tools, and professional audio applications. It is designed for users who need detailed… Read the review →	Elgato Wave Link is free audio mixing and routing software for streamers, podcasters, gamers, and other creators. It works with any microphone or audio interface recognized by a Windows or macOS computer, including non-Elgato devices. The… Read the review →

Strengths and trade-offs

• Voicemeeter — where it wins

  • Routes hardware and software audio to multiple outputs
  • Supports multichannel mixing, effects, denoising, and recording
  • Includes VBAN network audio, macro buttons, and remote controls

  Where it doesn't

  • Windows-only availability limits cross-platform setups
  • Advanced features require moving beyond Standard
  • The interface may demand audio-routing knowledge

• Elgato Wave Link — where it wins

  • Free on Windows and macOS with no subscriptions or feature gates
  • Supports up to five independent output mixes and eight software channels
  • Works with VST3, Audio Unit, AI Voice Focus, and Stream Deck controls

  Where it doesn't

  • Limited to Windows and macOS
  • Supports up to four hardware inputs
  • Plugin support differs between Windows and macOS

• Voicemeeter9.2/10 · Free plan

  A deep Windows audio router with free tiers for mixing, effects, and network audio.

  Visit VB-AudioFull verdict →
• Elgato Wave Link9.1/10 · Free plan

  A free mixer for creators who need flexible routing, multiple mixes, and plugin effects.

  Visit ElgatoFull verdict →