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Head-to-head · Audio Enhancement Software

Voicemeeter vs Splitwave

  • Updated Oct 2026
  • Both researched from official sources
  • 6 checks side by side
Higher score Voicemeeter #2 in Audio Enhancement Software 9.2/10 Free plan Free plan✓ 4 of 5 features Visit VB-Audio
Splitwave #4 in Audio Enhancement Software 9.0/10 Free plan Free plan✓ 3 of 5 features Visit Splitwave

Voicemeeter leads on 0 checks, Splitwave on 1, 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 scoreVoicemeeter · 9.2/10
  • Free planboth
  • Most featuresVoicemeeter · 4 of 5

Voicemeeter scores higher on our rubric for audio enhancement software: 9.2 against 9.0 out of 10; our editors rank them #2 and #4.

Splitwave leads on equalizer bands: 10 bands versus 3 bands.

Voicemeeter is the better fit for advanced Windows audio routing. Splitwave is the better fit for cross-platform open-source audio production.

  • Voicemeeter fits best

    Advanced Windows audio routing

  • Splitwave fits best

    Cross-platform open-source audio production

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Side by side

Feature Voicemeeter 9.2/10 Visit ↗ Splitwave 9.0/10 Visit ↗
At a glance
Editor score 9.2 9.0
Ranking #2 in Audio Enhancement Software #4 in Audio Enhancement Software
Best for Advanced Windows audio routing Cross-platform open-source audio production
Pricing model Free plan + paid Free
Starting price — Free plan
Free plan ✓ ✓
Free trial — —
Deployment Desktop Desktop
Platforms Windows macOS, Linux, Windows
Integrations 6 integrations 8 integrations
Features Voicemeeter 4/5 · Splitwave 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 macOS, Linux, Windows
Equalizer bands 3 bands 10 bands (best)
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 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
Cons
  • Windows-only availability limits cross-platform setups
  • Advanced features require moving beyond Standard
  • The interface may demand audio-routing knowledge
  • 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
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 →

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 →
  1. VoicemeeterAudio Enhancement Software 9.2Free plan
  2. SplitwaveAudio Enhancement Software 9.0Free plan

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
  • 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

More comparisons

Reviewed by iTechGuides Editors · Editorial team · Updated Oct 2026

Last updated · How we research and update