Head-to-head · AI Music Mastering Software
Waves Online Mastering vs MasterForge
Waves Online Mastering leads on 0 checks, MasterForge on 3, and 2 are even. Who comes out ahead on the 5 yes/no, price and count checks where we have data for both products. The editor score weighs everything else too.
Our verdict
- Highest scoreWaves Online Mastering · 9.1/10
- Free planonly MasterForge
- Most featuresMasterForge · 4 of 4
Waves Online Mastering scores higher on our rubric for ai music mastering software: 9.1 against 7.5 out of 10; our editors rank them #2 and #9.
MasterForge offers free plan; Waves Online Mastering doesn't. MasterForge offers stem mastering; Waves Online Mastering doesn't. MasterForge offers loudness targets; Waves Online Mastering doesn't.
Waves Online Mastering is the better fit for waves users wanting online mastering. MasterForge is the better fit for independent artists wanting affordable stem mastering.
- Waves Online Mastering fits best
Waves users wanting online mastering
- MasterForge fits best
Independent artists wanting affordable stem mastering
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Side by side
| Feature | Waves Online Mastering 9.1/10 Visit ↗ | MasterForge 7.5/10 Visit ↗ |
|---|---|---|
| At a glance | ||
| Editor score | 9.1 | 7.5 |
| Ranking | #2 in AI Music Mastering Software | #9 in AI Music Mastering Software |
| Best for | Waves users wanting online mastering | Independent artists wanting affordable stem mastering |
| Pricing model | Paid | Free plan + paid |
| Starting price | — | €4.99/mo |
| Free plan | — | ✓ (best) |
| Free trial | — | — |
| Deployment | Cloud | Cloud |
| Platforms | Web | Web |
| Support | Live chat, Phone, Tickets, Community, Docs | Email, Docs |
| Built for | Solo, Small business, Mid-market | Solo, Small business |
| Features Waves Online Mastering 2/4 · MasterForge 4/4 | ||
| Reference track matching | ✓ | ✓ |
| Stem mastering | — | ✓ (best) |
| WAV export | ✓ | ✓ |
| Loudness targets | — | ✓ (best) |
| Specs | ||
| Monthly masterings | 1 tracks/mo | Not checked yet |
| Input formats | WAV, AIF, AIFF, MP3 | WAV, MP3, FLAC, OGG, M4A/AAC |
| Supported platforms | Web | Web |
| Our review | ||
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| Our verdict | Waves Online Mastering is a browser-based AI mastering service for musicians, producers, and audio professionals. It accepts WAV, AIF, AIFF, and MP3 uploads for stereo-track mastering, then provides a processed preview before a full-length… Read the review → |
MasterForge is a browser-based audio mastering platform for independent artists and other solo or small teams working with music, podcasts, voice, and video. Its focus is AI-generated music, with tools for AI artifact suppression,… Read the review → |
Strengths and trade-offs
Waves Online Mastering — where it wins
- Reference-track upload and matching with selectable mastering styles
- 30-second previews plus Presence and Depth tone controls
- WAV and MP3 downloads with a browser-based master library
Where it doesn't
- Web-only access limits platform coverage
- Designed for stereo tracks rather than stem mastering
- No free plan or published loudness-target controls
MasterForge — where it wins
- Free plan includes 5 masters and an unlimited audio analyzer
- AI artifact suppression, genre presets, and reference-track Match EQ
- Pro adds stem mixing, platform preview, and 24-bit WAV export
Where it doesn't
- Web-only access may not suit users seeking a desktop application
- Stem mixing and platform preview require the Pro plan
- The Free plan limits mastering to 5 free masters
- Waves Online Mastering9.1/10 · Paid
A focused web mastering service with reference matching, previews, and flexible credit plans.
Visit siteFull verdict → - MasterForge7.5/10 · Free plan
Affordable web mastering with artifact suppression, stem mixing, and reference matching.
Visit MasterForgeFull verdict →
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All AI music mastering software comparisons → · Full ranking →
Reviewed by iTechGuides Editors · Editorial team · Updated Oct 2026
Last updated · How we research and update








