Head-to-head · Audio Analysis Software
WLM Plus Loudness Meter vs Open Audio Analyzer
WLM Plus Loudness Meter leads on 0 checks, Open Audio Analyzer on 1, and 3 are even. Who comes out ahead on the 4 yes/no, price and count checks where we have data for both products. The editor score weighs everything else too.
Our verdict
- Highest scoreWLM Plus Loudness Meter · 9.0/10
- Free planonly Open Audio Analyzer
WLM Plus Loudness Meter scores higher on our rubric for audio analysis software: 9.0 against 7.6 out of 10; our editors rank them #2 and #8.
Open Audio Analyzer offers free plan; WLM Plus Loudness Meter doesn't. On plugin support, WLM Plus Loudness Meter gives you Aax where Open Audio Analyzer offers Vst.
WLM Plus Loudness Meter is the better fit for loudness compliance across many DAWs. Open Audio Analyzer is the better fit for free standards-based audio analysis.
- WLM Plus Loudness Meter fits best
Loudness compliance across many DAWs
- Open Audio Analyzer fits best
Free standards-based audio analysis
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Side by side
| Feature | WLM Plus Loudness Meter 9.0/10 Visit ↗ | Open Audio Analyzer 7.6/10 Visit ↗ |
|---|---|---|
| At a glance | ||
| Editor score | 9.0 | 7.6 |
| Ranking | #2 in Audio Analysis Software | #8 in Audio Analysis Software |
| Best for | Loudness compliance across many DAWs | Free standards-based audio analysis |
| Pricing model | Paid | Free |
| Starting price | — | Free plan |
| Free plan | — | ✓ (best) |
| Free trial | — | — |
| Deployment | Desktop | Desktop, Mobile |
| Platforms | Windows, macOS | Windows, macOS, Linux, iOS, Android |
| Support | Docs | Email, Community, Docs |
| Built for | Small business, Mid-market, Enterprise | Solo, Small business, Mid-market |
| Features WLM Plus Loudness Meter 3/3 · Open Audio Analyzer 3/3 | ||
| Real-time analysis | ✓ | ✓ |
| Offline file analysis | ✓ | ✓ |
| Loudness standards | ✓ | ✓ |
| Specs | ||
| Maximum channels | 6 channels | Not checked yet |
| Plugin support | Aax | Vst |
| Analysis views | momentary, short-term, long-term, loudness range, true peak, gain reduction | loudness, true peak, VU, spectrum, spectrogram, oscilloscope, phase scope, histogram, loudness distribution, stereo cloud |
| Our review | ||
| Pros |
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| Cons |
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| Our verdict | WLM Plus Loudness Meter is an audio plug-in for measuring and controlling loudness in music, podcasts, video, broadcast, movie trailers, games and other media. It is designed for producers, engineers and post-production teams working… Read the review → |
Open Audio Analyzer is a free, open-source application for musicians, audio engineers and mastering workflows. It covers live-audio analysis, recorded-file analysis, loudness measurement, delivery validation and reporting across Windows,… Read the review → |
Strengths and trade-offs
WLM Plus Loudness Meter — where it wins
- Supports ITU, EBU and ATSC loudness measurement standards
- Provides real-time and offline CSV logging
- Works across mono, stereo and multichannel workflows
Where it doesn't
- Paid product without a free plan
- Channel capacity is limited to mono, stereo and 5.0 or 5.1 workflows
- Advanced metering may be more than needed for simple level checks
Open Audio Analyzer — where it wins
- EBU R 128 and ITU-R BS.1770-4 loudness measurement
- Real-time and offline analysis with reports and pass/fail targets
- VST3, Audio Unit, AAX and command-line workflows
Where it doesn't
- Focused on analysis rather than audio production or editing
- Offline file analysis supports a defined set of audio formats
- Tablet session mirroring requires a Wi-Fi connection
- WLM Plus Loudness Meter9.0/10 · Paid
A standards-focused loudness plugin for production across major DAWs.
Visit Waves AudioFull verdict → - Open Audio Analyzer7.6/10 · Free plan
A standards-based analyzer for live audio, files, DAWs and delivery checks.
Visit siteFull verdict →
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Reviewed by iTechGuides Editors · Editorial team · Updated Oct 2026
Last updated · How we research and update







