Audio Hijack review
A versatile Mac audio workstation with deep routing, recording, and enhancement tools.
Reviewed by iTechGuides Editors · Editorial team · Updated Oct 2026
Audio Hijack is a macOS audio utility for people who need to capture, shape, record, route, or broadcast sound from a computer. It can work with individual applications, microphones, mixers, other input devices, or all system audio. That makes it suitable for podcasters, streamers, broadcasters, musicians, and anyone managing multiple audio sources on a Mac. The product comes from Rogue Amoeba Software, Inc. and has been available since 2002.
The pricing model is straightforward: Audio Hijack License costs $69 USD as a one-time payment and unlocks the full version for a single user. There is no subscription tier or permanent free plan. A free trial is available with time-based audio degradation, so prospective buyers can evaluate the workflow before purchasing. The paid license covers a broad set of capabilities, including recording to MP3, AAC, AIFF, WAV, ALAC, and FLAC, plus streaming to RTMP servers and broadcasting to Shoutcast or Icecast servers.
Its standout strength is the combination of audio control and routing depth in one Mac-focused tool. Users can apply a 10-band equalizer with presets or custom settings, use noise reduction and speech denoise, mix multiple sources, send audio to another application through Loopback, and create reusable sessions. Local speech-to-text transcription extends the product beyond basic recording. Integration points include Zoom, FaceTime, YouTube Live, Twitch, Facebook Live, Shoutcast, Icecast, and Loopback. Choose Audio Hijack if you need detailed audio capture and routing on macOS; choose an alternative if you need Windows support, a multi-user license, or a permanent free plan.
Audio Hijack pros and cons
- Where it wins
- Captures audio from apps, microphones, mixers, or the full system
- Combines mixing, 10-band EQ, denoise, recording, and routing
- Supports local transcription and streaming to RTMP, Shoutcast, and Icecast
- Where it doesn't
- Runs only on macOS
- Costs $69 upfront with no permanent free plan
- The license is limited to a single user
Audio Hijack fact sheet, pricing and score →
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