Best Splitwave Alternatives in 2026
The top Splitwave alternatives are SteelSeries Sonar, Voicemeeter and Elgato Wave Link: 15 audio enhancement software our editors would look at instead of Splitwave, in our ranking order.
Splitwave: A free, cross-platform audio router for live processing, recording, streaming, and DAW workflows. Where it falls short: virtual audio devices are available only on macOS and linux.
Switching from Splitwave? For most audio enhancement software buyers the best Splitwave alternative is SteelSeries Sonar, built for windows gamers and streamers. On a budget, eqMac starts at $1/device/mo. Poweramp Equalizer offers the most equalizer bands (32 bands).
Why People Look for a Splitwave Alternative
- 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
- Equalizer bands: 10 bands — up to 32 bands with Poweramp Equalizer
Quick Picks by What You Need
- Best overallSteelSeries Sonar9.4
Windows gamers and streamers
Visit SteelSeries Sonar - Lowest priceeqMac8.3
Paid plans from $1/device/mo
Visit eqMac - Best free optionSteelSeries Sonar9.4
Has a free plan
Visit SteelSeries Sonar - Most equalizer bandsPoweramp Equalizer7.8
32 bands
Visit Poweramp Equalizer
All 15 Splitwave Alternatives, Ranked
Advertiser disclosure: iTechGuides is reader-supported. Vendors can pay for top positions in our rankings and for a place on other products' pages, and we may earn a commission when you click some links. Bought places stand at the number bought; this page and our disclosure say so. Paying vendors may get a fuller, more detailed review from our editors, and that review can change their score. How we rank.
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Best forWindows gamers and streamers
- Better than Splitwave:
- Editor score 9.4 vs 9.0
A capable free Windows audio suite for gamers and streamers who want detailed control.
- App-specific profiles
- Virtual surround
- Noise reduction
9.4/10★★★★★Visit site -
Best forAdvanced Windows audio routing
- Better than Splitwave:
- Editor score 9.2 vs 9.0
A deep Windows audio router with free tiers for mixing, effects, and network audio.
- Virtual surround
- Noise reduction
- Equalizer
9.2/10★★★★★Visit VB-Audio -
Best forFree cross-platform stream mixing
- Better than Splitwave:
- Editor score 9.1 vs 9.0
A free mixer for creators who need flexible routing, multiple mixes, and plugin effects.
- Noise reduction
- Equalizer
- Audio routing
9.1/10★★★★★Visit Elgato -
Best forFree microphone and stream mixing
A free Windows and macOS mixer for routing, processing, recording, and streaming audio.
- Noise reduction
- Equalizer
- Audio routing
8.9/10★★★★☆Visit RØDE UNIFY -
Best forWindows creators needing DSP and routing
A capable Windows mixer with routing, DSP, recording, and voice tools.
- Noise reduction
- Equalizer
- Audio routing
8.8/10★★★★☆Visit Patchd -
Best forFree Windows system-wide enhancement
A free Windows system-wide enhancer with EQ, effects, routing, and spatial processing.
- Virtual surround
- Noise reduction
- Equalizer
8.7/10★★★★☆Visit FxSound -
Best forAI noise removal and broadcast effects
Free Windows software for removing noise and adding broadcast-ready audio and video effects.
- Noise reduction
- Equalizer
- Audio routing
8.6/10★★★★☆Try NVIDIA Broadcast -
Best forCross-platform surround and equalizer effects
- Better than Splitwave:
- Equalizer bands: 31 bands vs 10 bands
A paid desktop audio enhancer for surround effects, detailed EQ, and app-level control.
- Virtual surround
- Noise reduction
- Equalizer
8.5/10★★★★☆Visit Boom 3D -
Best forMac users needing recording and routing
A versatile Mac audio workstation with deep routing, recording, and enhancement tools.
- Noise reduction
- Equalizer
- Audio routing
8.4/10★★★★☆Visit Audio Hijack -
Best forMac users wanting deep EQ control
A focused Mac audio tool with advanced EQ, app mixing, and spatial effects.
- App-specific profiles
- Virtual surround
- Equalizer
8.3/10★★★★☆Visit eqMac -
Best forLinux users needing complete audio processing
A deep open-source effects suite for Linux audio and microphone processing.
- App-specific profiles
- Noise reduction
- Equalizer
8.2/10★★★★☆Visit EasyEffects -
Best forLinux DSP enthusiasts
A free Linux DSP suite with deep processing, routing, and scripting options.
- Virtual surround
- Equalizer
- Audio routing
8.1/10★★★★☆Visit JamesDSP -
Best forWindows equalization specialists
A free, open-source Windows EQ for detailed system-wide audio control.
- App-specific profiles
- Equalizer
8.0/10★★★★☆Visit Equalizer APO -
Best forMac users needing per-app audio control
A focused Mac utility for controlling app volume, routing, effects, and equalization.
- App-specific profiles
- Equalizer
- Audio routing
7.9/10★★★★☆Visit SoundSource -
Best forAndroid users needing detailed EQ
- Better than Splitwave:
- Equalizer bands: 32 bands vs 10 bands
A detailed Android EQ with per-app control, AutoEQ presets, and lifetime licensing.
- App-specific profiles
- Equalizer
7.8/10★★★★☆Visit Poweramp
Splitwave Alternatives: Common Questions
What is the best alternative to Splitwave?
SteelSeries Sonar: #1 in our Audio Enhancement Software ranking, with an editor score of 9.4 out of 10. A capable free Windows audio suite for gamers and streamers who want detailed control.
Is there a free alternative to Splitwave?
Yes. SteelSeries Sonar, Voicemeeter, Elgato Wave Link, RØDE UNIFY and Patchd have a free plan or a free tier (11 of the 15 alternatives on this page).
What is the cheapest paid alternative to Splitwave?
Of the alternatives here that publish a price, eqMac starts lowest, at $1/device/mo.
Why do people look for Splitwave alternatives?
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.
Which Splitwave alternative has the most equalizer bands?
Poweramp Equalizer, with 32 bands.
How do I switch from Splitwave?
Export your data from Splitwave (most tools have an export in their settings). Sign up for the alternative; start on its free plan or trial if it has one. Import your export and set up the integrations your team relies on. Run both side by side for a short while, then cancel Splitwave.
How to Switch from Splitwave
- Export your data from Splitwave (most tools have an export in their settings).
- Sign up for the alternative; start on its free plan or trial if it has one.
- Import your export and set up the integrations your team relies on.
- Run both side by side for a short while, then cancel Splitwave.
Splitwave vs Each Alternative
| # | Tool | Free plan | Paid from | Noise reduction | Equalizer | Virtual surround | Audio routing | Score |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 4 | Splitwave | Yes | Free | Yes | Yes | Yes | 9.0 | |
| 1 | SteelSeries Sonar | Yes | Free | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | 9.4 |
| 2 | Voicemeeter | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | 9.2 | |
| 3 | Elgato Wave Link | Yes | Free | Yes | Yes | Yes | 9.1 | |
| 4 | RØDE UNIFY | Yes | Free | Yes | Yes | Yes | 8.9 | |
| 5 | Patchd | Yes | $5.99/mo | Yes | Yes | No | Yes | 8.8 |
| 6 | FxSound | Yes | Free | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | 8.7 |
| 7 | NVIDIA Broadcast | Yes | Free | Yes | Yes | Yes | 8.6 | |
| 8 | Boom 3D | No | Yes | Yes | Yes | 8.5 | ||
| 9 | Audio Hijack | No | $69 one-time | Yes | Yes | Yes | 8.4 | |
| 10 | eqMac | Yes | $1/device/mo | Yes | Yes | Yes | 8.3 | |
| 11 | EasyEffects | Free | Yes | Yes | Yes | 8.2 | ||
| 12 | JamesDSP | Yes | Free | Yes | Yes | Yes | 8.1 | |
| 13 | Equalizer APO | Yes | Free | Yes | 8.0 | |||
| 14 | SoundSource | No | $49 one-time | No | Yes | No | Yes | 7.9 |
| 15 | Poweramp Equalizer | No | Yes | No | No | 7.8 |
Head-to-Head
- Splitwave vs SteelSeries Sonar
- Splitwave vs Voicemeeter
- Splitwave vs Elgato Wave Link
- Splitwave vs RØDE UNIFY
- Splitwave vs Patchd
- Splitwave vs FxSound
Reviewed by iTechGuides Editors · Editorial team · Updated Oct 2026
Last updated · How we research and update