Editing Software
Adobe AuditionvsAudacity
Compare Adobe Audition and Audacity side by side. See pricing, features, and which is right for your podcast.
Pricing Comparison
| Tier | Adobe Audition | Audacity |
|---|---|---|
| Starting Price | $22.99/mo | Free |
| Pricing Model | subscription | free |
Feature Comparison
| Feature | Adobe Audition | Audacity |
|---|---|---|
| Multitrack | ||
| Non-Destructive | ||
| Plugins | ||
| Transcription | ||
| Collaboration | ||
| Cloud Sync | ||
| Video Editing | ||
| AI Features |
Adobe Audition Pros & Cons
Pros
- Industry-standard professional audio editing
- Excellent noise reduction and audio restoration
- Seamless integration with Premiere Pro
Cons
- Subscription-only pricing
- Steep learning curve for beginners
- Overkill for simple podcast editing
Audacity Pros & Cons
Pros
- Completely free and open-source
- Cross-platform (Windows, Mac, Linux)
- Extensive plugin support (VST, VST3, AU, LV2)
Cons
- Destructive editing workflow
- Dated user interface
- No real-time collaboration
The Verdict
Adobe Audition is best for:
- →Professional audio engineers and producers
- →Video editors needing advanced audio work
- →Those already in the Adobe ecosystem
Audacity is best for:
- →Budget-conscious podcasters
- →Beginners learning audio editing
- →Linux users needing a capable editor
Frequently asked questions
- Which is cheaper: Adobe Audition or Audacity?
- Audacity, by a wide margin: it is free, while Adobe Audition starts at $22.99/month with its Single App (annual, billed monthly) plan.
- Do Adobe Audition and Audacity have free versions?
- Only Audacity, which offers a Free plan at $0. Adobe Audition has no free plan. The cheapest way into Adobe Audition is Single App (annual, billed monthly) at $22.99/month.
- What is the main difference between Adobe Audition and Audacity?
- Adobe Audition covers Non-Destructive, Cloud Sync, and AI Features, which Audacity does not. Nothing on the compared feature list goes the other way.