Softwr

Music · head to head

Audacity vs Soundtrap

Audacity logo

Audacity

Music

Free and open-source multi-track audio editor and recorder

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite
Soundtrap logo

Soundtrap

Music

Spotify-owned browser-based DAW and podcast studio, sold on separate Music Maker and Storytellers subscription tracks

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite

The short version

  • Each has a real cost: Audacity no real-time multi-user collaboration; remote teams cannot edit the same project simultaneously; Soundtrap the free tier limits export quality and recording time enough that any real, publishable project needs a paid plan.
  • Prices and features above were last checked on 1 September 2026.

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which Audacity and Soundtrap actually diverge.

Attributes where Audacity and Soundtrap differ
AttributeAudacitySoundtrap
Pricing modelopen-sourcePer user per month
PlatformsWindows, macOS, LinuxWeb, iOS, Android

Identical on both: starting price (Free), free tier (Yes), user rating (Not yet rated), category (Music).

What each one covers

Drawn from each product's published feature list. An absence here means we hold no record of it - not that the product lacks it.

Only in Audacity

Nothing recorded that Soundtrap does not also cover.

Only in Soundtrap

  • Browser-based multitrack editor
  • Real-time collaboration
  • Podcast-specific tools
  • Loop and instrument library
  • Spotify Premium bundle
  • Direct publishing

What people use each for

The jobs each tool is most often brought in to do.

Audacity

  • Podcast recording, editing, and production without subscriptionsnot Soundtrap
  • Audiobook narration and audio engineeringnot Soundtrap
  • Music production and remix creationnot Soundtrap
  • Audio restoration (removing clicks, hums, background noise)not Soundtrap
  • Interview recording and transcription supportnot Soundtrap
  • Educational audio labs and sound design coursesnot Soundtrap

Soundtrap

  • A podcaster wanting browser-based multi-track voice recording with automatic leveling and noise reductionnot Audacity
  • A musician collaborating remotely with bandmates in real time without sharing large project files manuallynot Audacity
  • A Spotify Premium subscriber taking advantage of the bundled discount on a Soundtrap plannot Audacity
  • A creator who wants access to both music and podcast production tools and picks the Complete tiernot Audacity

Where each one falls short

Documented limitations, not opinions. Every one is a constraint you would hit in normal use.

Audacity

  • No real-time multi-user collaboration; remote teams cannot edit the same project simultaneously
  • Limited MIDI support; not suitable for music composition or virtual instrument arrangement
  • No built-in content library; users must source background music, sound effects, and transitions externally
  • Version 4 GUI redesign not yet stable; production users should remain on 3.x branch, delaying access to new features

Soundtrap

  • The free tier limits export quality and recording time enough that any real, publishable project needs a paid plan.
  • Music Maker and Storytellers are marketed as distinct products despite sharing the same underlying editor, which can lead a buyer to pay for the wrong track or duplicate features across two subscriptions.
  • Production depth, plugin support and mixing precision remain behind desktop DAWs such as Pro Tools or Logic Pro, limiting it for professional mastering work.
  • As a Spotify-owned product, roadmap priorities are set by a streaming company, and features that primarily benefit Spotify’s ecosystem (like direct publishing) get more attention than deep audio engineering tools.
  • Reliance on a stable internet connection for cloud-based recording and collaboration makes it a poor fit for fieldwork or unreliable-connectivity environments compared with a local desktop DAW.

Pricing, plan by plan

Audacity

Free

No published plan breakdown. See the Audacity review.

Soundtrap

Free
  • FreeFree
    • Basic recording and editing
    • Limited export quality and recording time
  • Music Maker Premium$9.99/month
    • Full-quality export
    • Extended recording time and loop library access
  • Music Maker Supreme$14.99/month
    • Expanded instrument and loop library
    • Higher-tier collaboration limits
  • Storytellers$14.99/month
    • Podcast-specific auto-leveling and noise reduction tools

Which should you pick?

Choose Audacity if

  • You want to start without paying.
  • You work on Windows, macOS, Linux.
Audacity review

Choose Soundtrap if

  • You need browser-based multitrack editor.
  • You want to start without paying.
  • You work on Web, iOS, Android.
  • You also want real-time collaboration.
Soundtrap review

Questions people ask

Is Audacity or Soundtrap better?
Neither clearly leads. Audacity starts at Free and Soundtrap at Free, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, Audacity or Soundtrap?
Audacity starts at Free and Soundtrap at Free.
Does Audacity or Soundtrap run on more platforms?
Audacity runs on Windows, macOS, Linux. Soundtrap runs on Web, iOS, Android.
Can I use Audacity for free?
Both have a free tier, so you can try either at no cost before committing.
What is Audacity best used for?
Audacity is most often used for podcast recording, editing, and production without subscriptions, audiobook narration and audio engineering, music production and remix creation, audio restoration (removing clicks, hums, background noise). Of those, podcast recording, editing, and production without subscriptions and audiobook narration and audio engineering are not what Soundtrap is typically brought in for.
What can Audacity do that Soundtrap cannot?
Soundtrap covers Browser-based multitrack editor, Real-time collaboration, Podcast-specific tools, Loop and instrument library.

Answered from the vendors’ own pages

Audacity: Is Audacity free?

Yes. Audacity is free and open-source under the GPLv3 licence. There are no licensing fees, subscriptions, or restrictions for commercial or educational use.

Source
Soundtrap: Is Soundtrap free to use?

A free tier exists but with limited export quality and recording time; most real projects require a paid Music Maker, Storytellers or Complete plan.

Audacity: What audio formats can I export from Audacity?

Audacity supports WAV, MP3, FLAC, Ogg Vorbis, and AIFF export. FLAC and Ogg are lossless and space-efficient for archival; MP3 is widely compatible for playback devices.

Source
Soundtrap: What is the difference between Music Maker and Storytellers?

Music Maker is aimed at musicians with a loop and instrument library; Storytellers focuses on podcast tools like auto-leveling and noise reduction, though both run on the same core editor.

Audacity: Can I use Audacity for podcast production?

Yes. Audacity provides multi-track recording, noise reduction, equalisation, and export to MP3. It lacks real-time collaboration, so team workflows require manual file exchange.

Source
Soundtrap: Who owns Soundtrap?

Spotify, which acquired it in 2017 and now bundles it with Spotify Premium subscriptions at a discount.

Share

Related pages

More on Audacity

More on Soundtrap

Keep looking

Other head to heads