BetterAudio vs macOS Sound Settings

BetterAudio vs macOS Sound SettingsWhat BetterAudio adds to macOS sound settings: per-app volume and EQ, routing each app to its own output, device priority, DDC monitor volume and more.macOS gives you one volume, one output and a menu to switch devices. BetterAudio keeps that and adds a volume, EQ and output for each app, device priority, hardware volume for external monitors and on-device dictation.Pick macOS Sound Settings if: One volume for everything is enough and you rarely change outputs.Pick BetterAudio if: You want different levels or outputs for different apps, or volume keys that work on your monitor speakers.

Volume per app: BetterAudio Yes; macOS Sound Settings No

Boost past 100%: BetterAudio Up to 400%; macOS Sound Settings No

10-band EQ per app: BetterAudio Yes; macOS Sound Settings No

Balance per app: BetterAudio Yes; macOS Sound Settings System-wide only

Any app to any output: BetterAudio Yes; macOS Sound Settings No

One app to several outputs: BetterAudio Yes; macOS Sound Settings No

Ignore chosen apps: BetterAudio Yes; macOS Sound Settings No

Shortcuts for app volume: BetterAudio Playing app; macOS Sound Settings No

Audio profiles: BetterAudio Support License; macOS Sound Settings No

Timed mute per app: BetterAudio No; macOS Sound Settings No

Third-party Audio Unit effects: BetterAudio No; macOS Sound Settings No

Switch input and output from the menu bar: BetterAudio Yes; macOS Sound Settings Yes

Mirror all audio to several outputs: BetterAudio Support License; macOS Sound Settings Audio MIDI Setup

Auto-switch by device priority: BetterAudio Yes; macOS Sound Settings No

Custom device names and icons: BetterAudio Yes; macOS Sound Settings No

Device sort order in the menu: BetterAudio Support License; macOS Sound Settings No

Device EQ: BetterAudio Yes; macOS Sound Settings No

Headphone correction from AutoEQ: BetterAudio Yes; macOS Sound Settings No

Loudness compensation: BetterAudio Yes; macOS Sound Settings No

Crossfade when the output changes: BetterAudio Yes; macOS Sound Settings No

Volume keys for external displays: BetterAudio Hardware volume via DDC; macOS Sound Settings No

Bluetooth battery levels: BetterAudio Yes; macOS Sound Settings Apple accessories

Lock device volume against other apps: BetterAudio No; macOS Sound Settings No

Media keys go to the player you pick: BetterAudio Yes; macOS Sound Settings Last active app

Route volume keys to a chosen output: BetterAudio Yes; macOS Sound Settings No

Turn off media keys in chosen apps: BetterAudio Support License; macOS Sound Settings No

Turn off single shortcuts in chosen apps: BetterAudio Support License; macOS Sound Settings No

Turn off all shortcuts at once: BetterAudio Yes; macOS Sound Settings No

Now Playing in the menu bar: BetterAudio Yes; macOS Sound Settings Control Center

Pause the player when another app plays: BetterAudio Yes; macOS Sound Settings No

Volume HUD in a custom position: BetterAudio Support License; macOS Sound Settings No

HUD time up to 8 seconds: BetterAudio Support License; macOS Sound Settings No

Mic mute shortcut: BetterAudio Yes; macOS Sound Settings No

Push to talk: BetterAudio Yes; macOS Sound Settings No

Silent mode and auto-mute rules: BetterAudio Yes; macOS Sound Settings No

Keep the chosen microphone: BetterAudio Yes; macOS Sound Settings No

Meeting mode for Zoom, Teams and Meet: BetterAudio Support License; macOS Sound Settings No

On-device dictation: BetterAudio Whisper; macOS Sound Settings Some languages

Transcribe system audio: BetterAudio Yes; macOS Sound Settings No

Recordings library: BetterAudio 3 days, unlimited with license; macOS Sound Settings No

Hearing health in dB SPL: BetterAudio Yes; macOS Sound Settings No

Listening statistics: BetterAudio Support License; macOS Sound Settings No

iCloud sync: BetterAudio Support License; macOS Sound Settings No

Apple Shortcuts actions: BetterAudio 40 actions; macOS Sound Settings System volume only

Command-line tool: BetterAudio Yes; macOS Sound Settings No

Raycast extension: BetterAudio Yes; macOS Sound Settings No

iPhone remote: BetterAudio Yes; macOS Sound Settings No