BetterAudio vs SoundSource 6

BetterAudio vs SoundSource 6BetterAudio vs SoundSource 6: per-app volume, EQ and routing in both. BetterAudio adds on-device dictation and hearing health, with a free core.Both give each Mac app its own volume, EQ and output. BetterAudio adds on-device Whisper dictation, hearing health and media-key routing, and its core is free. SoundSource adds third-party Audio Unit effects, timed mute and device volume lock.Pick SoundSource 6 if: You chain third-party Audio Unit plug-ins per app, or need timed mute per app.Pick BetterAudio if: You want per-app audio, dictation and media-key control in one free menu-bar app, on macOS 14.6 or later.

Volume per app: BetterAudio Yes; SoundSource 6 Yes

Boost past 100%: BetterAudio Up to 400%; SoundSource 6 Up to 400%

10-band EQ per app: BetterAudio Yes; SoundSource 6 Yes

Balance per app: BetterAudio Yes; SoundSource 6 Yes

Any app to any output: BetterAudio Yes; SoundSource 6 Yes

One app to several outputs: BetterAudio Yes; SoundSource 6 Output Groups

Ignore chosen apps: BetterAudio Yes; SoundSource 6 Yes

Shortcuts for app volume: BetterAudio Playing app; SoundSource 6 Any app

Audio profiles: BetterAudio Support License; SoundSource 6 Quick Configs

Timed mute per app: BetterAudio No; SoundSource 6 Yes

Third-party Audio Unit effects: BetterAudio No; SoundSource 6 Yes

Switch input and output from the menu bar: BetterAudio Yes; SoundSource 6 Yes

Mirror all audio to several outputs: BetterAudio Support License; SoundSource 6 Output Groups

Auto-switch by device priority: BetterAudio Yes; SoundSource 6 Preferred Device Order

Custom device names and icons: BetterAudio Yes; SoundSource 6 Yes

Device sort order in the menu: BetterAudio Support License; SoundSource 6 No

Device EQ: BetterAudio Yes; SoundSource 6 Yes

Headphone correction from AutoEQ: BetterAudio Yes; SoundSource 6 Yes

Loudness compensation: BetterAudio Yes; SoundSource 6 No

Crossfade when the output changes: BetterAudio Yes; SoundSource 6 No

Volume keys for external displays: BetterAudio Hardware volume via DDC; SoundSource 6 Software volume

Bluetooth battery levels: BetterAudio Yes; SoundSource 6 Yes

Lock device volume against other apps: BetterAudio No; SoundSource 6 Yes

Media keys go to the player you pick: BetterAudio Yes; SoundSource 6 No

Route volume keys to a chosen output: BetterAudio Yes; SoundSource 6 No

Turn off media keys in chosen apps: BetterAudio Support License; SoundSource 6 No

Turn off single shortcuts in chosen apps: BetterAudio Support License; SoundSource 6 No

Turn off all shortcuts at once: BetterAudio Yes; SoundSource 6 No

Now Playing in the menu bar: BetterAudio Yes; SoundSource 6 No

Pause the player when another app plays: BetterAudio Yes; SoundSource 6 No

Volume HUD in a custom position: BetterAudio Support License; SoundSource 6 No

HUD time up to 8 seconds: BetterAudio Support License; SoundSource 6 No

Mic mute shortcut: BetterAudio Yes; SoundSource 6 Yes

Push to talk: BetterAudio Yes; SoundSource 6 No

Silent mode and auto-mute rules: BetterAudio Yes; SoundSource 6 No

Keep the chosen microphone: BetterAudio Yes; SoundSource 6 No

Meeting mode for Zoom, Teams and Meet: BetterAudio Support License; SoundSource 6 No

On-device dictation: BetterAudio Whisper; SoundSource 6 No

Transcribe system audio: BetterAudio Yes; SoundSource 6 No

Recordings library: BetterAudio 3 days, unlimited with license; SoundSource 6 No

Hearing health in dB SPL: BetterAudio Yes; SoundSource 6 No

Listening statistics: BetterAudio Support License; SoundSource 6 No

iCloud sync: BetterAudio Support License; SoundSource 6 No

Apple Shortcuts actions: BetterAudio 40 actions; SoundSource 6 27 actions

Command-line tool: BetterAudio Yes; SoundSource 6 No

Raycast extension: BetterAudio Yes; SoundSource 6 No

iPhone remote: BetterAudio Yes; SoundSource 6 No