Audacity
A multitrack editor for the files you already have; remote capture remains somebody else’s problem.
Technical Profile & Specs
verified 2026-08-10
- Cost
- $0 / forever (Open Source)
- License
- GPL-3.0
- Hosting Model
- Local (on your machine)
- Platforms
- desktopone-click install
- Installation
- Install the official Windows, macOS or Linux package.
- Operational Setup
- Core editing installs cleanly; AI plugins are a separate, platform-dependent installation.
- Where Your Data Lives
- Audacity projects are local .aup3 SQLite databases; audio exports to standard formats, with optional Audio.com sharing.
- The Catch / Trade-off
- Audacity is audio-only and cannot replace Riverside's remote video capture or polished multicamera interview output.
Replaces 1 paid app
up to $29/mo ($348/yr) in subscriptions
Audacity FAQ
Common questions
Is Audacity free and open source?+
Audacity is an open-source tool licensed under GPL-3.0 that runs on local. A multitrack editor for the files you already have; remote capture remains somebody else’s problem.
What paid software does Audacity replace?+
Audacity serves as a free replacement for 1 paid SaaS application: Riverside, saving up to $29/month ($348/year) in subscription bills.
How do you install and set up Audacity?+
Installation: Install the official Windows, macOS or Linux package.. Setup notes: Core editing installs cleanly; AI plugins are a separate, platform-dependent installation.
What is the catch or trade-off with Audacity?+
Audacity is audio-only and cannot replace Riverside's remote video capture or polished multicamera interview output.