Alternatives · Utilities
BlackHole alternatives
As of Nov 13, 2026, the highest-graded BlackHole alternative is FxSound (3.0 GPA). It's also the best free one.
BlackHole compared with 4 alternatives: Voicemeeter, eqMac, SoundSource and FxSound.
BlackHole is free to use. 3 of the 4 alternatives are free or have a free plan. One more offers a free trial.
Listings checked up to Nov 13, 2026 · Where the facts come from
At a glance
| Tool | Price | Free plan | Runs on |
|---|---|---|---|
| BlackHoleThis tool | Free | Free | macOS |
| Voicemeeter | Free plan · from $15 one-time | Yes | Windows |
| eqMac | Free plan · from $3/mo | Yes | macOS |
| SoundSource | Free trial · from $49 one-time | Trial only | macOS |
| FxSound | Free | Free | Windows |
Price against what you get
BlackHole has no paid plan and scores 1.3 out of 4 on features, ease of use and platforms. None of the 2 alternatives on this chart both scores higher and starts lower.
eqMac and FxSound score higher without starting lower.
Features, ease of use and platforms, averaged
What paid plans start at, a month (each step along is roughly double) →
- The best score at each price
- Has a free plan
- No free plan
How each one differs from BlackHole
Voicemeeter
Virtual audio mixer for Windows, sold as donationware
- Voicemeeter starts at $15 one-time (default price; buyer picks from five amounts).
- Voicemeeter also lists a Windows app.
- Voicemeeter lists no macOS app, which BlackHole has.
- Voicemeeter can be bought with a one-time purchase.
Suits: Streamers and podcasters mixing a microphone with music and game audio
eqMac
System-wide equalizer and per-app volume mixer for macOS
- eqMac starts at $3 per month, or $30 per year.
- eqMac can be bought with a one-time purchase.
- eqMac also covers menu bar app.
Suits: Mac users who want one equalizer applied to every app and every output device
SoundSource
Per-app volume, output routing and audio effects for the Mac
- SoundSource starts at $49 one-time purchase.
- SoundSource has no free plan, only a free trial, unlike BlackHole.
- SoundSource can be bought with a one-time purchase.
- SoundSource also covers menu bar app.
Suits: Mac users who want a separate volume level for each app
FxSound
Free open-source Windows equalizer and volume booster
- FxSound is free.
- FxSound also lists a Windows app.
- FxSound lists no macOS app, which BlackHole has.
- FxSound also covers noise cancellation.
Suits: Windows users with quiet laptop speakers or basic headphones
Limits worth knowing in BlackHole
- Mac only; the vendor's Windows page says BlackHole is not ready for Windows.
- It is a driver with no mixer of its own; sound is sent to other apps or devices that you set up.
- Projects that are not GPLv3 need a license from Existential Audio; the readme gives no price.
- The readme advises against using the AirPods microphone as the clock device in an aggregate or multi-output device.
Common questions
What are the alternatives to BlackHole?
The alternatives to BlackHole in this directory are Voicemeeter, eqMac, SoundSource and FxSound. Each one has a side-by-side comparison with BlackHole.
Is there a free alternative to BlackHole?
Yes. FxSound is free to use. Voicemeeter and eqMac have a free plan alongside paid ones.
Which BlackHole alternatives work on Windows?
The BlackHole listing does not include a Windows app. Voicemeeter and FxSound list one.
When were these prices checked?
Each listing shows its own date. On this page they run from Oct 9, 2026 to Nov 13, 2026. Vendors change prices without notice, so confirm on their site before you buy.
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