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SoundSource alternatives · Utilities

Free alternatives to SoundSource

SoundSource has no free plan. 130 of the 186 other desktop utilities in this directory are free or have a free plan.

SoundSource is a paid product with a free trial, starting at $49 one-time purchase. 66 of them have no paid plan at all; the rest pair a free plan with paid ones.

130 tools · Listings checked up to Nov 13, 2026 · Where the facts come from

The 12 closest to SoundSource

  1. EarTrumpet

    Per-app volume mixer for the Windows system tray

    What is free: Everything. There is no paid plan.

    • EarTrumpet is free. SoundSource starts at $49 one-time purchase.
    • EarTrumpet has a free plan. SoundSource does not, though it has a free trial.
    • Only EarTrumpet lists a Windows app.
    • Only SoundSource lists a macOS app.
    EarTrumpet vs SoundSourceEarTrumpet pricing and details

  2. MonitorControl

    Free, open-source brightness and volume control for Mac displays

    What is free: Everything. There is no paid plan.

    • MonitorControl is free. SoundSource starts at $49 one-time purchase.
    • MonitorControl has a free plan. SoundSource does not, though it has a free trial.
    • MonitorControl is open source, according to its own site.
    • SoundSource can be bought with a one-time purchase.
    MonitorControl vs SoundSourceMonitorControl pricing and details

  3. BetterDisplay

    Display scaling, brightness and DDC control for Mac

    What is free: Non-business users keep the free features after the trial: DDC brightness, volume and input control, software dimming, the resolution slider and basic virtual screens. The terms say there are no purchase pop-ups or ads.

    • BetterDisplay starts at $21.99 one-time purchase (Pro license, tax may apply). SoundSource starts at $49 one-time purchase.
    • BetterDisplay has a free plan. SoundSource does not, though it has a free trial.
    • BetterDisplay also covers display control.
    BetterDisplay vs SoundSourceBetterDisplay pricing and details

  4. BlackHole

    Virtual audio loopback driver for routing sound between Mac apps

    What is free: Everything. There is no paid plan.

    • BlackHole is free. SoundSource starts at $49 one-time purchase.
    • BlackHole has a free plan. SoundSource does not, though it has a free trial.
    • BlackHole is open source, according to its own site.
    • SoundSource can be bought with a one-time purchase.
    BlackHole vs SoundSourceBlackHole pricing and details

  5. eqMac

    System-wide equalizer and per-app volume mixer for macOS

    What is free: Basic: bass, mids and treble equalizer, 10-band equalizer, headphone presets, volume and balance (including boost beyond 100%), and support for any audio device.

    • eqMac starts at $3 per month, or $30 per year. SoundSource starts at $49 one-time purchase.
    • eqMac has a free plan. SoundSource does not, though it has a free trial.
    eqMac vs SoundSourceeqMac pricing and details

  6. FxSound

    Free open-source Windows equalizer and volume booster

    What is free: Everything. There is no paid plan.

    • FxSound is free. SoundSource starts at $49 one-time purchase.
    • FxSound has a free plan. SoundSource does not, though it has a free trial.
    • Only FxSound lists a Windows app.
    • Only SoundSource lists a macOS app.
    FxSound vs SoundSourceFxSound pricing and details

  7. Voicemeeter

    Virtual audio mixer for Windows, sold as donationware

    What is free: Free to use with all functions, except optional features; after 30 days the About box invites you to buy a license or keep evaluating.

    • Voicemeeter starts at $15 one-time (default price; buyer picks from five amounts). SoundSource starts at $49 one-time purchase.
    • Voicemeeter has a free plan. SoundSource does not, though it has a free trial.
    • Only Voicemeeter lists a Windows app.
    • Only SoundSource lists a macOS app.
    Voicemeeter vs SoundSourceVoicemeeter pricing and details

  8. AlDente

    Charge limiter and battery care app for MacBooks

    What is free: AlDente Free includes the Charge Limiter and manual Discharge. It cannot control charging while the MacBook is asleep or shut down.

    • AlDente starts at $13.99 / year, or $24.99 one-time for a lifetime license. SoundSource starts at $49 one-time purchase.
    • AlDente has a free plan. SoundSource does not, though it has a free trial.
    • AlDente also covers system monitor.
    AlDente pricing and details

  9. CopyClip

    Text-only clipboard manager for the Mac menu bar

    What is free: The original CopyClip is free on the Mac App Store: a text-only clipboard history in the menu bar. Search, pinned clips, direct pasting and themes are only in the paid CopyClip 2, a separate app.

    • CopyClip starts at $7.99 one-time purchase (CopyClip 2, US Mac App Store). SoundSource starts at $49 one-time purchase.
    • CopyClip has a free plan. SoundSource does not, though it has a free trial.
    • CopyClip also covers clipboard manager.
    CopyClip pricing and details

  10. Dropzone

    Drag-and-drop action grid and file shelf for the Mac menu bar

    What is free: Free download with the action grid, Drop Bar and built-in actions for opening apps and moving or copying files. The vendor lists Amazon S3, SFTP, add-on actions, unlimited grids and more as Pro features.

    • Dropzone starts at $4.99 / month or $19.99 / year (Mac App Store), or $35 one-time direct. SoundSource starts at $49 one-time purchase.
    • Dropzone has a free plan. SoundSource does not, though it has a free trial.
    • Dropzone also covers file sharing and file management.
    Dropzone pricing and details

  11. Lunar

    Mac app that sets external monitor brightness over DDC

    What is free: DDC brightness control, sub-zero dimming, brightness and volume keys, input switching and multi-monitor support, with 100 adjustments and 100 action calls per day.

    • Lunar starts at $23 one-time. SoundSource starts at $49 one-time purchase.
    • Lunar has a free plan. SoundSource does not, though it has a free trial.
    • Lunar also covers display control.
    Lunar pricing and details

  12. Macs Fan Control

    Free Mac fan monitor with custom speeds and presets in Pro

    What is free: Free download that monitors fan speeds and temperatures, sets custom RPM values or sensor-based fan control, and shows readings in the menu bar. Custom fan presets are Pro.

    • Macs Fan Control starts at $14.95 one-time, per Mac. SoundSource starts at $49 one-time purchase.
    • Macs Fan Control has a free plan. SoundSource does not, though it has a free trial.
    • Only Macs Fan Control lists a Windows app.
    • Macs Fan Control also covers system monitor.
    Macs Fan Control pricing and details

118 more that are free or have a free plan

All 130 in one table

Common questions

Is there a free alternative to SoundSource?

Yes. EarTrumpet, MonitorControl, BetterDisplay, BlackHole, eqMac, FxSound, Voicemeeter, AlDente and 122 more are free or have a free plan.

Does SoundSource have a free plan?

SoundSource has no free plan. SoundSource is a paid product with a free trial, starting at $49 one-time purchase.

When was this checked?

Each listing shows its own date. On this page they run from Oct 4, 2026 to Nov 13, 2026. Vendors change prices and plans without notice, so confirm on their site before you buy.

This page is built from the listings. A tool is here because its listing says so, and the order is how close each is to SoundSource: the alternatives its listing names first, then the tools that share the most features with it.