FxSound vs Voicemeeter (2026): which should you pick?
As of Nov 13, 2026, FxSound grades higher than Voicemeeter: 3.0 against 2.6 out of 4.0.
Checked Nov 13, 2026 · graded Nov 13, 2026 by ToolGPA
FxSound grades higher on the free plan and ease of use. They get the same grade on value for money, features and platforms.
Price, platforms and features side by side. The table says where each price was read and when.
Voicemeeter
Virtual audio mixer for Windows, sold as donationware
Free plan · from $15 one-time
Which one is for you
Pick FxSound if
- Fits if you want a free equalizer for Windows speakers or headphones
- Works for people who just want sound louder with a bass boost
Look elsewhere if
- Not for you if you use a Mac, Linux, Android or iOS, as it is Windows only
- Watch out: it is run by a small team of contributors and funded by donations
- Watch out: older paid versions are still on the site as legacy downloads, which can confuse which one you get
- Too light for studio work, since it is an equalizer and booster rather than a mixer
Pick Voicemeeter if
- Fits if you stream or record and need to route a mic and app sound on Windows
- Makes sense if you'd rather pay once than rent a mixer
Look elsewhere if
- Not for you if you use a Mac, since this is Windows software and the Mac apps are sold separately
- Tight if you want it simple, as there is a routing setup to learn
- Watch out: install and removal both need admin mode and a reboot
- Watch out: Banana and Potato are separate editions with separate prices, and work use is limited to levels P3 to P5
How we grade them
| 3.0GPAFxSoundVery good | 2.6GPAVoicemeeterGood | |
|---|---|---|
| Value for money | AFree with no paid tier, which is below any price the utilities category charges. | A$15 one-time for the base edition and $30 for Banana, both under a year of the typical utility subscription. These are default amounts and the shop offers five levels. |
| Free plan and trial | AThe whole app is free, with no cap and no trial. It asks for donations. | BFree to use with every function, but after 30 days the About box asks you to buy a licence. Business use is limited to the higher contribution levels. |
| Features | BEqualizer, presets, volume and bass boost, voice emphasis and audio routing. The listing shows no gap in the job. | BA virtual device that mixes voice with other audio, plus EQ and recorder in Banana and effects and send/return in Potato. No gap shown in the core job. |
| Ease of use | BNo rating on record. You install it and pick a preset; nothing to set up. | CNo rating on record, and you have to wire up inputs and outputs yourself. Setup runs in admin mode and needs a reboot after install and after removal. |
| Platforms and integrations | DWindows only (Intel/AMD and ARM64). The vendor only hopes for Mac and Linux builds. | DWindows only. The Mac apps are listed separately in the shop. |
| Best for | a free equalizer and volume booster on Windows | mixing mics and app sound with a virtual mixer on Windows |
The GPA is the average of the five grades: an A is 4 points, an F is none. The full reasons are on each tool's page: FxSound and Voicemeeter. How we grade
Where they differ
- FxSound is open source, according to its own site.
- Voicemeeter can be bought with a one-time purchase.
- FxSound also covers noise cancellation.
In commonFree planWindows
At a glance
| FxSound | Voicemeeter | |
|---|---|---|
| Pricing | Free | Free plan |
| Starts at | Free | $15 one-time (default price; buyer picks from five amounts) |
| Free plan | The whole app is free; the project accepts donations. | Free to use with all functions, except optional features; after 30 days the About box invites you to buy a license or keep evaluating. |
| Free trial | None listed | None listed |
| Windows | ||
| Made by | FxSound | VB-Audio Software |
| Price read from | fxsound.com | shop.vb-audio.com |
| Checked | Nov 13, 2026 | Nov 13, 2026 |
Worth knowing
FxSound
- Windows only; the vendor says it hopes to build Mac and Linux versions if contributions allow.
- System-wide processing is not possible on Android or iOS because of operating system restrictions, the vendor says.
- Funded by donations from users and run by a small team of contributors.
- Older paid versions are kept on the site as legacy downloads.
Voicemeeter
- Windows only; the vendor's shop lists its Mac apps separately.
- Prices shown are the shop's default amounts; the shop offers five contribution levels, and professional or business use is limited to levels P3 to P5.
- The setup program must be run in administrative mode and needs a reboot after installation and after removal.
- Banana and Potato are separate editions with their own prices; the Potato license is delivered as an activation code.
Key features
FxSound
- Equalizer and presets
- An equalizer with presets for tuning music, calls, games and spoken audio.
- Volume and bass boost
- Raises volume with controlled peaking, and a Bass effect adds low-end punch.
- Voice emphasis
- The vendor says it targets the frequency range of the human voice, which it presents as useful for transcription work.
- Audio routing and volume control
- Includes audio routing and volume control for matching the sound to your headphones or speakers.
- Windows Intel/AMD and ARM64 builds
- The download page offers installers for x86/x64 PCs and for ARM64, plus legacy DFX Audio Enhancer and FxSound Enhancer versions.
Voicemeeter
- Virtual audio device
- Acts as a virtual input and output so any microphone, application or device can be routed to any other.
- Wide interface support
- Supports MME, DirectX, KS, WDM, WASAPI and ASIO interfaces on Windows XP through Windows 11, including ARM64.
- Mixing a voice with other audio
- The vendor lists mixing a voice with music or a game for a call, a live podcast or a recording.
- Banana: EQ and recorder
- Banana adds a parametric EQ on all buses, effects on input strips and a multi-format audio player and recorder.
- Potato: effects and send/return
- Potato adds two internal effects, reverb and multitap delay, and an external AUX send and return.
- No internet needed
- The vendor says the application does not need an internet connection and does not collect user data.
Plans
FxSound
Free$0
Full app with equalizer, effects and presets, funded by user contributions.
Voicemeeter
Free use$0
Install and use the app first; payment is requested but not forced.
Voicemeeter$15
one-time, default price; permanent license for one PC configuration
Mixes 3 inputs to 3 outputs through 2 buses. The shop lets you choose from five contribution levels.
Voicemeeter Banana$30
one-time, default price; permanent license for one PC configuration
Advanced mixer with 3 physical and 2 virtual I/O, effects on input strips and a parametric EQ on every bus.
Voicemeeter Potato$35
one-time, default price; permanent license for one PC configuration
5 physical and 3 virtual I/O, internal reverb and multitap delay, and external send/return.
Common questions
Which is cheaper, FxSound or Voicemeeter?
As of Nov 13, 2026, FxSound is free, and Voicemeeter starts at $15 one-time (default price; buyer picks from five amounts).
Which has a free plan, FxSound or Voicemeeter?
As of Nov 13, 2026, both FxSound and Voicemeeter have a free plan.
More comparisons
How this page was made
- The verdict at the top follows a fixed rule. When both tools are in the same category and either is in our top three for it, the verdict follows that ranking: the higher-placed tool is our pick. The top three weigh who each tool suits as well as its grades, so a pick can go against the GPA. Otherwise the page does not pick one and says which grades higher: the higher GPA first; on a tie, the one with a free plan, then the one that starts cheaper in dollars a month, counted the same way for both; if they are still level, what the choice depends on.
- The grades are our own, from each tool’s review or report card. The GPA is their average.
- Prices, plans and platforms come from each tool’s listing. The table above says where each price was read and when.
- The differences and the answers to the questions are worked out from those listings.