The SoundSource Insider’s Guide
Everything we know about SoundSource in one document: what it costs, its grades, getting a refund, getting help and what else to look at. Read it here, or keep a copy.
SoundSource
The Insider’s Guide
Per-app volume, output routing and audio effects for the Mac
Every plan, grade, refund rule and rival among desktop utilities, read from SoundSource’s own pages.
Made by Rogue Amoeba Software, Inc. · checked Oct 9, 2026 · toolgpa.com
Contents
- 01WelcomeWhat it is, who it suits, its grades and the ten things to know first
- 02What it costsEvery plan, the free plan, ways to pay less and how prices have moved
- 03What it doesIts main features, where it runs, what it works with and who makes it
- 04Where it standsIts grades against its category, and whether to keep it or make your own
- 05The alternativesThe tools it is most often weighed against, side by side
- 06Quick answersThe questions people ask about it, each answered in a line or two
- 07About ToolGPAWho made this guide, what else is on the site, and how to cite it
ToolGPA put this guide together from SoundSource’s own pages, its app-store listings and our grades. Every fact in it is on SoundSource’s page too, where it is kept up to date. Checked Oct 9, 2026.
Part 01 · Overview
Welcome
What it is, who it suits, its grades and the ten things to know first
2.2
GPA, above 7 of the 94 other desktop utilities we grade
SoundSource is a macOS menu bar app from Rogue Amoeba for controlling audio per application. Each app can have its own volume, its own output device and its own effects, and the same controls apply to the system's output, input and sound-effects devices. Version 6 adds output groups and AirPlay streaming, so one app or all audio can play on several speakers at once. It is sold as a one-time license.
To get you started, here are 9 things to know about SoundSource, taken from its own pages and our grades.
No store rating on record, but there's nothing to set up: it's one menu bar list of your apps with a slider each, which anyone can picture.
- 1
Best for a separate volume knob for every app on your Mac
SoundSource gives every Mac app its own volume, output device and effects from the menu bar, and version 6 can play to several AirPlay speakers at once.
- 2
What it costs
Paid plans start at $49 one-time purchase.
- 3
You can try it first
Free trial with every feature; after 20 minutes noise is overlaid on adjusted audio until the app is relaunched
- 4
It runs on macOS
macOS.
- 5
Per-app volume control
Sets the volume of each application relative to the others from one list, or mutes an app entirely.
- 6
Per-app output routing
Sends an individual app to a chosen output device, for example music to external speakers while everything else plays through the Mac's built-in output.
- 7
Audio effects
A built-in 10-band equalizer, Volume Overdrive, Magic Boost and Headphone EQ, plus Audio Unit plugins, applied to a single app or to all system audio.
- 8
A 2.2 GPA, above 7 of 94
That is against the other desktop utilities we grade, on value, the free plan, features, ease of use and platforms.
- 9
Keep it
Nothing SoundSource does is plain enough to make in a weekend. The 4 things listed below take a company.
SoundSource at a glance
- Pricing
- Free trial, from $49 one-time purchase
- Free plan
- No
- Free trial
- Free trial with every feature; after 20 minutes noise is overlaid on adjusted audio until the app is relaunched
- Runs on
- macOS
- Made by
- Rogue Amoeba Software, Inc., since 2002
- Category
- Desktop Utilities
- Our grade
- 2.2 GPA, fair
The report card
Best for a separate volume knob for every app on your Mac
SoundSource gives every Mac app its own volume, output device and effects from the menu bar, and version 6 can play to several AirPlay speakers at once. It's $49 once per user, on the high side for a utility, and there's no free version: the trial overlays noise after 20 minutes. A license covers only the current major version, refunds are case by case within 14 days, and it's Mac only, on macOS 15 or later.
| Subject | Grade | Comment |
|---|---|---|
| Value for money | B | $49 once per user, on one or more of your own Macs, with no subscription. Against the $2.99 a month utilities here charge in the middle, that's inside two years' subscription. A license covers the current major version, and upgrading from 4 or 5 is $25. |
| Free plan and trial | C | There's no free version. The trial has every feature and asks for no card, but after 20 minutes noise is overlaid on any audio you've adjusted until you relaunch the app. Good enough to judge it, not to live on. |
| Features | C | Mac audio is its one job and it covers it fully: per-app volume and mute, per-app output device, a 10-band equaliser and Audio Unit plugins, AirPlay to HomePods and Sonos, output groups, and Quick Configs that switch a whole setup in one click. It does nothing beyond audio. |
| Ease of use | B | No store rating on record, but there's nothing to set up: it's one menu bar list of your apps with a slider each, which anyone can picture. Effects and output groups ask a bit more of you. |
| Platforms and integrations | D | Mac only. SoundSource 6 runs on macOS 15 to 27, and older systems need a legacy download. It has actions for Apple Shortcuts and plays to AirPlay, Sonos and HomePod speakers. No Windows version. |
An A is worth 4 points, a B 3, a C 2, a D 1 and an F nothing. The GPA is the average of the five.
Who SoundSource is for
- Fits if you want a different volume level for each app on your Mac
- Works for sending music to other speakers while everything else stays on the laptop
Who it is not for
- Skip it if you're on Windows, or on a Mac older than macOS 15, which needs a legacy download
- Pricey if all you need is the odd volume tweak, at $49 for the license
- Not for you if you expect free upgrades for good: a license covers the current major version, and upgrades are $25
- Watch out: the trial overlays noise on adjusted audio after 20 minutes until you relaunch
- Watch out: refunds must be asked for within 14 days and are decided case by case
Good to know
Good for
- Mac users who want a separate volume level for each app
- Sending one app's sound to different speakers or AirPlay devices than the rest
- People who want an equalizer or Audio Unit effects on all Mac audio
Worth knowing
- macOS only. SoundSource 6 runs on macOS 15 to 27; older systems need a legacy download.
- There is no free version. In trial mode, noise is overlaid on adjusted audio after 20 minutes until the app is relaunched.
- A license covers the current major version; owners of SoundSource 4 or 5 pay $25 to upgrade to version 6.
- Refunds must be requested within 14 days of purchase and are issued case by case.
Part 02 · Pricing
What it costs
Every plan, the free plan, ways to pay less and how prices have moved
$49 one-time
To start
SoundSource is a paid product with a free trial, starting at $49 one-time purchase.
Good enough to judge it, not to live on.
SoundSource License Key
$49
one-time purchase, per user (USD; local taxes may apply)
Unlocks the current version, SoundSource 6, for a single user on one or more personally owned Macs.
Trying it first
Free trial with every feature; after 20 minutes noise is overlaid on adjusted audio until the app is relaunched
Read from rogueamoeba.com on Oct 9, 2026.
Ways to pay less
Education
Academic discount for students and educators
Rogue Amoeba gives an academic discount to students, educators and others affiliated with academia who enter a school email address. The page does not state the amount.
Stated on rogueamoeba.comOther savings
$25 upgrade from SoundSource 4 or 5
Owners of a SoundSource 5 or SoundSource 4 license can upgrade to SoundSource 6 for $25 instead of the $49 full price.
Stated on rogueamoeba.comOther savings
50% off for Airfoil owners
People who own an Airfoil license get 50% off when they move to SoundSource, applied after entering the Airfoil license key.
Stated on rogueamoeba.comOther savings
Entire Rogue Amoeba Lineup bundle
The deals page offers a discounted bundle of every Rogue Amoeba product, SoundSource included, and says mailing-list members receive exclusive discounts.
Stated on rogueamoeba.com
Part 03 · Features
What it does
Its main features, where it runs, what it works with and who makes it
1
Place it runs: macOS
Per-app volume, output routing and audio effects for the Mac. Here is what it does, as its own site describes it, and what it covers: one-time purchase, menu bar app.
It has actions for Apple Shortcuts and plays to AirPlay, Sonos and HomePod speakers.
- Per-app volume control
- Sets the volume of each application relative to the others from one list, or mutes an app entirely.
- Per-app output routing
- Sends an individual app to a chosen output device, for example music to external speakers while everything else plays through the Mac's built-in output.
- Audio effects
- A built-in 10-band equalizer, Volume Overdrive, Magic Boost and Headphone EQ, plus Audio Unit plugins, applied to a single app or to all system audio.
- AirPlay and output groups
- Streams one app or all audio to AirPlay devices such as HomePods, Apple TVs and Sonos speakers. Output groups play to several devices at once.
- System devices and volume keys
- Volume, balance, input level and sample rate for the output, input and sound-effects devices. Super Volume Keys make the keyboard volume keys work with HDMI and DisplayPort outputs.
- Shortcuts and Quick Configs
- Actions for the Shortcuts app automate audio changes, and Quick Configs save a whole setup of devices, volumes and effects to switch to in one click.
Where it runs
- macOS
What it works with
- Apple Shortcuts
- AirPlay
- Audio Units
- Sonos
- HomePod
SoundSource is made by Rogue Amoeba Software, Inc., and has been around since 2002.
Part 04 · Standing
Where it stands
Its grades against its category, and whether to keep it or make your own
7/94
Other desktop utilities it is graded above
SoundSource's GPA of 2.2 is higher than 7 of the 94 other desktop utilities we grade, and level with 10.
It stands best on ease of use (B, above 33 of 94) and worst on platforms and integrations (D, above 0).
Each grade against the category
Every bar is all 95 desktop utilities we grade, cut by the letter each got. SoundSource’s own letter is outlined.
- BValue for moneyAbove 12 of 94
- CFree plan and trialAbove 4 of 94
- CFeaturesAbove 1 of 94
- BEase of useAbove 33 of 94
- DPlatforms and integrationsAbove 0 of 94
Keep it, or make your own?
Whether this is something you could build for yourself with an AI app builder, and what you would give up.
Keep it
Nothing SoundSource does is plain enough to make in a weekend. The 4 things listed below take a company.
That makes this kind of software worth paying for, not this one in particular: 77 of the 94 other desktop utilities grade higher. It costs $49, paid once.
What you could not
- A native app living in the menu bar.
- A real app for macOS. Something home-made would be a web page.
- It plugs into other products, Apple Shortcuts, AirPlay and Audio Units among them.
- Hooks into the device itself: Shortcuts.
What this rests on. SoundSource’s listing: what it does, where it runs, what it plugs into and what it costs. It is a judgement about the kind of software this is. We have not built a replacement for it, and making your own means looking after it too. How we decide, and every tool’s verdict.
Part 05 · Alternatives
The alternatives
The tools it is most often weighed against, side by side
EarTrumpet, MonitorControl and BetterDisplay
The 3 tools SoundSource is most often weighed against, with where each one differs from it.
- 2.8GPA
EarTrumpet
Free
Per-app volume mixer for the Windows system tray.
- EarTrumpet has a free plan. SoundSource does not, though it has a free trial.
- Only SoundSource lists a macOS app.
- Only EarTrumpet lists a Windows app.
- 2.8GPA
MonitorControl
Free
Free, open-source brightness and volume control for Mac displays.
- MonitorControl has a free plan. SoundSource does not, though it has a free trial.
- SoundSource can be bought with a one-time purchase.
- MonitorControl is open source, according to its own site.
- 2.6GPA
BetterDisplay
Free plan · from $21.99 one-time
Display scaling, brightness and DDC control for Mac.
- BetterDisplay has a free plan. SoundSource does not, though it has a free trial.
- BetterDisplay also covers display control.
Part 06 · Questions
Quick answers
The questions people ask about it, each answered in a line or two
13
Questions, each answered in a line or two
The short version of everything above, for when you only need the answer. Each one is told in full in its part of the guide.
Is SoundSource free?
No, SoundSource is a paid product, but you can try it first. Free trial with every feature; after 20 minutes noise is overlaid on adjusted audio until the app is relaunched.
How much does SoundSource cost?
SoundSource lists one plan. SoundSource License Key: $49 one-time purchase, per user (USD; local taxes may apply).
What platforms does SoundSource work on?
SoundSource is available on macOS.
Does SoundSource offer any discounts?
SoundSource publicly lists the following: Academic discount for students and educators; $25 upgrade from SoundSource 4 or 5; 50% off for Airfoil owners; Entire Rogue Amoeba Lineup bundle.
Does SoundSource have an Android app?
No Android app was listed when its pages were read on Oct 9, 2026. SoundSource is listed for macOS.
Does SoundSource have an iPhone app?
No iPhone app was listed when its pages were read on Oct 9, 2026. SoundSource is listed for macOS.
Is SoundSource open source?
SoundSource is not described as open source on its own site, as read on Oct 9, 2026.
What does SoundSource integrate with?
SoundSource's listing names Apple Shortcuts, AirPlay, Audio Units, Sonos and HomePod.
Does SoundSource have a student discount?
Academic discount for students and educators. Rogue Amoeba gives an academic discount to students, educators and others affiliated with academia who enter a school email address.
Who makes SoundSource?
SoundSource is made by Rogue Amoeba Software, Inc. It dates from 2002.
What are the alternatives to SoundSource?
The closest alternatives to SoundSource in our directory are EarTrumpet, MonitorControl and BetterDisplay.
How does SoundSource compare with other desktop utilities?
SoundSource's GPA of 2.2 is higher than 7 of the 94 other desktop utilities we grade, and level with 10.
Could I make my own version of SoundSource?
Nothing SoundSource does is plain enough to make in a weekend. The 4 things listed below take a company.
Where this guide comes from
The prices, plans, platforms and features were read from SoundSource’s own pages on Oct 9, 2026, and the grades were given on Oct 10, 2026. Graded from this listing, whose facts were read from Rogue Amoeba's own pages on 9 October 2026. Also tested with a demo account on 2026-03-31.
Every tool we list gets five grades, A to F, each with its reason, and a GPA that averages them. How each is decided is at toolgpa.com/grades. This guide is ToolGPA’s own work; it is not made, paid for or approved by Rogue Amoeba Software, Inc. Prices change, so check rogueamoeba.com before you buy.
- rogueamoeba.com/soundsource/
- rogueamoeba.com/soundsource/buy.php
- rogueamoeba.com/soundsource/whatsnew.php
- rogueamoeba.com/support/knowledgebase/?showArticle=Misc-AboutAppTrials&product=SoundSource
- rogueamoeba.com/store/
- rogueamoeba.com/store/deals/
- rogueamoeba.com/store/deals/AcademicDiscount.php
- rogueamoeba.com/store/deals/AirfoilToSoundSource.php
- rogueamoeba.com/company/
Part 07 · About
About ToolGPA
Who made this guide, what else is on the site, and how to cite it
3,189
Tools graded, in 94 categories
ToolGPA grades software the way a school report grades a pupil: five subjects, a letter for each with the reason written beside it, and a GPA that averages them. Prices, plans and platforms are read from each maker’s own pages and dated, so you always know how fresh a figure is.
Every grade, review and ranking on ToolGPA is our own judgement. No company can pay for a grade or change one. Every tool on the site has a guide like this one, free to download and pass on. It all lives at toolgpa.com.
3,189
tools graded
94
categories
426
price changes on record
579
apps priced in 12 countries
What else is on toolgpa.com
- SoundSource, kept up to dateEverything in this guide, with prices and grades as they are todaytoolgpa.com/tools/soundsource
- How grades are givenThe rules behind every letter and every GPAtoolgpa.com/grades
- Value chartsWhat each tool costs against what it scores, for every categorytoolgpa.com/charts
- CompareAny two tools side by side, plan by plantoolgpa.com/compare
- Price changesEvery price rise and cut on record, each with its sourcetoolgpa.com/price-changes
- Prices by countryWhat apps cost on the App Store in 12 countriestoolgpa.com/prices-by-country
- Pay lessEvery public discount: yearly billing, students, nonprofitstoolgpa.com/save
- Keep or makeWhich tools are worth paying for, and which you could build yourselftoolgpa.com/keep-or-make
Scan for the live page
Prices and grades as they are today
Quoting this guide?
Please name ToolGPA and link to the live page, so readers can check the figures for themselves:
ToolGPA, "SoundSource: The Insider's Guide", checked Oct 9, 2026. https://toolgpa.com/tools/soundsource
Know someone choosing between desktop utilities?
Send them this guide: toolgpa.com/tools/soundsource/guide
ToolGPA elsewhere: youtube.com/@toolgpa
See our other guides
The best-graded desktop utilities after SoundSource, each with an Insider's Guide of its own.
- Desktop Utilities Insider's GuideEvery one of the 95 desktop utilities we grade, compared
- LocalSend Insider's GuideOpen-source file sharing between nearby devices, no cloud3.2 GPA
- Ninite Insider's GuideInstalls and updates many Windows apps at once3.2 GPA
- 7-Zip Insider's GuideFree, open-source file archiver with the 7z format3.0 GPA
Choosing software? Every tool graded, every price dated.
Compare tools at toolgpa.com ›Everything in this guide is ToolGPA’s own summary of what SoundSource’s pages, its app-store listings and public reviews said on the dates shown. Grades are our judgement under the rules at toolgpa.com/grades. Every grade, review and ranking on ToolGPA is our own judgement. No company can pay for a grade or change one. SoundSource is a trademark of its owner, and this guide is not made, paid for or approved by Rogue Amoeba Software, Inc. Prices and plans change: check rogueamoeba.com before you buy.