The best SoundSource alternatives for Mac
SoundSource is excellent, but it's $49 and version 6 needs macOS 15 Sequoia. If either of those is a problem, these are the apps worth looking at, ranked by how well they replace it.
Short answer
- Best free alternative: FineTune. It's open source and has per-app volume, EQ and multi-device output. It needs macOS 15.
- Best cheap alternative with an EQ: SoundDial, at $12.99 on the Mac App Store. It runs on macOS 14.2.
- Best for older macOS and plugins: Sound Control 3, at $15. It runs on macOS 11.4 and up and hosts Audio Units.
- Best for calls and monitor volume: Faders, at $5.99. It has no EQ.
Why people look for an alternative
- Price. $49, or $25 to upgrade from version 4 or 5, is a lot if all you want is a volume slider per app.
- macOS 15 requirement. SoundSource 6 needs Sequoia or later. On Sonoma you're stuck with an older version.
- More than you need. Plugins, output groups and AirPlay are great, but many people only use the per-app sliders.
Quick comparison
| Price | macOS | EQ | Per-app output | Call ducking | HDMI volume keys | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| SoundSource 6 | $49 | 15+ | ✓ + Audio Units | ✓ + groups | Not listed | ✓ |
| FineTune | Free | 15+ | ✓ + AutoEQ | ✓ + multi-device | Not listed | Via DDC, if your monitor supports it |
| SoundDial | $12.99 | 14.2+ | ✓ 10-band | ✓ | ✓ | Not listed |
| Sound Control 3 | $15 | 11.4+ | ✓ 10/31-band + AU | ✓ | Not listed | ✓ |
| Faders | $5.99 | 14.2+ | — (planned) | ✓ one per app | ✓ | ✓ |
| eqMac | Free / Pro $40 | 10.13+ | ✓ | Not listed | Not listed | Not listed |
“Not listed” means we couldn't find it on the app's own site, not that it's confirmed missing. Checked October 2026.
The alternatives
FineTune
FineTune covers more of SoundSource's features than anything else on this list: per-app volume and boost, a 10-band EQ with AutoEQ headphone correction, per-app routing and output to several devices at once. Like Faders, it uses Apple's audio taps, so there's no driver. The catch is that it also needs macOS 15, so it doesn't help if Sequoia is your problem.
Good
- Free, with ~9.5k GitHub stars
- EQ + AutoEQ profiles
- Multi-device output
Not so good
- macOS 15 or later only
- No paid support
- Call ducking not listed
SoundDial
SoundDial has per-app volume to 200 %, a 10-band EQ, per-app output, volume profiles and auto-ducking during calls, for about a quarter of SoundSource's price. Because it's on the App Store you get Apple's refund process and Family Sharing.
Good
- EQ and profiles
- Auto-ducking for calls
- Runs on Sonoma
Not so good
- No Audio Unit effects or AirPlay
- HDMI volume keys not listed
- Device priority rules not listed
Sound Control 3
Sound Control is the closest match to SoundSource's "pro" side. It has per-app EQ (10 or 31 band), AutoEQ, Audio Unit effects per app, per-app routing, device priority lists and virtual volume for HDMI and DisplayPort. It also runs on much older macOS than anything else here, and there's a trial.
Good
- Audio Unit effects per app
- macOS 11.4 and later
- Free trial
Not so good
- Direct and App Store versions are separate purchases
- Call ducking not listed
- No AirPlay streaming listed
Faders
This is our app, so weigh this pick accordingly. Faders is the cheapest paid option here and covers per-app volume, boost, per-app output, HDMI volume keys, device priority and a global mic mute. It also handles calls on its own: other apps duck when a call starts, and AirPods stay in high quality. It ranks fourth because it has no EQ, and most people leaving SoundSource want one.
Good
- Lowest paid price
- Call ducking + AirPods quality fix
- HDMI keys on any monitor
Not so good
- No EQ or effects
- No free trial, no refunds
- New, one-person product
eqMac
eqMac is an equalizer first. The free tier has a 10-band EQ and presets for over 4,600 headphones. Per-app volume (the App Mixer) is a Pro feature, and the app routes your audio through its own virtual audio device.
Good
- Strong free EQ
- Headphone presets
- Runs on very old macOS
Not so good
- Per-app volume needs Pro
- Uses a virtual audio driver
- Routing and ducking not listed
Stick with SoundSource if…
Honestly, a lot of people should. Keep it, or buy it, if you:
- Use Audio Unit plugins on specific apps. Only Sound Control comes close here.
- Stream to AirPlay speakers, HomePods or Sonos. None of the alternatives above lists that.
- Already own version 4 or 5. The $25 upgrade costs about the same as most alternatives.
- Want a company with twenty years of Mac audio behind it and proper support.
Questions
Is there a free SoundSource alternative?
Yes. FineTune is free and open source and covers most of what SoundSource does, but it needs macOS 15. Background Music is also free and runs on older macOS, but it uses a virtual audio driver and its README warns that app volumes above 50 % can clip. eqMac's free tier has an EQ but not per-app volume.
Which alternative works on macOS 14 Sonoma?
SoundDial and Faders need 14.2 or later. Sound Control and eqMac go back much further. FineTune and SoundSource 6 need macOS 15. See our guide for older macOS.
Can I keep SoundSource and add one of these?
Don't run two per-app mixers at once. They'll fight over the same apps' audio.
Don't need an EQ?
Faders is $5.99 once at launch, with per-app volume, call ducking and monitor volume keys. Try the live demo first.