Faders vs SoundDial
SoundDial is the app most like Faders. Same macOS requirement, similar price, both duck music during calls. SoundDial adds an EQ and profiles. Faders adds monitor volume keys, device rules and better AirPods calls.
Short answer
Get SoundDial if you want an equalizer, saved volume profiles, or the convenience of the Mac App Store with Family Sharing.
Get Faders if you use an HDMI or DisplayPort monitor, want macOS to stop switching to the wrong device, use AirPods on calls, or want one key to mute every mic.
At a glance
| Faders | SoundDial | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $5.99 once (launch price, $15.99 regular) | $12.99 / €14.99 once |
| Where to buy | fadersmac.com | Mac App Store, Family Sharing for up to 6 |
| macOS | 14.2 Sonoma or later | 14.2 Sonoma or later |
| Per-app volume and mute | ✓ 0–200 %, live meters | ✓ 0–200 %, live meters |
| Equalizer | — (planned) | ✓ 10-band, 11 presets |
| Volume profiles | — | ✓ Work, Focus, Chill… |
| Send an app to another output | ✓ | ✓ |
| Other apps duck during calls | ✓ | ✓ |
| Volume keys for HDMI / DisplayPort | ✓ | Not listed |
| Device priority rules | ✓ outputs and mics | Not listed |
| Global mic mute | ✓ ⌃⌥⌘M | Not listed |
| AirPods stay high-quality on calls | ✓ keeps the Mac mic | Not listed |
| Languages | English | English + 32 more |
| Privacy | No analytics, one license check | No account, analytics or network |
“Not listed” means we couldn't find it on SoundDial's site or App Store page, not that it's confirmed missing. Checked October 2026.
Where SoundDial is better
If those matter more to you than monitors and AirPods, buy SoundDial.
- Equalizer. A 10-band EQ with presets like Bass Boost, Vocal and Late Night. Faders has none yet.
- Profiles. Save a mix and switch to it in one click. Faders remembers each app's volume, but has no named profiles.
- The App Store. Installs and updates through the App Store, Family Sharing covers up to six people, and you can request a refund through Apple. Faders is sold directly and all sales are final.
- Long-term price. After the launch, Faders costs $15.99. That's more than SoundDial's $12.99. Faders is only cheaper during the launch batches.
- Languages. SoundDial is translated into 33 languages. Faders is English only.
Where Faders is better
- Monitor volume keys. HDMI and DisplayPort displays have no volume control on a Mac. Faders adds software volume, so your keys work again, with an on-screen indicator. SoundDial doesn't list this.
- Device rules. Rank your outputs and mics, and mark devices macOS should never switch to on its own. Your manual choice always wins.
- AirPods on calls. Faders keeps the Mac's built-in mic in use, so AirPods stay at 48 kHz stereo instead of dropping into muffled call mode.
- One key mutes every mic. ⌃⌥⌘M mutes all physical mics and restores them exactly as they were.
- Launch price. $5.99 while the launch batches last.
What they both do well
Both run on macOS 14.2 without a driver, give every app a 0–200 % slider with live meters, send apps to different outputs, and duck music automatically when a call starts. Neither collects analytics.
Who should pick which
Pick SoundDial if you…
- Want an EQ
- Switch between a few saved mixes during the day
- Prefer buying from the App Store, or want to share with family
Pick Faders if you…
- Use a monitor or TV over HDMI or DisplayPort
- Are tired of macOS switching to the wrong speakers or mic
- Take calls on AirPods
- Want a mic mute shortcut that covers every mic
Questions
Can I run Faders and SoundDial together?
No. Both change the same apps' audio and will fight over the volume. Pick one.
Why isn't Faders on the App Store?
The App Store doesn't allow the permissions Faders needs for volume keys on external displays.
Will Faders get an equalizer?
It's planned, but there's no date. If you need an EQ today, SoundDial has one.
Monitor, AirPods and calls covered
Faders is $5.99 once at launch. Try the live demo on the homepage first.
More comparisons
Sources
- SoundDial on the Mac App Store ($12.99, macOS 14.2+, EQ, routing, ducking, profiles, Family Sharing, 33 languages)
- SoundDial website (€14.99, ducking app list, privacy)