Sordina
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Comparison
Sordina, SoundSource, Background Music and eqMac compared
Four apps that control sound on a Mac, each built around something different. We make Sordina, so we've stuck to what each app states on its own website, and said where the others are better.
The short answer: for a slider per app in the menu bar, free, with calls that turn music down by themselves, Sordina. To send each app to a different output or run audio effects, SoundSource. For a free, open-source app that pauses your music when something else plays, Background Music. For a deep, system-wide equaliser, eqMac.
At a glance
| Sordina | SoundSource | Background Music | eqMac | |
| Price | Free; Pro €7.99 once | $49 | Free, open source | Free; Pro $3/month, $30/year or $40 for life |
| Per-app volume | Free | Yes | Yes | Pro (App Mixer) |
| Louder than 100% | Pro, per app or all, with a limiter | Not stated | Per app | Whole Mac, free |
| Equaliser | Pro: bass, mids, treble, per app or all | 10-band, per app | No | 10-band free; unlimited bands in Pro |
| Turns apps down during calls | Pro | Not stated | Pauses music when other audio plays | Not stated |
| Each app to its own output | No | Yes, and AirPlay | No | Not stated |
| Audio Unit effects | No | Yes | No | Pro |
| Settings for each output | Pro | Not stated | Not stated | Not stated |
| How it works | macOS audio taps, no driver | Not stated | Virtual audio device | Not stated |
| Requires | macOS 14.2+ | macOS 15+ | macOS 10.13+ | macOS 10.13+ |
From each app's own website in November 2026. "Not stated" means the site doesn't say, not that the app can't.
Sordina
Built for one job: a volume slider and mute for every app, from the menu bar, free. Sordina Pro (€7.99 once) adds turning other apps down while any app uses the microphone, Louder past 100% with a limiter, an EQ for every app or one, settings remembered for each output, a gentler volume after a break, and shortcuts and a mixer layout. It uses macOS's own audio taps, so there's no driver to install; apps you don't touch play straight through.
Where the others are better: Sordina can't send apps to different outputs, has no Audio Unit effects, and needs macOS 14.2 or later.
SoundSource
Rogue Amoeba's audio control app, now on version 6. Per-app volume, a 10-band EQ and Audio Unit effects for each app, sending each app to its own output, and AirPlay streaming, all from the menu bar. The trial has every feature and adds noise after 20 minutes until you relaunch.
Better for: routing (music to speakers, a call to headphones), effects, and AirPlay. It's the most capable of the four, and the most expensive.
Background Music
A free, open-source app. It sets itself as your output through a virtual audio device and adds per-app volume, pausing your music player when another app plays sound, and recording system audio. Its developer still calls it alpha, and it supports stereo outputs only.
Better for: costing nothing, being open source, and auto-pausing music rather than turning it down.
eqMac
A system-wide equaliser first. The free version has a 10-band EQ and can boost the whole Mac past 100%. eqMac Pro adds the App Mixer for per-app volume, unlimited EQ bands, separate left and right EQ, spatial audio and Audio Unit hosting.
Better for: detailed EQ, and support for much older versions of macOS.
Which to choose
- You want apps at different volumes, and music out of the way on calls: Sordina.
- You route audio between devices or use effects: SoundSource.
- You want free and open source, and pausing is fine: Background Music.
- EQ matters most: eqMac.
Sordina launches soon
Free for a slider and mute on every app. Sordina Pro is €7.99 once. Leave your email and we'll write once, on launch day.
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