12 Best Voice Recording Software [2024]

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  • Record voice from your mic or system audio
  • Save files in MP3
  • Capture audio in high quality
Edited by Ben Jacklin
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Looking for a software for voice recording? We've compiled a list of the 12 best voice recording software options (free and paid). The article covers audio editors and a screen recorder for PC.

Quick summary

  1. Free and open-source recorder: Audacity

  2. Versatile PC voice recorder available for various platforms: RecordPad

Special pick: Movavi Screen Recorder

Our special pick from the table above is Movavi Screen Recorder. It is a unique video and audio capture program that is easy to use and doesn't require any special skills. You can capture your screen activities, make simple edits, save results, and share them with one of the best vocal recording software for a PC and Mac.

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Our goal is to provide you with only verified information. To ensure this, Movavi Content Team does the following:

  • When selecting products to include in our reviews, we research both demand and popularity.

  • The team tests all the products mentioned in this article.

  • When testing, we compare the key characteristics of the products, which include selecting capture area, schedule recording, showing keystrokes and mouse, and other significant features.

  • We study user reviews from popular review platforms and make use of this information when writing our product reviews.

  • We collect feedback from our users and analyze their opinions of Movavi software as well as products from other companies.

Best voice recorder software

  • Best for:

    video calls, webinars, and other online events

  • OS:

    Windows and Mac

  • G2 rating:

    4.5 out of 5, 49 reviews

  • Price:

    free trial, $44.95 per year, $69.95 for a lifetime license

Taking a video and audio from your computer screen does not require extra hardware or complex programs. With Movavi Screen Recorder, you can record any screen activity and save it in various video formats. Movavi Screen Recorder is best for recording tutorial video screencasts, gameplay, or even simply a video chat with friends. With a frame rate of up to 60 frames per second, you get stunning, high-quality video. You can select one pre-set mode or personalize settings and save the result to any popular video format.

Key features

  • Make simple, lightweight recordings of the on-screen activity to improve efficiency
  • Use screenshots to communicate more efficiently – capture an entire screen or snip just a part of it, then edit and send via WhatsApp or email
  • Upload your recordings to YouTube and Google Drive right from the app

Download Movavi Screen Recorder

Pros:

  • Make your voice recording crispy clear: reduce ambient noise from traffic, wind, or stray chatter your mic picks up

  • Grab webcam footage, or just the audio stream, to create training videos, instructions, and podcasts

Cons:

  • Only the full version of the program offers the best results

Audacity

  • Best for:

    podcasts, audiobooks, voice-overs, or music

  • OS:

    Windows, macOS, Linux

  • PCMag rating:

    4 out of 5

Audacity is one of the best voice recorder software for a PC. This open-source application for audio editing and recording has gained a cultic following. There are no bells and whistles, but it works and is free. You can even edit soundbites and news stories using Audacity. Aside from recording audio directly into Audacity, you can edit within the application. You can cut, reduce noise, enhance the quality with auto tune, fade in and out, amplify, and import your audio files.

Key features

  • Compatible with external microphones

  • Mix, cut, and record live audio

  • Pitch, reverb, noise reduction, and tempo effects

  • File formats supported include WAV, AIFF, MP3, AU, FLAC, and Ogg Vorbis

Download Audacity

Pros:

  • Stereo recording made easy

  • An easy-to-use interface for beginners

  • Effortless workflow

Cons:

  • GUI needs improvements

  • It doesn't have a Mac version

  • Improvements needed for VST integration

WavePad

  • Best for:

    audiophiles, music producers, music teachers, music students, voice actors, podcasts, small businesses

  • OS:

    Windows, Mac, iOS, and Android Chromebook version

  • TopTenReviews rating:

    3.9 out of 5

This easy-to-use application edits music, voice, and other audio recordings. For Windows and Mac, this audio editing program combines a full-featured audio and music editor. You can use this software to record voice, music, and other audio files. You can cut, copy, and paste parts of audio files and then apply effects such as echo, amplification, and noise reduction.

Key features

  • Compatible with external microphones

  • Easily adjust the mic volume and more

  • Various editing tools, including cut, copy, paste, compression, pitch shifting, etc.

  • Add echo, amplification, reverb, and noise reduction effects

  • Supports WAV, MP3, VOX, GSM, and WMA

  • It has a library of audio effects

Download WavePad

Pros:

  • It is easy to understand, even for non-techies

  • Cleaning up some bad recordings through the cleanup tools spares you from having to re-record them

  • You can easily cut out sections of recordings and insert another audio piece

Cons:

  • WavePad only works with a single audio track. NCH offers MixPad for multi-track editing. We also use MixPad occasionally to mix background music with a voice.

GarageBand

  • Best for:

    music producers, music teachers, voice actors, podcasts, small businesses

  • OS:

    Windows and macOS

  • TrustRadius rating:

    7.6 out of 10, 18 reviews

GarageBand Music Creation Studio is a complete computerized music creation studio right on your Mac – with a comprehensive audio library including instruments, guitar and voice studio, and a massive collection of session percussionists and drummers. You can learn, play, record, create, and share your hits easily with Touch Bar features for the MacBook Pro and its intuitive, modern design. With these features, you can create music like a pro.

Key features

  • Using the multi-track music sequencer, you can record multiple audio channels in one song

  • The software comes with pre-set technologies that mimic various amplifiers and recording methods

  • Uses a MIDI keyboard attached to your computer or your keyboard to control the software instruments

  • Using software instruments, you can play synthesizers, pianos, guitars, and choral sounds

Download GarageBand

Pros:

  • Editing is easy since you can simply select what you want to delete and erase it

  • Syncing tracks when editing is as simple as dragging them together

  • You can easily insert a click track when needed

  • GarageBand is intuitive, so the editing, highlighting, and cutting out parts takes minimal time

Cons:

  • EQing a track can be a little confusing

  • Setting up MIDI should be easier

RecordPad

  • Best for:

    audiobook creation, digital presentation, or simple message recording

  • OS:

    Linux, Mac, Windows, and Android

  • TopTenReviews rating:

    3.5 out of 5

For a "small" product, the interface is simple but deep and designed competently, attractively, and consistent with the rest of the NCH family of products, creating a pleasant user experience. This app for computers uses any microphone, integrates seamlessly with Windows, and is especially useful with Olympus Foot Switch and Express Scribe Transcriber. With RecordPad, you can record audio on your iPhone or iPad easily. When you need to record something spontaneous, 'voice activates' comes in handy.

Key features

  • Records your screen, camera, and audio simultaneously

  • Edit audio, video, and recorded clips simultaneously on different tracks

  • Simple screen recording and video editing for everyone

  • Professional tools allow you to edit recorded clips quickly

  • Edit the video like a professional with plentiful templates, stickers, openers, and effects

  • Multi-format export to MP4, MOV, MKV, GIF, and sharing to YouTube

  • Don't lose the quality of the video when exporting

Download RecordPad

Pros:

  • Burning and ripping options are plentiful

  • Ideal for basic recording

Cons:

  • File formats are minimal

GoldWave

  • Best for:

    podcasts, audios, interviews, and webinars, transcription work

  • OS:

    Windows, Linux with Wine, Android, iPhone/iPad

  • G2 rating:

    4.3 out of 5, 28 reviews

With GoldWave, your computer, laptop, or mobile device becomes a recording studio at your fingertips. You can do everything from recording and editing to advanced audio restoration, enhancement, and conversion. With over 25 million downloads, GoldWave is a popular, trusted program. Users find it easy to use and completely accessible. Besides English, GoldWave supports German, Spanish, French, Chinese, and more!

Key features

  • You can record audio from any source, including microphones, line inputs, USB devices, and streaming

  • Overwrite audio, copy, paste, mix, and replace

  • Features over 100 pre-set and over 40 audio effects

  • 15 real-time visuals, including spectrograms, waveforms, envelopes, and the music staff

  • Support for foot pedals during playback, excellent for transcription

Download GoldWave

Pros:

  • With batch processing, you can perform non-destructive sound editing

Cons:

  • There are no media-burning tools in the program, which is typical of software of this type

Mixcraft

  • Best for:

    professional music producer/mix engineer, songwriter

  • OS:

    Windows

  • MusicRadar rating:

    4.5 out of 5

If you are not a professional musician, this singing recording software is one of your best options. There are a lot of features that require some learning and tutorial video watching before you can use them, but once you do, your creativity only limits you. Making your loops and riffs is easy with this program (you can do it with your keyboard, but it's more accessible with a MIDI controller keyboard). With its warping feature, you can add to or change music files of all types.

There aren't that many pre-made sound loops to choose from, but they are the loops and riffs you would definitely use. You can speed them up and slow them down as you please, and they sound pretty decent, just at the slightly lower sound quality.

Key features

  • Multi-track recording of MIDI and audio tracks

  • The Performance Panel automatically syncs audio and MIDI clips on stage or in the studio

  • It contains a collection of over 7500 royalty-free loops and samples. There are twenty-one pristine-sounding virtual instruments, two new samplers, Alpha and Omni, and 57 pro audio effects

  • Publish music and videos directly to YouTube, Facebook, SoundCloud, MixCloud, Vimeo, and Twitter with one click

  • Easily edit video and still images

  • Export your videos to a DVD or upload them to YouTube

Download Mixcraft

Pros:

  • Very nice additions to workflow

  • An extensive collection of plug-in effects

  • Instruments of top quality

  • A slick and user-friendly interface

  • Great for recording vocals and for singing

Cons:

  • An initial dark impression until you get used to it

  • Some instruments need updating

i-Sound Recorder

  • Best for:

    professional music producer/mix engineer, songwriter

  • OS:

    Windows

  • TopTenReviews rating:

    3 out of 5

The i-Sound technology enables you to record sound from any source, whether it's an inner or outer source, into mainstream sound configurations without requiring another circle space. A straightforward and intuitive interface makes i-Sound Recorder easy to use. It lets you record and edit soundtracks on your PC. You can measure, adjust, and alter the sound coming from MIDI, the Internet, real-time media, circles or games that are currently playing, and the receiver.

i-Sound supports MP3, OGG, WMA, WAV, and APE formats. With advanced options for date and time, span, and rehashing account events, this crucial asset is undoubtedly helpful in planning future account events. With this free voice recording software for a PC, you can make multiple sound files, change their names and boundaries, and more.

Key features

  • You can record both the desktop screen and the webcam at the same time

  • Professional tools for editing recorded clips

  • Multiple templates and effects built-in

  • Supports MP4, MOV, MKV, GIF, and other formats

Download i-Sound Recorder

Pros:

  • The mixer has a built-in lock that prevents switching between different software programs during a recording session

Cons:

  • Limited filters and effects options

AV Music Morpher Gold

AV Music Morpher Gold makes editing audio and performing DJ tasks as easy as pie. Besides its famous patented vocal Remover and Extractor, this software has a brand-new virtual DJ, new Converter functionality, a multi-track recorder, editor, and many other powerful features. You can remix songs, add sound FX, adjust channels, EQ, or any of the hundreds of included studio-quality effects in the DJ module. Using the Converter module, you can convert multi-format audio files.

With version 5.0, the Morphers and Advanced modules we merged have introduced a new compact player mode. Program developers claim the application can transform any PC into a full-fledged production studio, allowing users to make funky hip-hop, DJ remixes, and pop songs.

Key features

  • Converts audio data from MP3 or WMA to WAV or from OGG, APE, AIF, IRC, NIST, AU, and more

  • Ripper tool

  • Digital audio recorder

  • Cover editor

  • Adding sound effects

  • Burner tool

Download AV Music Morpher Gold

Pros:

  • Features audio editing tools, including burners and rippers

  • Enhances music with effects

  • Free trial version

Cons:

  • The free trial and regular versions have limitations until you purchase the Gold edition

Ardour

  • Best for:

    musicians

  • OS:

    Windows. Mac, Linux

  • G2 rating:

    4.1 out of 5, 11 reviews

Here's another free vocal recording software that's great for musicians. Ardour is more focused on enhancing recorded speech, unlike GarageBand, a complete musical workstation for both voice and music. It offers an intuitive interface with a host of features that enhance recorded audio quality. The recording window allows you to cut, stretch, or split your audio easily.

Besides voice activated recording, you can also use Ardour for audio editing. To mix audio and get creative with your recordings, you can import MIDI files and audio from the free sound database or your computer hard drive.

Key features

  • Add-ons and plug-ins abound

  • Records multi-tracks

  • Audio editing

Download Ardour

Pros:

  • Compatible with all audio engines

  • Excellent MIDI capabilities

  • Ripple editing

Cons:

  • Compared to other programs, it is less powerful

Avid Pro Tools

  • Best for:

    budding musicians and home users

  • OS:

    Windows and macOS

  • PCMag rating:

    4.5 out of 5

In the same vein as Apple's GarageBand, Avid Pro Tools is an excellent audio workstation that allows budding musicians to make their music with limited investment in musical instruments. A remarkable feature of this app is that it will enable you to create and broadcast music while recording audio.

Recording and composing are much easier with the tool's comprehensive user interface. It allows for cloud collaboration, meaning that you can now work with other artists to create music together via the Internet.

MIDI editing, musical pre-sets, loop recording, and auxiliary tracks round out the various features you can use to experiment and create amazing music.

Key features

  • Non-destructive editing

  • Track presets

  • MIDI editor

  • Input monitoring

  • Sound effects

Download Avid Pro Tools

Pros:

  • A deep set of shortcuts and workflows

  • Exceptional control over each audio clip

  • The UI is excellent (especially for veterans of digital audio workstations)

Cons:

  • The learning curve is steep

  • Inconsistent cloud projects

  • Stock plug-ins are not competitive

Zynewave Podium

Zynewave Podium is a free, full-featured computer voice recorder tailored to the needs of Windows users. With this powerful audio recorder, you can capture and edit sound, MIDI, and even use VST effects and instruments. You can also apply any custom sound effects you wish to your recordings. As long as you download and install this software, you can use it without registering.

Key features

  • User-friendly interface

  • Support different audio effects

  • No registration needed

Download Zynewave Podium

Pros:

  • Updates happen quickly, so you don't have to wait one year for bug fixes

  • A simple piano roll

  • High customization

  • Hardware and software latency compensation

  • Once you get used to it, it's easy to use

Cons:

  • It doesn't allow time-stretching

  • Dithering is not an option

  • There is no drag-and-drop functionality between the browser and the VST

  • The audio editor is poor

How to choose the best vocal recording software

Program

Best for

OS

Download

Video calls, webinars, and other online events

Windows, macOS

Podcasts, audiobooks, voice-overs, or music

Windows, macOS, Linux

Audiophiles, music producers, music teachers, music students, voice actors, podcasts, small businesses

Windows, Mac, iOS, and Android Chromebook version

Many people automatically assume that freeware means "low audio recording quality." However, there are quite a few reliable programs available for free or low cost, and you can download many of them. The following can help you find your best software for recording vocals:

Purpose of voice recording software

As a professional, there is likely to be an expectation that equipment and software are of professional quality. Research the 'pros' use and find out if the program is usually free or a business expense.

Software compatibility

Will collaborating with someone be compatible with what you have in your studio? Compatibility is key. You can't anticipate every client's requirements. But at least knowing the industry standard can help to make a good choice when selecting which software is the best.

User-friendly interface

Unless you can use the software, it is of no value to you. The steep learning curve may just be a matter of sitting down and fiddling with it if the software company provides self-help videos or support. If those resources aren't helpful or as available as you'd expect, you might need to look for another voice recording software for free that meets your needs.

Tools and features

A good voice recording software for Windows 10, Windows 8, or Windows 7 will have all the tools you need in an ideal world. Almost all recording software will do what you need, but the interfaces are often filled with bells and whistles that may be helpful or can impede your workflow.

System and hardware

The vocal recording software you choose is compatible not just with the operating system of your computer, but also with your microphone and other hardware.

Audio and voice quality

It's all about quality! In the post-production phase, audio files need to be enhanced to some degree, and professional audio engineers know that to clear the voice on a recording, you must use proper recording techniques before editing. Software that allows you to edit your files without leaving noticeable artifacts may be right for you!

Online reviews

Poor ratings mean the program may not be worth your time or money. The voice-over community can offer sound advice here. The input of those who use the software daily is the most valuable. Join community forums to discover how the voice-over community addresses these very questions.

The most important features for audio recording software

To determine the best voice recorder app for a PC, you should pay attention to a few important features.

Audio mixing tools

Audio mixing combines all recorded sounds into one channel. This is an important part of the editing process, so your recording software should have enough mixing options.

Gain and equalization

You need to be able to adjust both parameters to achieve consistent audio from start to finish. An equalizer cuts out all sound outside the desired frequency spectrum. Gain adjustments ensure the consistency of the sound level.

Noise Reduction

Even in a recording studio, there’s a chance of picking up unwanted background noise. The recording software should have all the necessary tools to remove such noises.

Simple editing interface

The ability to easily navigate through the program’s interface will save you a lot of time. Look for software that uses simple cut-and-paste and drag-and-drop features if you are new to editing audio.

Trimming

The trimming feature will let you cut out long pauses from your audio tracks and reduce their length.

How to achieve clear sound while recording audio

Use a high-quality microphone

Investing in a good microphone makes a noticeable difference in the quality of your audio recordings.

Record in a quiet place

Make sure to record in a place free from background noises. Preferably in a soundproof studio with enough soft surfaces to avoid the echo.

Use a pop filter

A pop filter prevents bursts of air created by pronouncing plosive sounds from hitting the microphone.

Edit the audio after recording

Use audio editing software to make the recorded sound as clear as possible. During the editing, pay attention to the volume level and audio equalization.

Summary

We hope this article has helped you consider what to look for in a voice recorder and pick the best voice recorder for a PC or Mac. Above are some of the most important things to consider when choosing the best app for voice recording.

Movavi Screen Recorder

The perfect way to record anything from your screen

Disclaimer: Please be aware that Movavi Screen Recorder does not allow capture of copy-protected video and audio streams.

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Frequently asked questions

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An easy way to record from your screen in HD. Make video footage of any application, record online streaming video, webinars, even Skype calls, and save clips in all popular formats.

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