Head-to-head comparison
Adobe Audition vs Cakewalk by BandLab
Two of the editing tools podcasters reach for. Here's how they differ on pricing, features, audience, and the trade-offs that actually matter day-to-day.
Professional audio workstation built for broadcasters who also live in Premiere.
Best for: Adobe Creative Cloud users
Surprisingly deep Windows DAW that costs nothing and ships every month.
Best for: Windows audio professionals
At a glance
The honest trade-offs
Adobe Audition
Pros
- Top-tier spectral and noise repair tools
- Tight integration with Premiere Pro
- Industry standard for broadcast workflows
Watch-outs
- Steep learning curve for newcomers
- Subscription locks you into Creative Cloud
- No text-based editing or modern AI features
Cakewalk by BandLab
Pros
- Pro-grade DAW, completely free
- Unlimited tracks, full VST3 compatibility
- Active development under BandLab
Watch-outs
- Windows only, no Mac or Linux
- Steep learning curve for newcomers
- Overkill for basic podcast editing
Which one should you pick?
Pick Adobe Audition if
You’re building around adobe creative cloud users. Audition is overkill for most podcasters but indispensable for the ones who need it. Multitrack sessions, spectral editing, frequency splitting, and tight Premiere integration make it the right tool if you're already paying for Creative Cloud or producing for video.
Pick Cakewalk by BandLab if
You’re building around windows audio professionals. Cakewalk by BandLab is a 25-year-old professional DAW that BandLab gave away for free, then rebranded as Sonar in 2025. It's overkill for podcast editing but matches Pro Tools, Logic, and Studio One feature-for-feature for music production.
Also worth comparing
Or see all Adobe Audition alternatives.
Frequently asked
What does Adobe Audition do better than Cakewalk by BandLab?
Adobe Audition's standout is "Top-tier spectral and noise repair tools". Cakewalk by BandLab doesn't make that promise — it leans into "Pro-grade DAW, completely free" instead. If the first sentence describes your workflow, pick Adobe Audition; if the second does, pick Cakewalk by BandLab.
What are the trade-offs?
Adobe Audition: steep learning curve for newcomers. Cakewalk by BandLab: windows only, no mac or linux. Whether either matters depends entirely on what you actually need — neither is a deal-breaker by itself.
Do they support the same platforms?
Adobe Audition works on macOS where Cakewalk by BandLab doesn't. If you're on a specific OS or device, that may decide for you.
Can I use Adobe Audition and Cakewalk by BandLab together?
Both are editing tools so most teams pick one. Some workflows do combine them — for example, using Adobe Audition for one show or episode type and Cakewalk by BandLab for another. Worth trying both free tiers before committing.