Head-to-head comparison
Spotify for Podcasters Editor vs Audacity
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.
Free in-browser editor included with Spotify for Podcasters host accounts.
Best for: Casual Spotify-first shows
Free, open-source audio editor that's been the entry point for podcasters for 25 years.
Best for: Indie podcasters on a budget
At a glance
The honest trade-offs
Spotify for Podcasters Editor
Pros
- Completely free with hosting included
- Built into the Spotify Creators dashboard
- Quick trims and chapter markers
Watch-outs
- No multitrack or advanced effects
- Spotify removed several tools in January 2026
- RSS customisation has become more limited
Audacity
Pros
- Free and open source forever
- Runs on Mac, Windows and Linux
- Massive bank of community tutorials
Watch-outs
- Interface feels stuck in the early 2000s
- Destructive editing model is error-prone
- No text-based editing or modern AI
Which one should you pick?
Pick Spotify for Podcasters Editor if
You’re building around casual spotify-first shows. Anchor is fully absorbed into Spotify for Creators now. The editor is free, fine for trims and intros, and integrates with hosting.
Pick Audacity if
You’re building around indie podcasters on a budget. Audacity is the default answer to 'how do I edit a podcast for $0' and it's still a perfectly reasonable one. Interface looks like Windows XP, the workflow is fiddly next to modern tools, and the recent ownership change rattled the community — but it's free, runs everywhere, and does the basics well.
Also worth comparing
Frequently asked
What does Spotify for Podcasters Editor do better than Audacity?
Spotify for Podcasters Editor's standout is "Completely free with hosting included". Audacity doesn't make that promise — it leans into "Free and open source forever" instead. If the first sentence describes your workflow, pick Spotify for Podcasters Editor; if the second does, pick Audacity.
What are the trade-offs?
Spotify for Podcasters Editor: no multitrack or advanced effects. Audacity: interface feels stuck in the early 2000s. Whether either matters depends entirely on what you actually need — neither is a deal-breaker by itself.
Do they support the same platforms?
Spotify for Podcasters Editor works on Web, iOS, Android where Audacity doesn't. Audacity works on macOS, Windows where Spotify for Podcasters Editor doesn't. If you're on a specific OS or device, that may decide for you.
Can I use Spotify for Podcasters Editor and Audacity together?
Both are editing tools so most teams pick one. Some workflows do combine them — for example, using Spotify for Podcasters Editor for one show or episode type and Audacity for another. Worth trying both free tiers before committing.