Head-to-head comparison
Audacity 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.
Free, open-source audio editor that's been the entry point for podcasters for 25 years.
Best for: Indie podcasters on a budget
Surprisingly deep Windows DAW that costs nothing and ships every month.
Best for: Windows audio professionals
At a glance
The honest trade-offs
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
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 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.
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 Audacity alternatives.
Frequently asked
What does Audacity do better than Cakewalk by BandLab?
Audacity's standout is "Free and open source forever". 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 Audacity; if the second does, pick Cakewalk by BandLab.
What are the trade-offs?
Audacity: interface feels stuck in the early 2000s. 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?
Audacity 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 Audacity and Cakewalk by BandLab together?
Both are editing tools so most teams pick one. Some workflows do combine them — for example, using Audacity for one show or episode type and Cakewalk by BandLab for another. Worth trying both free tiers before committing.