Head-to-head comparison
Audacity vs Soundtrap for Storytellers
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
Spotify-owned browser DAW with text-based editing aimed at podcasters and educators.
Best for: Browser-based podcast editing
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
Soundtrap for Storytellers
Pros
- Runs in any modern browser
- Text-based editing with interactive transcripts
- $11.99-$14.99/mo undercuts Descript significantly
Watch-outs
- Browser performance stutters on long files
- Fewer editing features than desktop DAWs
- Spotify's podcast strategy keeps shifting
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 Soundtrap for Storytellers if
You’re building around browser-based podcast editing. Soundtrap for Storytellers is Spotify's answer to Descript: a browser DAW with transcription, text-based editing, and remote interview rooms. Not as polished as Descript but at $14.
Also worth comparing
Or see all Audacity alternatives.
Frequently asked
What does Audacity do better than Soundtrap for Storytellers?
Audacity's standout is "Free and open source forever". Soundtrap for Storytellers doesn't make that promise — it leans into "Runs in any modern browser" instead. If the first sentence describes your workflow, pick Audacity; if the second does, pick Soundtrap for Storytellers.
What are the trade-offs?
Audacity: interface feels stuck in the early 2000s. Soundtrap for Storytellers: browser performance stutters on long files. Whether either matters depends entirely on what you actually need — neither is a deal-breaker by itself.
Do they support the same platforms?
Soundtrap for Storytellers works on Web, iOS, Android where Audacity doesn't. If you're on a specific OS or device, that may decide for you.
Can I use Audacity and Soundtrap for Storytellers 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 Soundtrap for Storytellers for another. Worth trying both free tiers before committing.