GITNUXSOFTWARE REVIEW
Music And AudioTop 10 Best Virtual Audio Software of 2026
Compare virtual audio software options for routing and mixing audio, with tradeoffs and use cases for creators and audio teams.
How we ranked these tools
Vendors set the topic, but our editors set the inclusion criteria and the evaluation framework before research starts.
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Framework: Features 40% · Ease 30% · Value 30%
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Rogue Amoeba Loopback is the best pick for macOS-based studios that need repeatable inter-app routing because routing presets help standardize virtual device behavior across sessions, whereas Soundflower is a great alternative for macOS users who want dependable app-to-DAW routing through standard endpoint selectors.
Editor’s top 3 picks
Three quick recommendations before you dive into the full comparison below — each one leads on a different dimension.
Rogue Amoeba Loopback
Routing presets let teams standardize virtual device behavior across sessions and projects.
Best for: Fits when macOS-based studios need repeatable inter-app routing for capture and monitoring.
Soundflower
Editor pickVirtual endpoint device routing lets any macOS app capture or output through Soundflower endpoints in its own audio settings.
Best for: Fits when macOS sessions need repeatable app-to-DAW audio routing without extra hardware.
VB-Audio VoiceMeeter
Editor pickMulti-bus mixing with dedicated virtual outputs for separate monitoring and recording paths.
Best for: Fits when engineers need repeatable virtual routing across apps without reconfiguring DAW I/O.
Comparison Table
Rogue Amoeba Loopback
prosumerMac audio routing software that creates virtual audio devices from apps and hardware inputs.
Routing presets let teams standardize virtual device behavior across sessions and projects.
Loopback is built for engineers who need predictable inter-app audio routing for sessions, web calls, and capture tools. It can bridge app outputs into virtual devices for other apps, and it can expose loopback capture targets that behave like ordinary audio hardware endpoints. Routing changes are expressed through its device and channel configuration rather than code.
A key tradeoff is that Loopback is macOS-centered, so mixed-OS studios often keep separate routing approaches for Windows and Linux endpoints. It fits best when a producer needs a stable monitoring chain, like sending a DAW mix into a separate conferencing or recording app while also capturing the monitor output.
- +Virtual input and output endpoints for app-to-app routing
- +Routing presets reduce mistakes during repeat session setups
- +Per-channel configuration supports precise channel remapping
- +Built-in monitoring paths support real-time supervision workflows
- –Mac-only workflow limits mixed operating system studios
- –Complex routing graphs can take time to validate end-to-end
- –Exclusive mode interactions can cause unexpected capture behavior
- –Does not replace DAW mixing automation for time-based effects
Producers and session engineers
Route DAW playback into recording apps
Repeatable capture chain
Remote collaboration audio teams
Bridge conferencing audio with studio monitoring
Controlled comms monitoring
Show 2 more scenarios
Broadcast and podcast producers
Mix multiple app sources into one stream
One-take session recording
Combine app outputs into a single virtual output for live recording software.
Audio engineers QA
Validate device routing under real usage
Fewer routing regressions
Reproduce the same virtual device mappings to test downstream apps and plugins.
Best for: Fits when macOS-based studios need repeatable inter-app routing for capture and monitoring.
Soundflower
open-sourceOpen-source macOS virtual audio routing extension for passing sound between applications.
Virtual endpoint device routing lets any macOS app capture or output through Soundflower endpoints in its own audio settings.
Soundflower provides a kernel-level audio driver that creates virtual endpoints, so apps can treat routed audio like a normal device selection inside their audio preferences. Routing is controlled by system device selection and endpoint behavior rather than by a graphical patching layer. Multi-channel output is supported, which helps when sessions use stems or bus-style channel grouping. It lacks an application-level automation layer, so operational changes tend to be manual at the device selection level.
A key tradeoff is limited cross-platform reach because Soundflower targets macOS driver integration rather than Windows audio stacks. It fits situations where a DAW needs to monitor another app’s audio or where system audio needs to be recorded through an audio device selector. Example usage includes capturing a video player’s playback into a DAW track by selecting the virtual endpoint as an input device.
- +Virtual input and output endpoints work with standard app device selectors
- +Multi-channel routing supports stems and bus-style workflows
- +Low-friction setup for routing audio between macOS applications
- +No external cabling needed for monitoring and recording capture paths
- –macOS driver scope limits use on Windows and Linux systems
- –Manual device reconfiguration is needed for session changes
- –Careful channel and sample-rate alignment is required to avoid artifacts
- –No built-in patch graph UI for quick troubleshooting
Mix engineers on macOS
Capture a browser player into DAW
Repeatable recording path for playback
Producers building templates
Route synth output for monitoring
Consistent monitor routing
Show 1 more scenario
Podcast editors
Record system audio as a track
Faster system-audio transcription workflow
Choose the virtual output endpoint as the capture device for system playback recording.
Best for: Fits when macOS sessions need repeatable app-to-DAW audio routing without extra hardware.
VB-Audio VoiceMeeter
prosumerWindows virtual mixing and routing software for microphones, apps, and hardware audio devices.
Multi-bus mixing with dedicated virtual outputs for separate monitoring and recording paths.
VoiceMeeter uses a mixer-style interface to route audio into virtual outputs that other apps can select as regular audio devices. Routing includes multi-channel mixing, input selection from several sources, and bus-style grouping for monitoring and recording paths. Processing blocks inside each channel can apply EQ and dynamics before the signal hits the virtual outputs. Audio device interoperability is the core strength, especially when different apps need different capture and playback targets at the same time.
A key tradeoff is that the routing graph is manual, so misconfigured inputs and clock mismatches can cause dropouts or audible artifacts during sessions. A common usage situation is a live production rig where a single microphone and multiple app outputs need separate headphone monitoring and a clean recording feed. Another common case is a broadcast or meeting workstation where one app’s output must be captured without disrupting system audio routing.
- +Large routing matrix with mixer-style bus control
- +Channel processing per path before virtual output endpoints
- +Multi-device input selection for simultaneous capture and playback
- +Practical monitoring setup for headphones and recording feeds
- –Manual routing setup can be fragile during live changes
- –Complex configurations increase the risk of signal loss or clipping
- –Requires careful device and sample-rate alignment to avoid artifacts
- –Automation and external control are limited compared with DAW mixers
Live broadcast engineers
Split program and headphone monitoring feeds
Cleaner stems and stable monitoring
Podcast producers
Capture separate host and guest mixes
Fewer edit passes per episode
Show 1 more scenario
Streaming audio operators
Route game, voice, and system audio
Consistent mix for live output
Mixes multiple application outputs into a single stream feed while maintaining independent mic monitoring.
Best for: Fits when engineers need repeatable virtual routing across apps without reconfiguring DAW I/O.
Elgato Wave Link
creatorMixer software with virtual channels for stream audio, voice, music, and monitoring control.
Scene switching that reconfigures Wave Link routing plus per-source processing in one step for live shows.
Elgato Wave Link is a virtual audio mixing and routing app made for streamers and small studios that need control over multiple app sources in one place. It combines audio routing with per-source processing and scene-style switching so different mixes can be activated quickly during a show.
- +Scene switching changes routing and processing for whole-stream workflows
- +Per-source meters and gain controls reduce guesswork during live monitoring
- +Built-in support for Elgato Wave mics streamlines setup and monitoring
- +Multiple virtual destinations simplify sending mixes to different apps
- –Audio graph control is less configurable than fully node-based routers
- –Advanced routing like complex multi-bus remapping takes extra setup time
- –Limited automation depth compared with general-purpose audio routing stacks
- –Some processor behavior can feel opaque when debugging timing issues
Streamers and gaming creators
Balance game, chat, music, mic levels
More controlled live mixing
Streamers and live presenters
Trigger audio mutes and level changes
Faster broadcast audio control
Show 2 more scenarios
Remote presenters and meeting hosts
Create a call-ready mic and desktop mix
Clearer voice delivery
Route microphone and desktop sources into a processed output while monitoring the processed signal.
Live production teams and performers
Send talkback cues without public mix
Private coordination during sessions
Use a talkback path to communicate with collaborators or performers without sending the cue onward.
Best for: Fits when one operator needs fast scene-based mix changes with dependable monitoring routing across common streaming apps.
Virtual Audio Cable
utilityWindows audio driver that creates virtual cables for app-to-app sound transport.
Endpoint bridging via persistent virtual cable endpoints that stay available after starting and stopping applications.
Virtual Audio Cable creates a set of virtual sound cards that appear as standard audio devices and move audio between applications. It supports routing as an audio repeater style setup, including channel mapping and format conversion when the driver can negotiate the stream.
- +Creates stable virtual input and output devices for direct app-to-app routing
- +Supports channel remapping and format conversion when device negotiation allows it
- +Low conceptual overhead because routing is managed through cable endpoints
- +Works well for audio session monitoring when a DAW must capture external outputs
- –Relies on WDM or WASAPI style driver behavior that can be fragile with mismatched sample rates
- –Automation and API access are not available for provisioning cables and repeaters
- –Exclusive mode capture can cause routing silence until apps switch to shared access
- –Latency buffer tuning is manual and limited when buffer underruns occur
Podcasters and small studios
Route audio between recording apps
Predictable inter-app routing
Audio engineers
Map channels across applications
Channel-aware transfers
Show 2 more scenarios
Producers needing monitoring loops
Set up loopback-style monitoring
Reliable monitoring paths
Bridge endpoints so playback can be monitored or fed into downstream processing.
Workflow automation limited teams
Manually manage endpoint configurations
Simpler manual setup
Rely on endpoint selection and created cable endpoints for a small, explicit routing surface.
Best for: Fits when a single workstation needs repeatable app-to-app audio routing without DAW-specific patches.
ReaRoute
vertical specialistVirtual audio driver included with REAPER for routing audio between compatible Windows applications.
Virtual input and output endpoints that are mapped through Reaper’s routing so connected apps behave like controlled studio channels.
ReaRoute provides virtual audio routing by creating virtual input and output endpoints that Reaper can map to real devices and other apps. Routing is expressed as a deterministic graph with per-track routing control, so signal paths can be treated like repeatable studio wiring.
- +Graph-style routing that mirrors repeatable studio wiring in Reaper
- +Configurable virtual endpoints for bridging between apps and devices
- +Built-in monitoring support with level feedback for routed signals
- +Track-level routing control reduces guesswork during tracking
- –Most value depends on using Reaper as the routing hub
- –Sample-rate and clock mismatches can still cause audible artifacts
- –Complex multi-endpoint setups need careful channel mapping
- –Does not replace driver-level tuning for low-latency performance
Reaper users and editors
Build deterministic routing inside Reaper
Repeatable studio wiring
Audio engineers
Manage gain staging across endpoints
Safer monitoring levels
Show 2 more scenarios
Producers wiring studio tools
Route Reaper tracks into other devices
Consistent signal paths
Map virtual inputs and outputs so Reaper can treat endpoints like real devices for routing.
Teams avoiding generic loopback
Replace unstable app-to-app routing
Fewer routing surprises
Use graph-based routing that stays predictable compared with generic loopback approaches.
Best for: Fits when Reaper-centric workflows need consistent cross-app audio routing with controllable monitoring.
GroundControl Room
vertical specialistmacOS audio routing software with virtual devices, mixers, and application-level signal management.
GroundControl Room’s project-level routing graphs preserve complex monitoring chains across sessions.
GroundControl Room targets music producers and broadcast engineers who need repeatable audio routing and consistent monitoring across complex session setups. It provides a visual audio routing graph with configurable virtual input and output endpoints for linking software, hardware interfaces, and monitoring chains.
- +Visual routing graph makes multistep monitoring chains easier to reason about
- +Virtual input and output endpoints simplify consistent cross-app signal links
- +Session-oriented configuration supports repeatable setups across projects
- +Operational controls help manage device connections during active sessions
- –Complex graphs require careful configuration to avoid unintended signal loops
- –Guidance for clock and sample-rate mismatch handling is not as explicit as expected
- –Advanced routing setups can be slower to iterate than code-driven approaches
- –Some workflows depend on driver and OS audio subsystem behaviors outside the app
Music producers
Reuse session routing patterns
Consistent session setups
Broadcast engineers
Maintain repeatable monitoring chains
Predictable monitoring
Show 2 more scenarios
Live engineers and operators
Manage device connection states
Fewer live setup errors
Use automation-oriented controls to handle operational states for device connections.
Studio teams using complex chains
Link software and hardware into routing
Simplified signal flow
Connect software, hardware interfaces, and monitoring using configurable virtual endpoint nodes.
Best for: Fits when repeatable routing and monitoring graphs matter more than quick ad hoc patching.
BlackHole
open-sourceOpen-source macOS virtual audio driver for low-latency internal audio routing.
A ready-to-use multi-channel virtual endpoint that targets macOS inter-app monitoring with minimal configuration.
BlackHole from existential.audio provides a system-wide virtual audio device for routing sound between applications without external patch cables. It integrates as a multi-channel, sample-rate-aware audio endpoint that works with common inter-app driver paths on macOS.
- +Reliable multi-channel virtual input and output endpoints for app-to-app routing
- +Works with standard macOS audio device selection and session monitoring workflows
- +Consistent behavior for quick loopback capture during mixing and tracking checks
- +Minimal setup friction compared with more configurable routing tools
- –Limited automation and no built-in audio routing graph editing
- –Channel mapping requires manual selection in host apps
- –Less suitable for complex mixing busses and repeaters across many endpoints
- –Can expose audio session conflicts when multiple apps request exclusive-style access
Desktop audio users
Buss multiple channels via virtual endpoints
Channel-aware audio paths
Remote presenters and meeting hosts
Feed conferencing apps a chosen source
Conferencing receives selected audio
Show 2 more scenarios
Audio QA and operations teams
Verify playback routing into calls
Repeatable routing checks
Keep stable virtual mappings to test how playback and conferencing applications send audio.
Audio reviewers and recording users
Record internal application playback
Recorded internal playback
Capture output from media players or other applications through a virtual input device.
Best for: Fits when macOS engineers need quick virtual device routing for monitoring and loopback testing.
JACK Audio Connection Kit
open-sourceLow-latency audio server and routing system for connecting audio applications and devices.
Session graph control through the JACK patchbay and client connections, enabling explicit channel mapping for complex mixes.
JACK Audio Connection Kit is a virtual audio routing system that turns a computer into an audio routing graph with sample-accurate stream control. JACK focuses on low-latency, deterministic processing and exposes routing at the application and channel level through its session tools.
- +Deterministic routing with explicit control of buffers and clocking settings
- +Channel-level patching across applications via a graphical patchbay
- +Stable for long-running sessions with predictable stream behavior
- +Extensible through JACK-compatible client support and tooling
- –Requires careful device, sample rate, and buffer configuration discipline
- –Routing changes often need manual patch updates per session
Audio production teams
Keep shared timing across clients
More consistent timing
Audio engineers and test operators
Send one source to multiple outputs
Simultaneous playback paths
Show 2 more scenarios
Audio software developers
Integrate JACK-aware apps together
Predictable app-to-app exchange
Wire synthesizers, recorders, analyzers, and plugin hosts through JACK virtual endpoints.
Streaming and broadcast teams
Connect playout and monitoring tools
Coordinated production audio
Route capture, processing, mixing, playout, and monitoring applications into one shared path.
Best for: Fits when producers need repeatable, low-latency routing across multiple audio apps and hardware endpoints.
AudioRelay
consumerSoftware that routes audio between devices and supports virtual playback and capture use cases.
Session-first remote audio routing with saved endpoint mappings for sender and receiver apps.
AudioRelay provides remote, app-like audio routing where capture and playback are coordinated across devices rather than staying inside a single host. It focuses on building repeatable audio workflows for live sessions by routing multiple audio streams and exposing virtual endpoints for target applications.
- +Remote routing design supports cross-device studio or stage workflows
- +Stream mapping lets multiple sources feed selected destinations
- +Persistent endpoint configuration reduces session rework between runs
- +Connection status feedback helps catch failures before playback
- –Workflow depends on correct endpoint selection across sender and receiver apps
- –Latency tuning options are limited compared with full driver-level routers
- –Complex multichannel routing needs careful channel mapping discipline
- –Automation surface for provisioning routes is not geared toward deep integration
Live production operators
Route multiple streams across devices
Repeatable live audio routes
Remote teams running rehearsals
Restart sessions with saved routes
Faster session restart
Show 2 more scenarios
Performance monitors and engineers
Spot broken links before audio breaks
Fewer surprise dropouts
Use status and connection feedback to detect link failures ahead of the main performance moment.
App-based audio operators
Provide virtual endpoints to targets
App-ready audio routing
Expose virtual endpoints for target applications so capture and playback stay coordinated across devices.
Best for: Fits when remote collaboration or distributed rigs need repeatable routing between apps.
Conclusion
After evaluating 10 virtual audio software, Rogue Amoeba Loopback stands out as our overall top pick — it scored highest across our combined criteria of features, ease of use, and value, which is why it sits at #1 in the rankings above.
Use the comparison table and detailed reviews above to validate the fit against your own requirements before committing to a tool.
Frequently Asked Questions About Virtual Audio Software
How does a routing graph differ from a cable-like endpoint setup in virtual audio software?
Which tool is better for macOS app-to-app routing presets that stay consistent across sessions?
How do Virtual Audio Cable and Soundflower handle channel mapping when apps expect different layouts?
When do producers pick Ableton-centric routing like ReaRoute instead of system-wide virtual endpoints?
What breaks if latency buffer settings or clocking stay inconsistent across a routed audio path?
Which tool is designed for quick monitoring reroutes with minimal configuration on macOS?
How do session-first tools differ from endpoint-only tools when restarting a workflow?
How do admin controls, RBAC, and audit logging show up in virtual audio software for teams?
How do data migration and configuration export concerns affect onboarding across machines?
What security controls matter when virtual drivers and endpoints run across apps on the same host?
Tools reviewed
Primary sources checked during evaluation.
Referenced in the comparison table and product reviews above.
How to Choose the Right Virtual Audio Software
We separate options by how reliably they move audio between apps and files while staying controllable during recording and playback. Pay closest attention to Integration depth, API automation, and Routing control so the software matches your real workflow rather than the marketing screenshots.
Application routing and capture reliability
Why it matters
Application routing and capture reliability determines whether virtual inputs keep showing up and whether your signal stays stable across common apps. When routing is flaky, you spend time debugging instead of producing.
How to check
In a demo, set up one source app and route it into a target recording app, then start and stop playback several times. Verify the target receives signal consistently after app switching and after changing the order of launches.
Routing presets and named endpoints
Why it matters
Routing presets and named endpoints make it easier to repeat a setup for mixes, broadcasts, or rehearsals. Clear naming also reduces mistakes when you have multiple tracks or sources.
How to check
Create two different routing scenarios (for example, one for vocals, one for music), save them, and switch between them during playback. Check whether endpoint names are stable and visible in your other apps without needing manual re-selection each time.
Monitoring behavior under load
Why it matters
Monitoring behavior under load affects whether you can hear what you need while recording or monitoring. Even small hiccups can disrupt timing for performance and overdubs.
How to check
Record a short take while monitoring the routed signal, then repeat with the system under extra CPU load (for example, a second audio track playing). Listen for dropouts, late starts, or choppy monitoring rather than only checking levels.
Automation API and command control
Why it matters
Automation API and command control lets you switch routings from scripts, hotkeys, or session tooling. That lowers friction when you run repeatable workflows or build a consistent studio setup.
How to check
Ask for an example of configuration or routing automation (scripts, commands, or an API). Then validate in the demo that a change to routing can be triggered without clicking through every setting.
Profiles, persistence, and restore behavior
Why it matters
Profiles, persistence, and restore behavior decide whether your studio state survives restarts and updates. Good persistence prevents session breakage when the day’s audio setup is already complex.
How to check
Set up a routing profile, close the software, reboot (or restart the audio stack if supported), and reopen your session. Confirm the same routes come back automatically and that other apps still see the expected endpoints.
Multi-channel and format handling
Why it matters
Multi-channel and format handling matters when you work with stereo mixes, multi-track stems, or different channel layouts. Poor handling can force you into awkward workarounds that change the mix.
How to check
Route both a stereo source and a multi-channel source into the target recording app. Check that channel layout and playback sound match expectations (no swapped channels, missing channels, or unexpected conversions).
Red flags
- Routes disappear or require reselecting after app switching
- Monitoring glitches when you add normal CPU load
- Saved profiles don’t restore the same endpoints and routing
Fit by situation
- If you rely on routing between your main recording app and one or more player apps, prioritize Application routing and capture reliability.
- If you run the same session setup repeatedly, prioritize Routing presets and named endpoints.
- If you switch routings from hotkeys or scripts, prioritize Automation API and command control.
Funding and competing interests
This study was co-funded by several of the vendors assessed in it. No single vendor funded it. Funders could propose the market studied.
They had no role in selecting vendors, setting or weighting criteria, analysing data or drawing conclusions, and they received the same factual-accuracy check as every other vendor assessed.
Market definition, inclusion rules and criteria weights were fixed by an editor before research began and did not change afterwards. Editorial process →
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