The best audio editing software in 2026

In order to create a podcast, cut the pauses out of a webinar recording, or add effects to a video soundtrack, you'll need audio editing software. It lets you record audio, trim a file down to size, convert to web-friendly formats, and clean up an old recording. And there's no shortage of audio editors to choose from. Which you pick depends on what you're hoping to achieve, your budget, and your overall skill level. There are robust desktop editors for mixing multiple tracks, powerful open sourc