Podcasting
Best Audio Editing Software for Mac (2025): For Podcasters & Content Creators
Discover the best audio editing software for Mac. Compare tools like Recast Studio, GarageBand, Adobe Audition, and more. Ideal for podcasters and content creators.
If you’re a podcaster or video creator using a Mac, you know how essential the right audio editing software is. Mac devices are widely used in creative industries because of their powerful performance, smooth UI, and reliability. But the real magic happens when you pair your Mac with the right software tailored to your content needs.
Whether you’re cleaning up audio from a remote interview, trimming reels for social media, or publishing a weekly show on Spotify, having intuitive, reliable, and feature-rich software makes all the difference. And that’s exactly what this guide is for.
We’ve curated a list of top Mac audio editing tools built for creators, focusing on fast workflows, podcasting, social repurposing, and editing with minimal friction.
Best Audio Editing Software for Mac (2025)
Software | Best For | Pricing | AI Tools | macOS Native | Ideal User Type |
Recast Studio | AI-powered podcast editing | Freemium | Yes | Web-based | Podcasters, marketers |
GarageBand | Beginners | Free | No | Yes | Hobbyists, solo creators |
Adobe Audition | Professional-grade editing | Paid | No | Yes | Editors, teams |
Audacity | Open-source basic editing | Free | No | Yes | Beginners, voiceover |
Hindenburg Lite | Narrative podcast editing | Paid | No | Yes | Journalists, podcasters |
Reaper | Pro-level on a budget | Paid | No | Yes | Tech-savvy creators |
Ocenaudio | Lightweight quick edits | Free | No | Yes | Quick-use cases |
What to Look For in Mac Audio Editing Software
Before jumping into the list, here are a few key features that podcasters and content creators should keep in mind:
Ease of Use: You want a tool that simplifies your workflow, not complicates it.
AI or Automation Tools: Smart tools like subtitle generators or AI clip detection save hours of manual work.
Export Options: Look for software that supports common podcast and social media formats (MP3, WAV, MP4).
macOS Compatibility: The software should be fully optimized for the latest Mac chips (M1, M2, M3) and macOS versions.
Lightweight or Web-Based: Especially important if you're editing on the go or prefer cloud storage and minimal installation.
Choosing software that aligns with your production style will ultimately help you save time and improve content quality.
1. Recast Studio
Best for: Podcasters & content creators
Recast Studio is a modern AI-powered audio and video editing platform designed for solo creators and lean content teams. It streamlines the editing process with tools that automatically generate captions, cut highlight clips, and convert long podcasts into snackable videos for social media.
Key Features:
AI Shorts and Clip Generator to instantly repurpose long content
Automatic Subtitle Generator for accessibility and engagement
Audiogram and Waveform creation tools for visual audio assets
Podcast-to-Video conversion for YouTube, Instagram, and TikTok
Why Use It on Mac:
Recast is browser-based but optimized for fast, seamless performance on macOS. It runs smoothly on both Intel and Apple Silicon chips and requires no installation or manual updates.
Pricing: Freemium, with Pro plans for advanced exports and branded assets
2. GarageBand
Best for: Hobbyists and casual creators
GarageBand is Apple’s free DAW that comes pre-installed on all Macs. It’s often the first editor creators try when starting, and for good reason—it’s simple, powerful, and integrates beautifully with macOS.
Key Features:
Multi-track audio support for simple mixes and voice layering
Built-in voice presets, compression tools, and filters
Music loops and jingles for adding background audio to intros/outros
Why Use It on Mac:
It's native to macOS and tightly integrated with iCloud, iMovie, and Logic Pro. This makes it a great launchpad for anyone exploring podcasting or content creation on Mac.
Pricing: Free
3. Adobe Audition
Best for: Advanced users and post-production teams
Adobe Audition is a professional-grade audio editor with robust tools for multi-track editing, podcast mastering, and audio repair. It's used by production studios and advanced YouTubers alike.
Key Features:
Spectral Frequency Display for precision editing
Audio restoration and cleanup tools (DeNoise, DeReverb)
Powerful batch processing and multi-channel support
Why Use It on Mac:
Fully compatible with the Adobe Creative Cloud ecosystem, it runs smoothly on newer Mac chipsets and integrates well with Premiere Pro for video creators.
Pricing: Paid (via Adobe Creative Cloud subscription)
4. Audacity
Best for: Beginners who want full control without cost
Audacity is a no-frills, open-source editor with surprisingly deep capabilities. While the UI is outdated, it offers core editing tools that can rival paid software—if you're willing to learn.
Key Features:
Full multi-track timeline for voice and music
Real-time preview of effects
Extensive library of free plugins
Why Use It on Mac:
Audacity is lightweight and stable across all macOS versions. It's ideal for creators on a budget or those who want to keep everything offline.
Pricing: Free
5. Hindenburg Lite
Best for: Story-driven podcasters and journalists
Hindenburg is designed for spoken-word content. It’s perfect for interview-heavy podcasts and audio storytelling where clarity and pacing matter.
Key Features:
Auto-leveling across voices for consistent sound
Intuitive drag-and-drop structure for arranging episodes
Direct podcast publishing and metadata editing
Why Use It on Mac:
Clean, distraction-free interface optimized for macOS. It's especially useful for journalists and educators creating narrative-style episodes.
Pricing: Paid (Lite and Pro tiers)
6. Reaper
Best for: Creators who want high-end tools without the price tag
Reaper is a full-fledged DAW used by audio professionals, but its pricing makes it accessible to independent creators. It offers deep customization, high performance, and tons of plugin support.
Key Features:
Flexible multitrack editing
Automation, MIDI, and plugin scripting
Ultra-compact install footprint
Why Use It on Mac:
Compatible with all modern Macs, Reaper is optimized for both Intel and Apple Silicon processors. It’s a powerful editor that doesn’t hog resources.
Pricing: Paid (affordable lifetime license)
7. Ocenaudio
Best for: Lightweight, quick edits
Ocenaudio is a clean, fast, and beginner-friendly audio editor. It’s perfect for trimming podcast clips, applying basic EQ, and cleaning up audio without digging through menus.
Key Features:
Visual waveform and spectrogram editor
Live effect preview and one-click application
Multiple selection editing (great for batch cleanup)
Why Use It on Mac:
Fast boot time, low system requirements, and zero clutter make it perfect for MacBook users or those doing simple tasks on the go.
Pricing: Free
How to Edit Audio Using Recast Studio
If you're new to podcast editing or simply want to save time, here's how you can edit audio efficiently using Recast Studio:
Step 1: Upload Your Content
Import your full-length podcast or video file into the Recast Studio dashboard. It supports MP4, MP3, WAV, and other common formats.
Step 2: Let AI Detect Key Moments
Use the built-in AI Shorts generator to automatically identify highlight-worthy clips from your recording. These are ideal for social media reels, YouTube Shorts, or teasers.
Step 3: Trim, Cut, and Reorder
Use Recast’s timeline editor to manually refine the clips. You can cut awkward pauses, reorder segments, and adjust transitions—all from the browser.
Step 4: Add Subtitles and Visuals
Enable the Subtitle Generator for captions, or add waveform animations to make your audio visually engaging. Perfect for Instagram and LinkedIn.
Step 5: Export and Publish
Export your final edit in podcast-friendly audio formats or square/vertical video for socials. No complex rendering or plugin setup needed.
Recast Studio is designed for modern creators who want polished results without spending hours inside traditional DAWs.
Conclusion
If you're focused on podcasting, content repurposing, or building a streamlined publishing workflow, Recast Studio should be your first stop. It's the only platform on this list built from the ground up for creators who need speed, simplicity, and social-ready outputs, all powered by AI.
From auto-generating short-form clips and subtitles to producing audiograms and waveform animations, Recast Studio eliminates the traditional barriers of audio editing. Unlike bulky desktop software, it runs smoothly in your browser and keeps your focus on storytelling, not software.
Choosing the best Mac audio editing software comes down to your content type, workflow, and comfort with tools. For podcasters Recast Studio offers the easiest path to high-quality, shareable content with the added benefit of automation.
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