These five FREE audio editing programs will help you create the next great podcast, interviews, and narration.

So, if you’re more on the beginner side of things, there’s really no need to pull your wallet out just yet. No matter the type of content you’re going to be editing—whether it’s podcasts or just general narration/VO—you want something that’s going to allow you to make simple cuts, add transitions, and control the decibels. If you’re looking to do anything else, like adding effects, you’ll need to try out one of the paid programs.

Now, once you decide to take the plunge and download one or all of these, consider our library for any music you might need. And, if you’re in the business of podcasts and need good music to throw underneath your interviews and stories, check out our incredible stems we offer with almost every song.

1. Audacity

You’ve probably heard of Audacity, as I know many podcasters and anybody needing a transcription service use this program. So, why is it so popular? First, it’s free. Second, it’s actually a well-made digital audio workstation (DAW) that has earned this spot at the top of the list. It’s intuitive—you can use effects like transitions, noise reduction, and even “truncate silence.”

If you want help getting started with Audacity, check out our full guide to learning the program, and what you can expect to see upon downloading it.

2. DaVinci Resolve

This list is supposed to be for “audio editing,” as in NO video editing. But, Blackmagic Design is one of the most generous companies cranking out stellar product after stellar product, and their base software (DaVinci Resolve) is free. The tutorial I linked to above is a lot. It pretty much goes over every single thing you can do for your audio files within the program.

We’ve covered DaVinci Resolve quite a bit on this blog and over on Shutterstock. If you’re new to the program and want a general overview of what to expect when opening it for the first time, we’ve got you covered on all the basics.

3. Ocenaudio

This is as bare bones as it gets. This free software allows you to cut up an audio file in a manner of seconds. Don’t expect too much from this one as it’s just for simple editing. However, you can apply some basic effects like fade ins, a graphic equalizer, as well as the ability to reverse or speed up your file. It’s simple. It’s free. Check it out.

4. WavePad – Mac

WavePad has been around for a while, and you’ll notice this based on the look of its interface. However, that doesn’t change the fact that this software will do exactly what you need it to. No matter if you’re uploading .wavs or .mp3s, WavePad allows you to cut it up and export it out just fine. There’s not much frill or fuss with this one.

However, this software is only available for Mac users. So, the question is: If you’re on a Mac, should you just use GarageBand? I’m not terribly familiar with GarageBand and have never cut audio inside it for the purpose of using it in a video. That said, here’s a great tutorial on how to use GarageBand.

5. FilmoraPro

Why not have the total package? Free video editing and audio editing all in one. Wondershare FilmoraPro is an excellent inclusion to this list as it’s meant specifically for video editors. The interface looks a lot like the standard paid NLEs (your Final Cut Pro X, DaVinci Resolve, and Premiere Pro). So, if you’re wanting to switch over to something free, give this a shot. They’ve been perfecting this software for the past few years and I genuinely think people are sleeping on it.

Cover image via Surf Ink.

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