Why look for an Adobe Audition alternative?
Adobe Audition is a professional workstation, but it costs around $22.49 per month, runs only on desktop, and is far more than most people need for recording and cleanup.
If you want clean audio without a subscription - especially on Android - a lighter tool is smarter. Virtual Mic handles live recording and noise reduction for free.
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Virtual Mic
Editor’s Choice
Virtual Mic is the no-subscription, mobile-first Adobe Audition alternative for recording and clean mic audio.
Pros
- Real-time noise reduction and echo cancellation on-device
- Live waveform visualization so you can see your levels as you speak
- Records straight to M4A or WAV with adjustable quality
- Equalizer, reverb, gain and routing controls to shape your voice
- Works with Bluetooth, wired and AirPlay-style external speakers
Cons
- Android only - there is no iOS build
- Built for live audio and recording, not full multitrack production
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Adobe Audition
Professional audio workstation - subscription from $22.49/mo
Pros
- Industry-standard spectral editing and restoration
- Advanced multitrack mixing and mastering
- Deep integration with Premiere Pro and Creative Cloud
Cons
- Desktop only and requires a paid subscription
- Designed for post-production, not real-time calls
- Overkill for users who just want a better mic
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Audacity
Free, open-source desktop audio editor and recorder
Pros
- Powerful multitrack recording and editing for free
- Large catalogue of effects and community plugins
- Exports to every common audio format
Cons
- Desktop only - not designed for phones or live use
- Steeper learning curve for beginners
- No real-time noise suppression while you talk
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WaveEditor
On-device audio editor for Android - free with a Pro upgrade
Pros
- Edit, cut and mix recordings directly on your phone
- Supports MP3, WAV, FLAC and more
- Useful effects and amplification tools
Cons
- An editor, not a live microphone processor
- Ads and feature gating on the free tier
- No real-time monitoring while you record
Virtual Mic vs Adobe Audition vs Audacity
| Feature | Virtual Mic | Adobe Audition | Audacity |
|---|
| Platform | Android | Desktop | Desktop |
| Price | Free | $22.49/mo | Free |
| Real-time mic cleanup | ✓ | — | — |
| Records on a phone | ✓ | — | — |
| Pro multitrack editing | — | ✓ | ✓ |
| Learning curve | Low | High | Moderate |
Frequently asked questions
Is there a free alternative to Adobe Audition?
Yes. Audacity is a free desktop alternative, and Virtual Mic is a free Android app for recording and live audio cleanup without any subscription.
Can I get Audition-style audio on Android?
For recording and noise reduction, Virtual Mic gives Android users clean, professional-sounding audio. For heavy post-production you would still use a desktop editor.
Do I have to pay a subscription for Virtual Mic?
No. Virtual Mic is free to download on Google Play, unlike Adobe Audition's monthly Creative Cloud subscription.
Which alternative is best for beginners?
Virtual Mic has the gentlest learning curve - record, monitor your levels and apply cleanup with a few taps, with no complex timeline to learn.
The bottom line
Adobe Audition is worth it for full-time audio engineers, but most people are paying for power they never use. For recording and cleanup, free tools do the job.
On Android, start with Virtual Mic; only step up to Audition if you genuinely need professional spectral editing and mastering.