Best Mac Audio Routing Software: Control Per-App Audio Output Like a Pro

What Is Audio Routing Software and Why Do You Need It?

Mac audio routing software lets you control where each app's audio goes — sending Spotify to your speakers while Discord goes to your headphones, or routing YouTube to your monitor's speakers while keeping Slack notifications in your AirPods.

Unlike Windows, which has had per-app audio control since Vista, macOS treats all audio as one stream. You can't natively route different apps to different outputs or control their volumes independently. That's where audio routing software comes in.

Built-in macOS Audio Limitations

By default, macOS sends all audio to one output device. You can change the system-wide output in Sound Settings, but every app follows that same setting. There's no way to:

• Send music to speakers while keeping calls in headphones
• Route game audio to your gaming headset while system sounds go to built-in speakers
• Control volume levels per app (everything uses the master volume)
• Switch outputs quickly without diving into System Settings

Best Mac Audio Routing Software Options

SoundSource ($49) — The Professional Choice

SoundSource by Rogue Amoeba is the most comprehensive audio routing solution for Mac. It offers:

• Per-app volume control (0-200%)
• Individual output routing for each app
• 10-band EQ per app
• Audio Unit plugin support
• AirPlay routing
• Keyboard shortcuts per app
• Advanced audio processing

SoundSource is excellent but expensive at $49. It's overkill if you just need basic per-app volume and routing control.

Soundish — Core Features at a Fraction of the Price

Soundish focuses on the essential audio routing features most people actually need:

• Per-app volume control (0-200% with overdrive)
• Individual output routing (route each app to different speakers/headphones)
• Per-app mute controls
• Audio profiles to save and restore configurations
• Multi-process support (handles Chrome tabs, Brave, Edge properly)
• Favourites for quick access to frequently used apps

Soundish requires macOS 14.2+ and uses Apple's Core Audio Tap API for reliable audio control. It's a one-time purchase that costs significantly less than SoundSource while covering the core use cases.

Sound Control (~$29) — Middle Ground Option

Sound Control offers per-app volume and basic routing features. It's more affordable than SoundSource but lacks some of the advanced features and polish of either SoundSource or Soundish's focused approach.

Free Alternatives

eqMac (free version) provides basic system-wide EQ but limited per-app control. The Pro version ($40) adds more features but still doesn't match dedicated audio routing software.

BackgroundMusic (open source) offers per-app volume control but can be unstable and requires technical setup.

Common Audio Routing Use Cases

Remote Work Setup

• Video calls → Headphones (private, clear audio)
• Music/Spotify → Desk speakers (ambient, room-filling)
• Slack notifications → Built-in speakers (won't get missed)

Gaming Setup

• Game audio → Gaming headset (immersive, directional)
• Discord/voice chat → Same headset but lower volume
• Background music → Desk speakers
• System notifications → Built-in speakers

Content Creation

• Recording software → Audio interface/studio monitors
• Reference audio → Headphones for mixing
• Communication → Separate headset
• Browser/research → Built-in speakers (low priority)

Which Audio Routing Software Should You Choose?

Choose SoundSource if:

• You need advanced features like EQ and Audio Unit plugins
• Budget isn't a concern ($49 is reasonable for your use case)
• You want the most comprehensive solution available
• You need AirPlay routing or advanced audio processing

Choose Soundish if:

• You want core per-app audio control without the premium price
• Per-app volume and routing covers 90% of your needs
• You prefer a focused, lightweight solution
• You're switching from Windows and just want basic volume mixer functionality

Stick with built-in macOS if:

• You only use one audio output device
• You don't mind adjusting system volume for everything
• Simple audio needs (though you're probably not reading this article)

Getting Started with Audio Routing

Whichever solution you choose, you'll need to:

1. Grant audio permissions — macOS requires explicit permission for apps to control audio
2. Install any required drivers — Some solutions need one-time system extensions
3. Configure your apps — Set up routing rules for your most-used applications
4. Test your setup — Play audio from multiple apps to verify routing works correctly

Audio routing software transforms how you interact with sound on Mac, giving you the granular control that should have been built into macOS years ago. Whether you choose a comprehensive solution like SoundSource or a focused tool like Soundish, you'll wonder how you lived without per-app audio control.