Soundish vs SoundSource: Which Mac Volume Mixer Is Right for You?
A side-by-side comparison of Soundish and SoundSource (Rogue Amoeba) — features, pricing, and which one makes sense depending on what you need.
Two Apps, Different Philosophies
SoundSource by Rogue Amoeba is the gold standard for per-app audio control on Mac. It's been around for years, it's polished, and it does a lot. Soundish is newer, focused on the core volume mixing features, and priced for people who don't need the full studio toolkit.
Here's how they compare.
Per-App Volume Control
Both apps give you individual volume sliders for every running app. Both let you boost volume above 100% for quiet apps.
SoundSource offers 0–400% range. Soundish goes to 200%, which covers most real-world needs without risking audio distortion.
Verdict: Both do this well. SoundSource has a wider boost range if you need it.
Per-App Output Routing
Both let you route individual apps to different audio devices — for example, Discord to headphones and Spotify to speakers.
SoundSource supports AirPlay devices as output targets. Soundish currently routes to physical and virtual audio devices only.
Verdict: SoundSource has the edge if you rely on AirPlay.
Audio Effects & EQ
SoundSource includes a 10-band EQ per app, plus support for Audio Unit plugins. You can add effects, compression, and processing to individual app audio streams.
Soundish doesn't have EQ or audio effects. It focuses purely on volume, muting, and routing.
Verdict: SoundSource wins here — if audio effects matter to you, it's the clear choice.
Profiles
Soundish has a profiles system that lets you save named audio configurations (volume levels, mute states, output routing, optional master volume). You can quick-switch between profiles from the menu bar — useful for switching between work, gaming, and music setups.
SoundSource doesn't have a profiles feature.
Verdict: Soundish wins here if you switch between audio setups regularly.
Multi-Process App Support
Both apps handle Chrome and other Chromium-based browsers that spawn separate audio processes. This is important because Chrome's audio doesn't come from the main Chrome process — it comes from helper processes.
Verdict: Tie — both handle this correctly.
Pricing
This is the biggest difference. SoundSource costs $49 (USD) for a single licence. Soundish is a fraction of that price.
If you need EQ, audio effects, and AirPlay routing, SoundSource's price is justified — you're getting a professional audio toolkit. If you just need volume sliders, muting, and output routing, Soundish gives you the essentials without paying for features you won't use.
Verdict: Depends on your needs. SoundSource is worth it for audio professionals. Soundish makes sense for everyone else.
Setup & System Requirements
SoundSource installs a system extension (ACE, Audio Capture Engine). Soundish installs a lightweight HAL audio driver on first launch. Both require a one-time admin password.
Both require macOS 14 Sonoma or later.
Verdict: Similar setup experience.
The Bottom Line
SoundSource is the more powerful tool. If you want EQ, audio effects, AirPlay routing, and don't mind paying $49, it's excellent.
Soundish covers the features most people actually use daily — per-app volume, muting, output routing, and profiles — at a much lower price point. If your main frustration is "I just want to turn down Chrome without affecting Spotify," Soundish solves that without the extras.
Both apps offer free trials, so the best approach is to try both and see which fits your workflow.