SoundSource alternative
MACA vs SoundSource
SoundSource is the best-known per-app audio tool for the Mac — and a genuinely good one. MACA covers the same core job — per-app volume, EQ and output routing — at a much lower price, with per-app volume and mute free for every app. Here's an honest side by side.
Side by side
| MACA | SoundSource | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Free to start · Pro from $2.99/mo | $49 once (+$25 major upgrades) |
| Per-app volume & mute | FREE all apps | PAID Included |
| Per-app 10-band equalizer | PRO | PAID Included |
| Per-app output routing | PRO | PAID Included |
| Intel Mac support | Apple Silicon only | Universal (Intel + Apple Silicon) |
| Minimum macOS | macOS 15 | macOS 11 |
Why people pick MACA
- Per-app volume and mute are free for every app, forever — no 3-app limit, no account.
- SoundSource's free trial adds noise to your audio after 20 minutes per session; MACA's free tier has no such catch, ever.
- Far lower price: Pro is $2.99/month, $19.99/year or $39.99 once, versus SoundSource's $49 plus paid major upgrades.
- Built exclusively for Apple Silicon — no Rosetta translation overhead, minimal CPU and battery impact.
- Private by design: everything runs locally on your Mac, no cloud, no tracking, and no kernel extensions.
- Fair regional pricing (PPP) across all 175 App Store regions — you pay the right price for your country.
When SoundSource is the better call
If you're on an Intel Mac or a macOS version before 15 (Sequoia), SoundSource is the safer choice — MACA needs macOS 15 and Apple Silicon. SoundSource is also the longest-established option from a respected developer, and its one-time-only pricing suits people who never want a subscription option at all.
Competitor details reflect public information as of mid-2026 and may change. Prices in USD.