Decision Support · Side-by-side

Auphonic vs Masterchannel. Side by side.

Compare pricing, strengths, and use cases so it is easier to pick the right fit.

Browse alternatives Browse workflows

Change tools

Comparison Ready

Auphonic

Best overall

Masterchannel

For podcasters and video creators who need to clean up messy audio with loudness normalization and noise reduction, Auphonic is the clear winner despite its dated interface. Masterchannel is better for musicians who want a polished, streaming-ready master in seconds with zero effort. The biggest difference: Auphionc fixes bad audio, Masterchannel polishes good mixes.

Auphonic

#1818 of 3,826 Web

Masterchannel

From $15/mo #3191 of 3,826 Web

Scores at a glance

AuphonicMasterchannelPractical Versatility

Onboarding Ease

Ecosystem Fit

Market Value

Choose Auphonic if

You record customer interviews or remote conversations and need to balance volume levels
You run a podcast and want consistent loudness across episodes without manual editing
You need to clean up noisy audio from a video recording or field interview
You want automatic transcription and subtitle generation from your audio files

Choose Masterchannel if

You're a musician or band releasing singles and want a quick master for streaming platforms
You have a decent-sounding mix but lack the skills or software to master it yourself
You need to master a batch of songs for an album and want consistent results fast
You want to A/B compare your raw mix against a mastered version to hear the difference

Key differences

Auphonic fixes bad audio (noise, uneven levels); Masterchannel polishes good mixes
Auphonic supports video files and transcription; Masterchannel is music-only
Masterchannel is dead simple (upload and done); Auphonic has a steeper learning curve
Auphonic has no clear published pricing; Masterchannel starts at $15/month
Masterchannel optimizes for streaming platforms; Auphonic targets broadcast loudness standards
Neither tool has a mobile app — both require a desktop browser

Facts side by side

	Auphonic	Masterchannel
Free plan
Mobile app
API access

Auphonic: strengths & weaknesses

Fixes uneven volume between speakers automatically
Removes background noise and hum without sounding robotic
Works with many file types including video formats
Can transcribe audio to text and export subtitles
No mobile app — you need a computer to use it
Interface looks old and can be confusing at first
Credits expire if you don't use them monthly
Transcription costs extra credits, so it adds up fast

Masterchannel: strengths & weaknesses

Extremely simple — upload a song and get a mastered version in under a minute
No technical knowledge needed at all
Sounds clean and natural, no weird artifacts
Optimizes your track for Spotify, Apple Music, and YouTube automatically
Only works well if your original mix is already good — it can't fix a bad recording
No way to manually tweak settings if you're picky
No mobile app, no transcription, no noise reduction
Subscription feels expensive if you only master a few songs per year

Common questions

Can I use Auphonic or Masterchannel on my phone?

No, neither tool has a mobile app. You need to use a computer browser to upload files and download results.

Which tool is better for podcasters — Auphonic or Masterchannel?

Auphonic is much better for podcasters because it can balance multiple speakers, remove background noise, and normalize loudness to podcast standards. Masterchannel is designed for music, not spoken word.

Is Masterchannel worth $15/month for a hobby musician?

Only if you release music regularly (at least one song per month). If you master just a few tracks a year, you're better off paying per track or using a free alternative like LANDR's basic tier.

Does Auphonic work with video files?

Yes, Auphonic accepts MP4 and MOV files, so you can upload a video and get cleaned-up audio with subtitles. Masterchannel does not support video.

Can I manually adjust settings in Masterchannel?

No, Masterchannel is fully automatic. You can choose a mastering intensity or style on some plans, but there are no manual EQ, compression, or limiter controls.

Which tool is better for a complete beginner?

Masterchannel is easier — upload and click one button. Auphonic requires setting up presets and understanding terms like LUFS and cross-gating, so it's less beginner-friendly.

Auphonic fixes messy audio for podcasters and video creators; Masterchannel polishes music for artists — pick based on what you record.

If you record people talking — interviews, podcasts, meetings — go with Auphonic. It's the industry standard for a reason. If you make music and want a polished master in under a minute with zero effort, Masterchannel is your best bet. Neither has a mobile app, so plan to use a computer.

Visit Auphonic Visit Masterchannel

Detail pages: Auphonic · Masterchannel

Auphonic

Masterchannel

Free plan

Mobile app

API access