Best Volume Mixer Apps for Mac in 2026
macOS doesn't have a built-in volume mixer. If you want to control the volume of individual apps (turn down Spotify without affecting Zoom, mute Slack without muting everything) you need a third-party app.
There are several options. This guide compares the most common ones on what we can actually check: what they do for per-app volume, how you get them, and what they cost. No affiliate links, no sponsored picks. Full disclosure: SoundDial is our app.
What you should look for
- Per-app volume sliders: independent control for every app on your Mac
- Volume range: can you go below 100% and above 100% (boost)?
- Per-app mute: silence one app without touching the others
- Menu bar access: quick changes without switching apps
- macOS compatibility: works on the macOS version you run
- Pricing model: one-time purchase, subscription or free
- How it installs: Mac App Store, a developer download, or building from source
The options
SoundDial
SoundDial is a menu-bar app focused on one job: per-app volume control.
- Per-app volume: yes, 0% to 200%
- Per-app mute: yes, one click
- Volume boost: yes, up to 200% per app
- Lower other apps during calls: yes, auto-ducking (on by default, adjustable or off)
- Saved setups: yes, named profiles of per-app volumes and mutes
- Price: €14.99 one-time purchase, no subscription
- Requires: macOS 14.2 or later
- Available on: the Mac App Store
SoundDial works per app, not per browser tab: all tabs of one browser share one slider.
SoundSource (Rogue Amoeba)
SoundSource is one of the oldest and best-known Mac audio utilities. It is a broader audio tool aimed at power users.
- Per-app volume: yes
- Price: $49
- Available from: Rogue Amoeba directly, not the Mac App Store
For its full current feature list and system requirements, check Rogue Amoeba's website. If you need more than per-app volume and mute, it is worth a look.
Background Music (free, open source)
Background Music is a free, open-source app that provides per-app volume control. It is a common first choice because it costs nothing.
- Per-app volume: yes
- Price: free
- Available from: its open-source project page
Check the project page for its current status and the macOS versions it supports before you install it.
Quick comparison
| SoundDial | SoundSource | Background Music | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Per-app volume | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Boost above 100% | Yes, to 200% | see vendor | see project |
| Price | €14.99 one-time purchase | $49 | Free |
| Where to get it | Mac App Store | Rogue Amoeba | Open-source project |
Which one should you pick?
- If you want per-app volume, mute and boost from the Mac App Store, for a one-time price: SoundDial.
- If you need a broader audio toolkit and don't mind the price: SoundSource.
- If you want something free and are comfortable with an open-source project: Background Music.
More detail: per-app volume control on Mac · SoundDial, a volume mixer for Mac · SoundSource alternative · Background Music alternative · FineTune alternative.
SoundDial: a volume slider and mute button for every app on your Mac.
€14.99 one-time purchase · macOS 14.2+ · no subscription