If you edit your podcast in anything that doesn't handle loudness for you, run the final file through Auphonic. It is a web service that levels speakers, cleans noise and hits the loudness target you choose, without you needing to know what LUFS means. It isn't an editor, so it sits after your editing step, not instead of it.
We assessed Auphonic alongside the rest of our audio & podcasting reviews, including Buzzsprout, Zencastr and Audacity, so the score below is relative to that field.
What it does well
Leveling between speakers. Auphonic's Adaptive Leveler, per its features page, corrects level differences between speakers and between music and speech, and applies compression so the episode sounds even. That is the job that eats the most time in a manual workflow like Audacity.
Loudness targets done properly. You set integrated loudness, true peak and related limits (for example -16 LUFS for podcasts), and Auphonic produces to that spec. Its features page lists Netflix, Audible, Spotify and broadcast standards such as EBU R128 among the targets.
Multitrack. Upload separate tracks per mic and Auphonic says it balances them, gates noise and bleed per track, and ducks music under speech. For interview shows recorded on separate mics, this is the strongest reason to use it.
More than mastering now. Auphonic also lists noise and reverb reduction, automatic cutting of silence, coughs and filler words, Whisper-based transcription with automatic shownotes and chapters, and burned-in subtitles for video.
Automation. Watch folders, a documented API and CLI, Zapier, and automatic publishing to destinations such as YouTube, Libsyn, Podbean and SoundCloud. A creator who publishes every week can set a preset once and stop thinking about it.
Where it falls short
- The interface is utilitarian. It is functional, but it looks like a settings panel, not a modern creator app.
- Not a real editor. The Auphonic Editor and cut lists let you review and adjust its work, but you still need a separate tool to structure and edit an episode.
- Hour-based pricing. Long episodes or a daily show burn through the allowance quickly.
- Free productions carry a jingle. Fine for testing, not for publishing.
Pricing in practice
All prices in USD and exclude VAT. Auphonic sells processing hours.
| Plan | Monthly billing | Paid yearly (per month) | Hours per month |
|---|---|---|---|
| Free | $0 | n/a | 2 (Auphonic jingle added) |
| S | $13 | $11 | 9 |
| M | $30 | $25 | 21 |
| L | $64 | $52 | 45 |
| XL | $136 | $113 | 100 |
| XXL | $290 | $245 | 250 |
One-time credits start at $12 for 5 hours and never expire, which suits irregular shows. Auphonic's FAQ says batch productions and watch folders are premium features.
Example. Assumptions: a weekly 60-minute episode recorded as two separate tracks, and hours counted on episode length. That is roughly 4 to 5 hours a month, so S (9 hours) covers it with room for bonus episodes, at $13 monthly or $11 a month paid yearly. Check how Auphonic counts multitrack hours in your account before you commit.
Who should pick it (and who shouldn't)
Pick it if you publish on a schedule, you have more than one speaker, and you want consistent loudness without learning mastering. It also suits teams who want an API or watch folder in the pipeline.
Skip it if your editor already handles loudness and cleanup well enough for your show, or you mainly want one-click captions for short-form video.
Alternatives worth comparing
- Adobe Podcast for free one-off voice rescue. See Auphonic vs Adobe Podcast.
- Hindenburg if you want leveling and loudness built into the editor itself.
- iZotope RX for damaged recordings that need repair, not just leveling.
- Descript for an editor-first workflow. More options in the best tools for podcasters.
What changed (Oct 7, 2026)
- Plan names, prices and limits now match Auphonic's official pricing page as checked on Oct 7, 2026.
SOURCES (CHECKED OCT 19, 2026)
| Claim | Source URL | Checked |
|---|---|---|
| Plans, prices and plan limits in the pricing table | https://auphonic.com/pricing | 2026-10-19 |
| Official product site | https://auphonic.com | 2026-10-19 |
| PLAN | PRICE | WHAT YOU GET |
|---|---|---|
| Free | $0 /mo | 2 hrs/mo, productions include an Auphonic jingle |
| S | $13 /mo, or $11 /mo paid yearly | 9 hrs/mo |
| M | $30 /mo, or $25 /mo paid yearly | 21 hrs/mo |
| L | $64 /mo, or $52 /mo paid yearly | 45 hrs/mo |
| XL | $136 /mo, or $113 /mo paid yearly | 100 hrs/mo |
| XXL | $290 /mo, or $245 /mo paid yearly | 250 hrs/mo |
| One-time credits | from $12 for 5 hrs | credits never expire |
Mastering podcast episodes.
Skip it if you want a caption-styling or video-editing tool for short-form clips; Auphonic can burn subtitles into video, but it is built around audio post-production. — if that's a dealbreaker, see every audio & podcasting tool we've reviewed.
- Is Auphonic worth it in 2026?
Loudness, leveling, and silence-trim, set-and-forget. We rate it 8.1/10, and it's the strongest pick for mastering podcast episodes.
- How much does Auphonic cost?
Auphonic lists a Free plan (2 hrs/mo, with an Auphonic jingle) and recurring plans from S at $13/mo (9 hrs/mo) up to XXL at $290/mo (250 hrs/mo), with lower rates when paid yearly. One-time credits start at $12 for 5 hrs. List prices change often, so confirm with the vendor before you buy.
- What are the downsides of Auphonic?
Utilitarian interface. No real editing: it post-processes finished audio.
- How did BestCreates review Auphonic?
Editorially reviewed: An editorial evaluation of verified product information, official documentation, pricing and features, informed by Carlos Gil's professional experience. Available demos and screenshots may inform the review; documented product use is required for a hands-on label. The score is relative to the other tools we cover in this category.
Loudness, leveling, and silence-trim, set-and-forget.
Editorially reviewed. An editorial evaluation of verified product information, official documentation, pricing and features, informed by Carlos Gil's professional experience. Available demos and screenshots may inform the review; documented product use is required for a hands-on label. Read our review standards.
BestCreates is written and edited by Carlos Gil. Every tool is assessed against the same documented framework — the jobs creators hire it for, ease of use, pricing accuracy, support and integrations — and each review states in the open how it was assessed.
LAST UPDATED OCT 9, 2026
SIGNED BY CARLOS GIL · FOUNDER & EDITOR, THE BEST NETWORK · OUR DISCLOSURE POLICY