FineTune for Mac vs Earmix
Short answer: FineTune is a free, open source per-app volume mixer for macOS 15 and later, and for sliders, boost, per-app EQ and output it's often all you need. Earmix, which we make, costs $12.99 at its early-bird price and adds per-tab volume, call ducking, recording, auto level and an iPhone remote, and runs on macOS 14.2 Sonoma.
What FineTune is
FineTune is made by Ronit Singh and published on GitHub under the GPL-3.0 licence, with around 10,000 stars. Version 1.9.0 came out in July 2026. You can install it with Homebrew:
brew install --cask finetuneIt has more than a basic slider. Each app gets volume, mute and a boost of 2x, 3x or 4x, a 10-band EQ with 20 presets, and its own output, including several devices at once. You can pin apps so they stay in the list, set a device priority, and use per-app hotkeys and URL schemes. It also has headphone correction from AutoEq with thousands of profiles, and it can import ParametricEQ.txt and EqualizerAPO files. For monitor speakers it offers DDC volume and the F10–F12 keys on HDMI and USB outputs, plus loudness compensation, alert volume and mic level.
When FineTune is enough
Say it plainly: if you want each app at its own level, maybe louder than 100%, with its own EQ and speakers, and you're on macOS 15 or later, FineTune does that for free. It also has many more headphone models than Earmix (thousands against 52). Both boost an app to four times its volume. And you can read its code.
Earmix vs FineTune at a glance
| Earmix | FineTune | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $12.99 once, early bird ($49 regular) | Free |
| Source code | Closed | Open, GPL-3.0 |
| macOS | 14.2 or later | 15 or later |
| Per-app volume | 0–400%, with limiter | Yes, boost 2x/3x/4x |
| Per-app EQ | 10-band, eight presets | 10-band, 20 presets |
| Per-app output | Yes, two at once | Yes, several devices |
| Headphone EQ | 52 models from AutoEq | Thousands from AutoEq, imports EQ files |
| Volume keys on HDMI | Yes, software volume | Yes, plus DDC volume |
| Per-tab volume | Yes, with Earmix Tabs | Not listed |
| Lower other apps on calls | Yes | Not listed |
| Record an app or call | Yes | Not listed |
| Auto level and spike guard | Yes | Not listed (has loudness compensation) |
| Audio Units | Per app and system-wide | Not listed |
| Profiles | Yes, can switch by output device | Not listed |
| iPhone remote | Yes, TestFlight beta | Not listed |
From each app's website, checked November 2026. "Not listed" means the website doesn't mention it, not that the app can't do it. All names belong to their owners.
Who should pick FineTune
- You're on macOS 15 or later and want per-app volume, EQ and output without paying.
- You want open source software you can inspect or build yourself.
- Your headphones aren't one of the 52 Earmix knows, or you want to import your own correction file.
- Your monitor supports DDC and you'd like the monitor's own volume to move.
What Earmix adds
- Volume per browser tab. The free Earmix Tabs extension gives each tab its own slider and mute in Earmix. Chrome, Edge and Firefox store listings are coming soon; Safari's extension comes inside Earmix. Boosting a tab to 400% and recording a tab work in Chrome-based browsers only. See how to change the volume of one browser tab.
- Quieter music during calls. While Zoom, Meet, FaceTime or any app uses the mic, other apps drop to 30%, then come back. See how to lower music during calls.
- Recording. Save what any app plays, or a whole call with your voice, as .m4a. Check consent laws before recording a call; many places need everyone's agreement.
- Auto level and spike guard, for videos and podcasts that are too quiet and ads that are too loud.
- Profiles that follow your outputs. Connect AirPods and your Commute profile applies itself.
- Earmix for iPhone, a TestFlight beta that puts every slider on your phone. See how to control your Mac's volume from an iPhone.
- macOS 14.2 Sonoma. FineTune needs macOS 15.
What they cost
FineTune is free.
Earmix is $12.99 once at the early-bird price; the regular price is $49. A licence covers one Mac at a time. The 14-day trial has every feature and needs no account or card, and there's a 14-day refund. Earmix isn't open source.
Moving from FineTune to Earmix
- Quit FineTune, so only one app is changing your sound during the trial.
- Open Earmix and allow System Audio Recording. Nothing is recorded unless you press Record.
- Set each app's level, EQ and output in the menu bar. Earmix remembers them.
- Pick your headphones in Devices › Headphone EQ. Earmix's headphone EQ uses its 52 built-in models, so if you imported a custom file in FineTune, use the app's 10-band EQ instead.
Questions
Is FineTune free?
Yes. FineTune is free and open source under the GPL-3.0 licence, and you can install it with brew install --cask finetune.
Does FineTune work on macOS Sonoma?
FineTune needs macOS 15 or later. Earmix and SoundDial run on macOS 14.2 Sonoma.
Is FineTune safe?
Its source code is public on GitHub, so anyone can check what it does. As with any audio app, install it from its official page or Homebrew.
What's the difference between FineTune and Earmix?
Both give each app its own volume, EQ and output. Earmix adds tab volume, call ducking, recording, auto level and an iPhone remote, and costs money; FineTune is free with a bigger boost and more headphone models.
Is there a free alternative to SoundSource?
FineTune is the most complete free one. Background Music is also free, though its README still calls it alpha. See our SoundSource alternative comparison.
Try Earmix free for 14 days
Every feature, with no account and no card. Then $12.99 once at the early-bird price (regularly $49), with a 14-day refund. For macOS 14.2 or later, on Apple silicon and Intel.
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