Earmix vs SoundDial: a SoundDial alternative for Mac
Short answer: SoundDial and Earmix are close. Both give each Mac app its own volume, EQ and output, both lower other apps during calls, and both run on macOS 14.2 or later. SoundDial is $14.99 on the Mac App Store. Earmix, which we make, is $12.99 at its early-bird price and adds per-tab volume, recording, headphone EQ and an iPhone remote.
What they have in common
SoundDial, by Eduard Bruch, came out in June 2026 and reached version 2.0 in October. It's a menu bar mixer with a slider per app from 0 to 200%, a 10-band EQ with 11 presets, balance, and a different output for each app. It saves volume profiles and has Shortcuts actions and sounddial:// links.
It also does call ducking. When a call starts in Zoom, Teams, FaceTime, Webex, Slack, Discord, Skype, WhatsApp, Telegram or a browser, other apps get quieter, by an amount you set.
Earmix does all of that too. Its slider goes further, to 400%, with a limiter, it has a 10-band EQ with eight presets, per-app output, profiles, Shortcuts actions and earmix:// links. When any app uses the microphone, other apps drop to 30% or whatever you choose. See how to lower music during calls.
Earmix vs SoundDial at a glance
| Earmix | SoundDial | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $12.99 once, early bird ($49 regular) | $14.99 once |
| Where to buy | earmix.app | Mac App Store only |
| macOS | 14.2 or later | 14.2 or later |
| Per-app volume | 0–400%, with limiter | 0–200%, with meters |
| Per-app EQ | 10-band, eight presets | 10-band, 11 presets |
| Per-app output | Yes, two at once | Yes |
| Lower other apps on calls | Yes, adjustable | Yes, adjustable |
| Per-tab volume | Yes, with Earmix Tabs | No (a browser is one app) |
| Record an app or call | Yes | No |
| Headphone EQ | 52 models from AutoEq | Not listed |
| Audio Units | Per app and system-wide | Not listed |
| Volume keys on HDMI | Yes | Not listed |
| iPhone remote | Yes, TestFlight beta | Not listed |
| Profiles | Yes, can switch by output device | Yes |
| Languages | Not listed | 34 |
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.
Where SoundDial is better
- It's on the Mac App Store. You buy, install and update it there, with Apple handling payment. Earmix is sold from its own website.
- 34 languages. If you'd rather use your Mac in a language other than English, SoundDial lists many.
- Level meters on every slider, so you can see which app is making noise.
- A simple price. $14.99 is the price, not an introductory one. Earmix's $12.99 is an early-bird price; the regular price is $49.
- A very wide call list. Its website names the call apps it watches, from Zoom to Telegram and browser calls.
Who should pick SoundDial
If you want app sliders, EQ, per-app output and quieter music on calls, and you'd rather buy through the Mac App Store, SoundDial does that well for $14.99. You don't need Earmix for those alone.
What Earmix adds
- Volume per browser tab. SoundDial treats a browser as one app. The free Earmix Tabs extension gives each tab its own slider and mute. It works in Chrome, Edge, Brave, Arc, Vivaldi, Opera, Firefox and Safari, but the Chrome, Edge and Firefox store listings are still coming soon. See how to change the volume of one browser tab.
- Recording. Record in an app's options saves what that app plays as .m4a. For a call, your voice is mixed in, or leave it out with "With my mic". Check the law before recording a call: many places need everyone's consent. See how to record internal audio on a Mac.
- Auto level and spike guard, which keep an app at an even loudness and stop sudden jumps of more than 12 dB.
- Headphone EQ for 52 popular models, from AirPods to the HD 600.
- Volume keys on HDMI and DisplayPort screens, plus ⌥ with the volume keys to change only the app in front.
- Earmix for iPhone, free with Earmix but a TestFlight beta for now: every slider on your phone, and a mic mute on the Lock Screen.
- A mic mute shortcut, ⌃⌥⇧A, that mutes your microphone in every app at once.
What they cost
SoundDial is $14.99, one time, from the Mac App Store.
Earmix is $12.99 once at the early-bird price, then $49. One licence is for one Mac at a time. There's a 14-day free trial with every feature, no account needed, and a 14-day refund. Neither app has a subscription.
Moving from SoundDial to Earmix
- Quit SoundDial, so only one app is changing your sound.
- Open Earmix and allow System Audio Recording. That's macOS's name for the permission to read an app's sound; nothing is recorded unless you press Record.
- Set your app volumes and outputs again. Earmix keeps each app's setting for next time.
- Recreate your SoundDial profiles in Earmix's Profiles tab.
- Choose how far other apps drop during calls. The default is 30%.
Questions
Is SoundDial worth it?
For $14.99 it covers per-app volume, EQ, output and call ducking, which is enough for many people. If you also want tab volume or recording, look at Earmix.
Does SoundDial control browser tabs?
No. SoundDial treats each browser as one app. Earmix can set a volume per tab with the free Earmix Tabs extension.
Can SoundDial record audio?
No, it doesn't record. Earmix can record any app or call to an .m4a file.
Which is cheaper, SoundDial or Earmix?
Right now Earmix is $12.99 at its early-bird price and SoundDial is $14.99. Earmix's regular price is $49.
Do SoundDial and Earmix work on macOS Sonoma?
Yes, both need macOS 14.2 or later.
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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