Comparison
A 31-band Mac EQ with no driver to install
eqMac gives you a free 10-band EQ and unlocks its unlimited-band parametric EQ, spatial audio and more in Pro, at $30 a year or $40 once for one Mac. Earwave includes 31 bands, 812 measured headphone profiles, stereo width and room ambience in one purchase, with a 14-day trial key if you want to hear it first.
Both apps enhance system audio. eqMac routes it through a virtual audio device and keeps its unlimited-band EQ in Pro; Earwave uses the macOS audio taps and includes 31 bands in one purchase.
eqMac and Earwave, side by side
| What matters | eqMac | Earwave |
|---|---|---|
| EQ bands | 10 free; unlimited in Pro | 31, included |
| Headphone profiles | 4,600+ presets | 812 measured, offline |
| Stereo width and room | Pro | Included |
| How it captures audio | Virtual audio device | macOS audio taps |
| Macs it runs on | macOS 10.13 and later | macOS 15 and later |
| Price | $30/year, or $40 once for one Mac | One purchase, no subscription |
Competitor details come from their public pricing and documentation, checked September 2026. If something is out of date, tell us.
Which one fits
Pick Earwave if
- You want 31 bands and headphone correction in one purchase.
- You want no virtual audio device on your system.
- You want one app for EQ, stereo width and headphone profiles.
Keep eqMac if
- You only need a 10-band EQ.
- You want the larger headphone catalog: eqMac lists 4,600+ presets.
- Your Mac runs something older than macOS 15.
- You already own Pro and it covers what you need.
eqMac vs Earwave FAQ
Does Earwave need a subscription like eqMac Pro?
No. Earwave is one purchase, and the version you buy keeps working. eqMac Pro is $30 a year, or a one-time $40 lifetime licence for one Mac, which notes that future Pro features may need a partial upgrade.
Should I run Earwave and eqMac at the same time?
No. Both process system audio, so running them together applies two corrections. Quit one before listening to the other.
Does Earwave install a driver the way eqMac does?
No. Earwave uses the audio taps built into macOS. Nothing is added to the system and no kernel extension loads.
Hear it for yourself.
Two minutes to set up. One file to remove.
Get a license keyPaid software · macOS 15+