How we make this list: we compare pricing pages, product documentation and public user reviews. Ratings come from G2, Capterra or Trustpilot, with the date we checked them.
Key takeaways
- Soundboard apps differ mainly in where the sound goes, to a voice chat microphone, to a stream, to a live audience, or only to the people in one Discord server.
- Discord built-in Soundboard is the simplest start for server voice chats, while Voicemod and Soundpad suit players who want sounds in any voice app.
- Farrago is the strongest choice for Mac podcasters and live events, while Resanance and Soundux suit Windows and Linux users who want a free board.
- OBS Studio is not a dedicated soundboard, but it is a useful alternative for streamers who only need sounds in a broadcast, not in a game chat.
- Audio routing is the step that decides success, so test microphone input, push-to-talk, and volume before a live stream or event.
Quick comparison
| Tool | Best for | Starting price | Free plan |
|---|
 Voicemod | Voice effects plus soundboard for gamers | See website | Yes |
 Soundpad | Fast Windows playback into voice chat | $4.99 one-time | Free trial |
 Discord Soundboard | Built-in server voice sounds | Free | Yes |
 Farrago | Mac podcasts and live events | $55 one-time | Free trial |
 Resanance | Free Windows soundboard | Free | Yes |
 Soundux | Free cross-platform soundboard | Free | Yes |
 OBS Studio | Stream-only sound cues | Free | Yes |
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The best soundboard app
#1Voicemod
Best for: Voice effects plus soundboard for gamers4.1/5 on
G2 (14 reviews, checked Oct 2026)
Visit voicemod.net
Starting priceSee website
Free planYes
Voicemod is the all-in-one option for gamers and streamers who want more than clip playback. It installs a virtual microphone, changes a voice in real time, and plays soundboard clips through that microphone into Discord, games, OBS, and other voice apps. Community soundboards and a sound library give new users ready-made packs, while keybinds let a streamer fire a clip without leaving a game. A phone app can also act as a remote, which helps when the main screen is full.
The free tier is the main limit. Free users get a rotating set of voices and one soundboard, while Pro adds the full library, unlimited soundboards, and VoiceLab for custom voices. That split suits casual players who only need a few sounds, but streamers who build a brand around voices and clips will need Pro. Voicemod fits users who want voice effects and sounds together. Users who only need clip playback should compare Soundpad and the free boards first.
What we like- Real-time voice changer and soundboard in one app
- Community soundboards and a large sound library
- Keybinds and a phone remote for triggering sounds
Watch out for- Full voice library and unlimited soundboards need a paid plan
- Free tier limits voices and soundboards
Starting price$4.99 one-time
Free planFree trial
Soundpad is a focused Windows soundboard for voice chat. Sounds are organised into lists and categories, assigned to hotkeys, and played through the microphone channel so friends in Discord, TeamSpeak, or a game hear them clearly. A built-in recorder captures system audio, a simple editor trims clips, and volume normalisation keeps a quiet effect from disappearing next to a loud airhorn. The app uses very little memory, which matters during gaming, and a floating hotbar gives a clickable grid for streamers with a second monitor.
Windows-only support is the clear limit. Mac users need Farrago or another Mac board, and Linux users need Soundux. Installation also needs admin rights, because Soundpad installs an audio driver to mix sounds into the microphone. For Windows gamers who want dependable, low-cost clip playback, Soundpad remains one of the best value options, with a one-time price rather than a subscription.
What we like- Very low resource use and fast hotkey playback
- Built-in recorder, editor, and volume normalisation
- Injects sound into the existing microphone without changing Discord input
Watch out for- Windows only, with no Mac or Linux version
- Needs admin rights to install its audio driver
Starting priceFree
Free planYes
Discord Soundboard is built into Discord voice channels, and it is the easiest board to start with. Server owners upload short sounds, set permissions for who can play them, and anyone in the voice channel hears them without installing a separate app or changing microphone settings. That simplicity makes it ideal for community servers, study groups, and friend groups who only play together inside Discord. Mobile users can also use server sounds, which third-party Windows boards cannot offer.
Limits come from Discord rules. Sounds must be short, usually up to five seconds, and file size is capped, so long music cues and ambience do not fit. Free servers get a limited number of custom slots, with more slots tied to server boosts, and Nitro helps with cross-server use. Discord Soundboard fits server communities who want shared, moderated sounds. It does not fit streamers who need sounds in OBS, games, or other apps outside Discord.
What we like- No extra install for Discord voice chats
- Server-owned sounds with role permissions
- Works on desktop and mobile without audio routing setup
Watch out for- Sounds are limited to short clips and server slots
- Cross-server use of custom sounds needs Nitro, and upload limits apply
Starting price$55 one-time
Free planFree trial
Farrago is a Mac soundboard built for podcasters, radio hosts, and theatre technicians who run audio live. Sounds sit on a tile grid, grouped into sets, with notes and an ordered list mode for running a show from start to finish. A built-in editor trims clips and applies fades, search finds sounds quickly during a recording, and hardware control through Stream Deck, MIDI, or Shortcuts keeps hands free. That show-running design is different from a gaming board, and it shows in the layout and controls.
Mac-only support and price are the main drawbacks. Windows and Linux users need another board, and the one-time licence costs more than a free board, though it avoids a subscription. Routing Farrago audio into a call or stream also needs an audio routing tool such as Loopback, which is sold separately. Farrago fits Mac podcasters and live event operators who need a dependable show board. Gamers who only need Discord clips should choose a cheaper, chat-focused board.
What we like- Tile grid with sets, notes, and ordered playback for shows
- Built-in editor for trimming and fades
- Control by keyboard, Stream Deck, MIDI, and Shortcuts
Watch out for- Mac only, with no Windows version
- One-time price is higher than free boards, and live routing to calls needs a separate audio tool
Starting priceFree
Free planYes
Resanance is the free Windows board most gamers should try first when budget is zero. It supports hotkey playback, playlists, drag-and-drop uploads, per-sound volume, and output to several devices, which covers the core needs of Discord and game chat. The open-source design keeps it free, and the interface, while plain, is functional for daily use. For a player who only needs a set of meme sounds and ambience clips, Resanance delivers the essential job without a purchase.
Polish is where paid boards pull ahead. Resanance lacks Soundpad built-in recorder, editor, and volume normalisation, and its interface feels more utilitarian than Voicemod or Farrago. Setup also needs care with microphone routing, as with any third-party board. Resanance fits Windows users who want a free, capable board and who are happy to organise their own sound files. Users who want a polished library, editor, and voice effects should compare Voicemod or Soundpad.
What we like- Free and open-source for Windows
- Hotkeys, playlists, and per-sound volume control
- Plays to multiple output devices and voice apps
Watch out for- Windows focused, with a more basic interface than paid boards
- No built-in editor or recorder to match Soundpad
Starting priceFree
Free planYes
Soundux is a free, open-source soundboard that stands out for Linux users, with Windows support as well. Tabbed boards help organise sounds by game, stream, or event, and hotkeys trigger clips without leaving the main app. For Linux gamers and streamers, who often find that popular Windows boards do not run natively, Soundux fills a real gap. Its open-source nature also means no subscription, no ads in the core app, and community development.
The smaller ecosystem is the trade-off. Guides, sound packs, and troubleshooting threads are thinner than for Soundpad or Voicemod, and audio routing on Linux can need manual setup with virtual audio tools. Soundux fits Linux users and open-source fans who want a free board and are comfortable with a little configuration. Windows users who want the largest guide base should still compare Resanance and Soundpad first.
What we like- Free and open-source across Windows and Linux
- Tabbed soundboards and hotkey support
- A good fit for Linux users who have fewer board options
Watch out for- Smaller community and fewer guides than Windows-only boards
- Setup and audio routing can need manual configuration
Starting priceFree
Free planYes
OBS Studio is included here as a fitting alternative, not as a dedicated soundboard. Streamers who only need sounds in their broadcast, such as alerts, stingers, and segment cues, can add audio files as media sources in OBS, assign hotkeys, and control them through scenes. That setup is free, cross-platform, and already part of most streaming workflows, so it avoids another app, another virtual microphone, and another subscription.
The limit is routing. OBS sounds go to the stream and to local monitoring, not into a Discord microphone or a game voice chat, unless extra audio routing is added. That makes OBS a poor choice for gamers who want friends in voice chat to hear clips. OBS fits streamers who want broadcast-only cues and who already use OBS daily. Streamers who need sounds in both broadcast and voice chat should pair OBS with Voicemod, Soundpad, or a free board.
What we like- Free and open-source for Windows, Mac, and Linux
- Media sources and hotkeys can trigger sounds in a broadcast
- No extra board needed for stream-only cues
Watch out for- Not a voice-chat soundboard, so game and Discord friends will not hear these sounds
- Setup needs scene and source knowledge
How we chose
This list was built from vendor pricing pages and product pages, public documentation, and public reviews on G2, Capterra, Reddit, and app store listings, with attention to audio routing, platform support, hotkey control, sound library options, and free-plan limits. An app made the list only if it is available today and clearly fits soundboard use for streamers, Discord, podcasts, or live events, rather than only music playback or voice changing alone. Leaders such as Voicemod, Soundpad, and Discord Soundboard sit beside smaller and free options such as Resanance and Soundux, plus Farrago for Mac and OBS Studio as a stream-only alternative. Prices were checked against vendor pages where available, and marked as See website where a vendor page did not confirm a figure on the day of writing.
Setting up a soundboard without feedback or missed cues
Decide where the sound must be heard
Write down the destination before choosing an app. Discord-only sounds suit Discord Soundboard. Voice chat in any app suits Voicemod, Soundpad, Resanance, or Soundux. Broadcast-only sounds suit OBS Studio. Live audience and podcast sounds suit Farrago. Choosing by destination avoids buying a board that plays sounds only where they are not needed.
Test routing with a friend before going live
Set the correct microphone input, check push-to-talk behaviour, and play three sounds at different volumes while a friend listens. Third-party boards need the voice app to hear the virtual or mixed microphone, and push-to-talk can block sounds if it is not held or auto-triggered. A five-minute test prevents the most common live failure, which is a sound that plays locally but never reaches listeners.
Keep the library small and labelled
A board with 200 unlabelled clips is slower than a board with 20 clear ones. Group sounds by show, game, or event, use short names, and assign hotkeys only to the cues used most often. Store the original audio files outside the app as well, so a reinstall or a new computer does not erase the library.
Frequently asked questions
What is the best free soundboard app?
Resanance is the strongest free Windows board for most gamers, while Soundux suits Linux users who want a free cross-platform board. Discord Soundboard is free for server voice chats, and OBS Studio is free for stream-only cues. The best free choice depends on platform and on where sounds must be heard.
Can I use a soundboard on Discord without extra software?
Yes, Discord built-in Soundboard works without extra software for server voice chats, with short clips and server slot limits. Third-party boards such as Voicemod, Soundpad, and Resanance add more sounds and work across apps, but need microphone routing setup. For Discord-only use, start with the built-in board.
Do soundboard apps work on Mac?
Yes, Farrago is the strongest Mac soundboard for podcasts and live events, and OBS Studio works on Mac for stream-only cues. Voicemod also offers Mac support for voice changing and soundboard use. Windows-only boards such as Soundpad and Resanance do not run natively on Mac.
Why can my friends not hear my soundboard?
The most common cause is microphone routing. A third-party board must send sound through the microphone input that Discord or the game is listening to, and push-to-talk must be held or auto-triggered while the sound plays. Check the input device, test with a friend, and confirm that the sound is not playing only to speakers or headphones.
Are soundboard sounds legal to use on stream?
That depends on the sound, its licence, and the platform rules. Original sounds, sounds you recorded, and sounds with a clear free licence are safer than music clips or audio taken from shows and games. Check the licence for each pack, avoid copyrighted music in monetised streams, and keep proof of licences for packs you buy or download.
Sources we checked (7)
- https://www.voicemod.net/
- https://soundpad.net
- https://discord.com/
- https://rogueamoeba.com/farrago/
- https://resanance.com/
- https://soundux.rocks
- https://obsproject.com
Is your product missing or out of date?
We review this list regularly. Vendors can request a listing, send updated pricing or ask about featured placement.
Shihab Mia · Founder, Rankite
Shihab has 5+ years in B2B and SaaS SEO. He writes Rankite's software buying guides from pricing pages, documentation and public user reviews. More about Shihab.