Comparison · App audio
TONO vs SoundSource
Both give every app on your Mac its own volume and output. Choose SoundSource for effects and Audio Unit plug-ins on single apps, right from the menu bar; choose TONO for one sound across everything – up to 24 bands, 3D and 8D – plus recording, a clean mic and display tools.
Facts as of
From each vendor’s own website – the sources are at the end.
TONO 2.3.0macOS 15+Apple silicon
About this comparisonTaken from each app’s own website (sources below). Features and prices change – please check the vendor’s site before you decide. We make TONO. SoundSource and Rogue Amoeba are trademarks of their owner; TONO is not affiliated with them.
Side by side
| Feature | TONO | SoundSource |
|---|---|---|
| Focus | All-in-one audio and display control, in a window and the menu bar | Per-app and system audio control from the menu bar |
| Per-app volume | Yes, with mute and a level meter (Pro) | Yes |
| Per-app output | Yes, any output including AirPlay (Pro) | Yes, including AirPlay; device groups for several outputs at once |
| Per-app effects | No: one TONO sound for all apps, switchable off per app | Yes: 10-band equalizer and Audio Units per app |
| System-wide equalizer | 10 faders (Free) · up to 24 parametric bands with L/R and mid/side (Pro) · 60+ presets | 10-band equalizer and Audio Unit support |
| Audio Unit plug-ins | No | Yes |
| Headphones | AutoEQ / EqualizerAPO import · hearing test with a profile per ear (Pro) | Headphone EQ |
| Louder | Up to +12 dB free, +18 dB with Pro – with a look-ahead limiter | Volume Overdrive and Magic Boost |
| 3D and 8D | 3D Surround, 8D Orbit, 4D Impact, rooms, AirPods head tracking (Pro) | Not listed |
| Also included | Recording, Mic Studio (noise-filtered virtual mic), visualizer, brightness, window snapping, Stream Mode, Auto Rules | System audio settings (input, balance, sample rate), Super Volume Keys for HDMI and DisplayPort, Shortcuts support |
| Requirements | macOS 15+, Apple silicon | macOS 15 to 27 (version 6.1.4, released 17 Sep 2026) |
| Price | Free; Pro €3.99/month, €29/year or €79 once (EUR, incl. VAT) | $49 one-time license (USD, plus local taxes where they apply); trial with limits |
Where SoundSource is a good fit
- You want different effects on different apps – an equalizer on the browser, a plug-in chain on the music player.
- You use Audio Unit plug-ins and want them on system or app audio.
- You want device groups to play one app on several outputs at once, or volume keys that work on HDMI and DisplayPort outputs.
- You prefer a one-time purchase and a menu-bar-only tool.
Where TONO is a good fit
- You want one well-tuned sound everywhere: a 24-band parametric equalizer with loudness-matched presets, plus 3D and 8D with head tracking.
- You also need recording of system audio, one app or a call, and a noise-filtered microphone for Discord, Zoom or OBS. Rogue Amoeba offers recording and virtual devices in separate apps.
- You want a hearing test, a visualizer, brightness below the minimum and window snapping in the same app.
- You want a free tier that doesn’t expire, and the choice between a subscription and a one-time license for Pro.
Can you use both?
We don’t recommend running both on the same apps at once: each would take over the apps’ audio. Pick one for per-app control. If you move to TONO, set your apps’ outputs to the system default first, then route them in TONO’s App Mixer.
Questions
Is TONO a SoundSource alternative?
For per-app volume and per-app outputs, yes. For per-app effects and Audio Unit plug-ins, no – TONO applies one sound to all apps. TONO adds 3D and 8D, recording, a virtual mic, a hearing test and display tools that SoundSource doesn’t cover.
Which one needs an audio driver?
TONO captures app audio with Core Audio process taps and installs no driver for that; only its optional virtual microphone uses a small audio driver. SoundSource uses Rogue Amoeba’s own audio capture component; see Rogue Amoeba’s documentation for details on your macOS version.
Which is cheaper?
It depends on how long you use it. SoundSource is a one-time purchase in USD, plus local taxes where they apply. TONO is free for the equalizer and brightness, and Pro costs €29 a year or €79 once, including VAT.
Sources
All checked on .
- SoundSource product page and features: rogueamoeba.com/soundsource
- SoundSource purchase page: rogueamoeba.com/soundsource/buy.php
- TONO: fact sheet and per-app volume and routing
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