Open Audio Analyzer

Open Audio Analyzer is free, open-source software for measuring loudness and spectrum in live audio and audio files. It runs on Android, iOS, Linux, macOS and Windows, with real-time analysis and offline file analysis. Users can choose from fourteen meter types, including loudness, true peak, VU, spectrum, spectrogram, oscilloscope, phase scope and histogram. Loudness readings follow EBU R 128 and ITU-R BS.1770-4, covering momentary, short-term and integrated LUFS, loudness range and oversampled true peak. Meters can be arranged across tabs and saved as layout presets, with colour skins and streaming or broadcast delivery targets; users can also define their own targets. A command-line tool processes individual files or album folders and can produce reports or CSV output. VST3 and Audio Unit plugins send measurements and DAW transport position to the app. A tablet on the same network can display desktop measurements over Wi-Fi. The maker says processing happens on-device and audio is not stored or transmitted. The remote display link has no encryption or authentication.

Open Audio Analyzer combines live and file measurements with configurable meters, standards-based loudness readings and command-line analysis. Keep the unsecured remote display limitation in mind when considering its tablet view.

It suits audio professionals or enthusiasts who need loudness and spectrum views for live sound or file analysis. Its CLI and DAW plugins also support file-based and DAW workflows.

Overview

Open Audio Analyzer is a free, open-source analyzer for live audio and audio files. It suits audio professionals and technically minded creators who need configurable meters, standards-based loudness readings, or batchable file reports. Its unusually broad toolkit costs nothing; the unsecured network link for tablet display is the clearest reason for caution.

Measurements run on the user’s device. The maker says audio is held in memory and discarded, not recorded, stored, or transmitted, and that the app has no accounts, analytics, telemetry, crash reporting, or advertising. Technical questions go to its public GitHub issue tracker.

For more options, browse Audio Analysis Software.

Key features

Fourteen arrangeable meter types can be organized across tabs and saved as layout presets, with colour skins and delivery targets for shaping a repeatable workspace. That flexibility is useful when monitoring needs vary, but the breadth is most valuable to people who already know which readings they want.

• Loudness measurements: EBU R 128 and ITU-R BS.1770-4 readings include momentary, short-term, and integrated LUFS, loudness range, and oversampled true peak. These provide a standards-based foundation for loudness and peak checks.
• Visual views: Alongside loudness and true peak, the app includes VU, spectrum, spectrogram, oscilloscope, phase scope, histogram, loudness distribution, and stereo cloud views. The range supports different kinds of inspection without reducing the tool to a single meter.
• Delivery targets: Streaming and broadcast targets are built in, and users can define their own. This makes the app adaptable to varied delivery requirements.
• File analysis and CLI: The command-line tool analyzes individual files or album folders and can output readable reports or CSV. It is a practical advantage for repeat or multi-file checks, especially for users who prefer scripted workflows.
• DAW and tablet display: VST3 and Audio Unit plugins send measurements and DAW transport position to the app. An AAX plugin exists in the archive, but it is not signed for a released Pro Tools version, so Pro Tools users should not treat it as ready to use. A tablet on the same network can display the desktop measurements and layout over Wi-Fi; because the link has no encryption or authentication, the maker advises using it only on a trusted network.

Pricing

Free software — free. The plan is available at no charge, with no payment or paid plans stated. It includes the analyzer and engine under GPL-3.0-or-later and the plugin under AGPL-3.0-or-later. There is no trial to weigh against a paid tier, and no seat or usage quota is stated. The free license makes it an easy choice for users whose workflow fits its supported tools; the tradeoff is the unsecured remote-display connection, not a paid feature gate.

Platforms

Open Audio Analyzer is available on Android, iOS, Linux, macOS, and Windows. The broad platform range gives users options across desktop and mobile devices, though the tablet display is specifically a Wi-Fi view of measurements published by the desktop app, not a secure remote connection.

Who it's for

Choose it if you need live or offline loudness and spectrum analysis, configurable meter layouts, delivery checks, or command-line reports without a software charge. It is particularly well matched to audio engineers and producers who can make use of its standards-based readings and varied analysis views. Look elsewhere if an authenticated, encrypted remote display is essential, or if you need a signed AAX plugin for a released Pro Tools version.

Pros and cons

• Pro — Broad measurement coverage: Fourteen meter types span loudness, true peak, spectrum, phase, and other visual analysis, reducing the need to rely on a single kind of view.
• Pro — Useful beyond live monitoring: Album-folder analysis and CSV output give the command-line tool a clear role in repeatable file workflows.
• Pro — No-cost open-source software: The free plan has no stated payment or paid-plan requirement, with licenses covering the app, engine, and plugin.
• Con — Remote display lacks safeguards: No encryption or authentication means tablet viewing should stay on a trusted network.
• Con — Pro Tools support has a caveat: The AAX plugin is not signed for a released version, limiting its practical value to current Pro Tools users.

Alternatives

Open Sound Meter is worth considering for a free desktop alternative: its maker describes that version as open source and invites GitHub contributions. Its stated platform range covers Linux, macOS, and Windows, but not Android or iOS.

MediaInfo is another free option if digital media analysis is the priority; MediaArea describes itself as an open-source software company focused on that field. Its platform range also includes web and self-hosted options.

ACRCloud may suit readers seeking API access, with a 14-day free trial that includes full API access and requires no credit card; it has no free plan.

Decibel is a paid alternative from Process.Audio, the software division of pureMix, founded by music professionals led by Fab Dupont. Consider it if you prefer that paid product instead of a free, open-source analyzer.

Smaart is a paid alternative for readers considering another option across desktop and mobile platforms.

LiveSpec is a paid alternative for readers looking specifically at macOS and iOS software.

Youlean Loudness Meter makes sense if a focused loudness meter is enough: its free plan includes film, TV, and gaming presets, LU, INT, TP, LRA, PLR, and DR readouts, and mono, stereo, and 5.1 channels. That plan has no command-line tool.

Blue Cat’s FreqAnalyst is a free real-time spectrum analyzer plug-in for macOS and Windows if spectrum analysis is the narrower need.

Verdict

Open Audio Analyzer is a strong fit for audio engineers and producers who want a free, configurable workspace for live measurements and file analysis. Its combination of standards-based loudness readings, varied meters, delivery targets, and command-line reports is the main reason to choose it. Look elsewhere if you need secure remote viewing or a ready-to-use signed AAX plugin.