Even out the volume on Windows: tools compared (as of October 2026)
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Only a few tools in this comparison even out the volume of the whole PC automatically. The only built-in option is Windows Loudness Equalization, and it needs a driver that offers it. Wale and Sound Lock also regulate automatically, but their latest versions are from 2023 and 2012. FxSound, Equalizer APO and Peace change the sound, EarTrumpet and the volume mixer are sliders you set by hand, and with Voicemeeter and SteelSeries Sonar you first route apps to their own channels.
AudioBalance is our own product. The information on the other tools comes from their official pages, from Microsoft's documentation and from articles in the tech press. The sources are listed below the table, and all information is as of October 2026. We have not measured sound or regulation behaviour. Features and prices change, so check with the vendor before you decide.
The tools at a glance
| Tool | Price | Evens out automatically | Works on | Use and notes | Source, date |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| AudioBalance | Free during the open betaFree for 7 days, then a license: one‑time from €14.99 or from €1.49 a month. Beta users get 50% off their first one‑time purchase. | Yes: loudness to ITU-R BS.1770-4, custom AI models detect film, games, music and speech | The combined sound of all apps on the Windows default output; voice chat such as Discord and exclusive mode bypass it | Set up once with VB-CABLE, then runs in the background; Auto Level or Limit Only; about 0.2 seconds of delay; Windows 10 and 11, 64-bit | Our own product, FAQ, October 2026 |
| Windows Loudness Equalization | Part of Windows | Yes, according to Microsoft deliberately not fully | One output device, only if the driver offers the option | A tick box among the device's enhancements; missing with some Realtek, DCH, USB, HDMI and Bluetooth drivers | Microsoft Learn, PCWorld, retrieved 24 October 2026 |
| Windows volume mixer | Part of Windows | No | Each app on its own | Sliders by hand | schieb.de, retrieved 24 October 2026 |
| FxSound | Free, open source (AGPL-3.0) | Partly: according to FxSound, “Dynamic Boost” raises the average level and keeps peaks below clipping with a limiter; FxSound does not mention normalization between apps | The overall sound | Equalizer, presets and effects; Windows only; version 1.2.16.0 of 17 September 2026 | fxsound.com, GitHub, FxSound forum, retrieved 24 October 2026 |
| Voicemeeter Banana and Potato | Donationware: all features free to use; after 30 days the app invites you to buy a license or keep evaluating | No, no auto gain mentioned; compressor, gate and limiter per channel | The channels you route apps to | Virtual mixing desk for advanced users; Windows XP to 11, also ARM64; Banana 2.1.3.0, Potato 3.1.3.0 (September 2026) | vb-audio.com, retrieved 24 October 2026 |
| Equalizer APO with Peace | Free, open source (GPLv2) | No; dynamics only through VST plugins | The output devices you choose; exclusive mode and ASIO bypass it | Filters, equalizer and convolution, Peace as the interface for it; Equalizer APO 1.4.2 of March 2025 | SourceForge, retrieved 24 October 2026 |
| EarTrumpet | Free (MIT), in the Microsoft Store | No | Each app on its own | Volume per app, move apps to other devices, hotkeys | GitHub, retrieved 24 October 2026 |
| SteelSeries Sonar (in SteelSeries GG) | Free download | Partly: according to SteelSeries support, “Smart Volume” adjusts the volume so it reaches the headset clear and undistorted | The channels Game, Chat, Media and Aux | Apps have to be assigned to the Sonar channels; Windows 10 version 1809 or later; for any headset | steelseries.com, SteelSeries support, retrieved 24 October 2026 |
| Wale | Free, open source (MIT) | Yes, sets each app's mixer slider by its average peak level | Each app on its own | Latest version 0.7.5 of 5 July 2023; the project page itself recommends trying the driver's Loudness Equalization first | GitHub, retrieved 24 October 2026 |
| Sound Lock | Freeware | Yes, sets a maximum volume, turns down during loud scenes and back up afterwards | The PC's output, optionally only certain channels or devices | Latest version 1.3.2 of 12 October 2012, listed for Windows Vista and 7 | snapfiles.com, retrieved 24 October 2026 |
| Browser extensions, such as “Normalize Volume” | See the Chrome Web Store | Yes, but only in the browser | Browser tabs only, no games and no other apps | Example from the Chrome Web Store, store page dated 4 March 2026 | Chrome Web Store, retrieved 24 October 2026 |
Not in the table: SoundSwitch only switches the default device by hotkey and has nothing to do with volume differences (version 7.3.3 of 1 September 2026). According to its maker, Boom 3D offers a per-app slider you set by hand; the product page mentions no automatic leveling. We could not confirm whether Dolby Access includes an automatic volume leveler.
Which tool fits which need?
- You do not want to install anything, and your driver offers Loudness Equalization: try it first. It is part of Windows. Where to find it: Loudness Equalization on Windows 11.
- You want to change the sound, with an equalizer or more bass: that is what FxSound or Equalizer APO with Peace are for. AudioBalance is built to even out the volume.
- You want to set each app by hand or move apps to other devices: EarTrumpet or the Windows volume mixer do that.
- You want to mix game, chat and music separately, for example for streaming: that is what Voicemeeter or SteelSeries Sonar are for. With both you route apps to their channels.
- The whole PC should stay at the same volume on its own, even without the driver option: that is what AudioBalance is built for. More on that: Normalize volume on Windows.
- Only videos in the browser differ in volume: a browser extension may be enough. It does not reach games or other apps.
Where does AudioBalance have limits?
- One level for the combined sound: AudioBalance regulates all apps together, not each one on its own. When a game and music play at the same time, their balance stays as it is.
- VB-CABLE needed: for Auto Level, AudioBalance needs VB-CABLE by VB-Audio. Without VB-CABLE only Limit Only runs.
- What bypasses it: voice chat such as Discord, programs in exclusive audio mode and programs that pick an output device themselves, such as OBS or music recording software.
- Delay: the sound arrives about 0.2 seconds later, more with Bluetooth headphones.
- Windows 10 and 11 with 64-bit only: AudioBalance is not tested on ARM.
- New versions reach the direct installer first: in the Microsoft Store a new version appears once Microsoft has checked it.
The best comparison is your own, with your own film or game.
Install from Microsoft Store Or download the installer directlyFree during the open beta, no activation needed. Windows 10 and 11, 64-bit.
Try it free for 7 days. Windows 10 and 11, 64-bit. See pricing
Sources
All information as of October 2026.
- Windows Loudness Equalization: Microsoft Learn, Loudness Equalization DSP; Microsoft Q&A of 9 June 2023 and 10 December 2024; PC-WELT (19 February 2025, German); PCWorld (11 March 2025); Admin365.Blog (29 July 2026)
- Windows volume mixer: schieb.de (German)
- FxSound: fxsound.com, GitHub; on “Dynamic Boost”: answer by FxSound's lead audio engineer in the forum of 7 October 2026
- Voicemeeter: Banana and Potato on vb-audio.com
- Equalizer APO: SourceForge; Peace: SourceForge
- EarTrumpet: GitHub
- SteelSeries Sonar: steelseries.com; SteelSeries support, “Getting to know your Sonar settings” (edited 27 March 2026)
- Wale: GitHub
- Sound Lock: snapfiles.com
- Browser extensions: Chrome Web Store, entry “Normalize Volume”
- SoundSwitch: GitHub; Boom 3D: globaldelight.com
- AudioBalance: FAQ, quickstart (German), delay according to the terms, § 10
Frequently asked
Which tools even out the volume on Windows automatically?
In this comparison (October 2026): the Loudness Equalization of Windows, if your driver offers it, AudioBalance for the whole PC, Wale through each app's mixer slider (latest version 2023) and Sound Lock with a maximum volume (latest version 2012). Browser extensions only even out browser tabs. SteelSeries Sonar has “Smart Volume”, which according to SteelSeries adjusts the volume so it reaches the headset clear and undistorted; for that you route apps to the Sonar channels. FxSound raises the average level with “Dynamic Boost”; it does not mention normalization between apps.
Is FxSound an alternative to Loudness Equalization?
Not really. FxSound improves the sound with an equalizer, presets and effects. Its home page does not mention normalization between apps. According to FxSound, “Dynamic Boost” is a loudness maximizer: it raises the average level, and a limiter keeps peaks below clipping.
Can Voicemeeter even out the volume automatically?
The product page names a compressor, gate and limiter per channel, but no auto gain and no normalization. Voicemeeter is a virtual mixing desk: you route apps to its inputs and set the levels yourself.
Which is better: Windows Loudness Equalization or AudioBalance?
That depends on your PC. If your driver offers Loudness Equalization and it is enough for you, you need nothing else. AudioBalance helps when the option is missing, when you switch devices or when you want Auto Level, Limit Only and modes. It needs VB-CABLE and adds about 0.2 seconds of delay.
Read on
- Normalize volume on WindowsWhat Windows offers itself and how AudioBalance evens out the sound automatically.
- Loudness Equalization on Windows 11Where it is, why it is often missing and what it does.
- Questions and answersSetup, Discord, delay, privacy and price.
- About AudioBalanceWho builds the app and by which principles.