Voicemeeter Banana Alternatives

Best for: Simpler Windows virtual audio mixer for basic routing

Voicemeeter Standard is the simpler sibling of Voicemeeter Banana. It is useful for Windows users who want a virtual mixer for basic microphone, app, headset, and speaker routing without Banana's larger I/O layout. It may be easier to learn for streaming or voice-call setups, but users should still read the setup guide and verify VB-Audio's donationware license terms.

Pricing: Donationware; verify professional-use expectations on VB-Audio's licensing page.

Best for: Legacy macOS virtual audio device for simple loopback routing

Soundflower is an open-source macOS virtual audio device that creates an output which can also act as an input. It can still be relevant for users researching simple app-to-app audio routing on older or compatible Mac setups. However, Rogue Amoeba's page points users toward newer options and notes that it did not have the resources to manage the product, so current macOS compatibility should be checked carefully.

Pricing: Open-source project; verify current download and compatibility before use.

Best for: Low-latency app-to-app audio and MIDI routing

JACK is a professional audio server and API for low-latency audio and MIDI connections between applications. It is especially relevant for Linux and pro-audio users who want patchbay-style routing between DAWs, instruments, effects, and audio interfaces. It is more technical than Voicemeeter Banana, but it fits workflows where precise routing and low latency matter more than a simple desktop mixer UI.

Pricing: Free and open-source; package availability varies by operating system.

Best for: iPhone and iPad music app audio and MIDI routing

Audiobus is a mobile music workflow tool for connecting compatible iPhone and iPad music apps, AUv3 instruments, effects, MIDI, and recording apps. It is not a direct desktop replacement for Voicemeeter Banana, but it belongs on this page for users whose routing problem is inside an iOS or iPadOS music setup rather than a Windows streaming rig.

Pricing: App Store listing shows free download with in-app purchases and premium subscriptions.

Best for: Route app and device audio into Dante networks

Dante Via is designed for routing audio between applications, local audio devices, and a Dante network on Windows or macOS. It is a stronger fit for classrooms, AV rooms, studios, and networked production setups than for users who only need a basic virtual mixer. Compare it when you need per-application routing plus Dante connectivity rather than Voicemeeter's local Windows-focused workflow.

Pricing: Commercial license with a 30-day trial listed by Dante; verify current cart pricing.

Best for: Use a computer as a Dante audio endpoint

Dante Virtual Soundcard turns a Windows or macOS computer into a Dante-enabled audio endpoint for recording, playback, conferencing, and AV systems over a wired network. It is relevant when the alternative need is Dante integration, not a visual desktop mixer. Users should compare it with Dante Via carefully because the two tools solve different network audio tasks.

Pricing: Commercial Dante software; verify current license and bundle pricing from Dante.

Best for: Expanded Voicemeeter mixer for advanced Windows routing

Voicemeeter Potato is the larger VB-Audio mixer for Windows users who have outgrown Banana. It adds more physical and virtual I/O, more buses, internal effects, send/return workflows, and expanded routing options. It is best framed as an upgrade path for advanced Voicemeeter users, not a simpler replacement.

Pricing: Donationware with license/payment expectations after evaluation or professional use.

Best for: Simple virtual cable between two audio applications

VB-CABLE is a simpler VB-Audio tool that works like a virtual audio cable: audio sent to the cable input is forwarded to the cable output. It is useful when a user only needs to pass audio from one application to another without managing a full mixer. It can complement Voicemeeter Banana or replace it for very basic routing.

Pricing: Donationware; additional cable packs may require donation/purchase through VB-Audio.

Best for: Visual macOS app and device audio routing

Loopback by Rogue Amoeba is a macOS audio routing app for creating virtual devices from app audio and physical inputs. Its wire-based interface makes it easier for many Mac users to build podcast, streaming, call, and recording routes without using a Windows-style mixer. It is commercial software, so users should compare current price and trial limits.

Pricing: Commercial Mac app with free download/trial; verify current purchase price.

Best for: Open-source macOS loopback audio driver

BlackHole is a modern open-source macOS virtual audio loopback driver. It is useful for users who need to pass audio between Mac applications and prefer a lightweight driver rather than a full commercial routing interface. It may require more manual setup in Audio MIDI Setup or the DAW than tools with a complete mixer UI.

Pricing: Free/open-source with optional donation paths; verify current download method.

Best for: Dedicated Windows virtual audio cable routing

Virtual Audio Cable by Eugene Muzychenko is a long-running Windows audio bridge that creates virtual cable devices for routing streams between applications and devices. It is more focused than Voicemeeter Banana: users configure cables rather than a full mixer. It is worth comparing for Windows users who need multiple virtual lines or a paid, dedicated cable utility.

Pricing: Trial, paid full version, and limited Lite version are described on the download page.

Best for: Modern Linux audio and video routing framework

PipeWire is a Linux multimedia server for low-latency, graph-based audio and video handling. It can cover use cases previously handled by PulseAudio and JACK, making it relevant for Linux users who want system-level routing and pro-audio compatibility. It is not a direct Windows-style mixer, but it is central to many modern Linux audio workflows.

Pricing: Free/open-source; usually installed through Linux distribution packages.