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A free scan shows the junk files, broken settings and background clutter dragging Windows down - then fixes them in one click.Free scan · Windows 10 & 11Background noise can make calls, streams, podcasts, and recorded clips harder to understand, even when the microphone itself is decent. Free and open source noise suppression tools offer practical ways to reduce keyboard clicks, fan hum, room tone, and other unwanted sounds without locking you into proprietary audio suites.
The best choice depends on where the noise needs to be removed. Some tools work in real time for live meetings and streaming, while others are better suited to cleaning up recorded audio after the fact. Platform support, setup complexity, audio quality, CPU usage, and integration with Linux audio systems or editing workflows all matter.
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This guide compares four strong options: RNNoise, NoiseTorch, EasyEffects, and Audacity. Each serves a different type of user, from developers and Linux streamers to podcasters and editors who need reliable post-production cleanup.
Recommended Free Tools
What to Look for in an Open Source Noise Suppression Tool
Choosing an open source noise suppression tool depends less on which project has the most features and more on where the unwanted sound enters your workflow. A tool for live video calls needs to work in real time with low latency. A tool for podcast cleanup can take more time if it produces cleaner results after recording. A utility for Linux streaming may need to create a virtual microphone, while an editor for post-production only has to process an existing audio file.
#1 Best Overall
- Hybrid Active Noise Cancelling: 2 internal and 2 external mics work in tandem to detect external noise and effectively reduce up to 90% of it, no matter in trains or offices.
- Immerse Yourself in Detailed Audio: The noise cancelling headphones have oversized 40mm dynamic drivers that produce detailed sound and thumping beats with BassUp technology for your every travel, commuting and gaming. Compatible with Hi-Res certified audio via the AUX cable for more detail.
- 40-Hour Long Battery Life and Fast Charging: With 40 hours of battery life with ANC on and 60 hours in normal mode, you can commute in peace with your Bluetooth headphones without thinking about recharging. Fast charge for 5 mins to get an extra 4 hours of music listening for daily users.
- Dual-Connections: Connect to two devices simultaneously with Bluetooth 5.0 and instantly switch between them. Whether you're working on your laptop, or need to take a phone call, audio from your Bluetooth headphones will automatically play from the device you need to hear from.
- App for EQ Customization: Download the soundcore app to tailor your sound using the customizable EQ, with 22 presets, or adjust it yourself. You can also switch between 3 modes: ANC, Normal, and Transparency, and relax with white noise.
The first thing to check is whether the tool is designed for real-time suppression or offline noise reduction. Real-time tools process microphone input as you speak, making them useful for meetings, voice chat, livestreams, and online lessons. Offline tools process recorded audio, which is better for podcasts, interviews, narration, field recordings, and video editing. Some projects focus on one job only, and that is usually a strength rather than a weakness.
Platform support is another practical factor. Linux users have strong options such as NoiseTorch and EasyEffects, especially on modern PipeWire-based desktops. Cross-platform users may prefer Audacity for recorded audio cleanup. Developers and advanced users may look at RNNoise because it can be built into other applications or used through software that includes RNNoise-based filtering. Before choosing, confirm that the tool works with your audio server, microphone setup, DAW, conferencing app, or streaming software.
Selection criteria
- Latency: For calls and streaming, the delay must be low enough that speech still feels natural. Heavy processing can create echo, lag, or timing problems.
- Noise type: Some tools are better at steady background sounds such as fans, hum, and air conditioning. Sudden sounds like keyboard clicks, dog barks, or clattering dishes are harder to remove cleanly.
- Audio quality: Strong suppression can make speech sound metallic, watery, gated, or muffled. The best setting is often the lightest one that solves the problem.
- Setup difficulty: A virtual microphone app is usually easier than compiling a library or configuring a complex signal chain. Post-production tools may be easier to install but require manual selection and previewing.
- Integration: Check whether the tool appears as a microphone source, works as a plugin, runs inside an editor, or must be connected through another audio system.
- Resource use: Older laptops, single-board computers, and busy streaming systems benefit from lightweight processing that does not compete with video encoding or screen sharing.
Privacy and transparency are also part of the appeal of free and open source software. Local noise suppression keeps audio processing on your own machine instead of sending speech to a cloud service. Open code can also be audited, packaged by distributions, adapted for accessibility workflows, or integrated into larger production setups. That said, open source does not automatically mean polished documentation, one-click installers, or commercial support, so project activity and community packaging matter.
For most readers, the choice can be narrowed quickly: use a live microphone filter for calls and streaming, an audio effects chain if you want broader control over Linux desktop sound, and an editor-based noise reduction tool for recordings that need careful cleanup. The four tools covered next fit those roles in different ways, with different trade-offs in convenience, control, quality, and platform support.
RNNoise: Lightweight Real-Time Noise Suppression
RNNoise is a small, free and open source noise suppression library designed for real-time speech cleanup. It was created by Xiph.Org and combines classical signal processing with a recurrent neural network to reduce background noise while preserving voice quality. Unlike heavier AI denoisers, RNNoise is built to run efficiently on modest hardware, making it a strong fit for live calls, voice chat, streaming setups, and embedded audio applications where low latency matters.
What RNNoise does best is remove steady or semi-steady background noise from speech: computer fans, air conditioning, room hum, distant traffic, and mild keyboard noise. It works frame by frame, so it can process microphone audio continuously without requiring a pre-recorded sample of the noise. That makes it useful when you need cleanup during a conversation rather than after the fact. Its processing is generally subtle; the goal is intelligible, natural speech rather than aggressive silence between words.
Supported platforms and setup
RNNoise itself is a library, not a polished end-user desktop app. It can be built on Linux, macOS, and Windows, and it is commonly used through other tools that integrate its noise suppression model. On Linux, for example, users may encounter RNNoise through audio plugins, PipeWire/PulseAudio processing chains, OBS filters, or applications that expose RNNoise-based denoising directly. Developers can also integrate it into custom audio pipelines for conferencing software, VoIP systems, or recording tools.
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Setup difficulty depends heavily on how you use it. If RNNoise is already included in an application or plugin, enabling it may be as simple as selecting a noise suppression filter. If you are using the standalone library, expect a more technical workflow: compiling from source, configuring audio routing, or connecting it through a plugin host. For non-technical users who want a click-and-enable microphone filter, tools built around RNNoise are usually easier than using RNNoise directly.
Best use cases
- Live calls: Good for reducing fan noise, HVAC noise, and low-level room ambience during meetings or voice chat.
- Streaming: Useful when integrated into OBS or a system-wide audio chain, especially for speech-focused streams.
- Low-powered systems: A practical option for laptops, single-board computers, and setups where heavier neural denoisers may add too much CPU load.
- Developer projects: Well suited for applications that need open source, real-time speech denoising without relying on a cloud service.
The main limitation is that RNNoise is not a full audio restoration suite. It is optimized for speech, not music, podcasts with complex sound design, or badly damaged recordings. Sudden sharp sounds such as loud keyboard clicks, claps, mic bumps, or barking may still pass through or leave artifacts. If pushed too hard through an implementation with aggressive settings, speech can become slightly watery, muffled, or phasey. It also does not replace good microphone technique, room treatment, or proper gain staging.
Rank #2
- Block the World, Keep the Music: Four built-in mics work together to filter out background noise — whether you're in a packed office, on a crowded commute, or moving through a busy street — so every beat comes through clean and clear. (Not available in AUX-in mode.)
- Two Ways to Hear More: BassUp technology delivers deep, punchy bass and crisp highs in wireless mode — then step it up further by plugging in the included AUX cable to unlock Hi‑Res certified audio for studio-level clarity.
- 40 Hours. 5-Minute Top-Up: With ANC on, a single charge keeps you listening through days of commutes and long-haul flights. Running low? Just 5 minutes plugged in gives you 4 more hours — so you're never stuck waiting.
- Two Devices, Zero Hassle: Stay connected to your laptop and phone at the same time. Audio switches automatically to whichever device needs you — so a call never interrupts your flow, and getting back to your playlist is just as easy. Designed for commuters and remote workers who move smoothly between work and personal listening throughout the day.
- Your Sound, Your Rules: The soundcore app puts everything at your fingertips — dials your ideal EQ with presets or build your own, flip between ANC, Normal, and Transparency modes on the fly, or wind down with built-in white noise. One app, total control.
Choose RNNoise if you want lightweight, open source, real-time noise suppression and you are comfortable using it through another app or audio plugin. It is one of the best foundations for live speech cleanup, especially when latency and CPU usage are more than advanced post-production controls.
NoiseTorch: Simple Microphone Noise Reduction for Linux
NoiseTorch is a free and open source microphone noise suppression tool built for Linux desktops. Its main strength is simplicity: it creates a filtered virtual microphone that you can select in apps such as Discord, Zoom, OBS Studio, Slack, Teams in the browser, Mumble, or any other program that lets you choose an input device. Instead of configuring a full audio processing chain, you pick your physical microphone, enable NoiseTorch, and switch your calling or streaming app to the new NoiseTorch microphone.
Under the hood, NoiseTorch uses RNNoise-based suppression to reduce steady and semi-steady background noise such as keyboard typing, computer fans, room hum, and mild traffic outside a window. It is best suited to live voice use, especially calls and streaming, where low latency matters more than surgical audio repair. For people who want a quick way to clean up a noisy USB headset or laptop microphone on Linux, it is one of the most convenient options available.
Supported platforms and setup
NoiseTorch is designed for Linux and works with common desktop audio stacks, including PulseAudio and PipeWire through compatibility layers. Installation is usually easier than building RNNoise manually: many users download a release from the project’s repository, install it locally, grant the requested permissions, and launch the graphical interface. From there, the workflow is straightforward: choose the input device, set the load threshold if needed, click to start, then select the virtual NoiseTorch source in the target application.
Setup difficulty is low for most Linux users, but it is not quite as automatic as built-in noise suppression in commercial conferencing tools. Depending on the distribution, desktop environment, and audio server configuration, users may need to restart their audio session, check device permissions, or reselect the virtual microphone after reconnecting hardware. It is also specific to microphone input; it is not meant to clean up existing audio files or apply mastering-style processing to recordings.
Best use cases
- Live calls: A strong choice for Linux users who want cleaner speech in meetings without routing audio through a complex effects host.
- Streaming: Useful for OBS Studio users who need real-time suppression before the signal reaches the streaming software.
- Gaming voice chat: Good for reducing keyboard, mouse, and fan noise while keeping latency low.
- Remote work on Linux: Practical when different apps need the same cleaned microphone input.
Notable limitations
NoiseTorch is not a complete audio enhancement suite. It does not provide the broader processing tools found in EasyEffects, such as equalization, compression, de-essing, or gating. It also cannot match Audacity for post-production repair, where you may need to sample a noise profile and fine-tune reduction after recording. Like other real-time neural noise suppressors, it can sometimes introduce watery or metallic artifacts if the environment is very noisy, the threshold is too aggressive, or the speaker is far from the microphone.
The Tool Desk
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EasyEffects: Noise Reduction and Audio Processing for PipeWire
EasyEffects is a full audio effects suite for Linux systems running PipeWire. Unlike single-purpose microphone denoisers, it provides a chain-based interface where you can combine noise reduction with equalization, compression, limiting, gating, loudness control, and other processing modules. For noise suppression, EasyEffects is especially useful when you want to improve microphone quality for calls, livestreams, podcasts, voice chat, or desktop recording without switching between mulle tools.
Its strongest fit is modern Linux desktop audio. EasyEffects works with PipeWire and is commonly used on distributions such as Fedora, Arch, openSUSE, Ubuntu-based systems with PipeWire enabled, and many Wayland-friendly desktop setups. It can process input devices, output devices, or both, so you can clean up a microphone while also applying speaker or headphone effects. In a typical setup, you select your microphone in EasyEffects, add a noise reduction or gate module, adjust the threshold and strength, then choose the processed EasyEffects virtual source in applications such as OBS Studio, Discord, Zoom, Firefox, or a recording tool.
Rank #3
- WORLD’S BEST IN-EAR ACTIVE NOISE CANCELLATION — Removes up to 2x more unwanted noise than AirPods Pro 2* so you can stay fully immersed in the moment.*
- BREAKTHROUGH AUDIO PERFORMANCE — Experience breathtaking, three-dimensional audio with AirPods Pro 3. A new acoustic architecture delivers transformed bass, detailed clarity so you can hear every instrument, and stunningly vivid vocals.
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- LIVE TRANSLATION — Communicate across language barriers using Live Translation,* enabled by Apple Intelligence.*
- EXTENDED BATTERY LIFE — Get up to 8 hours of listening time with Active Noise Cancellation on a single charge. Or up to 10 hours in Transparency using the Hearing Aid feature.*
What EasyEffects does best
- Flexible microphone cleanup: You can combine noise reduction with a noise gate, compressor, equalizer, and limiter to shape a voice more precisely than with a simple on/off denoiser.
- Streaming and recording workflows: OBS users can route the processed virtual microphone into scenes while keeping the original hardware input untouched.
- Persistent presets: Different profiles can be saved for headset microphones, USB microphones, laptop microphones, or specific rooms.
- PipeWire integration: It fits naturally into current Linux audio routing and can be managed alongside other PipeWire tools.
Setup difficulty is moderate. Installing EasyEffects is usually straightforward through a distribution package manager or Flatpak, but tuning it well takes some trial and error. A noise gate can remove keyboard taps and room hiss when you are not speaking, but an aggressive threshold may cut off quiet words. Noise reduction can smooth steady background sounds such as fans, but high settings may make speech sound metallic or underwater. Compression can improve clarity, yet too much compression raises background noise between words. The best results usually come from small adjustments across several modules rather than pushing one control to an extreme.
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EasyEffects is not a universal choice for every platform or every audio task. It is designed for Linux with PipeWire, so Windows and macOS users should look elsewhere unless they are working inside a Linux environment. It is also more complex than NoiseTorch, which may be preferable if you only want a quick virtual microphone for calls. For already-recorded files, EasyEffects can be part of a playback or routing chain, but an editor such as Audacity is usually better for offline cleanup where you can preview, undo, and apply processing directly to a track. Choose EasyEffects when you want a configurable, real-time Linux voice processing chain rather than a minimal background-noise switch.
Audacity: Post-Production Noise Reduction for Recorded Audio
Audacity is the best fit in this list when the audio has already been recorded and you want to clean it up before publishing. Unlike RNNoise, NoiseTorch, or EasyEffects, it is not designed to sit in your live microphone chain for calls or streams. Instead, Audacity gives you an editor-focused workflow for podcasts, interviews, voice-overs, lectures, field recordings, and screen narration where you can listen back, select problem areas, and apply noise reduction with more control.
Its built-in Noise Reduction effect works by learning a short sample of unwanted background sound, often called a noise profile. You select a section that contains only hiss, fan noise, room tone, electrical hum, or other steady background noise, capture that profile, then apply reduction to the rest of the track. This makes Audacity especially useful for consistent noises that remain fairly stable throughout a recording. It is less effective against unpredictable sounds such as keyboard clicks, barking, traffic peaks, chair squeaks, or people talking in the background.
Platforms, setup, and workflow
Audacity is available for Windows, macOS, and Linux, making it the most broadly accessible option among the tools covered here. Setup is straightforward: install the application, open an audio file, select a noise-only segment, choose the Noise Reduction effect, preview the result, then adjust the settings. The main controls are Noise Reduction, Sensitivity, and Frequency Smoothing. In practical terms, stronger settings remove more noise but increase the risk of metallic artifacts, muffled speech, or a “watery” sound.
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- Supported platforms: Windows, macOS, and Linux.
- Setup difficulty: easy to moderate, depending on how much editing control you want.
- Typical workflow: record first, import or open the file, sample the noise, apply reduction, then export the cleaned audio.
Audacity also includes helpful companion tools for cleanup beyond broadband noise reduction. A High-Pass Filter can reduce low-frequency rumble from desks, HVAC systems, or handling noise. Click Removal can help with some mouth clicks or small digital clicks. Normalize and Compressor can even out volume after cleanup. These tools make Audacity a practical choice when you need a complete free editor rather than a single-purpose noise suppressor.
The main limitation is that Audacity is not a real-time solution for live meetings or streaming. You would not use it as a direct replacement for NoiseTorch or EasyEffects during a video call. Its noise reduction can also damage speech quality if pushed too hard, especially on recordings with heavy background noise or no clean noise-only section to sample. For best results, apply conservative reduction in one or two passes, preview carefully on headphones, and keep an original copy of the recording before processing.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.Feature Comparison and Best Use Cases
Choosing between RNNoise, NoiseTorch, EasyEffects, and Audacity mainly comes down to when you need the noise removed: during a live signal path or after the audio has already been recorded. RNNoise is the underlying lightweight suppression engine suited to developers and technical users who want real-time denoising inside another app or pipeline. NoiseTorch is the most direct choice for Linux users who want a virtual microphone for calls and streaming. EasyEffects is better when you want broader PipeWire-based audio control, including noise reduction alongside equalization, compression, and other effects. Audacity is the strongest fit for editing recorded files where you can sample a noise profile and process audio offline.
| Tool | Best For | Platforms | Setup Difficulty | Main Limitation |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| RNNoise | Embedded real-time suppression, custom apps, low-resource processing | Cross-platform as a library; depends on integration | Moderate to advanced | No polished end-user interface by itself |
| NoiseTorch | Live calls, voice chat, streaming microphones on Linux | Linux | Easy | Linux-only and focused mainly on microphone cleanup |
| EasyEffects | PipeWire desktops, live audio chains, combining denoising with EQ and dynamics | Linux with PipeWire | Moderate | Requires PipeWire knowledge and careful tuning |
| Audacity | Recorded podcasts, interviews, voiceovers, archival cleanup | Windows, macOS, Linux | Easy to moderate | Not designed as a real-time call or streaming filter |
For live calls and online meetings, NoiseTorch is usually the simplest option if you are on Linux. It creates a filtered virtual microphone that can be selected in apps such as Zoom, Discord, Teams, or a browser-based meeting tool. This makes it practical for removing fan noise, keyboard clicks, and room hum without rebuilding your whole audio setup. If you are not on Linux, RNNoise may still be available indirectly through another application, but it is not a complete desktop utility on its own.
Rank #4
- INCREDIBLE SOUND: Custom acoustic platform delivers rich, balanced audio for music, calls and everyday listening.
- LOSSLESS AUDIO SUPPORT: USB-C lossless audio and sound profiles optimize music quality across devices and environments. Additional option to use the 3.5 mm cable for a standard analog experience.
- ACTIVE NOISE CANCELLING (ANC): block distractions at work, on flights or during your daily commute. Or use Transparency mode to let the sounds of your environment mix in with your music.
- SEAMLESS WIRELESS CONNECTIVITY: One-touch pairing with Apple & Android for easy switching across devices.
- SPATIAL AUDIO IMMERSION: Personalized dynamic head tracking, 360-degree sound for movies, music and immersive everyday listening.
For streaming and real-time production, the choice depends on how much control you need. NoiseTorch works well when the goal is quick microphone cleanup with minimal configuration. EasyEffects is more flexible for Linux streamers using PipeWire because it can build a full voice chain: noise reduction first, then equalization to shape tone, compression to even out volume, and limiting to prevent peaks. That flexibility also means more room for mistakes, such as over-processing the voice or adding latency if effects are stacked too aggressively.
For recording and post-production, Audacity remains the best general-purpose option among these tools. It is not meant to clean audio before it reaches a meeting app, but it is effective when you can isolate a short section of background noise, capture a noise profile, and apply reduction to a voice track. This workflow is useful for podcasts, lectures, narration, and interviews recorded in imperfect rooms. RNNoise can be excellent in automated recording pipelines, but Audacity is easier for manual editing and review.
If you want the fastest path, choose NoiseTorch for Linux live microphone cleanup, Audacity for finished recordings, EasyEffects for a customizable PipeWire effects chain, and RNNoise for development, integration, or lightweight real-time processing. None of these tools can fully rescue badly clipped, echo-heavy, or extremely distant speech, so the best results still come from combining software suppression with a close microphone, stable input gain, and a quieter recording space.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which free noise suppression tool is best for live video calls?
NoiseTorch is usually the easiest choice for live calls on Linux because it creates a virtual microphone that apps like Zoom, Discord, Google Meet, and Teams can use. If you are on a PipeWire-based Linux desktop and want more control, EasyEffects is a stronger option, but it takes more setup. On Windows or macOS, these specific open source options are more limited for live system-wide microphone cleanup.
Can Audacity remove background noise from my microphone in real time?
No, Audacity is mainly for editing audio after it has already been recorded. Its noise reduction tool works well for steady background sounds such as hiss, fan noise, or room hum, especially when you can capture a short noise profile. For live calls or streaming, use RNNoise-based tools, NoiseTorch, or EasyEffects instead.
What is the difference between RNNoise and NoiseTorch?
RNNoise is the underlying lightweight noise suppression library that can be built into other apps and audio pipelines. NoiseTorch is a user-facing Linux app that uses RNNoise to create a cleaned-up virtual microphone with minimal configuration. Choose RNNoise if you are integrating noise suppression into a custom setup, and choose NoiseTorch if you just want a simple desktop tool.
Will these tools remove keyboard clicks, barking, or people talking in the background?
They can reduce some transient sounds like keyboard clicks and moderate background noise, but results vary. RNNoise-based tools are best at suppressing common non-speech noise while preserving your voice, not completely removing loud voices, music, or sudden sharp sounds. For difficult recordings, Audacity may help in post-production, but heavy cleanup can create robotic or muffled audio.
Which option should I use for streaming on Linux?
For a simple streaming setup, NoiseTorch is a good starting point because you can select its virtual microphone in OBS or your streaming app. If you want a full audio chain with noise reduction, EQ, compression, and limiter controls, EasyEffects is better suited to PipeWire systems. Audacity is useful after the stream for cleaning up recordings, but it is not the right tool for live stream processing.
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1Repair Windows errors before they cause bigger problems2Fix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitches3Clear out junk files and repair common Windows errorsBottom Line
The best noise suppression tool depends on where you need cleanup to happen: NoiseTorch is a strong pick for Linux live calls, EasyEffects works well for PipeWire-based desktops, RNNoise-based plugins are useful for streaming and recording chains, and Audacity’s noise reduction remains a simple option for post-production cleanup.
If you need real-time suppression, start with the tool that fits your audio stack and test it in a call or stream before relying on it. For recorded audio, keep an untouched backup, apply noise reduction lightly, and choose the option that removes distraction without making voices sound thin or artificial.
Quick Recap
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