Side by side
OpenAL Soft vs SoLoud
Both stand on game audio middleware. Which one you can start free with, which one lets you read the code, and what each costs once you pay.
Free plan AndroidAPIiPhone+4
OpenAL Soft provides spatial audio behavior, effects and varied output options in a reusable library. Developers should account for its stated build requirements and lack of Autotools support.
Visit OpenAL Soft Free plan AndroidAPILinux+3
SoLoud offers a broad set of playback, spatial audio, and synthesis features across multiple platforms. Its stated limits include no artist tools, limited engine integration, and no commercial-library support.
Visit SoLoudThe facts
| OpenAL Soft | SoLoud | |
|---|---|---|
| Free plan | Yes | Yes |
| Open source | Not published | Not published |
| Runs on | Android, API, iPhone, Linux, Mac, Self-hosted, Windows | Android, API, Linux, Mac, Web, Windows |
| Lowest paid plan | Free or on request | Free or on request |
| Plans published | 1 | 1 |
| Maker | Not published | Not published |
| Website | openal-soft.org | solhsa.com |
| On game audio middleware | #6 of 24 | #10 of 24 |
OpenAL Soft: what it does well
- Free, LGPL-licensed software
- Supports spatial audio and environmental effects
- Offers multiple output formats and backends
- Supports streaming, multichannel buffers and capture
What to know first
- Building requires CMake 3.13 or newer
- Autotools is not supported
- Latest listed release is version 1.25.2
SoLoud: what it does well
- Free license permits commercial use with conditions.
- Supports 3D positional audio and up to eight speakers.
- Includes filters, mixing busses, and gapless looping.
- Runs on Windows, Linux, macOS, Android, and web.
- Provides a C API DLL for several environments.
What to know first
- The project says it lacks artist tools.
- Engine integration is described as limited.
- It may not suit multi-million-budget console games.
- Commercial-library support is not included.
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