Which audio control
do you need?
Sharing a sound, changing an ear’s volume and turning down one app are three different tasks. Choose the tool that matches yours.
By MarSys, the maker of BalanceBar. This comparison explains our app’s scope alongside other tools; it is not an independent review.
For balance and quick mono controls
BalanceBar puts these controls in the menu bar. macOS also includes output balance in Sound settings and mono in Accessibility → Audio. If you only change these settings occasionally, the built-in settings may be enough.
Balance and separate-ear setupFor the same audio on two devices
Apple’s Audio MIDI Setup creates a Multi-Output Device. BalanceBar offers a menu-bar workflow for starting and stopping sharing, supported device volumes and optional keyboard volume control. Both depend on the connected devices’ capabilities.
Two-device setup and limitationsFor a different volume in each ear
BalanceBar’s Separate ears mode sets left and right channel volumes independently where macOS exposes writable controls. It has been verified with AirPods Pro 3. This is different from assigning a volume to an entire application.
For individual app volumes or audio effects
BalanceBar does not adjust Safari separately from Spotify, add an equalizer, record audio or route a different app to each listener. SoundSource by Rogue Amoeba offers per-app volume and audio effects. Those needs call for a different kind of tool.
What you get with BalanceBar
- A free native menu-bar app, with no account or subscription.
- Mono, balance and supported independent ear volumes.
- Shared output with supported per-device volumes.
- Optional volume keys during sharing and launch at login.
- No in-app ads, audio recording or audio driver.
Requires macOS 13 or later. Built for Apple silicon and Intel, with runtime testing on our Apple silicon development Mac. The current direct download is not notarized. Two-AirPods-pair playback remains unverified. Full compatibility notes.
References
Apple: multi-output audio · Apple: output settings · Rogue Amoeba: SoundSource
Try BalanceBar for Mac.
Free. No account or subscription. macOS 13 or later. Device support varies.
Download BalanceBarInstallation instructionsThe current direct download is not notarized by Apple.