SoundproofGuide · Comparison
Soundproof vs Krisp: Cleaning Recordings vs Live-Call Noise
Soundproof and Krisp both remove background noise from a voice — but they solve different problems, so "which is better" is really "which do you need." Krisp cancels noise live, during a call, acting as a virtual microphone. Soundproof cleans a recording you already have — audio or video — on your Mac, for a one-time price. The right choice comes down to one question: is the noise happening right now, or is it already baked into a file?
Krisp = real-time noise suppression for live calls, runs as a virtual mic, subscription (with a free tier). Soundproof = cleanup for recorded audio and video files, one-time $39.99, on-device, with loudness normalization. Cleaning a recording you have → Soundproof. Sounding clean on live meetings → Krisp. They're complementary, not really competitors.
Different jobs: live vs recorded
Krisp works in the moment. It sits between your microphone and your meeting app as a virtual mic, stripping background noise (and echo) from both sides of a live call in real time. If your problem is "I sound noisy on Zoom," that's Krisp's home turf.
Soundproof works after the fact. It takes a file you already have — a voice memo, an interview, a podcast take, a lecture, or a video — removes the steady background noise, levels the loudness, and writes a cleaned copy next to the original. If your problem is "I have a noisy recording," that's Soundproof.
Side by side
| Krisp | Soundproof | |
|---|---|---|
| When it works | During live calls | On recordings you already have |
| Input | Live mic / call audio | Audio and video files |
| Pricing | Subscription (free tier + paid) | One-time $39.99 |
| Cleans video files | No | Yes (remux) |
| Loudness (LUFS) normalize | No | Yes |
| Batch a folder | No | Yes |
| Runs on device | Yes | Yes |
| Best for | Meetings & calls, in real time | Cleaning recordings afterward |
Which should you pick?
- You want to sound clean on live Zoom/Meet/Teams calls → Krisp. Real-time suppression is exactly what it's built for.
- You have a recording or video that's already noisy → Soundproof. Krisp can't reach back into a file you've already saved.
- You publish podcasts or videos → Soundproof, because it also LUFS-normalizes into a share-ready file, not just a quieter one.
- You'd rather pay once than subscribe → Soundproof is a one-time purchase; Krisp is a subscription.
Nothing stops you using both: run Krisp during a call for cleaner live audio, and if you record that call, run the file through Soundproof afterward to remove any remaining steady hum and level the loudness before you publish it.
Honest limits
Soundproof is not a live-call tool — it won't clean audio in real time, and it's most reliable on steady noise (fan, AC, hum, hiss) rather than café chatter or echo. If your only need is live meetings, Krisp is the better fit. If you're cleaning files, Soundproof's file + video workflow and one-time price are the draw. See what noise can (and can't) be removed for the full picture.
Cleaning a recording, not a live call?
Soundproof removes steady background noise from audio and video files and levels the loudness — one-time, on your Mac. Download it free and clean your own recordings first.
macOS 13.4+ · Apple Silicon & Intel · Works offline · One-time purchase, no subscription
Frequently asked questions
Can Soundproof clean up live calls like Krisp?
No. Soundproof cleans recorded files after the fact, not audio in real time. For live-call noise suppression, Krisp (or a similar real-time tool) is the right choice.
Can Krisp clean a recording I already have?
Krisp is built around live calls and real-time suppression. To clean a file you've already saved — a voice memo, interview, podcast take or video — a file-based tool like Soundproof is the natural fit.
Is Krisp free?
Krisp offers a free tier with limits, plus paid subscription plans. Soundproof is a one-time purchase with a free download and free exports to try first.
Does Soundproof upload my audio?
No. Soundproof cleans everything on your Mac with an on-device model — no cloud, no account. It works offline.
I recorded a noisy podcast in my room — which one?
Soundproof. It's a recorded file, so a file-based cleaner is what you want — and it also levels the loudness for publishing.