Splay vs SoundSource

SoundSource by Rogue Amoeba is the best-known way to control audio per app on a Mac. Splay is a smaller, cheaper app that does the part most people buy SoundSource for: putting each app on the right speaker.

At a glance

SoundSource is a trademark of Rogue Amoeba Software. Splay is not affiliated with Rogue Amoeba. Their price is from rogueamoeba.com, October 2026.

What both do

Both apps let you choose an output for each app, so Spotify can play on an AirPlay speaker while Zoom stays in your headphones and everything else uses the Mac's speakers. Both give each app its own volume and mute, and both remember where you put an app.

Where Splay is different

Single browser tabs

SoundSource treats Chrome as one app, so every tab goes to the same place. Splay's companion extension for Chrome and other Chromium browsers shows each playing tab separately. A lecture can go to your AirPods while a music tab keeps playing on the desk speakers.

Drag and drop

Splay shows one lane per output. To move an app, drag its chip into another lane. SoundSource uses a list with a menu for each app.

Price

Splay costs £5 once, with a 7-day free trial and no subscription. SoundSource costs $49.

No driver

Splay uses the audio capture Apple added in macOS 26, so it installs no audio driver or system extension. That is also why it needs macOS 26 or later on Apple Silicon.

When SoundSource is the better choice

Pick SoundSource if you want an equaliser, audio effects or Audio Unit plug-ins on individual apps, if you need to send one app to several AirPlay speakers at once, or if your Mac runs a macOS version older than 26. Splay deliberately leaves effects out to stay small.

Switching from SoundSource

1. Quit SoundSource so the two apps don't both try to route the same app.
2. Open Splay from the menu bar and allow audio capture when macOS asks.
3. Drag each app into the lane for its output. Pin it, and Splay sends it there every time it plays.

Questions