A volume mixer is a tool that allows users to adjust the individual volume levels of different applications and audio devices running on a computer or system.
Instead of changing the overall system volume, this type of software lets you control the sound for specific programs, like turning down the volume for a game while keeping a internet radio streamer playing at its current level, or muting a browser tab without silencing everything.
Here’s our verdict captured in a legendary LinuxLinks-style ratings chart. Only free and open source software is eligible for inclusion here. We only include graphical-based tools in this roundup. There’s a separate roundup for terminal-based volume mixers.
Explore each tool in detail by clicking the links below.
| Graphical Volume Mixers | |
|---|---|
| pwvucontrol | Pipewire volume control |
| KMix | Sound mixer |
| deej | Hardware volume mixer |
| Myxer | Lightweight, powerful volume mixer built with modern UI design |
| pavucontrol | Simple GTK based volume control tool |
| Mixxc | GTK4-based volume mixer |
| xfce4-mixer | Volume control application based on GStreamer |
| QasTools | Collection of Qt-based mixer and setup tools |
| pavucontrol-qt | Pulseaudio mixer in Qt |
| Mixer | No-frills volume mixer |
| wmsmixer | Hack to wmmixer |
| wmmixer | Mixer application designed for WindowMaker |
| Retrovol | Retro-looking volume setting program |
| hyprmixer | Volume mixer and media controller |
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 Explore our carefully curated directory of recommended free and open source software, covering every major software category.The directory forms part of our extensive collection of articles for Linux enthusiasts. It includes hundreds of detailed reviews, together with free and open source alternatives to proprietary software from companies such as Google, Microsoft, Apple, Adobe, IBM, Cisco, Oracle, and Autodesk. LinuxLinks also covers interesting projects worth exploring, Linux-compatible hardware, free programming books and tutorials, and much more. Know a useful free and open source Linux application that we haven’t covered? Tell us about it using our submission form. |
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