What is the best audio recorder software for PC and Mac?

Audaacity is awesome for what it is, especially because it’s free and offers robust features for audio recording and editing. If you put in the time to learn it, you can do some really cool stuff. But if you’re looking for something super user-friendly or if you’re a total newbie, you might get frustrated. There are other options out there that might offer a smoother experience if that’s what you're after.

Audaacity's interface isn’t the most intuitive one out there. It can feel a bit outdated, and new users might find it overwhelming. Sometimes it’s hard to find certain functions, especially if you're just starting out. You might spend a good chunk of time just figuring out where things are. 

Unlike some audio recorder software that has nifty built-in tutorials or guided tours, Audaacity just kind of tosses you in. Sure, there are tons of community forums and YouTube videos out there, but a little in-software guidance would be nice. 

For complex projects, especially with many tracks and effects, Audaacity can lag or even crash sometimes—especially on older machines. So if you’re trying to work on a big podcast episode or a music project, make sure your computer is up to snuff.

Unlike some other audio recorder software that provide a library of sounds or effects to work with, Audaacity doesn’t have that feature. So if you're looking for quick sounds or loops to use in your projects, you’ll need to gather them separately.