Unwanted background noise kills good content. The hum of your computer fan, chatty coworkers next door, or that neighbor with the 7 AM lawn obsession can instantly make your production sound amateur. These days, clean audio isn't optional if you want people to actually listen to what you're saying.

Key takeaways

• Background noise ruins great content, period. Thankfully, new AI tools have completely changed the game, putting studio-quality sound within reach of anyone with a laptop.
• Great noise removal tools do the technical work for you, so you can pour your energy into creating, not fiddling with complex audio settings.
• Descript's Studio Sound feature stands out by integrating powerful AI noise removal directly into its intuitive text-based editing workflow, making clean audio just one click away.

Top background noise removal tools in 2025

1. Descript

Descript turns audio cleanup from a migraine-inducing process into literally one click. The Studio Sound feature doesn't just kill background noise – it actually makes your voice sound better in the process. You won't need to fiddle with complex settings or learn audio engineering principles. Just click a button and watch your audio transform from amateur to professional-grade in seconds.

Best For:

Podcasters, content creators, and video editors who want professional-sounding audio without the technical complexity of traditional audio engineering.

Key Features:

• Studio Sound: Removes background noise, echo, and room reverb with a single click while enhancing voice clarity.
• Text-based editing: Edit your audio by simply editing the automatically generated transcript, which makes finding and fixing audio issues incredibly intuitive.
• Filler word removal: Automatically detects and removes "ums," "uhs," and other verbal stumbles that distract from your message.

Pros:

• The dead-simple interface means even complete beginners can get pro-level audio on day one.
• AI handles the heavy lifting, so you don't need audio engineering expertise.
• Integrates noise removal with a complete editing workflow, eliminating the need for multiple tools.

Cons:

• Free plan limits Studio Sound to just 5 lifetime uses.
• Some advanced users might want more granular control over noise parameters.
• Requires internet connection for AI-powered features to work optimally.

Pricing:

• Free: $0/month - Includes 5 lifetime uses of Studio Sound, 1 hour transcription.
• Hobbyist: $16/month (annual billing) - Unlimited Studio Sound, 10 hours transcription.
• Creator: $24/month (annual billing) - Unlimited Studio Sound, advanced AI features, 30 hours transcription.
• Business: $50/month (annual billing) - Full professional AI suite, priority support, 40 hours transcription.

Try Descript's noise removal tools

2. Krisp

Krisp tackles noise at the source, filtering it out in real-time during calls and recordings, which is especially useful if you're looking into how to remove background noise from audio. Think of it as a bouncer for your mic – keeping unwanted noise out of your conversations before anyone hears it. It works with virtually any communication app, making it perfect for remote workers dealing with noisy environments.

Best For:

Remote workers, virtual meeting participants, and live streamers who need real-time noise cancellation.

Key Features:

• Real-time noise cancellation that works during live calls and meetings.
• Seamless integration with Zoom, Teams, Meet, and other communication platforms.
• Accent conversion and AI meeting summaries enhance overall communication.

Pros:

• Works in real-time, perfect for live situations where post-processing isn't an option.
• Extremely easy to set up with minimal configuration needed.
• Lightweight app doesn't drain system resources during operation.

Cons:

• Free version limits noise cancellation to 60 minutes per day.
• Focuses on live audio rather than post-production cleanup.
• Some subtle background noises might still slip through in challenging environments.

Pricing:

• Free: $0 - 60 min/day noise cancellation, basic features.
• Pro: $8/month (annual billing) - Unlimited noise cancellation, multilingual transcripts.
• Business: $15/month (annual billing) - Enterprise features, admin controls, advanced integrations.

Learn more about Krisp

3. Topaz DeNoise

Topaz DeNoise AI primarily targets visual noise in photos and videos, but its technology has applications for multimedia creators. The software uses advanced AI models to clean up grainy, noisy visual content while preserving important details. For videographers who need both clean visuals and audio, it can be part of a comprehensive quality enhancement workflow, especially if you want additional tips on how to reduce background noise.

Best For:

Photographers and videographers who need to clean up visual noise in their content.

Key Features:

• AI-powered noise reduction for photos and videos that preserves details.
• Local processing for privacy and faster performance.
• Batch processing capabilities for efficient workflows.

Pros:

• Delivers exceptional results for visual noise reduction.
• Works locally on your computer without uploading content to the cloud.
• Integrates with popular photo and video editing software.

Cons:

• Not specifically designed for audio noise removal.
• One-time purchase cost may be steep for casual users.
• Resource-intensive processing can slow down older computers.

Pricing:

• Photo AI: $169 (one-time purchase) - Includes noise reduction and other photo enhancement tools.
• Video AI: $249 (one-time purchase) - Includes video noise reduction and enhancement features.
• Annual upgrade plans available for continued updates.

Check out Topaz DeNoise

4. Audacity

Audacity remains the stalwart free option for audio editing, including noise reduction. This open-source software has helped countless creators clean up their audio on a budget. While it lacks the one-click simplicity of AI tools, its noise reduction effect gives you manual control over the process, and you can pair it with best tips to improve audio quality for an even better result. You'll need to sample the noise and adjust parameters, but the price is unbeatable.

Best For:

Budget-conscious creators who don't mind a steeper learning curve for free noise reduction.

Key Features:

• Noise Reduction effect lets you sample background noise and remove it from recordings.
• Multitrack editing capabilities for complex audio projects.
• Extensive plugin support expands functionality with third-party tools.

Pros:

• Completely free and open-source with no feature restrictions.
• Available on Windows, Mac, and Linux platforms.
• Large community provides tutorials and support resources.

Cons:

• Interface feels dated compared to modern alternatives.
• Manual noise reduction process requires technical understanding.
• Less intuitive for beginners than AI-powered alternatives.

Pricing:

• Free: $0 - All features included with no limitations.

Download Audacity

5. Adobe Audition

Adobe Audition brings professional-grade audio cleanup tools to the Creative Cloud ecosystem. Its Adaptive Noise Reduction and spectral frequency editing give you surgical precision when removing background noise. You can visually identify and eliminate specific sounds, from air conditioners to keyboard clicks. For those already in the Adobe ecosystem, it offers seamless integration with Premiere Pro and other Creative Cloud apps, which is especially handy if you're looking into how to extract audio from video.

Best For:

Professional audio engineers and content creators who need precise control over audio restoration.

Key Features:

• Spectral frequency display lets you visually identify and remove specific noises.
• Adaptive Noise Reduction automatically adjusts to changing noise profiles.
• Seamless integration with Adobe Premiere Pro for video workflows.

Pros:

• Offers unmatched precision for complex audio cleanup tasks.
• Powerful batch processing for handling multiple files.
• Part of Creative Cloud, which streamlines workflows for Adobe users.

Cons:

• Subscription cost can be prohibitive for casual users.
• Steep learning curve requires time investment to master.
• Overkill for simple noise reduction needs.

Pricing:

• Single App: $22.99/month - Just Audition with Creative Cloud features.
• Creative Cloud All Apps: $59.99/month - Includes Audition plus all Adobe creative apps.
• Student/Teacher: $19.99/month - Discounted Creative Cloud access for education.

Explore Adobe Audition

6. Pro Tools

Pro Tools stands as the industry standard for professional audio production, with powerful noise reduction capabilities through its native plugins and third-party integrations. While not focused exclusively on noise removal, it provides a comprehensive environment for audio cleanup as part of a complete production workflow. Its plugin architecture supports advanced noise reduction tools like iZotope RX integration.

Best For:

Professional audio engineers and music producers working on high-stakes projects.

Key Features:

• Industry-standard audio editing environment with comprehensive tools.
• Support for third-party noise reduction plugins like iZotope RX.
• Advanced automation capabilities for precise audio cleanup.

Pros:

• Unmatched audio quality and precision for professional work.
• Robust plugin ecosystem expands noise reduction capabilities.
• Industry standard used in professional studios worldwide.

Cons:

• Expensive subscription or perpetual license options.
• Significant learning curve for new users.
• Requires powerful hardware for optimal performance.

Pricing:

• Pro Tools Artist: $99/year - Entry-level version with basic features.
• Pro Tools Studio: $299/year - Professional version with expanded capabilities.
• Pro Tools Ultimate: $599/year - Complete toolset for demanding audio production.

Check out Pro Tools

7. GarageBand

GarageBand offers Mac users a free entry point into audio editing with basic noise reduction capabilities. While not as powerful as dedicated noise removal tools, its noise gate and EQ features can help clean up simpler audio issues. For Mac users just starting out, it provides a no-cost way to improve audio quality before considering more advanced solutions.

Best For:

Mac users looking for a free, entry-level solution for basic audio cleanup.

Key Features:

• Noise Gate plugin helps reduce constant background noise.
• Visual EQ for reducing problematic frequency ranges.
• Seamless integration with Mac ecosystem.

Pros:

• Free and pre-installed on Mac computers.
• Intuitive interface makes it accessible to beginners.
• Natural stepping stone to Logic Pro for those who outgrow it.

Cons:

• Limited noise reduction capabilities compared to dedicated tools.
• Only available on Mac platforms.
• Basic tools require manual adjustment and experimentation.

Pricing:

• Free: $0 - Included with macOS.

Learn more about GarageBand

Parting thoughts on noise removal

Pick your noise removal tool based on what you need, how tech-savvy you are, and what you can spend. Tools like Descript and Krisp have completely changed the game – you don't need an audio engineering degree anymore to get clean, professional sound. These tools handle the technical complexity behind the scenes, letting you focus on creating great content.

For those who need real-time solutions, Krisp excels during live calls and recordings. If you're editing after the fact, Descript offers the most intuitive approach with its one-click Studio Sound. Professionals with specific requirements might still prefer the precision of Adobe Audition or Pro Tools, while budget-conscious creators can achieve decent results with free options like Audacity or GarageBand.

Get started today

Tired of fighting background noise? Descript's Studio Sound cleans up even the messiest recordings with a single click. You'll get pro-quality audio without touching a single dial or slider.

Sign up for Descript and experience how easy it can be to get studio-quality sound without the studio. What will you create when background noise is no longer holding you back?

Pro tips to squeeze every bit of value from your noise removal tools

• Optimize mic placement for fewer edits. Position your microphone correctly—about 6-8 inches from your mouth, slightly off-axis—to capture cleaner audio from the start, especially if you're learning how to record audio on android. Add a pop filter and record in the quietest space available.
• Integrate automated workflow with your editor. Apply noise removal early in your editing process. Tools like Descript let you clean up audio as soon as you import it, which saves time and helps you make better editing decisions.
• Use presets or templates to speed up production. Create custom presets for recurring noise issues in your recording environment. This ensures consistent sound quality across all your content and dramatically speeds up your workflow.

Frequently asked questions about noise removal tools

How do I pick the right tool for my budget?

Start with free options like Audacity or GarageBand if you're on a tight budget. For slightly more investment, Descript's free plan gives you 5 uses of Studio Sound to test its AI capabilities. Match the tool to your technical comfort level—AI-powered options cost more but save tremendous time and frustration compared to manual noise reduction.

Will AI-based noise removal affect voice quality?

Today's AI noise removal tools are smart enough to know the difference between your voice and background noise. They target and remove only the junk while keeping your voice natural and clear. Tools like Descript's Studio Sound even enhance voice clarity while removing noise. Most offer intensity controls to find the perfect balance between noise reduction and natural voice sound.

Can I combine multiple tools without losing quality?

Yes, but proceed with caution. Each processing step can potentially degrade audio quality if overused. Professional workflows often use specialized tools for specific problems—like Krisp for real-time noise blocking during recording, then Descript for post-production cleanup. When combining tools, always work with the highest quality source files possible, and apply effects subtly. All-in-one platforms generally provide the cleanest results by keeping processing within a single, optimized environment.