Comparison
Zoundry vs Background Music
Background Music was one of the first free tools to bring per-app volume control to macOS, and it can also auto-pause your music and record system audio. Zoundry focuses on a different job: sending each app to its own output device with an EQ and mic control, no driver required. Here's how they actually differ.
Quick answer
Background Music is a free, open-source app that gives each app its own volume slider through a virtual audio driver, and can auto-pause your music player and record system audio. Zoundry is a $19.99 one-time purchase that uses modern macOS audio APIs instead of a driver, and is built around routing each app to its own output device, with a per-app EQ, presets, L/R balance, and per-device microphone control. If you want a free tool with auto-pause and system recording, pick Background Music. If you want per-app output routing, an EQ, and mic control with official support, pick Zoundry.
Feature-by-feature comparison
| Zoundry | Background Music | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $19.99 one-time | Free, open source |
| Audio architecture | Modern macOS audio APIs, no driver | Virtual audio driver |
| Per-app volume control | Yes | Yes |
| Per-app output routing (different device per app) | Yes | Not supported |
| Auto-pause music when other audio plays | No | Yes |
| System audio recording | No | Yes |
| Per-app equalizer | 3-band, with saveable presets | No |
| Per-app L/R balance | Yes | No |
| Per-device microphone control | Yes | No |
| Shortcuts / Siri / Terminal control | Yes, see the Shortcuts & Scripting docs | No |
| Menu bar app | Yes | Yes |
| Project status | Actively developed, official email support | Open source, community-maintained; the project's own README describes it as still in alpha |
| Minimum macOS | macOS Tahoe (26), Apple Silicon | macOS 10.13+ per its docs, no confirmed support for the newest releases |
Which one should you choose?
Choose Background Music if:
- You want a free, open-source tool and don't mind reading the source or filing your own issues.
- You want your music player to auto-pause when other audio starts playing, or you need to record system audio.
- You don't need to send different apps to different output devices, and you're comfortable installing a virtual audio driver on a project that describes itself as alpha.
Choose Zoundry if:
- You want to send different apps to different output devices at the same time, with no driver to install.
- You want a per-app EQ with presets, L/R balance, and per-device microphone control.
- You want active development, official support, and Shortcuts/Terminal automation, and don't mind a one-time $19.99 fee.
Frequently asked questions
What is the difference between Zoundry and Background Music?
Background Music is a free, open-source app that gives each app its own volume slider, automatically pauses your music player when other audio starts, and can record system audio. It works through a virtual audio driver and doesn't route individual apps to different output devices. Zoundry is a $19.99 commercial app that uses modern macOS audio APIs instead of a driver, and is built around routing each app to its own output device, with a per-app equalizer, presets, L/R balance, and per-device microphone control.
Is Background Music free?
Yes. Background Music is free and open source. Zoundry is a one-time $19.99 purchase with a 7-day free trial.
Can Background Music route different apps to different output devices?
No. Background Music's own documentation describes per-app volume control, auto-pausing your music player, and recording system audio, not routing individual apps to separate output devices at the same time. Zoundry is built around exactly that: sending each app to its own output device simultaneously.
Which one should I use, Zoundry or Background Music?
Choose Background Music if you want a free, open-source tool that auto-pauses your music and can record system audio, and don't mind installing a virtual audio driver on a project its own docs describe as still in alpha. Choose Zoundry if you want per-app output routing, an EQ, mic control, and official support, and don't mind a one-time fee.
Try Zoundry free
Zoundry includes a 7-day free trial, no account or card required. See pricing or download Zoundry to get started.