eqMac and ZonaReq solve the same core problem: macOS still ships without a system-wide equalizer, so both apps install a virtual audio device that intercepts everything your Mac plays and lets you shape it. If you are searching for an eqMac alternative — or deciding between the two — here is an honest look at where each one fits.
What they have in common
- System-wide equalization: every app, every tab, every game goes through the EQ.
- Built on a virtual audio driver that sits between your apps and your speakers.
- Multiple ways to work: from a simple basic mode up to fine-grained expert control.
- Both can be tried at no cost.
Where eqMac shines
Credit where it is due: eqMac is a long-standing, community-driven project, and its core system-wide equalizer is free and open source. If you want an EQ whose source code you can read and audit, and equalization is all you need, eqMac is a genuinely good choice — and recommending anything else to that user would be dishonest.
Where ZonaReq goes further
ZonaReq treats the EQ as the starting point, not the whole product. It bundles an audio toolkit that would otherwise take several separate apps:
| Capability | ZonaReq | eqMac |
|---|---|---|
| System-wide EQ | Yes — 10 parametric bands, 7 filter types | Yes |
| Local stem separation | Yes — Demucs v4 on Core ML, vocals/drums/bass/other, 100% on-device | No |
| Screen recording with editor | Yes — H.264 at 60 fps, dual system + mic audio, built-in timeline editor | No |
| Virtual microphone | Yes — your EQ applied to your voice on video calls | No |
| Spatial audio / convolution reverb | Yes — 9 acoustic spaces, dry/wet mix | No |
| Local HTTP API | Yes — REST on port 33773, Bearer auth, web panel | No |
| Calibrated presets | Yes — 29 presets for 12 audio systems and 10 genres | Has presets |
| Open source | No | Yes |
On top of that list, ZonaReq adds an AU plugin host with per-plugin bypass, a 4096-point spectrum analyzer, audio recording to WAV/M4A/AIFF, per-app volume monitoring, and global keyboard shortcuts — all in one native window, notarized by Apple, with zero telemetry.
Pricing
eqMac's core equalizer is free and open source. ZonaReq has a free tier (3-band EQ with 5 presets) and unlocks the full toolkit from $4.99 USD per month, $29 per year, or a one-time $59 lifetime license. A $199 team license covers up to 10 Macs. Every paid plan includes the same features — only the billing changes.
The honest verdict
If all you want is a free, open-source system-wide equalizer, use eqMac — it does that job well. If you want the EQ plus local stem separation, screen recording with an editor, a virtual mic for calls, spatial audio, and an HTTP API to automate it all, ZonaReq packs those into a single native app you can try for free.