Guide
How to control the volume of each app on a Mac
macOS has one volume slider for everything. Here is why, what the built-in options can and can't do, and how to give every app its own volume in about a minute.
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Quick answer
macOS does not have per-app volume control. It gives you one system volume and one output device at a time. To set the volume of each app independently, install a per-app mixer. Zoundry is a native menu bar app that adds a separate slider for every app playing audio, and also lets you send each app to a different output. It costs a one-time $19.99 after a 7-day free trial.
Why macOS can't lower just one app
The volume keys and the Sound menu change the volume of whichever output device is selected, and that applies to every app at once. If your Zoom call, your Spotify playlist and a YouTube tab in Chrome are all playing, there is no system control that lowers only one of them.
What you can do without extra software
- Use the app's own volume control. Some apps, such as music players and video sites, have an internal slider. It only works inside that app, and many apps, including most call apps and browser tabs, don't offer one that is easy to reach.
- Mute or quit the app. This silences it completely but doesn't let you balance it against other audio.
- Create a Multi-Output Device in Audio MIDI Setup. This plays the same audio on several devices at once. It doesn't give each app its own volume, and the system volume keys generally don't control it.
How to set per-app volume with Zoundry
- Download and open Zoundry. It lives in your menu bar. No account or sign-up is needed, and the 7-day trial starts inside the app.
- Play audio as usual. Every app that plays sound, such as Chrome, Safari, Spotify, Zoom or Discord, appears in the panel automatically.
- Drag a slider. Pull Chrome down while Spotify stays where it is. Zoundry remembers the volume and routing you set for each app.
Beyond volume, each app can also get its own 3-band EQ (bass, mid, treble), L/R stereo balance and saveable presets. You can set volumes from Siri, the Shortcuts app, Alfred, Raycast or Terminal too; see the Shortcuts & Scripting docs.
Apps that add per-app volume to macOS
| App | Price | Per-app volume | Per-app output routing | More |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Zoundry | $19.99 one-time | Yes | Yes | Overview |
| FineTune | Free, open source | Yes | Yes | Zoundry vs FineTune |
| SoundSource | $49 one-time | Yes | Yes | Zoundry vs SoundSource |
| Background Music | Free, open source | Yes | No | Zoundry vs Background Music |
Requirements differ: Zoundry is built for macOS Tahoe on Apple Silicon, while FineTune and SoundSource support earlier macOS versions. Check the comparison pages before choosing.
Frequently asked questions
Can you control the volume of individual apps on a Mac?
Not with built-in macOS settings. macOS has a single system volume and one default output device at a time. To get a separate volume slider for every app you need a per-app mixer such as Zoundry, FineTune, SoundSource or Background Music.
What is the best app for per-app volume control on Mac?
It depends on your priorities. Zoundry is a $19.99 one-time purchase with per-app volume, routing, a 3-band EQ, L/R balance and Siri and Shortcuts support. FineTune is free and open source. SoundSource is a $49 one-time purchase with a deeper 10-band EQ and Audio Units support. See the full comparison at best Mac audio mixer apps.
Does Zoundry work with Chrome, Safari, Spotify and Zoom?
Yes. Zoundry detects every app that is playing audio, including browsers, music players and video call apps, and gives each one its own slider automatically.
Is Zoundry free?
Zoundry includes a 7-day free trial built into the app, with no account or credit card required. After the trial, a one-time purchase of $19.99 unlocks the full app, with free updates and a 30-day money-back guarantee.
Does Zoundry slow down my Mac?
No. Zoundry is a native menu bar app built for Apple Silicon and uses minimal CPU and memory.
Try Zoundry free
Zoundry includes a 7-day free trial, no account or card required, then a one-time $19.99 purchase. See pricing or download Zoundry to get started.