Per-App Volume Control on Windows: Full Guide (2026)
If you've ever been blasted by a YouTube ad while listening to music at reasonable volume, or struggled to balance Discord voice chat with game audio, you know the frustration of Windows' basic volume control. Windows 11 has improved audio management, but controlling individual app volumes is still clunky.
You don't have to settle for the all-or-nothing approach. This guide covers per-app volume control on Windows: the built-in options and third-party tools that give you real control over your audio.
Why Per-App Volume Control Matters
Per-app volume control is essential for modern multitasking. Here's why:
- Gaming with voice chat: Balance game audio and Discord/TeamSpeak without alt-tabbing during key moments
- Video calls with background music: Keep Spotify playing softly while Zoom audio stays clear
- Content creation: Monitor multiple audio sources without manual mixer adjustments
- Productivity: Ensure notification sounds don't overpower your music or podcasts
- Emergency fixes: Quickly mute a noisy browser tab without affecting everything else
macOS has had better per-app audio control for years through tools like SoundSource. Windows users deserve the same. If you're switching from Mac, check out our Mac to Windows guide for more productivity tips.
Windows Built-in Volume Mixer (How to Find It, Limitations)
Windows 11 includes a basic volume mixer, but it's well-hidden. Here's how to access it:
1 Right-click the speaker icon in your system tray
2 Select "Open Volume Mixer" from the context menu
3 Alternatively, press Windows + I to open Settings, navigate to System → Sound → Volume Mixer
The Windows Volume Mixer shows all playing applications with individual volume sliders. It works, but has real limitations:
- Buried in Settings: Requires multiple clicks to access, making quick adjustments painful
- No persistence: Volume levels don't always save between sessions
- Limited information: Can't see which tab is playing audio in browsers
- No quick mute: Each app requires sliding to zero or switching to the app
- Poor scaling: Becomes unwieldy with many active audio sources
- No hotkeys: All adjustments require mouse interaction
For basic needs, the built-in mixer works. But power users need something better.
SoundSplit: Per-App Volume from Your System Tray
SoundSplit solves Windows' audio control problem. Unlike the native mixer, it prioritizes speed.
Key Features
- System tray integration: Click the icon, adjust volume - no Settings app required
- One-click app muting: Quickly silence individual apps without adjusting sliders
- Volume memory: Remembers your preferences for each application
- Audio device switching: Route specific apps to different output devices (headphones, speakers, monitors)
- Lightweight: Under 5MB installed, minimal RAM usage
- No ads or subscriptions: Free, open-source software
- Clean interface: Modern design that matches Windows 11 aesthetics
What Makes SoundSplit Better
The key advantage is access. SoundSplit lives in your system tray, so volume adjustments are one click away. No navigating through Settings, no losing your place in what you're doing.
The interface shows real-time audio levels with visual indicators, so you can see at a glance which apps are making sound. This is useful for tracking down unexpected audio sources or managing multiple communication apps.
SoundSplit also hooks into Windows' audio architecture at a lower level than simple volume tools. You can route different apps to different audio devices - send Discord to your headset while keeping Spotify on your speakers.
EarTrumpet: Another Popular Option
EarTrumpet is the most well-known third-party volume mixer for Windows. It's been around since 2015 and has a loyal following.
Like SoundSplit, EarTrumpet replaces the default Windows volume controls with a more accessible alternative. It features a clean, modern interface that appears when you click the volume icon in your system tray.
EarTrumpet Strengths
- Mature, stable codebase with years of development
- Active community and regular updates
- Available in the Microsoft Store for easy installation
- Supports keyboard shortcuts for volume control
- Default audio device switching
EarTrumpet Limitations
- No per-app device routing (all apps share the same output device)
- Volume preferences don't always stick between sessions
- More cluttered interface with many active apps
- Requires Microsoft Store (not ideal for enterprise environments)
EarTrumpet works well for basic per-app volume control. If your needs are straightforward, it's a solid choice. Users who need per-app device routing will find SoundSplit more capable.
SoundSplit vs EarTrumpet vs Windows Mixer
Here's how the three options stack up:
| Feature | Windows Mixer | EarTrumpet | SoundSplit |
|---|---|---|---|
| Per-app volume control | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| System tray access | ✗ | ✓ | ✓ |
| One-click muting | ✗ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Volume memory | Partial | ✓ | ✓ |
| Per-app device routing | ✗ | ✗ | ✓ |
| Hotkey support | ✗ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Visual audio levels | ✗ | Basic | ✓ |
| Installation | Built-in | Microsoft Store | Direct download |
| Resource usage | None (built-in) | Low (~15MB RAM) | Very low (~8MB RAM) |
| Price | Free | Free | Free |
Verdict: Windows Mixer is fine for occasional use. EarTrumpet is best for users who want simple, reliable per-app volume control. SoundSplit is the pick for power users who need per-app device routing and fine-grained audio management.
Ready to Take Control of Your Audio?
SoundSplit gives you per-app volume, one-click muting, and device routing from your system tray.
Download SoundSplit (Free)How to Set Up SoundSplit
Getting started with SoundSplit takes less than two minutes:
1 Download SoundSplit: Visit the official download page and grab the installer (4.8MB)
2 Run the installer: Double-click the downloaded file. Windows may show a SmartScreen warning - click "More info" then "Run anyway" (SoundSplit is safe and open-source)
3 Launch SoundSplit: The app starts and adds an icon to your system tray (bottom-right corner, near the clock)
4 First-time setup: Click the SoundSplit icon. You'll see a list of all currently playing applications. Start playing audio in a few apps to populate the list
5 Adjust volumes: Use the sliders to set preferred volume levels for each app. Click the speaker icon next to any app to mute it
6 Configure device routing (optional): Right-click any app in the list to assign it to a specific audio device. Great for sending Discord to headphones while keeping Spotify on speakers
7 Set preferences: Right-click the SoundSplit tray icon and select "Settings" to configure startup behavior, hotkeys, and visual options
That's it. SoundSplit remembers your preferences and runs on startup. Your per-app volume settings persist across sessions, so you won't need to reconfigure after a restart.
Common Use Cases
Here's how different users use per-app volume control:
Gaming + Voice Chat
Lower game audio to 60%, keep Discord at 100%. Quickly mute teammates during cutscenes without touching your game. Route Discord to headphones and game audio to speakers for a more immersive experience.
Video Calls + Background Music
Set Zoom/Teams to 100%, Spotify to 20%. During presentations, one-click mute Spotify without interrupting the call. Resume music at previous volume when the meeting ends.
Content Creation
Monitor multiple audio sources while editing. Keep reference audio playing at 30% while your editing software stays at 100%. Quickly mute browser tabs with distracting audio without losing your place in the timeline.
Productivity with Notifications
Set Slack/Teams notifications to 50% so they don't blast over your focus music. Keep Notion/Obsidian at 0% (visual notifications only) while working. Let YouTube/podcast audio stay audible but not dominating.
Multi-Screen Streaming
Route Twitch/YouTube to your main speakers at 80% while keeping browser tabs on a secondary audio device. Separate entertainment audio from work communication in one click.
For more Windows productivity tips and tools, check out our guide to the best productivity apps for Windows 11.
FAQ
Is per-app volume control built into Windows 11?
Yes, Windows 11 includes a basic Volume Mixer accessible through Settings → System → Sound → Volume Mixer, or by right-clicking the speaker icon. However, it's less accessible and feature-rich than third-party alternatives like SoundSplit or EarTrumpet.
Will per-app volume control slow down my PC?
No. Apps like SoundSplit and EarTrumpet use minimal resources (typically under 15MB of RAM). They're lightweight utilities that only process audio metadata, not the audio itself, so there's no performance impact on gaming or other resource-intensive tasks.
Can I route different apps to different audio devices?
Yes, but only with certain tools. SoundSplit supports per-app device routing, allowing you to send Discord to your headset while keeping Spotify on speakers, for example. Windows Volume Mixer and EarTrumpet don't offer this feature - they only control volume levels.
Do volume settings persist after restarting my PC?
With SoundSplit and EarTrumpet, yes. These apps remember your per-app volume preferences across sessions. Windows' built-in Volume Mixer sometimes resets settings, especially for apps that aren't running at startup.
What's the difference between SoundSplit and EarTrumpet?
Both provide system tray volume control, but SoundSplit offers per-app device routing (sending different apps to different speakers/headphones), more reliable volume memory, and a cleaner interface for managing many apps. EarTrumpet is simpler and available through the Microsoft Store. See the comparison table above for details.
Is there a Mac equivalent to these Windows tools?
Yes, macOS users typically use SoundSource by Rogue Amoeba, which offers similar functionality. If you're switching from Mac to Windows, our Mac to Windows guide covers all the essential audio and productivity tool replacements.
Can I use keyboard shortcuts to control app volumes?
Yes. Both SoundSplit and EarTrumpet support customizable hotkeys for volume control. You can set up shortcuts to adjust specific app volumes, mute/unmute apps, or switch audio devices without touching your mouse.
Will this work with all Windows audio applications?
Yes. Per-app volume control works with any application that produces audio through Windows' audio system - games, browsers, music players, video editors, communication apps, and more. The only exception is legacy apps using unusual audio drivers, which is rare.