EarTrumpet Review 2026: The Free Windows Per-App Volume Mixer

September 7, 2026 admin

Verdict: EarTrumpet is still the best free per-app Windows volume mixer in 2026 — faster and clearer than digging through Settings. Install it if you routinely juggle browser tabs, games, Discord, and meetings; skip only if the modern Windows 11 mixer already feels perfect.

Best for: Windows 10/11 users, streamers, and multitaskers who need instant per-app volume and output switching from the system tray.
Not for: People who never change app volumes, or locked-down corporate PCs that block Microsoft Store / third-party utilities.

Researched 2026 overview based on public product/pricing pages — not a logged hands-on lab of every feature.

What it is

EarTrumpet is an open-source volume control app for Windows. It lives in the system tray and shows per-application volume sliders, peak meters, and playback-device controls so you can quiet a noisy browser tab without muting your meeting — or move one app to headphones while another stays on speakers.

Microsoft has improved the built-in Windows 11 mixer over recent years (widely noted as “Sherlocking” EarTrumpet’s ideas), yet reviewers through 2026 still recommend EarTrumpet for speed, clarity, and per-app device routing that feels one click closer than stock UI.

Who it’s for

Anyone running music + video call + notifications at once. Gamers balancing game audio and Discord. Editors monitoring multiple preview windows. Support agents flipping between softphone and training videos. Power users who keep Winget/Chocolatey packs of essential free utilities — EarTrumpet belongs on that list. It is especially helpful on multi-monitor desks where the default Sound settings window feels a detour from the tray.

Strengths

Per-app volume in one flyout: No scavenger hunt through Settings → System → Sound.
Move apps between devices: Send Spotify to speakers and Zoom to a headset without restarting apps (when Windows session routing allows).
Free and open source: Microsoft Store, Winget (winget install File-New-Project.EarTrumpet), or Chocolatey — no subscription.
Modern UI: Light/dark and accent-aware; feels native rather than legacy Win32 chrome.
Hotkeys and mixer window: Configurable shortcuts and a standalone mixer for deeper control.
Store updates: Microsoft Store installs get automatic updates without hunting GitHub releases.

Trade-offs / Limits

Windows 11’s built-in mixer closed much of the gap — try stock first for 10 minutes before installing anything.
Another tray icon (ironically) — tidy users may hide it after setup.
Corporate image restrictions may block Store apps; request IT exception or use approved deploy methods.
It does not replace audio drivers, EQ suites, or virtual cable routing tools like Voicemeeter for complex stream setups.
Feature pace is mature/utility-stable rather than flashy monthly launches — a plus for reliability, not for novelty seekers.
Edge cases with exclusive-mode audio, some games, or exotic virtual devices may still need the classic Windows mixer or vendor panels.

Pricing

Free. Distributed via the Microsoft Store and GitHub (File-New-Project/EarTrumpet), with package-manager installs via Winget and Chocolatey. No paid tier. Updates typically flow through the Store when installed that way. Donate to maintainers if you rely on it daily — optional, not required.

Verdict / Who should buy

You do not buy EarTrumpet — you install it. Do so if per-app volume is a weekly friction on Windows. If the native Windows 11 mixer already solves your cases, stay stock. Pair with a good headset and, for call noise, software like Krisp or hardware mics. For free Windows quality-of-life tools, EarTrumpet remains a first-week install in 2026.