Compare CastSound with AudioRelay and SoundWire
AudioRelay alternative for Mac and Linux
Looking for an AudioRelay alternative on macOS or Linux? CastSound offers low-latency computer audio streaming, phone microphone input, and webcam in one app.
AudioRelay is a popular tool for streaming PC audio to a phone, but its primary focus is Windows. On macOS and Linux, setting up virtual audio sinks or routing audio can be cumbersome. CastSound was built from the ground up for Mac and Linux: it provides computer audio streaming, phone microphone input, and a webcam all over a single connection with native PipeWire and CoreAudio integration.
| Feature | CastSound | AudioRelay |
|---|---|---|
| Platforms | ||
| macOS app | ✓ | ✓ |
| Linux app | ✓ | ✓ |
| Windows app | Not yet | ✓ |
| Android app | ✓ | ✓ |
| iPhone and iPad app | ✓ | — |
| What you can do | ||
| Listen to computer audio on your phone | ✓ | ✓ |
| Use your phone as a computer microphone | ✓ | ✓ |
| Use your phone camera as a computer webcam | ✓ | — |
| Simultaneous speaker, mic & webcam | ✓ | — |
| Connect over USB | ✓ | ✓ |
| Use several devices at once | — | ✓ |
| Distribution | ||
| Free option | ✓ | ✓ |
| Open source | — | — |
Key Differences
All-in-One: Audio and Webcam
CastSound combines a wireless computer speaker, a phone microphone, and a webcam into one lightweight session. AudioRelay only handles audio.
Native Mac and Linux Audio
CastSound integrates directly with macOS CoreAudio and Linux PipeWire or PulseAudio out of the box, without requiring third-party audio drivers.
Low Latency via USB
Both apps support Wi-Fi and USB connections. CastSound provides bidirectional low latency for games, meetings, and movies.
Cross-Platform Mobile
Use an Android phone or iPhone with ease. CastSound supports both platforms with automatic discovery and QR pairing.
Summary Verdict
Choose CastSound if you work on a Mac or Linux computer and want an all-in-one audio and webcam bridge. Choose AudioRelay if you primarily need audio streaming on Windows.