Audio
Interfaces

195Interfaces
47Brands
Prices checked

“8 inputs” on the box might only mean 2 mics. Count your sound sources, and we’ll show you what actually fits. How we count →

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I want to record Mics at onceany mics and Instruments at onceany instruments at once, for

It must have
195 interfaces

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right now

Showing the whole market. Set what you need above to tailor these.Prices checked

Best value with a mic input

Lowest price per usable input

$22per input

$24per input

$26per input

Behringer U-Phoria UM2 Wins 2 of 6

M-Audio M-Track Solo Runner-up

Behringer U-Phoria UMC22 Runner-up

Behringer U-Phoria UM2
M-Audio M-Track Solo
Behringer U-Phoria UMC22
Runners-up

Every
interface

Add up to 4 to compare
195 of 195 interfaces match
Antelope Audio Galaxy 64 Synergy Core

Antelope Audio Galaxy 64 Synergy Core

64 in · 64 outAnalog
S/PDIF in
Mic preamps
0
Headphones
1
MIDI
No
Max rate
192 kHz
Connection
Thunderbolt / Dante
Weight
≈ 6.4 kg (14.1 lb)?
Antelope Audio Orion 32+ | Gen 4

Antelope Audio Orion 32+ | Gen 4

32 in · 32 outAnalog
+8 ADAT inS/PDIF in
Mic preamps
0
Headphones
— not stated by the maker
MIDI
No
Max rate
192 kHz
Connection
USB-C / Thunderbolt
Weight
≈ 3.4 kg (7.5 lb)?
Antelope Audio Galaxy 32 Synergy Core

Antelope Audio Galaxy 32 Synergy Core

32 in · 32 outAnalog
+8 ADAT inS/PDIF in
Mic preamps
0
Headphones
— not stated by the maker
MIDI
No
Max rate
192 kHz
Connection
Thunderbolt / Dante
Weight
≈ 3.4 kg (7.5 lb)?
MOTU 24Ai

MOTU 24Ai

24 inAnalog
Mic preamps
0
Headphones
— not stated by the maker
MIDI
— not stated by the maker
Max rate
— not stated by the maker
Connection
— not stated by the maker
Weight
2 kg (4.5 lb)
TASCAM US-16x08

TASCAM US-16x08

16 in · 8 outAnalog
Mic preamps
8
Headphones
1
MIDI
Yes
Max rate
96 kHz
Connection
USB-B
Weight
2.8 kg (6.2 lb)
Universal Audio Apollo x16 Gen 2

Universal Audio Apollo x16 Gen 2

16 in · 18 outAnalog
Mic preamps
0
Headphones
— not stated by the maker
MIDI
— not stated by the maker
Max rate
192 kHz
Connection
Thunderbolt
Weight
— not stated by the maker
Antelope Audio Orion Studio Synergy Core

Antelope Audio Orion Studio Synergy Core

12 in · 20 outAnalog
S/PDIF in
Mic preamps
12
Headphones
2
MIDI
No
Max rate
192 kHz
Connection
USB-B / Thunderbolt
Weight
≈ 3.1 kg (6.8 lb)?
Audient EVO 16

Audient EVO 16

8 in · 8 outAnalog
Mic preamps
8
Headphones
2
MIDI
— not stated by the maker
Max rate
96 kHz
Connection
— not stated by the maker
Weight
≈ 3 kg (6.6 lb)?

Compare

Pick 2 to 4 interfaces
Your top 3 matches. Tick + Compare on any card to pick your own.
Antelope Audio Galaxy 64 Synergy Core
Antelope Audio Galaxy 64 Synergy Core
Antelope Audio Orion 32+ | Gen 4
Antelope Audio Orion 32+ | Gen 4
Antelope Audio Galaxy 32 Synergy Core
Antelope Audio Galaxy 32 Synergy Core
Analog inputs643232
Mic preamps000
Instrument (Hi-Z) inputs— not stated by the maker00
Line outputs643232
Headphone outputs1— not stated by the maker— not stated by the maker
Headphone mixes— not stated by the maker— not stated by the maker— not stated by the maker
MIDINoNoNo
ConnectionThunderbolt / DanteUSB-C / ThunderboltThunderbolt / Dante
Bus-powered— not stated by the maker— not stated by the maker— not stated by the maker
Loopback— not stated by the maker— not stated by the maker— not stated by the maker
Weight≈ 6.4 kg (14.1 lb)?≈ 3.4 kg (7.5 lb)?≈ 3.4 kg (7.5 lb)?
FromThomann onlyThomann onlyThomann only
Where to buy

The whole
market

All 195 interfaces, no filters · prices checked

What the
data says

From all 195 interfaces · prices checked

What your money actually buys

How common each feature is in each price band. Set a budget in Start here to see your column.

Under $150<$150$150–299$150+$300–499$300+$500–999$500+$1,000+$1k+
MIDI in/out
2+ headphone outputs
Runs on USB power
Records at 192 kHz
USB-C
ADAT input (add 8 more)

Tap a cell to see how many interfaces it counts.

Based on 154 interfaces with a US price · prices checked

Count the jacks, not the name

Focusrite Scarlett 18i20 4th Gen

188

18 in the name, 8 analog inputs to plug into

Focusrite Scarlett 16i16 4th Gen

166

16 in the name, 6 analog inputs to plug into

Audient iD24 10 x 14

102

10 in the name, 2 analog inputs to plug into

Behringer UMC1820

188

18 in the name, 8 analog inputs to plug into

1 / 4

Big numbers in a model name usually include digital channels that need extra gear. 4 in 5 interfaces with 8+ in the name have fewer inputs for mics, guitars and synths than the name suggests.

30 interfaces with a channel count in the name · inputs counted by us

10 interfaces get most of the reviews

63%

of 20,930 store reviews go to just 10 interfaces. Their median price is $92, against $397 for the whole market.

See the 10
  1. Focusrite Scarlett Solo 3rd Gen2,941 reviews
  2. Behringer U-Phoria UMC404HD1,894 reviews
  3. Behringer U-Phoria UMC221,507 reviews
  4. Behringer U-Phoria UMC202HD1,480 reviews
  5. Behringer UMC18201,320 reviews
  6. Behringer U-Phoria UMC204HD1,249 reviews
  7. Behringer U-Phoria UM2906 reviews
  8. Behringer U-Control UCA222733 reviews
  9. MOTU M2616 reviews
  10. Behringer U-Control UCA202566 reviews

Review counts from store listings, mostly European · 170 interfaces with reviews

192 kHz isn’t a selling point

73%

of interfaces record at 192 kHz, including one at $86.90. Music is mostly made at 44.1 or 48 kHz, so 192 kHz isn’t worth paying extra for unless you intend to capture bat echolocation calls.

Of 193 interfaces with a known sample rate

The sweet spot is 3–4 inputs

Analog inputs · median price per input

Interfaces with 3–4 inputs cost the least per input ($99 each), less than 2-input ($110) or 1-input ($139) ones. If you might grow, one size up is good value.

152 interfaces with a US price

How we
count

Makers show the biggest number they can. The Audient iD14 MkII is sold as 10 in. It has 2 analog inputs, which is what you can plug mics, guitars and synths into. The other 8 are ADAT channels. ADAT needs a separate preamp unit, so you can’t use them on their own. We show the real number first, then the extras next to it: 2 analog in, +8 ADAT. Software loopback channels and talkback mics never count.

Every interface follows the same written definitions, which you can read in the tooltips. When we can’t confirm a spec, the card shows a dash. That means no source we checked states it. It does not mean the interface lacks it.

Specs come from the maker’s own pages, checked against store listings, where stores list them, when we add an interface. Specs don’t change once an interface is on sale, so we don’t re-date them; prices and stock are checked every day.

The number on the box versus the inputs you can use An interface sold as 10 in has 2 analog inputs you can plug mics, guitars and synths into. The other 8 are ADAT channels that need a separate preamp box, and software loopback never counts. We show 2 in, plus 8 ADAT. A dash means the maker doesn't state a spec, not that the interface lacks it. On the box 10 IN The back panel IN 1 IN 2 OPTICAL USB LOOP 2 ANALOG Mics, guitars and synths plug straight in +8 ADAT Needs a separate preamp box EXTRA BOX LOOPBACK Software only: never counts We show 2 IN +8 ADAT — on a card means the maker doesn’t state it, not “no”

How we choose
what’s listed

  1. 01Plugs straight into your computer1 to 30+ inputs. No extras needed.
  2. 02Real specs onlyTrusted brands and retailers. Published specs.
  3. 03Windows 11 + macOS checkedSingle-OS units clearly marked.
  4. 04Audio interfaces onlyMixers, recorders and podcast desks with USB audio are a different category.
  5. 05Every budget, every sizeNo price cap. Popularity only breaks ties.

Driver support changes, so confirm on the maker’s site before you buy. Think something is missing?

Frequently asked questions

FAQ

Which interfaces are on the list?

Every USB or Thunderbolt audio interface that works on its own for recording music, from 1 input to 30 or more. We leave out mixers, field recorders and podcast desks (even with USB audio), network-only units (Dante, AVB), converters with no analog inputs, and expansion units that need another interface to work. Think something’s missing? Suggest a product.

Why does loopback work on Windows but not Mac (or vice versa)?

Loopback (recording your computer’s sound along with your mic) comes from the maker’s software, not the interface itself, and makers often only build it for one system. That’s why each card says which systems it works on. On a Mac, third-party apps can add loopback to almost any interface.

Why don’t you list noise floor?

Makers measure it in different ways (with or without weighting, at different gain settings and test conditions), so the same interface can look quieter or noisier depending on how it was tested. Only about 1 in 5 makers publish it at all, and fewer than half of those measure it the same way. Putting those numbers side by side would mislead you, so we leave them out. In practice, your room and your mic usually matter more than a few dB of preamp noise.

New to the jargon?

Start with what an audio interface is used for, then Thunderbolt vs USB and ADAT vs S/PDIF if you’re weighing connections or room to grow.

Missing/incorrect spec? Let us know

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