AURORA vs FabFilter Pro-Q: a free alternative, honestly compared
FabFilter's Pro-Q is, deservedly, the reference dynamic EQ a lot of engineers reach for. It's paid, cross-platform and extremely refined. AURORA is a newer, free dynamic EQ that covers much of the same ground. This is an honest comparison, not a takedown.
Where they overlap
Both are parametric EQs with a live spectrum, many freely-placed bands, per-band dynamic operation, mid/side processing and multiple phase modes including linear phase. For the core job — see the spectrum, drop bands, make some of them dynamic — they're playing the same game.
- Live analyzer with draggable, scrollable bands.
- Per-band dynamic EQ (level-reactive cuts/boosts).
- Mid/side and per-band stereo placement.
- Zero-latency and linear-phase options.
Where Pro-Q leads
It's a mature product with years of refinement: rock-solid across every major DAW, AAX for Pro Tools, a huge installed base, EQ matching, spectrum-grab, and workflow details that come from long iteration. If you mix in Pro Tools or want the safest, most battle-tested option, Pro-Q is an easy recommendation.
Where AURORA is compelling
It's free, with no license key, and it leans into a built-in assistant: Smart Ops matches a reference, de-resonates, de-esses, auto-brackets with high/low cuts and unmasks one track against another — one click each, every move still editable. Up to 24 bands, eight shapes, cut slopes to 96 dB/oct plus a vertical Brickwall, and three phase modes including an analog-matched Natural. It runs on Windows, macOS (Apple Silicon and Intel, including AU for Logic) and Linux (with LV2).
- Free — no key, works offline.
- Smart Ops assistant (match / de-resonate / de-ess / unmask) built in.
- Up to 24 bands · 8 shapes · slopes to 96 dB/oct + Brickwall.
- Windows · macOS · Linux · VST3 · CLAP · AU · LV2 (no AAX — Pro-Q covers Pro Tools).
Which should you use?
In Pro Tools, or if you want the industry standard with the deepest track record, Pro-Q is worth its price. If you want a genuinely capable dynamic EQ with a one-click cleanup assistant for exactly zero dollars — on Windows, Mac or Linux — AURORA is an easy download to keep on the chain. Plenty of engineers will happily run both.
Download AURORA free
See the spectrum, sculpt up to 24 dynamic bands by hand, and let Smart Ops do the tedious cleanup. Free, no license key — decide with your own ears.
Is there a free alternative to FabFilter Pro-Q?
Yes. AURORA is a free dynamic parametric EQ with a live spectrum, per-band dynamics, mid/side and linear-phase modes, plus a one-click cleanup assistant. It runs on Windows, macOS and Linux as VST3, AU, CLAP and LV2.
Is AURORA as good as Pro-Q?
Pro-Q is more mature and also covers Pro Tools (AAX); AURORA covers much of the same feature set for free and adds a built-in assistant. The honest answer is to try AURORA free and keep Pro-Q in mind if you work in Pro Tools or want the industry standard.