Best noise cancellation app for remote work in 2026

Last updated October 2026

Remote work depends on clear audio. A barking dog, a construction crew outside, or a keyboard clicking away can derail a meeting in seconds. Noise cancellation apps solve this problem in software, filtering out unwanted sound before it reaches the other participants on a call. The best options run locally on your device, process audio in real time, and work across the communication platforms you already use.

This guide covers five of the strongest noise cancellation options available in 2026, from standalone apps like Krisp to built-in features in macOS, Zoom, and Microsoft Teams. We also look at how tools like Fabric help remote workers capture and organize what happens after the noise is gone: the meeting notes, transcripts, and action items that make calls productive.

How we evaluated these tools

We focused on the factors that matter most to remote workers: how well each tool removes background noise without distorting the speaker's voice, how much setup is required, which platforms and apps are supported, and what the tool costs. We also considered secondary features like echo cancellation, meeting transcription, and virtual backgrounds, since many remote workers benefit from a single tool that handles multiple audio and video needs.

If you are also comparing microphone and speaker hardware, see our guide to the best audio tool for remote meetings.

Krisp

Krisp is a standalone noise cancellation app that sits between your microphone and your communication apps. It creates a virtual microphone and speaker on your system, so any app that uses audio can route through Krisp and benefit from its AI-powered noise removal.

How Krisp works

Krisp processes audio locally on your device. When you speak, the app filters out background sounds before sending your voice to the call. It also filters incoming audio, so noisy environments on the other end of the call are cleaned up too. The processing happens in real time with minimal latency, which means conversations feel natural rather than delayed.

Platform support and compatibility. Krisp runs on both macOS and Windows and works with virtually any communication app: Zoom, Microsoft Teams, Google Meet, Slack, Discord, and dozens of others. Because it operates at the system level as a virtual audio device, you do not need specific integrations or plugins for each app. You simply select "Krisp Microphone" and "Krisp Speaker" in your app's audio settings.

Meeting transcription and notes. Beyond noise cancellation, Krisp now includes meeting transcription, which generates a text record of your calls. This feature works well for keeping a searchable archive of what was discussed, though the transcription accuracy varies depending on accents, multiple speakers, and technical terminology. For teams that need to do more with their meeting content, pairing Krisp's noise cancellation with a dedicated note-taking and organization tool like Fabric can fill the gaps.

Krisp pricing

Krisp offers a free tier that provides 60 minutes of noise cancellation per day. For most remote workers who have one or two calls a day, this may be sufficient. The Pro plan costs approximately $8 per month when billed annually and removes the daily time limit, adds unlimited transcription, and includes priority support.

Who Krisp is best for. Krisp is the strongest choice for remote workers who use multiple communication platforms and want a single noise cancellation solution that works everywhere. If you switch between Zoom for client calls, Slack huddles for team check-ins, and Google Meet for cross-functional meetings, Krisp covers all of them without any configuration changes.

For a deeper look at the app's features and performance, read our full Krisp review.

NVIDIA Broadcast

NVIDIA Broadcast is a free app from NVIDIA that provides noise removal, virtual backgrounds, auto framing, and other AI-powered audio and video effects. It is designed for content creators and remote workers, but it requires an NVIDIA GPU to run.

How NVIDIA Broadcast works

Like Krisp, NVIDIA Broadcast creates virtual microphone and camera devices on your system. You select these virtual devices in your communication app, and the AI effects are applied in real time. The noise removal feature uses deep learning models that run on the GPU's Tensor cores, which means the processing is offloaded from your CPU and has minimal impact on system performance.

Noise removal quality. NVIDIA Broadcast handles a wide range of background noises effectively: keyboard typing, fans, pet sounds, and ambient street noise are all reduced significantly. The app also includes room echo removal, which is helpful if you work in a space with hard surfaces that create reverb on your voice. The combination of noise removal and echo cancellation produces noticeably cleaner audio than either feature alone.

Video features. In addition to audio processing, NVIDIA Broadcast offers virtual background replacement, background blur, and auto framing. Auto framing keeps the camera centered on your face as you move, which is useful if your webcam has a wide field of view or if you tend to shift positions during long calls. These video features make NVIDIA Broadcast a more complete package than audio-only solutions.

NVIDIA Broadcast pricing and requirements

NVIDIA Broadcast is completely free. The only requirement is an NVIDIA GeForce RTX, Quadro RTX, or NVIDIA RTX GPU. If you already have a compatible graphics card in your PC, this is the most cost-effective noise cancellation option available. However, the GPU requirement means the app is limited to Windows desktops and laptops with NVIDIA hardware; it is not available on macOS or on systems with AMD or Intel GPUs.

Who NVIDIA Broadcast is best for. This app is ideal for Windows users who already have an NVIDIA RTX GPU and want a free, high-quality noise cancellation solution with bonus video features. Gamers who also work remotely will find it particularly appealing, since gaming PCs almost always have compatible hardware.

macOS Voice Isolation

Apple introduced Voice Isolation as a system-level feature in macOS, and it has improved steadily through subsequent releases. It uses the Apple Neural Engine to isolate the speaker's voice from background sounds, and it works across FaceTime, Zoom, and many other supported apps.

How macOS Voice Isolation works

Voice Isolation is built directly into macOS and activates through the system's Mic Mode menu. During a call, you click the microphone icon in the menu bar, select Mic Mode, and choose Voice Isolation. The feature then applies machine learning models to separate your voice from ambient noise. Because it runs at the operating system level, apps do not need to build specific support for it, though Apple's own apps like FaceTime take full advantage of it.

Supported apps and limitations. Voice Isolation works with FaceTime, Zoom, Microsoft Teams, Google Meet, WebEx, and most other apps that use standard macOS audio APIs. Some apps that bypass the standard audio pipeline may not support it. The feature requires a Mac with Apple silicon (M1 or later) or a Mac with a T2 chip, which covers most Macs sold since 2018.

Standard Isolation vs. Wide Spectrum. macOS also offers a "Wide Spectrum" mode that does the opposite of Voice Isolation: it picks up all sounds in the room, which is useful for music or group settings. Having both options available in the same menu gives you flexibility depending on the situation.

macOS Voice Isolation pricing

Voice Isolation is free and included with macOS. There is no subscription, no download, and no configuration required beyond selecting the mic mode during a call.

Who macOS Voice Isolation is best for. This is the simplest option for Mac users. If you work on a Mac with Apple silicon and primarily use mainstream communication apps, Voice Isolation provides effective noise cancellation with zero friction. The lack of a separate app to install and manage is a significant advantage for people who prefer minimal software on their machines.

Zoom noise suppression

Zoom includes its own noise suppression technology, which filters out background sounds during Zoom meetings. The feature has been available for several years and has improved through multiple updates.

How Zoom noise suppression works

Zoom's noise suppression runs within the Zoom app itself. You can access it through Settings, then Audio, where you will find a "Suppress background noise" option with four levels: Auto, Low, Medium, and High. The Auto setting adapts to your environment, while the High setting applies the most aggressive filtering. Most users find that Auto works well for typical home office environments.

Types of noise handled. Zoom's suppression is effective at removing intermittent noises like dog barks, door slams, and keyboard clicks. On the High setting, it also reduces continuous sounds like fans and air conditioning. The Auto setting is less aggressive with continuous noise, which means it preserves more natural sound quality but lets some background hum through.

Limitations within Zoom. The main drawback of Zoom's built-in suppression is that it only works within Zoom. If you use other communication platforms, you do not benefit from Zoom's processing on those calls. The feature also does not process incoming audio by default, so if someone else on the call has a noisy environment, you hear it unfiltered.

Zoom noise suppression pricing

Zoom's noise suppression is included with all Zoom plans, including the free tier. There is no additional cost to enable or use it.

Who Zoom noise suppression is best for. If Zoom is your primary or only communication platform, the built-in noise suppression is a convenient, zero-cost solution. It requires no additional software and works immediately. Teams that have standardized on Zoom and do not frequently use other meeting tools will find it sufficient for most situations.

Microsoft Teams noise suppression

Microsoft Teams includes AI-powered noise suppression that uses deep learning to distinguish speech from background noise. The feature has been available since 2020 and has received continued improvements.

How Teams noise suppression works

Teams' noise suppression is built into the desktop app and processes audio in real time. You can access it through Settings, then Devices, where you will find noise suppression options: Auto, High, Low, and Off. The High setting provides the most aggressive noise reduction, while Auto lets Teams decide the appropriate level based on detected noise.

AI-powered voice separation. Teams uses deep neural network models trained on a large dataset of speech and noise samples. The system learns to identify the characteristics of human speech and suppress everything else. This approach handles a wide variety of noises, from construction sounds to children playing to kitchen appliances. The processing runs locally on the device, so your audio data is not sent to Microsoft's servers for processing.

Integration with Teams features. Because noise suppression is part of Teams, it works seamlessly with other Teams capabilities like meeting recording, live captions, and transcription. If your organization uses Microsoft 365, the combination of Teams noise suppression with transcription and the Copilot meeting summary features creates a comprehensive meeting experience.

Teams noise suppression pricing

Noise suppression is included with all Microsoft Teams plans, including the free version. There is no additional cost.

Who Teams noise suppression is best for. Teams noise suppression is the natural choice for organizations that use Microsoft 365 and Teams as their primary collaboration platform. The deep integration with other Microsoft tools and the absence of any additional cost make it the most convenient option for Teams-centric workplaces.

How Fabric fits into your remote work setup

Noise cancellation solves the problem of being heard clearly on calls, but it does not solve the problem of remembering and organizing what was discussed. This is where Fabric comes in. Fabric is a workspace where remote workers can organize meeting notes, call transcripts, project context, and the many other pieces of information that accumulate throughout the workday.

AI Voice Notes for meetings

Fabric includes AI Voice Notes, a feature that lets you record meetings and get automatic transcriptions. You can capture a call, and Fabric will generate a searchable text transcript along with a summary of key points. This pairs well with any of the noise cancellation tools covered in this guide: clean audio going into a recording produces a more accurate transcript coming out.

From transcript to organized knowledge. Where Fabric goes beyond a simple recorder is in what happens after the transcription. You can file meeting notes alongside related project documents, tag them for easy retrieval, and connect them to tasks and action items. Instead of transcripts sitting in a folder somewhere, they become part of your working knowledge base.

Fabric pricing

Fabric offers a free tier for getting started. Paid plans are $8 per month when billed yearly or $10 per month on a monthly basis. The paid plans include expanded storage, additional AI features, and priority processing for voice notes and transcriptions.

Combining noise cancellation with Fabric

The best remote work audio setup combines a noise cancellation tool with a system for capturing and organizing what happens on calls. Use Krisp, NVIDIA Broadcast, or your platform's built-in suppression to ensure clear audio, then use Fabric to turn your meetings into searchable, organized records. This combination means you spend less time repeating information from previous calls and more time making progress on the work itself.

For more tools that complement your remote audio setup, see our guides to the best async video tool for teams and the best screen recorder for remote teams.

How to choose the right noise cancellation app

Consider your platform and hardware

Your operating system and hardware determine which options are available to you. Mac users with Apple silicon can use macOS Voice Isolation with no additional software. Windows users with NVIDIA GPUs get NVIDIA Broadcast for free. If you are on Windows without an NVIDIA card, or if you want a solution that works on both macOS and Windows, Krisp is the cross-platform option.

Consider how many apps you use for calls

If all your meetings happen in a single platform, the built-in noise suppression in Zoom or Teams may be all you need. If you switch between multiple platforms throughout the day, a system-level solution like Krisp, NVIDIA Broadcast, or macOS Voice Isolation provides consistent noise cancellation everywhere.

Consider your budget

Three of the five options covered here are completely free (NVIDIA Broadcast, macOS Voice Isolation, and the built-in tools in Zoom and Teams). Krisp's free tier covers 60 minutes per day, which works for light meeting schedules. The Pro plan at roughly $8 per month is reasonable for heavy meeting schedules. Most remote workers can find an effective solution without spending anything.

Consider what happens after the call

Noise cancellation ensures you are heard during the meeting. What happens to the information discussed is a separate problem. If you find yourself asking colleagues to repeat things from previous calls, or if action items slip through the cracks, adding a tool like Fabric alongside your noise cancellation app can make a significant difference.

Frequently asked questions

What is the best free noise cancellation app for remote work?

For Mac users, macOS Voice Isolation is the best free option because it requires no installation and works across most communication apps. For Windows users with an NVIDIA GPU, NVIDIA Broadcast is the top free choice, offering excellent noise removal along with video features. If you use only Zoom or Teams, their built-in suppression is free and effective.

Does Krisp work with all video conferencing apps?

Yes. Krisp creates virtual audio devices at the system level, so any app that lets you select a microphone and speaker can use Krisp. This includes Zoom, Microsoft Teams, Google Meet, Slack, Discord, WebEx, and many others.

Can I use noise cancellation on my phone?

Krisp offers a mobile app for iOS that provides noise cancellation for calls. macOS Voice Isolation is available only on Mac, not iPhone. Zoom and Teams both include noise suppression in their mobile apps, though the effectiveness may vary compared to their desktop versions.

Does noise cancellation affect my voice quality?

Most modern noise cancellation apps are designed to preserve voice clarity while removing background sounds. On aggressive settings, some tools may slightly alter the natural tone of your voice or create brief artifacts during loud background noises. Using the "Auto" setting in Zoom or Teams, or the default settings in Krisp, provides a good balance between noise removal and voice naturalness.

Do I need a special microphone for noise cancellation software to work?

No. Noise cancellation apps work with any microphone, including built-in laptop microphones, USB headsets, and Bluetooth earbuds. That said, starting with a decent microphone produces better results, since the software has cleaner input to work with.

Can I use Krisp and macOS Voice Isolation at the same time?

Running both simultaneously is possible but not recommended. Stacking two noise cancellation systems can create audio artifacts and reduce voice quality. Choose one or the other based on your preference.

Does NVIDIA Broadcast work with AMD GPUs?

No. NVIDIA Broadcast requires an NVIDIA RTX GPU and does not support AMD or Intel graphics hardware. AMD users should consider Krisp or their communication platform's built-in noise suppression.

Is Fabric free?

Yes, Fabric offers a free tier that lets you get started with the platform. For additional features including expanded AI capabilities and more storage, paid plans start at $8 per month (billed yearly) or $10 per month on a monthly basis.

How much CPU does noise cancellation software use?

Krisp and macOS Voice Isolation are both designed to use minimal CPU resources. Krisp typically uses 1 to 3 percent of CPU on modern hardware. NVIDIA Broadcast offloads processing to the GPU, so CPU impact is negligible. Built-in Zoom and Teams suppression adds minimal overhead to the apps' existing resource usage.

Can noise cancellation remove all background noise?

No noise cancellation app removes 100 percent of background sound in every situation. Very loud or sudden noises may briefly come through, and continuous noise at a similar frequency to human speech is harder to filter. However, all the tools covered here handle common remote work noises (typing, pets, household sounds, street traffic) effectively enough for professional calls.

What is the difference between noise cancellation and noise suppression?

These terms are often used interchangeably in the context of software. Both refer to the process of using algorithms to identify and reduce unwanted sounds from an audio signal. Some vendors prefer "cancellation" and others prefer "suppression," but the underlying technology and results are comparable.

Should I use noise cancellation if I already have a good headset?

A good headset with a directional microphone reduces background noise at the hardware level, but software noise cancellation adds another layer of filtering. The combination of a quality headset and noise cancellation software produces the cleanest audio. If your headset already blocks most noise, you may not notice a dramatic improvement, but software cancellation still helps with sounds the microphone picks up.