The short answer
- Choose Lufsonic to deliver files that meet a spec: drag and drop, choose the format (Netflix, EBU R128, ATSC, podcast, streaming…), export normalized files and reports, in batch, for $49.
- Choose Youlean to watch loudness in real time while you mix, with a very complete free version.
Measuring versus delivering
Youlean Loudness Meter is probably the most used LUFS meter in home studios, because its free version already covers the essentials: integrated, short-term and momentary loudness, true peak, LRA, PLR and DR, broadcast presets and very readable graphs. It is a plugin that measures what plays in your DAW. Lufsonic starts where the meter stops. Once you know your file is at -14 LUFS and the broadcaster asks for -23 LUFS and -1 dBTP, you still have to fix it. Lufsonic does that in three steps: drag the files, choose the delivery format, export.
| Lufsonic | Youlean Loudness Meter | |
|---|---|---|
| Type | Standalone app (macOS, Windows) | Meter plugin (VST, AU, AAX) |
| Real-time metering in the DAW | No, it works on files | Yes |
| File analysis | Drag and drop, fast background analysis | Drag and drop (Pro) |
| Normalization to a target | Yes, loudness and true peak | No, it measures |
| Batch processing | Yes, with exportable reports | One file at a time |
| Delivery formats | Netflix, EBU R128, ATSC, ARIB TR-B32, OP-59, TASA, AGCOM, France TV, Podcast, Streaming + custom | ITU-R BS.1770-4, EBU R128, ATSC A/85, OP-59, ARIB TR-B32, AGCOM, ASWG + streaming presets (Pro) |
| Readouts | Integrated, short-term, momentary, true peak, LRA | LU, integrated, true peak, LRA, PLR, DR |
| Reports | Exportable analysis reports | PDF, PNG, SVG export (Pro) |
| Price | $49 (instead of $98) | Free, Pro $49 (often $39) |
Where Youlean wins
- Real time: it measures in the DAW as you mix or master, so you can adjust the limiter while watching the values.
- A generous free version: film, TV and gaming presets, LU, integrated, true peak, LRA, PLR and DR, mono, stereo and 5.1.
- Graphs: loudness and true peak history, loudness distribution and, in Pro, a dynamics graph to spot an over-compressed mix.
- Pro extras: streaming presets, A/B states, PDF/PNG/SVG export and lifetime free updates.
Where Lufsonic wins
- It fixes, not just measures: normalization of loudness and true peak to the chosen target, without opening a DAW session.
- Delivery formats ready to use: Netflix, EBU R128, ATSC, ARIB TR-B32, OP-59, TASA, AGCOM, France TV, Podcast and Streaming, or your own LUFS and dBTP target.
- Batch: a whole album, a podcast season or all the episodes of a series in one pass, with exportable reports.
- Speed: three steps (drag, choose the format, export) and a fast background analysis.
Lufsonic
Analyze and normalize dozens of audio files in seconds.
$49 $98 -50%
Standalone app · Windows & macOS
See LufsonicWhich one is for you?
| Need | Our pick | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Watching loudness while mixing | Youlean | Real-time plugin, free version |
| Delivering to a broadcaster or Netflix | Lufsonic | Normalization to the spec and reports |
| Podcast with many episodes | Lufsonic | Batch processing and Podcast format |
| Mastering engineer | Both | Youlean on the master bus, Lufsonic to check and deliver the files |
| Zero budget | Youlean (free) | The free version already measures correctly |
2027 verdict
Youlean remains the best free meter to watch loudness in real time. Lufsonic answers the next question, delivering files that meet the spec: analysis, normalization, delivery formats, batch and reports, for $49. Many studios will use both. See also our best loudness meters of 2027 and the best broadcast loudness tools.
Frequently asked questions
Is Lufsonic better than Youlean Loudness Meter?
They do different jobs. Youlean is a loudness meter plugin: it measures in real time in your DAW, with a free version and a Pro version. Lufsonic is a standalone app that analyzes your files and normalizes them to a delivery target (Netflix, EBU R128, ATSC, ARIB TR-B32, OP-59, podcast, streaming or custom LUFS and dBTP), in batch, with exportable reports, for $49.
Is Youlean Loudness Meter free?
Yes, there is a free version with film, TV and gaming presets, LU, integrated, true peak, LRA, PLR and DR readouts, and mono, stereo and 5.1. The Pro version adds streaming presets, the dynamics graph, PDF/PNG/SVG export, custom presets and drag and drop analysis.
Which one should I use to deliver files to a broadcaster or a platform?
Lufsonic, because it does not just measure: you choose the delivery format and it normalizes the files to the target loudness and true peak, then exports them with a report.