Audex Trace vs LosslessSwitcher: what's different.
LosslessSwitcher is a useful free tool for automatic sample-rate switching. Trace is for Apple Music listeners who also want to see what is playing, whether the output matches, and what is coming up next.
If automatic switching is all you need, use LosslessSwitcher.
LosslessSwitcher is a useful tool. It is open source, free, and does the one thing most people want: it switches your DAC's sample rate to match what Apple Music is playing. If automatic switching is all you need, use LosslessSwitcher. You do not need to pay for that.
Trace is built around visibility.
LosslessSwitcher is built around automatic sample rate switching. Trace is built around visibility: the codec, sample rate, and bit depth of what is playing, whether your output matches it, and what is coming up next. It switches too.
What each tool is built to show.
| Feature | Audex Trace | LosslessSwitcher |
|---|---|---|
| Menu bar sample rate display | Yes | Yes |
| Full playback readout (codec / sample rate / bit depth) | Yes | Partial: sample rate and optional bit depth, no codec readout |
| Output device and sample rate match display | Yes | No |
| Queue quality estimates | Yes | No |
| Skip-risk indication | Yes | No |
| Automatic sample rate switching | Yes | Yes |
| Price | $29.99 one-time | Free, open source |
Trace requires macOS 15 or later.
Check your own Mac before paying.
Readout accuracy depends on your setup. Detection behavior varies across DACs, interfaces, and configurations.
That is why Trace ships free Playback Verification. Download it, play a few tracks, and compare what Trace reports against your DAC's own display. If the numbers match on your Mac with your hardware, buy the full app with confidence. If they do not, you do not need to pay. You verify on your own equipment before spending anything.
Download Audex Trace, play a track in Apple Music, and confirm detection support on your own Mac before buying Pro.
Choose based on the workflow you actually need.
| Use LosslessSwitcher if | Trace is for you if |
|---|---|
| Automatic sample rate switching is all you want. | You want to see the actual codec, sample rate, and bit depth of what is playing, not just trust that it is lossless. |
| You prefer free, open-source tools. | You want confirmation that your output device matches the source. |
| You already trust your setup and do not need to see what is playing. | You want queue quality and skip-risk visibility before a track plays. |
| You do not need a paid Apple Music companion app. | You are willing to pay $29.99 once, after verifying detection works on your own hardware. |
Verify playback before buying Pro.
Audex Trace is a macOS Apple Music companion for listeners who care about Lossless and Hi-Res playback details. It does not modify, enhance, record, or upload audio. The free download includes Playback Verification so you can confirm support on your own Mac before paying.
Want to test your own Mac?
Download Audex Trace, play Apple Music, and verify playback. If it does not fit your setup, you do not need to buy Pro.