Frequently asked questions.
Everything people ask before downloading: pricing, permissions, compatibility and how it differs from other Mac audio tools.
Why is it called Potar?
“Potar” comes from “potard”, French sound engineers' and musicians' slang for a potentiometer: the knob that sets the volume or panning on an amp or a mixing desk. The idea: give every macOS app its own knob.
Is it really free?
Yes, completely. Routing, volume up to 200%, mute, solo, the keyboard HUD, dual output and browser tabs are all free. No account, no subscription, no paid version.
Do I need a driver or an extension?
No driver for per-app routing. For browser tabs, an optional Chrome extension gives you finer control, especially for Web Audio and iframes.
Can I control browser tabs?
Yes, in beta: turn on “Separate tabs” in Settings → Browsers. Chrome, Safari and other well-known browsers then show YouTube, Spotify web and the like as separate sources as soon as they play. Volume, mute and output can be set per tab when the browser allows it: Safari shares one output, Chrome goes further with the optional extension.
Can I control playback from Potar?
Potar shows what's playing and offers playback controls for compatible apps such as Music, Spotify or VLC. macOS may ask you to allow Potar to control each of these apps.
Which permission does it ask for, and why “Audio Recording”?
To route the sound of other apps, Potar asks for the “System Audio Recording” permission. It gives no access to your microphone. macOS may also ask for an automation permission for media controls and browser tabs.
Does it work with Zoom / FaceTime?
Not reliably yet, support is in progress. I'd rather tell you before you download.
Will there be updates?
Yes. Updates are free and install automatically, without interrupting what you're listening to.
How do I play Spotify on my speakers and Discord in my headphones at the same time on a Mac?
Download Potar, open it, then give each app a different output right from its interface. Spotify on the speakers, Discord in the headphones: both play at the same time, independently.
What's the difference between Potar and Loopback or BlackHole?
Loopback and BlackHole are virtual audio drivers built for professional routing and recording: they need technical setup. Potar is a free per-app control app, with no driver, built for everyday use: pick the output and set the volume of each app in seconds.
Which version of macOS do I need?
Potar requires macOS 14.2 (Sonoma) or later. Its look adapts to your macOS version; native Liquid Glass is available from macOS 26.
Can Potar slow down my Mac?
No. Potar uses macOS's native CoreAudio API: no audio goes through a virtual driver. CPU usage is negligible.
How do I set a different volume for each app on a Mac?
macOS has no built-in per-app volume. Potar adds it: a dedicated fader for each app, adjustable any time, without touching the system volume.
Send every app where you want.
Free, no account needed. For macOS 14.2 or later.