Audient iD24 vs Focusrite Scarlett 18i20 3rd Gen
Audient iD24 vs Focusrite Scarlett 18i20 3rd Gen: It is a toss-up, take the Audient iD24. Neither one leads on more of the chart than the other: the...
The Ruling
Audient iD24 or Focusrite Scarlett 18i20 3rd Gen? It is a toss-up — take the Audient iD24.
Neither one leads on more of the chart than the other: the Audient iD24 takes Preamps and Creator Features, the Focusrite Scarlett 18i20 3rd Gen takes Audio Resolution and Connectivity. With the trade even, $105 is the tiebreaker, and the Audient iD24 is the cheaper side of it.
Unless…
- You need audio resolution and connectivity — get the Focusrite Scarlett 18i20 3rd Gen.
At a Glance
Where each one actually leads
Every axis is scored out of 10 from the catalog specs below. The scores are relative to the products on this page, so a 10 means “best of these”, not “perfect”, and two identical columns mean the catalog genuinely cannot separate them. Axes the catalog holds no figure for on both sides are left off entirely rather than guessed at.
| Category | Audient iD24 | Focusrite Scarlett 18i20 3rd Gen |
|---|---|---|
| Audio Resolution | 7.5/10 | 10/10 |
| Preamps | 10/10 | 8.8/10 |
| Mic Inputs | 10/10 | 10/10 |
| Monitoring | 10/10 | 10/10 |
| Creator Features | 10/10 | 5/10 |
| Connectivity | 4/10 | 10/10 |
The Split
What each one wins
Audient iD24
Pro-level USB-C audio interface with strong preamps, monitor control, and expandable I/O.
On paper the Audient iD24 takes loopback (Yes), bus powered (Yes) and preamp gain (68dB, +8dB). It gives up TRS outputs and sample rate to the Focusrite Scarlett 18i20 3rd Gen. It is the cheaper of the two, by $105.00.
Leads on
-
LoopbackYesNo
Loopback routes computer audio back into the stream without a second interface or cable.
-
Bus PoweredYesNo
Bus power means the interface runs off USB alone — no wall adapter to carry or find a socket for.
-
Preamp Gain +8dB68dB60dB
More gain drives quiet dynamic microphones like the SM7B without a separate booster.
Focusrite Scarlett 18i20 3rd Gen
Desktop audio interface intended for creator workflows, microphone input, monitoring, and clean signal routing.
On paper the Focusrite Scarlett 18i20 3rd Gen takes TRS outputs (10, +6) and sample rate (192kHz, +96kHz). It gives up loopback and bus powered to the Audient iD24. That costs $105.00 more than the Audient iD24.
Leads on
-
TRS Outputs +6104
More TRS outputs allow routing to studio monitors and outboard gear.
-
Sample Rate +96kHz192kHz96kHz
Higher sample rates capture more audio detail — important for professional recording and mixing.
Where they’re identical
These 7 specs are the same on both of them, so none of it is part of the decision.
- Connection Type usb-c, xlr, trs
- Bit Depth 24-bit
- Phantom Power Yes
- XLR Inputs 2
- Headphone Outputs 2
- Direct Monitoring Yes
- ADAT Expansion Yes
The Record
19 specs, grouped by area
A group is won by whoever takes more of its rows outright. Specs the catalog cannot rank are shown but never decide a group.
Bottom Line
Who each one is for
The Audient iD24 is the pick on the specs the catalog holds, but “better on paper” and “right for you” are different questions. Each case below names what the product is actually good at and who that suits.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the main difference between Audient iD24 and Focusrite Scarlett 18i20 3rd Gen?
The clearest difference is loopback, which the Audient iD24 has and the Focusrite Scarlett 18i20 3rd Gen does not. Across the catalog's specification sheet the two differ on 5 specs. They match on 7 specs, including connection type, bit depth and phantom power. Two audio interfaces from Audient and Focusrite, each taking a different approach to audio quality and I/O flexibility.
Which is better for streaming, Audient iD24 or Focusrite Scarlett 18i20 3rd Gen?
It is a toss-up — take the Audient iD24. Neither one leads on more of the chart than the other: the Audient iD24 takes Preamps and Creator Features, the Focusrite Scarlett 18i20 3rd Gen takes Audio Resolution and Connectivity. With the trade even, $105 is the tiebreaker, and the Audient iD24 is the cheaper side of it.
What do the Audient iD24 and Focusrite Scarlett 18i20 3rd Gen have in common?
Both share 7 specifications in the catalog, including connection type (usb-c, xlr, trs), bit depth (24-bit), phantom power (Yes) and XLR inputs (2), among others. None of those is a reason to pick one over the other.
Is the Focusrite Scarlett 18i20 3rd Gen worth the extra $105 over the Audient iD24?
The Focusrite Scarlett 18i20 3rd Gen costs $599.99 against $494.99, a difference of $105. The premium buys TRS outputs (10) and sample rate (192kHz). Whether that is worth it depends on which of those you would actually use.