Focusrite Scarlett 18i20 3rd Gen vs Audient iD24
Focusrite Scarlett 18i20 3rd Gen vs Audient iD24 compared — specs, features, and which one to buy for your setup. See the full breakdown on CreatorConfig.
The Ruling
Focusrite Scarlett 18i20 3rd Gen or Audient iD24? It is a toss-up — take the Focusrite Scarlett 18i20 3rd Gen.
Neither one leads on more of the chart than the other: the Focusrite Scarlett 18i20 3rd Gen takes Audio Resolution and Connectivity, the Audient iD24 takes Preamps and Creator Features. With the trade even, $249.01 is the tiebreaker, and the Focusrite Scarlett 18i20 3rd Gen is the cheaper side of it.
Unless…
- You need preamps and creator features — get the Audient iD24.
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 | Focusrite Scarlett 18i20 3rd Gen | Audient iD24 |
|---|---|---|
| Audio Resolution | 10/10 | 7.5/10 |
| Preamps | 8.8/10 | 10/10 |
| Mic Inputs | 10/10 | 10/10 |
| Monitoring | 10/10 | 10/10 |
| Creator Features | 5/10 | 10/10 |
| Connectivity | 10/10 | 4/10 |
The Split
What each one wins
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. It is the cheaper of the two, by $249.01.
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.
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. That costs $249.01 more than the Focusrite Scarlett 18i20 3rd Gen.
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.
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 Focusrite Scarlett 18i20 3rd Gen 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 Focusrite Scarlett 18i20 3rd Gen and Audient iD24?
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 Focusrite and Audient, each taking a different approach to audio quality and I/O flexibility.
Which is better for streaming, Focusrite Scarlett 18i20 3rd Gen or Audient iD24?
It is a toss-up — take the Focusrite Scarlett 18i20 3rd Gen. Neither one leads on more of the chart than the other: the Focusrite Scarlett 18i20 3rd Gen takes Audio Resolution and Connectivity, the Audient iD24 takes Preamps and Creator Features. With the trade even, $249.01 is the tiebreaker, and the Focusrite Scarlett 18i20 3rd Gen is the cheaper side of it.
What do the Focusrite Scarlett 18i20 3rd Gen and Audient iD24 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 Audient iD24 worth the extra $249 over the Focusrite Scarlett 18i20 3rd Gen?
The Audient iD24 costs $399.00 against $149.99, a difference of $249. The premium buys loopback (Yes), bus powered (Yes) and preamp gain (68dB). Whether that is worth it depends on which of those you would actually use.