The software patent on LAME encoding library has expired, so now the LAME library for MP3 export is built-in with Audacity for Windows and Mac. Linux users will still need to download and install the free and recommended LAME third-party encoder to export MP3 files from Audacity.
Linux users should use the following instructions to download and install the free and recommended LAME third-party encoder to export MP3 files with Audacity.
Windows: LAME is now built-in with Audacity for Windows.
Mac: LAME is now built-in with Audacity for Mac.
Linux/Unix: See the LAME installation section on Installing and updating Audacity on Linux.
Maybe apps will finally feel free to bundle LAME instead of forcing you to download it externally!
Oh man, I remember my early struggles with EAC as a teen.
I downloaded Audacity on a friends Windows PC yesterday, and it allowed me to export MP3 without asking for any other steps!
From Audacity’s website: