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Ableton Live alternatives

Top Audio Editing & Music Production like Ableton Live

The most popular alternative to Ableton Live is FL Studio. Other great alternatives to Ableton Live are Logic Pro, BandLab, REAPER, and Pro Tools.

Most alternatives to Ableton Live are in the Audio Editing & Music Production category, compared here by price, platform and features.

Ableton Live alternatives
AllFreeOpen source
8 apps

All Ableton Live alternatives

  1. FL Studio

    3.8(620) · Mac App Store

    FL Studio is a digital audio workstation from Image-Line, known for its fast pattern-based workflow, step sequencer and piano roll, widely used by hip-hop and electronic producers. It includes many instruments and effects, supports VST plugins and runs on Windows and macOS. Every edition comes with lifetime free updates, and the trial is unlimited in time but cannot reopen saved projects.

    7 FL Studio alternatives

    Pros

    • Step sequencer and piano roll make beat-making very fast
    • Every edition comes with lifetime free updates
    • Many instruments and effects included out of the box

    Cons

    • Recording and editing live instruments feels less natural than in linear DAWs
    • The trial cannot reopen saved projects
    Cost / License
    Free trialProprietary
    Categories
    Audio Editing & Music Production
    Platforms
    WindowsMac
    Features
    MIDI supportMulti-track timelineVST plugins
    Visit websiteMore about FL Studio

  2. Logic Pro

    4.5(6.3K) · App Store

    Logic Pro is Apple's digital audio workstation for recording, producing and mixing music on Mac, with a touch-optimized version for iPad. It ships with a large library of instruments, loops and effects, AI-assisted Session Players and stem splitting, plus Dolby Atmos spatial audio mixing. It opens GarageBand projects and is available on the App Store, with a free trial on Mac.

    8 Logic Pro alternatives

    Pros

    • Huge bundled library of instruments, loops and effects
    • The Mac version is a one-time purchase rather than a subscription
    • Dolby Atmos mixing, Session Players and stem splitting built in

    Cons

    • Mac and iPad only, so projects cannot move to Windows collaborators
    • Deep feature set takes time to master
    Cost / License
    Free trialProprietary
    Categories
    Audio Editing & Music Production
    Platforms
    MaciPhone
    Features
    MIDI supportMulti-track timelinePlugins & extensions
    Visit websiteMore about Logic Pro

  3. BandLab

    4.7(508.9K) · App Store

    BandLab is a free, cloud-based music creation platform with a multi-track studio that works in the browser and on iOS and Android. Musicians can record, use loops and virtual instruments, collaborate on projects with others and publish songs to a built-in community. Core features are free, with an optional membership for extra tools and distribution services.

    8 BandLab alternatives

    Pros

    • Free multitrack studio in the browser and on mobile
    • Easy collaboration on songs with other musicians
    • Built-in community to publish and discover songs

    Cons

    • Fewer advanced mixing and editing tools than desktop DAWs
    • Cloud-based workflow depends on a good internet connection
    Cost / License
    FreemiumProprietary
    Categories
    Audio Editing & Music Production
    Platforms
    WebiPhoneAndroid
    Features
    Cross-device syncMIDI supportMulti-track timelineTeam collaboration
    Visit websiteMore about BandLab

  4. REAPER

    REAPER is a digital audio workstation from Cockos for recording, editing, mixing and mastering audio and MIDI. It is known for its small installer, efficient performance, deep customization through scripts and themes, and wide plugin support. It runs on Windows, macOS and Linux and offers a fully functional 60-day evaluation before a license is required.

    11 REAPER alternatives

    Pros

    • Small, efficient app that runs well on modest hardware
    • Deeply customizable with scripts, actions and themes
    • Fully functional evaluation before you buy a license

    Cons

    • Default interface looks plain and takes setup to feel comfortable
    • Few bundled instruments and sounds compared with other DAWs
    Cost / License
    Free trialProprietary
    Categories
    Audio Editing & Music Production
    Platforms
    WindowsMacLinux
    Features
    MIDI supportMulti-track timelineVST plugins
    Visit websiteMore about REAPER

  5. Pro Tools

    Pro Tools is Avid's digital audio workstation, long established in recording studios and in film and television post-production. It covers multitrack recording, precise audio editing, MIDI and mixing up to Dolby Atmos, and works with Avid control surfaces and AAX plugins. It runs on Windows and macOS, with a free Pro Tools Intro edition and Artist, Studio and Ultimate subscriptions.

    6 Pro Tools alternatives

    Pros

    • Industry standard in recording studios and post-production
    • Precise audio editing and a mature mixing workflow
    • Tight integration with Avid control surfaces and Dolby Atmos mixing

    Cons

    • Paid editions are expensive, especially Studio and Ultimate
    • Supports AAX plugins only, not VST
    • The free Intro edition is limited in tracks and features
    Cost / License
    FreemiumProprietary
    Categories
    Audio Editing & Music Production
    Platforms
    WindowsMac
    Features
    MIDI supportMulti-track timelinePlugins & extensions
    Visit websiteMore about Pro Tools

  6. LMMS

    10.5Kstars

    LMMS is a free, open source digital audio workstation for composing music on Windows, macOS and Linux. It provides a song editor, a beat and bassline editor, a piano roll and built-in synthesizers and samplers, and it can load VST instruments on Windows and Linux. It is a common starting point for beginners and hobbyists who want a no-cost alternative to FL Studio.

    8 LMMS alternatives

    Pros

    • Free and open source on Windows, macOS and Linux
    • Beat and bassline editor and piano roll suit electronic music beginners
    • Built-in synthesizers and samplers to start without extra plugins

    Cons

    • Audio recording is very limited, as it focuses on sequencing
    • VST instruments are not supported on macOS
    • Interface feels dated next to commercial DAWs
    Cost / License
    FreeOpen source
    Categories
    Audio Editing & Music Production
    Platforms
    WindowsMacLinux
    Features
    MIDI supportMulti-track timelineVST plugins
    Visit websiteMore about LMMS

  7. GarageBand

    4.1(117.7K) · App Store

    GarageBand is Apple's free app for making music and recording audio on Mac, iPhone and iPad. It includes virtual instruments, a sound library with loops, guitar amp simulations, a virtual drummer and multi-track recording, along with piano and guitar lessons on Mac. Projects open in Logic Pro when users need more advanced production tools.

    8 GarageBand alternatives

    Pros

    • Free, with a friendly interface for beginners
    • Virtual drummer, loops and amp simulations get ideas down quickly
    • Projects open in Logic Pro when you need more power

    Cons

    • Apple devices only, with no Windows or Android version
    • Limited mixing, automation and routing for serious production
    Cost / License
    FreeProprietary
    Categories
    Audio Editing & Music Production
    Platforms
    MaciPhone
    Features
    MIDI supportMulti-track timelinePlugins & extensions
    Visit websiteMore about GarageBand

  8. Adobe Audition

    Adobe Audition is a digital audio workstation for editing, mixing and restoring audio, aimed at podcasters, broadcasters and video editors. It combines waveform and multitrack editing with a spectral frequency display, noise reduction, loudness tools and Essential Sound presets. It integrates with Premiere Pro and is included in Creative Cloud for Windows and macOS.

    9 Adobe Audition alternatives

    Pros

    • Spectral frequency display allows precise noise and click removal
    • Strong restoration and loudness tools for podcasts and broadcast
    • Smooth round-trips with Premiere Pro for video projects

    Cons

    • Only available by subscription through Creative Cloud
    • Little support for MIDI or music composition compared with a full DAW
    Cost / License
    Free trialProprietary
    Categories
    Audio Editing & Music Production
    Platforms
    WindowsMac
    Features
    Multi-track timelineNoise cancellationRemote podcast recordingVST plugins
    Visit websiteMore about Adobe Audition

Ableton Live vs its alternatives at a glance

Pricing, platforms and the key features of Ableton Live, compared with its most popular alternatives.

Ableton Live vs its alternatives at a glance
AppPricingPlatformsMIDI supportMulti-track timelineVST plugins
Ableton LiveFree trialWindows, Mac
FL StudioFree trialWindows, Mac
Logic ProFree trialMac, iPhone
BandLabFreemiumWeb, iPhone, Android
REAPERFree trialWindows, Mac, Linux
Pro ToolsFreemiumWindows, Mac

Ableton Live alternatives: frequently asked questions

What is the best alternative to Ableton Live?

The most popular alternative to Ableton Live is FL Studio: Pattern-based music production software from Image-Line. Other great alternatives are Logic Pro, BandLab, REAPER, and Pro Tools.

Is there a free alternative to Ableton Live?

Yes, 4 alternatives are free or have a free plan, including BandLab, Pro Tools, LMMS, and GarageBand.

Is there an open source alternative to Ableton Live?

Yes, one open source alternative is listed: LMMS.

Is Ableton Live free?

Ableton Live is a paid app that offers a free trial.

Compare Ableton Live with its alternatives

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