Best Free Daw For Mac

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What is the best free DAW for beginners? DAW is the abbreviation of digital audio workstation, which means some electronic devices or applications that can help people with audio file recording, editing, producing, and post-producing. So the DAW software refers in particular to the software category of DAW. If you have more interest in it, you can click here to the Wikipedia page for more details.

However, in this guide, the main job of ours is to figure out what DAW software can be the best option. And in the following, we have collected 7 trustworthy ones, free and paid. Now let's dive right in.

Ableton live lite. Here is our top 10 list of free DAWs, with more detailed information about each one: 1. If you own a Mac, iPhone or iPad then you can download Garageband absolutely free. Garageband is a stripped down version of Apple’s Professional DAW Logic Pro X ($199). The best thing is its built on 64Bit architecture hence deliver a crystal clear sound quality. I recommend it as the best free DAW software in the universe. Cakewalk by BandLab Features. 20 Best FREE DAW Software for Windows & Mac in 2021. Best free DAW for Mac: GarageBand. Supported platforms: Mac only.

1. Apple GarageBand (Free)

Available on Mac.

Best for Beginners (It is the simplified version of Apple Logic Pro, which is suitable for the professionals).

GarageBand is arguably the easiest free DAW software to get started on Mac. It is designed to be extremely low in ease of use, and each version upgrade will bring more features. In the future, if you plan to use Apple Logic Pro, it can be a good start with GarageBand.

Since we will make a detailed introduction to the Logic Pro, here we just do not show you the features of GarageBand, and you will learn about them in the following part.

2. Avid Pro Tools First (Free)

Available on Windows & Mac.

Best for Beginners (There are paid versions of Pro Tools and Pro Tools Ultimate for the professional users).

Avid Pro Tools series must be the free DAW software that most widely used, developed by Digidesign in 1989 and later acquired by Avid. This series has three unique DAW applications, Pro Tools First, Pro Tools, and Pro Tools Ultimate.

At present, most recording studios in the world use the Pro Tools Ultimate. Pro Tools Ultimate will make file interaction much better than others. And the big reason for Pro Tools Ultimate becomes mainstream is that its system brings better sound quality and smaller delay with the help of the hardware. Its more powerful computing power makes itself nearly unbeaten today. It also has a Dolby panoramic sound plug-in built-in, which has better compatibility in making movies. So if you have no problem with the budget, we would highly recommend this Ultimate version for you.

However, there is also a free version available to users, which we have mentioned above, ie, the Pro Tools First. Of course, the free version cannot have some limited functions which are only accessible in the Ultimate one. But this does not stop it from being a good DAW software for beginners.

Features

Pro Tools First makes composing music and working on large audio post-production projects much easier than ever. And it also does a great job of improving your creative efficiency, like the massive new MIDI enhancements, batch file renaming, etc.

You can share tracks and complete projects with anyone, anytime, anywhere, just like working in the same studio, with Avid Pro Tools cloud collaboration. There can be up to 10 users to work together. Create, communicate, and collaborate with industry professionals around the world.

Pro Tools enables you to create masterpieces faster than you think, including jobs like music creation based on a powerful new loop, experimenting with ideas through revision history, a bunch of post-production tasks, and more. That's why top artists, musicians, producers, mixers, engineers, sound designers, recording studio workers, and post-production agencies choose Pro Tools for every task.

Pro Tools comes with over 60 great virtual instruments, special effects, and sound processing plug-ins to get you the best sound. Besides, the paid versions provide another 17 free add-ons to enjoy.

3. Steinberg Cubase LE (Free)

Best Free Daw For Mac

Available on Windows & Mac.

Best for Beginners (There are paid versions of Cubase Pro, Cubase Artist, Cubase Elements, Cubase AI for different users with different skill-level and requirements).

Steinberg Cubase brand is also a popular free DAW software, developed by Steinberg in 1989 (later acquired by Yamaha). Cubase is divided into five versions of Elements, Artists, Pro, AI, and the LE free version.

Features

In terms of the arrangement, Cubase's large number of shortcut keys and unique features make it a favorite for the arrangers. A large number of loops also speed up the creation speed. There are also a large number of built-in audio source plug-ins that can give you a lot of choice space.

Another great advantage of Cubase is the built-in pitch correction function, which can be directly used to correct the human voice. This is also a great advantage for DEMO producers because the current other mainstream tuning plug-in is not cheap.

When it comes to Cubase, Nuendo has to be mentioned. The difference between Nuendo and Cubase is that there are more production tools for Nuendo. Steinberg official defines that Nuendo is for video sound production and game sound production. Under the same hardware conditions, the sound quality of Cubase Pro and Nuendo should be the same.

4. Cakewalk SONAR (Free Trial for 30 Days)

Available on Windows.

Best for Professionals.

SONAR is released from Cakewalk in 2017. It is a new generation of all-around super music workstations, providing a large number of practical audio-related functions and plug-ins. It also provides integrated production of MIDI, audio, and sound source (synthesizer).

This latest upgrade of SONAR is quite satisfactory. We can see the previous classic Sonar interface in the SONAR X3 version. This new change is obviously on the screen display, which can make you more clear at a glance, such as the integration of smart comping, VST 3, Gobbler and Melodyne Essential. And many new plug-ins make people feel a bit dazzling. The integration of Melodyne vocals in the audio editor can also be regarded as an improvement of the original algorithm and quality from the previous V-Vocal (and Pirates stripped Roland 's assets).

Features

A great tool built into SONAR is the background noise detector that can be added using the VST plug-in mode. Previously, Sonar's detectors took longer to start up. Now, SONAR can directly launch the VST plug-in for background noise detection after you open the project file, which is very convenient.

Although Steinberg is currently promoting the newer third-generation plug-in, most of us are still happy to use the VST 2 plug-in. As the Cakewalk at the forefront of the times, SONAR is fully compatible with VST 3 plug-ins. You can view these plug-ins from their user manual. And if you upgrade a certain plug-in to the VST 3 version, then in any project file, this plug-in will be automatically upgraded to the VST 3 version.

Like its many competitors, Cakewalk has released different versions of its digital audio workstations. The Producer version is a high-quality version of SONAR. Although there are some differences between the X3, X3 Studio, and X3 Producer, they no longer have any limit on the number of tracks. In other words, all three different versions of the software can overlay MIDI tracks and audio tracks indefinitely. Besides, all three versions also provide an unlimited number of effects to load and send, and support 64-bit bit rates.

When a video is becoming more mainstream, audio alone is often not enough, but thankfully we have something like YouTube that allows us to hear (or see) these musicians and their music. Sonar developers certainly won't ignore this. You can send your video (or audio) directly to YouTube through Sonar's control bar, which is simple and convenient.

SONAR Tone2's virtual instruments and effects are always so distinctive and very aggressive. X3 Producer users will find the exaggerated BiFilter filter in Tone2's rack-effect plug. This excellent filter can provide that kind of retro-style voltage sound and the sound of manic FM radio, with some distorted signals of the dirty dial sound, it sounds very enjoyable.

SONAR Gobbler allows musicians to use cloud data management to share and store their data files and project files. Now this service has been integrated into Sonar's control bar. You can have a 5GB cloud database for free, which makes it very convenient for you to work with many music people who have never met before.

5. Apple Logic Pro (Paid)

Available on Mac.

Best for Professionals.

Apple Logic Pro probably is the most comprehensive DAW software, developed by Apple. It has a large number of practical effects and sound source plug-ins, as well as very useful features such as Smart Drummer. If you want one DAW software to solve all problems related to audio, then Logic Pro is a good choice.

Whether you want to produce soundtracks in a professional recording studio, or you are an ambitious musician, Logic Pro X has the tools you need to create, edit, and deliver your great music.

Features

The Logic Pro X builds a complete recording and MIDI studio on your Mac. It provides you with the ideal creative environment for writing music, mixing, and then broadcasting worldwide. And the intuitive interface makes these tools at your fingertips.

Logic Pro X is equipped with a large number of instruments and special effects plug-ins. And the sound library is created by the world's top sound designers, bringing you thousands of patches and Apple Loops. Whether it's retouching the melody, playing Trap beats, or building a Big Drop, you can freely express your creativity with it.

GarageBand projects can be also opened in Logic Pro, so you can resume work directly from where you left off in GarageBand.

You can wirelessly play any software instrument in Logic Pro X on your iPad Pro, iPad or iPhone, and easily shape your voice anytime, anywhere, with the help of Logic Remote. iPad Pro version of Logic Remote can take advantage of the large screen, let you touch ease playing musical instruments, the melodious tune of the mix, as well as access to a variety of keyboard commands. Logic Remote is also available on the iPhone. Controlling your recording session anytime, anywhere will become a breeze.

Best free daw for mac 2021

6. MOTU Digital Performer (Paid)

Available on Windows and macOS.

Best for Professionals.

Digital Performer is an audio editing and digital music mixing tool, with features like sequence editing options, audio enhancement, MIDI support, and a wide range of options and tools for users. Besides, users can use virtual instruments to work hard to create original sounds and mixes. The editing feature of digital performances enables them to generate new music or customize existing sounds with minimal effort. You can insert, reshape, edit, and loop songs with MIDI Editor, Drum Editor, Symbol Editor, Sequence Editor or Waveform Editor.

Developed by synthesizer Erik Norlander, this exciting new soundbank spans the EDM spectrum. You can find the presets that inspire you, and then define your unique sound with a little adjustment.

It can turn your guitar into a synthesizer. MegaSynth combines polyphonic octave generation with flexible signal routing, envelopes, LFOS, pattern generators, and macros. Enter your guitar - or any signal - and let the synthesis chaos begin.

Digital Performer is loaded with new features to speed up your workflow and stimulate your creativity. The new ZTX PRO technology from Zynaptiq can slow down, speed up or convert any type of audio material, from solo vocals to full mixing, or everything in between. Digital Performer also seamlessly uses ZTX PRO technology to convert many audios, like pencil tool pitch correction, octave doubling, adjustment to global speed changes, etc. giving you unprecedented creative flexibility and impressiveness quality.

Digital Performer's online tone editing capabilities set the standard for the industry. Now Digital Performer does this again using the relative pitch mode, you can use pitch, swing up and down for tone editing.

Its mixing automation feature can increase the flat blending of life, letting it breathe the tide of music and the flow of tracks. The automation channel displays each type of automation data - volume, pan, plug-in settings, such as filter cutoff - the master track below your lane, allowing you to complete the dialing in your automatic combination. It shows as many lanes as you like to display any type of automation data, audio track, instrument track and MIDI track you want.

Digital Performer displays the spectral content of each track and its waveform directly in the Sequence Editor timeline. This will give you a colorful, colorful video representation where you can show the frequency content of your tracks as well as the entire combination in the context of the surrounding tracks. The spectrum display will undoubtedly help you effectively balance and manage the frequency content of your mix. Choose from a dozen compelling color schemes.

Digital Performer new MusicXML export function can transfer the beautiful symbols of QuickScribe to other MusicXML proficient symbol programs, such as Finale and Sibelius, while retaining elegant recordings of QuickScribe, including main signatures, meter changes, dynamic tags, lyrics, conversions, even tag text.

With Digital Performer, you can effectively manage plug-ins to maximize your computer's performance.

7. FL Studio (Paid)

Available on Windows and macOS.

Best for Professionals.

FL Studio is 'Fruity Loops Studio, a versatile music production environment or a digital audio workstation (DAW). FL Studio can arrange, edit, record, and mix, making your computer a full-featured recording studio.

Features

FL Studio is 100% vectorized for better use on 4K, 5K and even 8K monitors, and keeps the 9 Mixer. And more details below,

  • Completely redesigned mixer, dynamic scaling, with 6 layout styles, plus 3 user-defined panels to manage audio tracks.
  • Multi-fader selection and adjustment.
  • The track group of the mixer.
  • Multi-touch support.
  • 10 effect slots per track.

FL Studio Fruit is undoubtedly the first choice for electronic music production. It has many built-in electronic synthesis sounds. Besides, Harmless and Harmor two heavy-weight synthetic sounds give more choices to electronic sounds. And more full of personality effects Plug-ins such as Grossbeat, Pitcher, Newtone, Vocodex can make personalized rhythms, vocal effects, and support loop stitching.

FL Studio does not have high requirements for computers and corresponding configurations and can be flexibly applied in different devices.

FL Studio can support the production of various music types, and no restrictions on music types. In addition to the best electronic music, you can also create popular music, classical music, folk music, country music, jazz, etc.

Making music with digital tools doesn’t have to be expensive.

In fact, you can do practically every important task in music production using free software.


You might have already seen free VST effects and virtual instruments available online.

You’ll definitely need a good selection of those, but the first and most important tool to make music is your DAW.

But finding a free DAW that does everything you need for your workflow can be challenging. There are lots of them out there, each with different features and limitations.

Even so, there are plenty of great freeware DAW options if you know where to look.

In this article I’ll go through the best free DAWs and help you find the one that works for you.

Free DAWs vs Paid DAWs

Before you start looking for a free DAW you should consider your needs to make sure freeware is the right choice.

There are plenty of effective free DAWs out there, but many of them have reduced features and functions compared to full-fledged DAWs.

There are plenty of effective free DAWs out there, but many of them have reduced features and functions compared to full-fledged DAWs.

A free DAW is perfect for you if:

  • You just want to try out music production with a basic DAW
  • You absolutely can’t stretch your DAW budget at all
  • You only need a DAW for a few parts of your workflow

Many of the apps I’ll be including on this list are free versions of respected pro DAWs. These are perfect if you think you plan to purchase a full DAW eventually and just need to try out a few different options.

Finally, if you’re looking for a full-fledged production solution, consider expanding your budget slightly if you can.

There are a handful of respected DAWs that aren’t exactly free, but cost significantly less than the big names. The most common of these is Cockos Reaper, which costs only $60 USD.

But, if you’re looking for an easy way to piece together ideas and play with samples try LANDR’s new sampling and beat making tool Creator.

It’s a free online beat maker that uses pitch-shifting and time-stretching technology to help you piece together up to eight unique samples on LANDR Samples!

The 10 Best Free DAW Apps

With that out of the way here are the 10 best free DAW apps to get you started creating music on your computer:

1. Audacity

Audacity is the original free DAW. It’s an open source multi-track audio editor and recorder that works on many different operating systems.

If you’re only dealing with audio tracks, Audacity is a perfectly functional free DAW solution.

The main drawback is that Audacity does not act as a MIDI sequencer. That means there are no MIDI tracks for you to use with your virtual instruments.

Using plugins in Audacity is also a little different from pro DAWs, so it might not be the perfect fit for a full production workflow.

Despite that, Audacity is an excellent free resource that’s well worth including on this list.

Editors note: Following the recent acquisition of Audacity by MuseScore some have voiced concern around privacy and spyware embedded within the app.

Pros:

  • Solid audio editing capabilities
  • Unlimited tracks

Cons:

  • No MIDI compatibility
  • Privacy and spyware concerns

2. Garageband

Apple’s entry level DAW Garageband comes bundled with every computer that runs Mac OS.

Apple’s entry level DAW Garageband comes bundled with every computer that runs Mac OS.

That means if you’re reading this on a Mac computer, you already have it!

Garageband is well-known for introducing many musicians to recording. But despite its reputation as a beginner app it’s still surprisingly effective for making music.

Garageband combines the ease-of-use and smart design Apple is known for with some powerful features for music production.

Don’t overlook Garageband if you’re a Mac user in need of a free DAW.

Pros:

  • Super verstatile, modern interface
  • Comes with a lot of software instruments and effects

Cons:

  • Very limited compared to Logic Pro
  • Only available for Apple users

3. Ableton Live Lite

Ableton Live is probably the biggest name in DAWs when it comes to electronic and sample-based genres.

It’s easy to see why. The unique “session view” makes using loops to compose songs incredibly easy. It’s built-in pitch shifting and time stretching in the warp feature are powerful and easy to use.

Ableton Live Lite is the stripped down version of Live that Ableton provides bundled with popular software and hardware packages.

Many audio interfaces, MIDI controllers, plugins and even iOS apps offer a license for Live Lite.

You’ll need a few of these items to set up your home studio, so you might want to look out for a bundle that includes a copy of Live Lite.

It’s a limited version of Live that will help you get the feel for this extremely popular DAW.

Live Lite gives you a total of 16 tracks with any combination of audio and midi channels. It allows up to four inputs and outputs at the same time.

Pros:

  • Uses Ableton’s well loved workflow
  • Good range of effects and instruments included

Cons:

  • Limited to eight tracks

4. Tracktion Waveform Free

Tracktion Waveform Free is an impressive fully functional freeware DAW.

Unlike some of the other DAWs on this list it has no limitations to track count or simultaneous recording.

It can host VST and AU plugins and works on PC or Mac.

Traktion offers a paid upgrade to Waveform Pro for advanced users, but it’s not necessary to buy the full version to unlock any essential features for music creation.

Waveform Free is designed to be easy to use for beginner producers and features some slightly different design concepts than other free DAWs.

Pros:

  • Unlimited tracks and compatible with VSTs
  • Easy to use interface

Best Free Daw For Mac

Cons:

  • Simplified interface might make be confusing for standard DAW users

Many audio interfaces, MIDI controllers, plugins and even iOS apps offer a license for Live Lite.

5. Pro Tools First

Pro Tools First is the introductory edition of the industry-standard DAW Pro Tools.

It includes many of the powerful features that make Pro Tools the DAW of choice for professional studios all over the world.

But it comes with some limitations that might make you think twice. With First you can record up to 16 tracks of audio and use up to 16 virtual instrument tracks in a session.

On top of that, you can record only four tracks at the same time.

Despite these limitations, Pro Tools First lets you get started with the DAW you’ll likely be using if you go on to work in a professional studio. That’s a major benefit!

Pros:

  • An excellent introduction to a pro-quality DAW

Cons:

  • Major limitations in many categories

6. Ohm Studio

Ohm Studio is another full-featured DAW you can download for free. It’s the DAW project of popular plugin manufacturer Ohmforce.

Ohm Studio provides all the essential music creation features of a paid DAW without limits.

It’s built around collaboration with handy features to share your music with other people you’re working with.

Pros:

  • Collaborative design makes it easy to share ideas with others
  • Comes with all the essentials and unlimited tracks

Cons:

  • Basic design is not well suited for more advanced production

7. Cubase LE

Cubase LE is another solid free DAW. It’s the lite edition of Steinberg’s flagship recording app Cubase.

Cubase was one of the first digital sequencing apps and it’s been a popular DAW choice for decades.

Cubase LE brings the best of that legacy to free users with only a few limitations.

With LE you’ll be able to record up to 16 tracks of audio and up to 24 virtual instrument tracks.

It can record up to 8 tracks at once and comes with some of Steinberg’s excellent VST plugins and libraries for its HALion sampling platform.

Pros:

  • Based on the powerful Cubase DAW
  • Includes a large sample library and the HALion sampling platform

Cons:

  • Limited to 16 audio tracks and 24 instrument tracks
  • Only able to record 8 audio tracks concurrently

8. Soundbridge

Soundbridge is another excellent choice for a full-featured free DAW.


It contains all the important key features of a pro DAW but makes them as simple and easy to use as possible.

Its built-in drum machine and effects are excellent and it has a stylish interface that’s comfortable to work with.

Pros:

  • Simple interface that’s easy to understand
  • Built-in drum machine and effects

Cons:

  • Limited features, doesn’t include many effects or instruments

9. REAPER

Reaper is not a free DAW, but it makes this list because it comes with a very long trial period and it’s ridiculously cheap at $60 USD.

This is by far the best DAW on this list because it works just as well as most paid DAWs, it’s completely open-source meaning you can customize it with user-generated skins and mods.

It has a fully-fledged recording interface and supports VSTs, so you can install whatever you need to get your track made and heard.

Just be prepared to eventually support the good people at Reaper with $60.

Pros:

  • Fully-fledged, professional DAW
  • Unlimited tracks, skinnable, full VST compatibility

Cons:

  • Not free
  • Doesn’t come with very many bundled plugins

10. Studio One 5 Prime

Studio One Prime is the introductory free DAW offered by Presonus. It’s essentially a watered-down version of the more advanced Studio One 5 DAW.

For a lite version of a paid DAW, Studio One 5 Prime comes with some distinct advantages. Namely, it allows for unlimited tracks unlike Ableton Live Lite, which limits you to eight.

You get a fully-fledged recording interface, sampling tool, drum machine and step sequencer.

It also comes with a handful of effects plugins.

All-in-all it’s a fairly complete entry point into zero-cost music production.

Pros:

  • Unlimited tracks
  • Compatible with PreSonus controllers

Cons:

  • Doesn’t include very many software instruments
  • No VST compatibility

11. MPC Beats

AKAI is well-loved for its legendary MPC line of groove boxes.

So it makes sense that they are moving into beat-making-oriented software with their MPC-inspired DAW, MPC Beats.

This free DAW is definitely geared towards beatmakers and hip hop producers, it’s essentially a free MPC with a DAW style timeline interface.

Best Free Daw For Mac 2020

It also comes with some limited recording features and a handful of effects to warp and modify any sound.

Best Daw For Windows 10

Of course, it’s limited to eight tracks and two audio recording tracks and it’s only available on Windows.

So, if all you want to do is make electronic beats on your computer for free, this is a cool option with a unique workflow.

Pros:

  • Classic MPC workflow in a computer format
  • Beat maker oriented instruments

Cons:

  • Limited tracks and recording capability
  • Only compatible with Windows

12. Podium Free

Podium is another free DAW that’s only available for Windows users.

Despite its slightly dated-looking interface, it has a remarkably modern feel and workflow with a DAW style timeline and mixing board.

The free DAW also comes with full VST compatibility and unlimited tracks.

Its only drawback is that it was designed to use the quad-core CPUs that come standard on most laptops these days.

Since it can only operate on one core, it’s easy to overclock the CPU and cause a crash.

Aside from that, it’s a relatively solid DAW that makes for a decent entry point into music production, but only if you’re a PC user.

Pros:

  • Great user interface
  • Compatible with VSTs

Cons:

  • Not modernized for today’s CPUs
  • Only compatible with Windows

Free recording tools

Best Free Daw For Macs

Making music shouldn’t be a financial burden.

Best Free Daw Software

That’s why these free recording apps are so helpful for creators.

Whether you’re looking to try a demo version of a classic DAW or just make music without spending too much money, these free DAWs will help you do it.