Every score is worked out from the vendor's own pages · How we score →Disclosure
SAASINSPECTOR
Directory · 9 tools reviewed

Best Audio Software

Find the best audio software for recording, editing and producing sound yourself: the audio editors podcasters and engineers clean up recordings in, and the music production apps songs are made in, from paid suites to free open-source apps. Audio editors and music production apps are each ranked only against their own kind, on what they add beyond the basics, the files you get out, what the cheapest way in costs and whether you can own it outright. How we score.

Voice generators, transcription, audio cleanup, AI music and speech APIs are ranked on Best AI Audio Tools →

Choose the kind you need

6 Music production apps (DAWs) ranked

Ranked by score · price shown: cheapest plan you can make music in, monthly
★ Top music production apps (DAWs)of 6 music production apps (DAWs)
Logic Pro$12.99 · 93% published
7.4/10

Mac musicians who want a full studio with AI session players and Atmos mixing, bought once

Splits a song into stems with AIAI session player writes partsSurround or Atmos mixingScore (notation) viewBuilt-in loop library2platforms3integrationsScripting or developer API3support channelsSource published under an open licenceAudio formats it exports
What makes up the score7.4

Longer bar, heavier criterion. A hatched bar is one the vendor never published. A red one is a zero they did publish.

What it adds beyond the basics10.0
Workflow and outputweakest4.5
Pricing8.0
Privacy and trust5.0
Read the Logic Pro review
02Ableton Live82% published6.5/10$99 onceBest forElectronic producers and live performers who build tracks from clips and loops
Splits a song into stems with AIAI session player writes partsSurround or Atmos mixingScore (notation) viewBuilt-in loop library4export formats2platforms7integrationsScripting or developer API3support channels+1 more
What makes up the score6.5

Longer bar, heavier criterion. A hatched bar is one the vendor never published. A red one is a zero they did publish.

What it adds beyond the basicsweakest6.0
Workflow and output5.0
Pricingnot published–
Privacy and trust5.0
Read the Ableton Live review
03GarageBandBest free plan87% published6.1/10FreeBest forBeginners on Mac, iPhone or iPad who want to start making music for free
Splits a song into stems with AIAI session player writes partsSurround or Atmos mixingScore (notation) viewBuilt-in loop library2platforms6integrationsScripting or developer API3support channelsSource published under an open licence+1 more
What makes up the score6.1

Longer bar, heavier criterion. A hatched bar is one the vendor never published. A red one is a zero they did publish.

What it adds beyond the basicsweakest5.5
Workflow and output5.0
Pricing8.8
Privacy and trust5.0
Read the GarageBand review
04Reaper77% published5.5/10$60 onceBest forHome and pro engineers who want a light, deeply customisable DAW at a low one-time price
Splits a song into stems with AIAI session player writes partsSurround or Atmos mixingBuilt-in loop library5export formats2platforms8integrationsScripting or developer API2support channelsSource published under an open licence+1 more
What makes up the score5.5

Longer bar, heavier criterion. A hatched bar is one the vendor never published. A red one is a zero they did publish.

What it adds beyond the basicsweakest2.8
Workflow and output7.5
Pricingnot published–
Privacy and trust2.5
Read the Reaper review
05FL Studio78% published5.3/10$99 onceBest forBeat makers who want lifetime free updates on an edition they buy once
Splits a song into stems with AIAI session player writes partsSurround or Atmos mixingScore (notation) viewBuilt-in loop library2export formats2platforms3integrations2support channelsSource published under an open licence+1 more
What makes up the score5.3

Longer bar, heavier criterion. A hatched bar is one the vendor never published. A red one is a zero they did publish.

What it adds beyond the basicsweakest4.0
Workflow and output4.5
Pricingnot published–
Privacy and trust2.5
Read the FL Studio review
06Pro ToolsLowest price84% published4.6/10$9.99Best forRecording and mixing engineers who work in professional studios and need Dolby Atmos
Splits a song into stems with AIAI session player writes partsSurround or Atmos mixingScore (notation) view2platforms4integrations2support channelsSource published under an open licenceBuilt-in loop libraryAudio formats it exports+1 more
What makes up the score4.6

Longer bar, heavier criterion. A hatched bar is one the vendor never published. A red one is a zero they did publish.

What it adds beyond the basicsweakest2.8
Workflow and output6.0
Pricing7.5
Privacy and trust2.5
Read the Pro Tools review

3 Audio editors ranked

Ranked by score · price shown: cheapest plan you can edit in, monthly
★ Top audio editorof 3 audio editors
AudacityFree · 100% publishedBest free plan
8.5/10

Podcasters and anyone editing recordings who want a free, open-source audio editor

Edits several tracks at onceAI repair or dialogue isolationSpectral editingEdits audio against videoSurround or Atmos mixing8export formats2platformsThird-party pluginsScripting or developer API3support channelsSource published under an open licence
What makes up the score8.5

Longer bar, heavier criterion. A hatched bar is one the vendor never published. A red one is a zero they did publish.

What it adds beyond the basicsweakest6.7
Workflow and output8.5
Pricing10.0
Privacy and trust10.0
Read the Audacity review
02Adobe AuditionLowest price96% published6.0/10$22.99Best forVideo and podcast editors already in Adobe's apps who need spectral repair and broadcast loudness
Edits several tracks at onceAI repair or dialogue isolationSpectral editingEdits audio against videoSurround or Atmos mixing4export formats2platformsThird-party plugins3support channelsSource published under an open licence+1 more
What makes up the score6.0

Longer bar, heavier criterion. A hatched bar is one the vendor never published. A red one is a zero they did publish.

What it adds beyond the basics7.7
Workflow and output6.5
Pricingweakest4.0
Privacy and trust5.0
Read the Adobe Audition review
03Sound Forge96% published4.4/10$24.95Best forWindows users who master and restore single audio files and want to buy the editor once
Edits several tracks at onceAI repair or dialogue isolationSpectral editingEdits audio against videoSurround or Atmos mixing4export formats1platformThird-party plugins2support channelsSource published under an open licence+1 more
What makes up the score4.4

Longer bar, heavier criterion. A hatched bar is one the vendor never published. A red one is a zero they did publish.

What it adds beyond the basicsweakest3.3
Workflow and output5.5
Pricing6.5
Privacy and trust2.5
Read the Sound Forge review
published yespublished nonot published, scored at the midpoint
⇄ Compare
01

Audacity

Podcasters and anyone editing recordings who want a free, open-source audio editor

8.5
Rank #1 of 3 audio editors
Best:Pricing10
Weakest:What it adds beyond the basics6.7
Free plan: yesFree trial: noAPI: yes
FreeFree plan
100% from published facts · checked 27 Sep
→
02

Logic Pro

Mac musicians who want a full studio with AI session players and Atmos mixing, bought once

7.4
Rank #1 of 6 music production apps (DAWs)
Best:What it adds beyond the basics10
Weakest:Workflow and output4.5
Sells a licence you own outright: yesSplits a song into stems with AI: yes
From $199.99No free plan
93% from published facts · checked 27 Sep
→
03

Ableton Live

Electronic producers and live performers who build tracks from clips and loops

6.5
Rank #2 of 6 music production apps (DAWs)
Best:Pricing9.5
Weakest:Privacy and trust5
Sells a licence you own outright: yesSplits a song into stems with AI: yes
From $99No free plan
82% from published facts · checked 27 Sep
→
04

GarageBand

Beginners on Mac, iPhone or iPad who want to start making music for free

6.1
Rank #3 of 6 music production apps (DAWs)
Best:Pricing8.8
Weakest:Privacy and trust5
Splits a song into stems with AI: no
FreeFree plan
87% from published facts · checked 27 Sep
→
05

Adobe Audition

Video and podcast editors already in Adobe's apps who need spectral repair and broadcast loudness

6.0
Rank #2 of 3 audio editors
Best:What it adds beyond the basics7.7
Weakest:Pricing4
Sells a licence you own outright: no
From $22.99No free plan
96% from published facts · checked 27 Sep
→
06

Reaper

Home and pro engineers who want a light, deeply customisable DAW at a low one-time price

5.5
Rank #4 of 6 music production apps (DAWs)
Best:Pricing9.5
Weakest:Privacy and trust2.5
Sells a licence you own outright: yesSplits a song into stems with AI: no
From $60No free plan
77% from published facts · checked 27 Sep
→
07

FL Studio

Beat makers who want lifetime free updates on an edition they buy once

5.3
Rank #5 of 6 music production apps (DAWs)
Best:Pricing10
Weakest:Privacy and trust2.5
Sells a licence you own outright: yesSplits a song into stems with AI: yes
From $99Free plan
78% from published facts · checked 27 Sep
→
08

Pro Tools

Recording and mixing engineers who work in professional studios and need Dolby Atmos

4.6
Rank #6 of 6 music production apps (DAWs)
Best:Pricing7.5
Weakest:Privacy and trust2.5
Sells a licence you own outright: noSplits a song into stems with AI: no
From $9.99Free plan
84% from published facts · checked 27 Sep
→
09

Sound Forge

Windows users who master and restore single audio files and want to buy the editor once

4.4
Rank #3 of 3 audio editors
Best:Pricing6.5
Weakest:Privacy and trust2.5
Sells a licence you own outright: yes
From $24.95No free plan
96% from published facts · checked 27 Sep
→
Buying guide

How to choose audio software

Three questions settle it: whether you are editing recordings or making music, how you want to pay, and what computer you work on.

  1. 01

    Audio editor or music production app

    Cleaning up a podcast, cutting an interview or restoring an old recording is audio editor work, in apps such as Audacity or Adobe Audition. Writing and producing songs with instruments, MIDI and loops happens in a music production app, called a DAW, such as Logic Pro, Ableton Live or FL Studio.

  2. 02

    Subscription, licence or free

    Audition and Pro Tools are rented by subscription. Logic Pro, Ableton Live, FL Studio and Reaper sell a licence you keep. Audacity is free and open source, and GarageBand comes free on Apple devices.

  3. 03

    Your computer

    Logic Pro and GarageBand run on Apple devices only, and Sound Forge runs on Windows. The rest run on both Windows and Mac, so check the platform before you compare features.

Scoring

How we rate audio software

Every score on this page is out of 100 and worked out from what each vendor publishes, never from a demo or a sponsor. Each kind is scored on its own split of the points. Below: where the points go, every check behind them, and how the tools above did on each. Every rule, in full

Music production apps (DAWs): where the 100 points go

35What it adds beyond the basics25Pricing22Workflow and output18Privacy and trust
35/ 100
Biggest share

What it adds beyond the basics

MIDI editing, virtual instruments, third-party plugins and pitch correction are in every music production app here, so they earn nothing. What counts is splitting a song into stems with AI, an AI session player that writes parts, surround or Atmos mixing, a score view and a loop library.

Splits a song into stems with AI8.8 pts
Ableton LiveFL StudioLogic ProGarageBandPro ToolsReaper
AI session player writes parts8.8 pts
GarageBandLogic ProAbleton LiveFL StudioPro ToolsReaper
Surround or Atmos mixing7 pts
Ableton LiveLogic ProPro ToolsReaperFL StudioGarageBand
Score (notation) view5.2 pts
GarageBandLogic ProAbleton LiveFL StudioPro Tools
Built-in loop library5.2 pts
Ableton LiveFL StudioGarageBandLogic ProReaper

Highest here Logic Pro 10.0lowest Pro Tools 2.8 out of 10

25/ 100

Pricing

What the cheapest way to make music in it costs each month, whether you can buy a licence you own outright, and whether there is a free edition.

Cheapest plan you can make music in, monthly17.5 pts
GarageBand$0Pro Tools$9.99Logic Pro$12.99
Sells a licence you own outright6.3 pts
Ableton LiveFL StudioLogic ProReaperPro Tools
Free plan1.2 pts
FL StudioGarageBandPro ToolsAbleton LiveLogic ProReaper

Highest here FL Studio 10.0lowest Pro Tools 7.5 out of 10

22/ 100

Workflow and output

The audio formats it exports, where it runs, the hardware and apps it connects to, and a scripting API.

Audio formats it exports6.6 pts
Reaper5 export formatsAbleton Live4 export formatsFL Studio2 export formats
Where it runs6.6 pts
Ableton Live2 platformsFL Studio2 platformsGarageBand2 platformsLogic Pro2 platformsPro Tools2 platformsReaper2 platforms
Hardware and apps it connects to4.4 pts
Ableton Live7 integrationsGarageBand6 integrationsPro Tools4 integrationsReaper8 integrationsFL Studio3 integrationsLogic Pro3 integrations
Scripting or developer API4.4 pts
ReaperAbleton LiveGarageBandLogic Pro

Highest here Reaper 7.5lowest FL Studio 4.5 out of 10

18/ 100

Privacy and trust

Is the source published under an open licence, and how many ways are there to reach support? Software you install and run yourself is not asked about AI training, SOC 2 or GDPR.

Does not train AI on what you upload6.3 pts

Not asked of the tools here.

Source published under an open licence3.6 pts
Ableton LiveFL StudioGarageBandLogic ProPro ToolsReaper
Ways to reach support3.6 pts
Ableton Live3 support channelsGarageBand3 support channelsLogic Pro3 support channelsFL Studio2 support channelsPro Tools2 support channelsReaper2 support channels
SOC 22.7 pts

Not asked of the tools here.

GDPR1.8 pts

Not asked of the tools here.

Highest here Logic Pro 5.0lowest Pro Tools 2.5 out of 10

Audio editors: where the 100 points go

35What it adds beyond the basics25Pricing22Workflow and output18Privacy and trust
35/ 100
Biggest share

What it adds beyond the basics

Noise reduction, loudness metering, batch work and plugins are in every audio editor here, so they earn nothing. What counts is editing several tracks at once, AI repair or dialogue isolation, spectral editing, working against video, and surround or Atmos mixing.

Edits several tracks at once8 pts
Adobe AuditionAudacitySound Forge
AI repair or dialogue isolation8 pts
AudacityAdobe AuditionSound Forge
Spectral editing7.4 pts
Adobe AuditionAudacitySound Forge
Edits audio against video5.8 pts
Adobe AuditionSound ForgeAudacity
Surround or Atmos mixing5.8 pts
Adobe AuditionSound ForgeAudacity

Highest here Adobe Audition 7.7lowest Sound Forge 3.3 out of 10

25/ 100

Pricing

What the cheapest plan you can edit in costs each month, whether anyone will sell you a licence you own outright, and whether there is a free plan. Free software scores the top of the band.

Cheapest plan you can edit in, monthly17.5 pts
Audacity$0Adobe Audition$22.99Sound Forge$24.95
Sells a licence you own outright6.3 pts
Sound ForgeAdobe Audition
Free plan1.2 pts
AudacityAdobe AuditionSound Forge

Highest here Audacity 10.0lowest Adobe Audition 4.0 out of 10

22/ 100

Workflow and output

The audio formats it exports, where it runs, third-party plugins and a scripting API.

Audio formats it exports6.6 pts
Audacity8 export formatsAdobe Audition4 export formatsSound Forge4 export formats
Where it runs6.6 pts
Adobe Audition2 platformsAudacity2 platformsSound Forge1 platform
Third-party plugins4.4 pts
Adobe AuditionAudacitySound Forge
Scripting or developer API4.4 pts
Audacity

Highest here Audacity 8.5lowest Sound Forge 5.5 out of 10

18/ 100

Privacy and trust

Is the source published under an open licence, and how many ways are there to reach support? Software you install and run yourself is not asked about AI training, SOC 2 or GDPR.

Does not train AI on what you upload6.3 pts

Not asked of the tools here.

Source published under an open licence3.6 pts
AudacityAdobe AuditionSound Forge
Ways to reach support3.6 pts
Adobe Audition3 support channelsAudacity3 support channelsSound Forge2 support channels
SOC 22.7 pts

Not asked of the tools here.

GDPR1.8 pts

Not asked of the tools here.

Highest here Audacity 10.0lowest Sound Forge 2.5 out of 10

✓ full points◐ some✕ none

Audio head-to-head

All comparisons →

The matchups readers in this category weigh most often, lined up row by row.

Ableton Live vs FL StudioAbleton Live vs GarageBandAbleton Live vs Logic ProAbleton Live vs Pro ToolsAbleton Live vs ReaperAdobe Audition vs AudacityAdobe Audition vs Pro ToolsAdobe Audition vs Sound ForgeAudacity vs GarageBandAudacity vs Sound ForgeFL Studio vs GarageBandFL Studio vs Logic Pro
All 17 Audio matchups

Frequently asked

What is the best audio tool?

It depends on the kind you need: our top music production apps (DAWs) is Logic Pro and our top audio editor is Audacity. Each has the highest Spec Score of its kind.

Is there a free audio tool?

Yes, Audacity, FL Studio, GarageBand and 1 more offer a free plan. Check each tool's page for what's included.

How do you rate audio software?

Each kind is scored out of 100 on its own criteria, all worked out from what the vendor publishes. Music production apps (DAWs): what it adds beyond the basics 35, pricing 25, workflow and output 22, privacy and trust 18. Audio editors: what it adds beyond the basics 35, pricing 25, workflow and output 22, privacy and trust 18.

How much does an audio tool cost?

Paid plans start from about $9.99 to $199.99/mo across the tools we track, depending on features and usage.