FL Studio vs Reaper
Reaper scores 5.5 to FL Studio's 5.3 among the music production apps (DAWs) we rate, and is the better pick for 1 of the 4 kinds of buyer below.
Reaper wins, 5.5 to 5.3
FL Studio sells one-time purchase editions with Lifetime Free Updates and a free plan, a never-expiring version that will not reopen saved projects until you buy one. Reaper is also a one-time purchase, with free updates through version 8.99, but its only free option is a 60-day evaluation. FL Studio can split a song into stems with AI from Producer Edition up, a feature Reaper lacks. Reaper instead opens a public scripting API, ReaScript plus an Extension SDK, which FL Studio does not offer.
Pick FL Studio if if you want a free plan and AI stem splitting.
Pick Reaper if if you want a scripting API to build your own tools.
Best for
Who each one suits, decided on the criteria that matter to that buyer and the checked facts where the two differ.
- Splits a song into stems with AI: FL Studio yes, Reaper no
- Built-in loop library: FL Studio yes, Reaper no
- But Reaper leads on surround or Atmos mixing: Reaper yes, FL Studio no
- Audio formats it exports: 5 export formats against 2 export formats
- Hardware and apps it connects to: 8 integrations against 3 integrations
- Scripting or developer API: Reaper yes, FL Studio does not say
- Free plan: FL Studio yes, Reaper no
How they score
Both are scored the same way, against the other music production apps (DAWs) we rate, from facts on each vendor's own pages. FL Studio leads on 2 of 4 criteria.
Where they differ
Every point where the two vendors' published facts disagree, with a link to where each fact was read. "Not published" means the vendor does not say either way.
Published by only one of them
Where they match (6)
Pricing, plan by plan
Every plan each vendor publishes, monthly and yearly where both are offered.
FL Studio
Reaper
For everything else about each tool, read the full FL Studio review and Reaper review.
FL Studio vs Reaper: common questions
Which is better, FL Studio or Reaper?
Reaper scores 5.5 and FL Studio 5.3 out of 10 among the music production apps (DAWs) we rate. Reaper is ahead on workflow and output. FL Studio is ahead on what it adds beyond the basics and pricing.
Is FL Studio or Reaper cheaper?
FL Studio's cheapest paid plan is $99 one-time (Fruity) and Reaper's is $60 one-time (discounted license). Compare what each plan includes below before going on price alone.
Do FL Studio and Reaper have a free plan?
FL Studio does and Reaper does not.
What can FL Studio do that Reaper cannot?
On the facts both vendors publish: splits a song into stems with AI, built-in loop library and free plan.
What can Reaper do that FL Studio cannot?
On the facts both vendors publish: surround or Atmos mixing.
