The software has advanced tools for audio recording, movie editing, mixing music, and collaborating with other artists. This makes it one of the best DAWs out there, but it comes with a steep learning curve and price tag.
If you can’t afford it or get over the initial learning hump, there are several free DAWs with similar or unique features. Here are the top free alternatives to Pro Tools.
1. Audacity
Audacity is an open-source and free audio editing software. It supports basic recording and editing, with options to record multiple channels simultaneously, overdub recordings, and add crossfades.
Though the software is well-maintained and regularly updated, its interface is not as pretty as that of some high-end DAWs. But it’s intuitive and easy to use, even for newcomers.
Audacity has many tracks and built-in effects that you can apply to recordings, from music to podcasts. You can change the pitch of a track without altering the tempo. It also includes a noise elimination feature that lets you get rid of background hums.
The cross-platform software is available for Windows, macOS, and Linux and is a great option for beginners and pros who edit audio-only. You can use it to record 16-bit, 24-bit, and 32-bit audio.
Audacity supports multiple formats, including WAV, FLAC, AIFF, and various plugin types like VST, LADSPA, and Nyquist.
2. GarageBand
GarageBand is a full-featured recording and editing app only available on macOS and iOS devices. GarageBand has a simple, intuitive interface, which is one of the reasons it’s a great DAW for beginners.
GarageBand allows you to record, create beats and loops, and cut-and-paste tracks. You can even record your voice and add effects like tremolo, reverb, and echo.
The free DAW for Mac, iPhone, and iPad has a built-in library of sounds and is aimed at beginner sound enthusiasts. The sound library has a wide variety of instruments, including drums, brass, and guitars.
With GarageBand, you can access music lessons, including guitar, piano, and artist lessons. The program supports several formats, including WAV, MP3, AIFF, and plugins like Audio Units.
If you’re a Mac user, check out these other free DAWs for Mac.
3. Studio One 5 Prime
Studio One has paid versions and a free option. Studio One Prime, the free version, includes unlimited audio and MIDI tracks, drag-and-drop editing, basic plugin effects, and FX channels.
The software features an intuitive user interface and a hassle-free recording workflow. You can use it to create music and podcasts with a single-window work environment and the drag-and-drop functionality.
The DAW has unlimited tracks, native effects, and virtual instruments. It also includes rendering options, allowing you to share finished tracks as quickly as possible.
However, the famous Presence XT (the software’s built-in sample player instrument) and Ampire (a basic guitar amp simulator) aren’t available for the free version. Another drawback is that it doesn’t support VST and third-party plugins.
Prime is available for macOS and Windows and is only compatible with 64-Bit Operating Systems.
4. Ardour
Ardour is an open-source recording, editing, and mixing tool aimed at professionals. The app is one of the best free DAWs for Linux, Windows and macOS.
You can import audio or MIDI, record unlimited tracks, and collaborate on sessions within Ardour. The software also lets you edit projects using features like transpose and crossfade and mix tracks using tools like pre-fader, mute, and EQ.
Ardour can be complicated and unconventional, making it suitable for audio engineers and professional editors. The good thing is that it has a supportive community that will help you if you run into problems.
The program supports multiple formats, including WAV, FLAC, AIFF, and third-party plugins like VST2, VST3, and LV2. There are hundreds of plugins to choose from.
You can get the source code and build the DAW yourself, or purchase a ready-to-run version for as little as $1 since it’s donationware.
5. Soundtrap
Soundtrap is a powerful and easy-to-use online freemium software that offers all the basic features of a traditional DAW. This, partly, makes it ideal for beginners and the inexperienced.
The free version allows you to record audio and MIDI tracks, apply effects and presets, make beats using the inbuilt beat maker, and mix the entire project. You can also save an unlimited number of multi-track projects.
It also lets you access over 150,000 sound effects, 430 instruments, and 4,870 loops. You can add effects like reverb, parametric EQ, and tremolo to each track.
The free version has many virtual instruments, including pianos, synthesizers, and drum machines. However, you’ll need to upgrade to a paid version to access Soundtrap’s full complement of instruments, Antares Auto-Tune, and interactive transcripts for podcasts.
Some of the most exciting features of the DAW is its collaboration tools. You can work simultaneously with fellow musicians, podcasters, and other artists, from anywhere. And when saving your song, the software automatically “masters” it so that it sounds its best.
6. Cakewalk
Cakewalk by BandLab is a free DAW available for Windows. The software features a Skylight Interface, which also works with touch devices, making creating and editing music a smooth experience.
The comprehensive software has collaboration tools, allowing you to work with other artists online on the same project simultaneously. You can add an unlimited number of audio and MIDI tracks to projects.
The program has virtual instruments like bass, drums, piano, and strings, and lets you connect your own instrument. It also features a wide selection of effects, beats, and loops for mixing, and a full suite of plugins with compressors, EQs, and reverbs.
You can record live sessions and share your music directly to Facebook, YouTube, SoundCloud, and other platforms. You can also publish tracks or albums and sell them on BandLab. Your projects will be synced automatically to the cloud.
What Is Your Favorite Free Alternative to Pro Tools?
Pro Tools is a cross-platform DAW that lets you record, edit, and mix songs and collaborate with other artists. The DAW is a subscription-only service and, for the most part, is aimed at experienced producers and studio engineers. This means it might not be the best choice if you’re new to audio editing.
While no DAW is perfect, there are several free and unique Pro Tool alternatives, and we’ve pulled together six of the best in this article. These alternatives are worth trying, whether in the studio or at home.
