Best free option: Waveform Free (Strong). Switching saves about $349 USD one-time.
$349 USDone-time
$389 CAD
Every pick below has a free version.
3 alternatives
Covers most of the same work, with trade-offs noted on each card.
Best for a free DAW with unlimited tracks
Runs on Windows, macOS and Linux. Free with a Tracktion account. Ableton Live sets (.als) do not open. Free version: Free with no track limit. Paid feature expansions add Multi Channel, Launcher, DJ Mix Tools and Pro Video.
Right for specific needs, or not yet mature enough to recommend widely.
Best for open-source DAW use on Linux
Source is AGPL. The free installers are limited to 25 tracks; unlimited tracks need a paid installer or a build from source. The v2 alpha is for testing. Free version: Free installers are limited to 25 tracks and basic plug-ins. Paid installers lift the limit; building from source has none.
Best for pattern-based beat making
Free and open source on Windows, macOS and Linux. The stable release is 1.2.2 from 2020; 1.3 is in alpha.
Sponsor this page: $149 for 30 days. Sponsors appear above the ranking, labeled; the ranking itself is not for sale.
How each alternative covers what people use Ableton Live for. Numbers link to editor notes.
| Feature | Waveform Free | Zrythm | LMMS |
|---|---|---|---|
| Performance | |||
| Session View clip launching | NoNote 1The Launcher is a paid expansion | NoNote 2No clip launcher in the stable release | NoNote 3No clip launcher |
| Production | |||
| Arrangement timeline | Yes | Yes | PartialNote 4Song Editor built around patterns and automation |
| MIDI editing | Yes | Yes | YesNote 5Piano roll with MIDI import and export |
| Editing | |||
| Audio warping and time-stretching | PartialNote 6Time-stretch and pitch tools with fewer warp controls | NoNote 7No warp markers in the stable release | NoNote 8No audio warping |
| Sounds | |||
| Included instruments and sound library | PartialNote 9Four built-in instruments; sound packs are paid | PartialNote 10Hosts instrument plug-ins; ships few sounds | PartialNote 11Built-in synths and samplers; no large sound library |
| Plug-ins | |||
| Third-party plug-in hosting | YesNote 12VST, VST3 and Audio Units | YesNote 13LV2, VST3, CLAP and other plug-in formats | PartialNote 14VST instruments; VST effects only on Linux and Windows |
| Parity score | 67% | 58% | 42% |
Not covered by any free alternative yet: Session View clip launching, Audio warping and time-stretching, Included instruments and sound library. See all feature gaps
Can each alternative open and save Ableton Live files?
| Format | Waveform Free | Zrythm | LMMS |
|---|---|---|---|
| .als | NoNote 1Ableton Live sets do not open | NoNote 2Ableton Live sets do not open | NoNote 3Ableton Live sets do not open |
| .wav | Opens and savesFull fidelity | Opens and savesFull fidelity | Opens and savesFull fidelity |
| .mid | Opens and savesFull fidelity | Opens and savesFull fidelity | Opens and savesNote 4MIDI import and export; instrument assignments need setupPartial fidelity |
| .mp3 | Opens and savesFull fidelity | Opens and savesFull fidelity | Opens onlyNote 5Imports MP3 samples; the stable release exports WAV and OGGPartial fidelity |
Switching saves about $349 USD / $389 CAD one-time. Prices checked .
Based on Live 12 Standard, one-time purchase. Price source.
Last verified . Ranking: tier first, then the published score.
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Ableton Live is a product of Ableton, named here for comparison only. Platforms listed for Ableton Live: Windows, macOS.