Ableton Live
3 free alternatives
Best free option:Waveform Free(Strong)License: Free tier
Saves $349 USD one-time
Music production (DAW)
Record, sequence and mix music with virtual instruments, effects and MIDI.
Paid apps and their free alternatives
Open one to see every alternative, ranked.
Free music production (DAW) tools
Every free tool in this category, by name.
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5 alternatives
Ardour
Open-source digital audio workstation for recording, editing and mixing multi-track audio and MIDI.
License: Open source- Windows
- macOS
- Linux
Status: Active- WAV: opens and saves, full fidelity
- MP3: opens and saves, partial fidelity. MP3 export depends on the encoder available in your build
- FLAC: opens and saves, full fidelity
- PTX: opens only, partial fidelity. Imports audio regions and tracks from Pro Tools sessions; plug-ins and automation do not carry over
- MID: opens and saves, full fidelity
This replaces Adobe Audition, Logic Pro and Pro Tools
GarageBand
Apple's free music studio for Mac, iPhone and iPad with virtual instruments, loops, multitrack recording and a mixer.
License: Freeware- macOS
- iOS
Status: Verified- WAV: opens and saves, full fidelity
- MID: opens only, partial fidelity. Imports MIDI files but does not export them
- MP3: opens and saves, full fidelity
This replaces Logic Pro
LMMS
Open-source music production software with a song editor, piano roll, built-in synths and a mixer for beat making.
License: Open source- Windows
- macOS
- Linux
Status: Active- FLP: opens only, partial fidelity. Imports FL Studio projects with notes and patterns; plug-ins and automation may not carry over
- WAV: opens and saves, full fidelity
- MID: opens and saves, partial fidelity. MIDI import and export; instrument assignments need setup
- MP3: opens only, partial fidelity. Imports MP3 samples; the stable release exports WAV and OGG
This replaces Ableton Live, FL Studio and Logic Pro
Waveform Free
Free digital audio workstation with unlimited tracks, 14 audio effects, 8 MIDI effects, four instruments and plug-in hosting.
License: Free tier- Windows
- macOS
- Linux
Status: Verified- WAV: opens and saves, full fidelity
- MID: opens and saves, full fidelity
- MP3: opens and saves, full fidelity
This replaces Ableton Live, FL Studio and Logic Pro
Zrythm
Open-source digital audio workstation with a timeline, piano roll, mixer and plug-in hosting for Linux, Windows and macOS.
License: Open source- Windows
- macOS
- Linux
Status: Active- WAV: opens and saves, full fidelity
- MID: opens and saves, full fidelity
- MP3: opens and saves, full fidelity
This replaces Ableton Live
Paid apps with no free alternative yet
No free tool ranks Strong for these yet. Each page says what a free version would need.
Dante Virtual Soundcard
License: PaidNo free option listed yet