Free Daw Alternatives To Fl Studio
Steel guitar VST plugins can add an element to your music that offers the emotional value that is just what you’re looking for. The best part here is that you can either play a part or write it on directly into your DAW and then hear it. Digital audio workstation daw Aside from LMMS, Tracktion, and Audacity there are other, perhaps, lessor known free DAWs out there that preform all of the functions of FL Studio or Pro Tools. Free DAWs are a great way to test out functionality and features before making a purchase.
There are many DAWs, and most of them cost a lot of money. If you are just starting, you don’t have to pay for DAW software since there are some free alternatives that you can download just by creating an account and signing up on the software’s website. In this post, we will list some free DAWs and count all the advantages and disadvantages they have.
Studio One 4 Prime (Mac, Win)
Studio One 4 is developed by former Steinberg and Kristal developers, and it’s also a freeware to make you want to get the paid version Studio One 4. In the free Prime version, you’ll get unlimited audio, MIDI, effect tracks and buss tracks. But you are limited to the 9 effect plug-ins and the sound generator Presence XT that was pre-installed and cannot install your own. But this freeware DAW is definitely enough to start your first project. A user account with Presonus is mandatory for getting access to Studio One 4 Prime.
Ardour 5 (Mac, Win, Linux)
LMMS is eerily similar to FL Studio and this is a good thing. One look at the UI and you will get what I’m talking about. With this being said, it functions pretty similar to FL Studio as well. As far as functionality, it does a lot for a free option and it is highly underrated in my opinion.
- Cubase LE is one of the best free music making software that you can use in your home studio. There are several feature that make it a great DAW in 2020. Like, you get HALion Sonic SE 3 and Groove Agent SE 5 to produce beats and melodies with a Midi keyboard.
- I really like FL Studio, but the problem is: I'm 15 year old and can't afford it. Having to make a whole song in a single session is pretty annoying. So I'm looking for a free alternative for FL Studio until I buy it at some point in the future.
This Open Source DAW was originally developed for Linux and looks a bit old. Meanwhile, Ardour 5 is also available for Windows and macOS. Ardour 5 is an all-round DAW software, where the only limitation can be the hardware you use. You also have to install some effects on it since not a lot of them come pre-installed.
Keep in mind that Ardour 5 is free only if you compile the DAW software yourself by following the instructions. If you’re not familiar with doing this, you can buy the pre-compiled installer for at least $1 per month.
Pro Tools First (Mac, Win)
Everyone has certainly heard the name Pro Tools before since it was one of the first DAWs and Avid calls it the industry standard. In addition to a paid subscription or annual licenses, there’s also a completely free version. This version is much lighter than the full version and contains 16 tracks at 48 or 96 kHz in mono or stereo. A maximum of 4 inputs can be recorded on 4 tracks simultaneously. Also, there are 16 instruments, MIDI and AUX tracks. The video functionality is missing. You are not allowed to load external AAX effects, but there are at least a few plug-ins included in the package. It’s an appetizer for the big version.
For Pro Tools First you need to sign up for an account at Avid, and also sign up for an iLok account at Pace.
Cakewalk by Bandlab(previously known as Sonar) (Win)
This DAW was previously known as Sonar Platinum. After Bandlab acquired Cakewalk from Gibson, they decided to offer this DAW completely free. Since then, Cakewalk has become the most comprehensive free DAW out there. It offers a variety of effects, amps, virtual synthesizers, tracks, functions, loops, etc. All you need to do is sign up for an account at Bandlab, and get their download manager to download the DAW software.
Podium Free (Win)
Podium’s free version has been available for download since 2014, and even though this DAW software is already a bit old, it is still available for free for Windows in 32 and 64 bit. The free version is limited to MIDI in and out, mixing is done in 32 bit, and ReWire, surround and multiprocessing are disabled for plug-ins. If you don’t need the latest version and can live without these features, you should check the free version of Podium.
Music Maker Free (Win)
This DAW software is considered as the entry into the world of digital audio production for a lot of producers and music makers. Magix Music Maker does not only allow you to push loops and samples together but also to record and arrange your own stuff or compose with the sound generators it offers. The downside of this free DAW software is that you are limited to only 8 tracks in the latest version Music Maker 2020.
Creating an account at Magix is mandatory for using the free Music Maker.
Tracktion 7 (Mac, Win, Linux)
For years the company Tracktion has been releasing older versions of their DAW for people to download it free of charge. Meanwhile, the driving force and Tracktion’s successor is called Waveform, which is why you can download the latest version of Tracktion 7 completely free of charge. The package not only includes a slightly different DAW with more intuitive operations for beginners, but also a mixer, effects, editing functions and more. Also, Tracktion Cross-platform works, meaning their DAW software is available for Windows, macOS, and Linux and you can continue working on your projects in all of these operative systems.
Linux MultiMedia Studio (Mac, Win, Linux)
Linux MultiMedia Studio also is known as LMMS for short, has taken this name because it was originally released for Linux only. Meanwhile, the DAW is also available for Windows and macOS. It is often called the free alternative to FL Studio because of its similar functionalities. The interface and the usage is also relatively similar to FL Studio. You can easily record, arrange and mix audio and MIDI in the mixer. Editing is a bit more complicated in LMMS, but it is possible once you get the feeling of the software.
You don’t need an account to download and use LMMS, but since it’s a free open source project, you should consider donating to the developers if you are using the software and benefit from using it.
Last Updated on January 5, 2021.
So, you have poured your heart and soul into building your own home studio and you’ve invested a lot of time and money into all the gear required.
Now the only thing left to do is to find the right DAW foryou and start working!
There are dozens of great DAWs out there, but I’d recommend that you choose one and stick with it at least until you are completely familiarized with how it works.
Now, before we start there is one important thing I’d like to make clear, since there seems to be a lot of controversy surrounding this topic;
You probably heard someone say that in order to be a good producer you need -insert DAW name here- otherwise your mixes will suck, but this couldn’t be farther from the truth.
In fact, all that matters are your skills and how well youknow the software you’re using.
So, don’t think that you need to purchase Pro Tools orCubase to create good sounding mixes, because that is simply not the case.
Every DAW on this list will allow you to create professionalsounding music…
However, every DAW is different;
Some of them are geared towards producing electronic music, or even composing, while some others are better for editing and mixing.
Depending on what you want to do, you should focus on one orthe other, but if you’re just getting started then every single one of the DAWson this list will be super useful.
Related: I wrote some other posts about free DAWs and recording/editing software which that interest you.
So, now that that’s out of the way, let’s get straight into the list of the best DAW software (In no particular order).
1. Logic Pro X (Mac only)
Logic Pro is an extremely popular Digital Audio Workstation which has its main focus on composing and producing music.
However, if you want to mix and master, it can easily bedone with it.
Logic Pro X also gives you access to a massive collection ofplug-ins, instrument, and sounds which are extremely good, better than the onesyou can find on almost every other DAW.
What makes Logic Pro such a good choice is that it only costs $199, and with all the tools that it provides, which are more than almost any other DAW out there, it’s fair to say that this makes it a very cost-effective DAW.
The only con is that it’s for Apple devices only.
What are its strengths; Logic Pro X is a great all-rounder and cost-efficient DAW.
You can find out more here: Logic Pro X by Apple.
2. Pro Tools (Windows, Mac)
Pro Tools has been the industry standard for quite some timenow.
One could even argue that it’s the most popular DAW in theworld, especially when it comes to professional mixing, editing, and mastering.
Chances are that in 99% of pro studio you visit, they are using it.
Traditionally, you could get Pro Tools via a pretty steep one-timepayment, but they have now also adopted a subscription-based service where youcan pay monthly to use it.
The great thing about paying for the subscription is thatyou will always have access to the latest version of Pro Tools with all of itsupdates.
It comes with loads of stock plugins, which all sound andwork phenomenally.
However, there’s no multi-band compressor included, but youcan get one if you purchase a plugin bundle.
If you don’t want to do this and just want to get a freeone, then here’s a list of the best freecompression VST plugins available.
What are its strengths; Great for recording, editing,mixing, and mastering.
You can find out more here: Pro Tools by Avid.
3. Cubase Pro 11 (Windows, Mac)
Cubase is one of the most popular DAWs out there because of how fast, stable and powerful it is.
It comes with over 90 high-end audio and MIDI VST effectprocessors as well as a couple instruments which sound pretty damn good.
Just like Nuendo, Cubase features chord pads, chord assistant, chord tracks, and a lot more, which is great for composing music.
Cubase is easy to use, super powerful, and it’s great for recording, mixing, editing, and mastering, as well as composing music, with the only con being that it can be a bit on the pricier side.
What are its strengths; Cubase is a great all-rounderDAW.
You can find out more here: Cubase Pro by Steinberg.
4. Nuendo (Windows, Mac)
Nuendo was the first DAW I ever used.
I did an internship at a recording studio where the producerused Nuendo as his main Digital Audio Workstation and I got to learn quite alot about this software.
Nuendo can now open/import AAF files with it, which means that you can open your Pro Tools sessions in Nuendo itself, which wasn’t possible a couple years ago and it’s a definite improvement.
Nuendo is a good DAW for composers since it comes with chordpads, chord assistant, chord tracks, and a lot more.
It’s also one of the best DAWs to edit the audio of videoand film, as well as games, with.
What are its strengths; Great for Game Music- andVideo Music Production, as well as a good all-rounder.
You can find out more here: Nuendo by Steinberg.
5. FL Studio (Windows, Mac)
FL Studio is a DAW that excels at electronic music productionand composition.
In fact, if you do a quick search on YouTube about anythingrelated to electronic music production, you’ll find that most people are usingit instead of other DAWs.
It is one of the easiest DAWs to use, which means that it’sideal for beginners.
The interface looks amazing and it’s super intuitive to navigate, which is something I love about it, plus it’s got a very “visual” design to it.
Having said that, I wouldn’t recommend it to anyone who is not trying to produce electronic music, because if it’s not intended for recording, mixing, and mastering regular music.
The Fruity edition, which is the cheapest one, already comeswith a good number of plugins and effects which should be enough for mostusers.
However, if you need more you can either buy one of the different bundles like the “Producer” and “Signature” ones, which offer more plugins and effects, or you can purchase each plugin separately.
What are its strengths; FL Studio is excellent forElectronic music production and composition.
You can find out more about FL Studio here;
Moving on…
6. Studio One 5 (Windows, Mac)
Studio One is slowly becoming one of the most used DAWs outthere.
It’s fast, powerful, and super easy to use, which makes it ideal for anyone who is just starting to learn about audio engineering.
It features a drag and drop user interface as well as easy-to-follow workflow options, and what’s sometimes even more important than this is that when upgrading to the latest version, which is this case is Studio One 5, you don’t need to upgrade your PC as well since they made sure to keep the resource usage down.
Studio One 5 comes with a whole new suite of plugins, both in the Artist and Professional series, and it also features the Clip Gain Envelopes to correct volumes on a clip-by-clip basis, which really comes in handy.
Studio One has definitely matured a lot over the years and it’s slowly becoming one of the absolute best DAWs out there, and at a fourth the price of Pro Tools, I really think that it’s a great contender.
What are its strengths; Studio One 5 is a great all-rounder.
You can find out more here:
7. Reason 11 (Windows, Mac)
If you’re into Hip-hop, electronic music, and other similargenres, then Reason might be the perfect fit for you.
It comes with a Versatile array of bundled instruments which are some of the best stock plugins out there, and the workflow is easy and fast, especially for composing.
One thing that sets Reason apart from other DAWs is that it has always used a UI whereby instruments and effects are housed within an emulated outboard rack, complete with animated patch leads which are used to route audio and control signals around as you would when working with vintage hardware.
What are its strengths; Excellent for electronic music production.
You can find out more here:
8. Ableton Live 10 (Windows, Mac)
Ableton Live is the go-to digital audio workstation forelectronic music producers, especially for live settings since you can easilyintegrate it into any live set.
Some of the biggest artists out there, like Armin vanBuuren, use Ableton Live, both for live sets as well as producing their songs.
Dune 2 fl studio free. Having a DAW that fills both needs, be it to produce music in the studio or to use live on a stage, might be a deciding factor for anyone interested in electronic music production.
What are its strengths; Ableton Live is excellent for electronic music production, especially live shows.
Important Note: Ableton Live 11 is going to be released soon, but purchasing the current Live 10 version will allow you to upgrade for free once it comes out.
Find out more about Ableton Live here:
Moving on…
9. Reaper (Windows, Mac)
Reaper is a fantastic and budget-friendly DAW that allowsyou to do anything other DAWs can.
For just $60 for a personal license, I have to say that thisis one of my favorites.
The interface is clean and very easy to use, plus you can customize the layout however you like to suit your needs, and you can even download free skins to make it look even better.
The stock plugins that come with Reaper, even though they don’t look as flashy as some others, are extremely good, and I even use some of them on other DAWs.
If you want to record, mix, and master, without having acluttered workspace, then by all means… Download Reaper.
What are its strengths; Reaper is great forRecording, Mixing, Editing, and Mastering.
You can find out more here: Reaper by Cockos.
10. Bitwig Studio (Windows, Mac)
If you like Ableton Live, or if you need a DAW that’s beendesigned with live performances in mind, then Bitwig studio might be the onefor you.
Since it was developed by ex-Ableton engineers, it doesactually share some concepts and workflow similarities.
It has a flexible modulation synthesis environment which allowsany device, be it native or third party, to have an unlimited number ofadditional modulators attached.
You can subscribe to a 12-month update plan, rather thansimply purchasing each update individually.
This means that you will receive every single update untilthe period is up.
After this you won’t have access to the updates but you willkeep the software with all the updates you got so far.
What are its strengths; Bitwig Studio is great for Electronic Music Production and live performances.
You can find out more here: Bitwig Studio.
11. Garageband (Mac Only)
Garageband is an amazing DAW that comes free with any iOS device, if you own a Mac or an iPhone you will have access to it.
It is, essentially, a stripped-down version of Logic Pro X but completely free.
Garageband is a great place to start if you want to learn about multitrack recording, using MIDI and essentially mixing, before spending a lot of money on expensive software.
With Garageband, not only can you produce a song on your computer, but you also can produce an entire song using just your cellphone, since you have all the tools you need right there.
This means that if you own an iPhone and you want to record only using that device, Garageband will be the ideal choice for you.
You can find out more here:Garageband.
12. Cakewalk (Windows Only)
Cakewalk is, in my opinion, the best Free DAW currently available.
The only downside is that it’s only for Windows users.
It’s basically a rebranded version of SONAR Platinum with all its professional features included, and it’s also excellent for recording, mixing, editing, and mastering.
What are its strengths; Great all-rounder and Free without any limitations.
You can find out more here: Cakewalk.
13. Mixcraft 9 (Windows Only)
Mixcraft is a very affordable alternative to all the DAWs onthis list.
With the number of virtual instruments, effects, and other features it provides, this DAW could easily be sold for a lot more.
It comes with the Integrated Melodyne Tuning software, loads of Synths, mastering tools, and more.
The Interface is clean and pretty straight forward, which isalways a good thing.
What are its strengths; Great all-rounder.
You can find out more here: Mixcraft 9.
14. ACID Pro (Windows Only)
I generally don’t see ACID Pro included on any “Best DAW” lists, which I don’t think is fair since it’s a fantastic music production tool, plus at the price that it sells at it’s a complete bargain.
It’s very similar to FL Studio in the sense that it’s main focus isn’t so much on mixing, but rather on music creation by using samples and loops.
However, you definitely can mix and master on it and it provides you with all the tools necessary to do so.
ACID Pro is also fantastic at helping you compose, since it makes it easier than most other DAWs to change the tempo and pitch of certain parts, move them around, etc.
Fl Studio Alternative Free
I honestly recommend giving it a shot!
What are its strengths: Good all rounder with an emphasis on sample- and loop music creation/composition.
Find out more about ACID Pro here:
Most Cost-EffectiveDAWs
While investing in Pro Tools or Cubase might be a good idea for professional studio owners, the rest of the world doesn’t really need to do that.
In fact, I could argue that using Cakewalk, if you’re a Windows user, is probably the best way to go if you’re on a budget.
So, if you want a fully-featured and free DAW, Cakewalk is for you.
Other than that, here are my top three paid choices;
- Studio One: Overall great DAW at a reasonable price.
- FL Studio: Good budget option for electronic music producers.
- Reaper: I can’t emphasize enough how good this DAW is, and you can get it for $60. It’s a great all-rounder music production software.
- Logic Pro: Probably the best alternative for Mac users since it only costs $199.
Lastly, consider giving ACID Pro a shot if you’re into sample-based and loop-based music production.
Is the DAW itself really an important factor?
Of course, having powerful software is essential when trying to get your mixes to sound professional, or even when trying to compose and arrange.
However, I could argue that no matter what DAW you choose,you could certainly get excellent results with it if you really learn all ofits features and how to use them.
Of course, using FL Studio or Reason will surely help you create better electronic music than Reaper or Cakewalk, but that’s it.
The DAW is just a tool and what really matters are yourskills.
How to Improve your skills as a producer?
Practice makes perfect, right?
Well, not quite…
Practicing the right way makes perfect.
If you practice ten hours a day but focus on the wrongthings, it may take you forever… if you ever get there at all, that is.
So, try and focus on improving the skills that you feel you stillhaven’t perfected yet.
Here are a couple posts which might help you along the way;
Conclusion
Choosing a DAW isn’t an easy task since there are so many,plus some of them are quite expensive.
However, most of them can do the same things…
The only thing that matters in that case is if you like theworkflow of one better than the other.
Still, all the DAWson this list are great and I don’t think you can go wrong with either of them.
I hope this information was helpful…
Have a wonderful day!
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the best DAW?
Short answer: Pro Tools by Avid.
However, almost every DAW out there is capable of doing everything that Pro Tools can, which just means that you can choose whichever DAW you feel most comfortable with.
Even free ones like Cakewalk are more than capable of producing music at the highest of levels.
Do professionals use FL Studio?
Fl Studio Free Alternative
Yes, of course.
Every professional DAW is capable of doing the same things. However, FL Studio tends to be used mostly to produce electronic music.
But it is more than capable of producing any kind of music you want.
What is the easiest DAW to use?
Free Daw Software
Garageband is the easiest DAW to use, however it is only available for iOS devices.
If you’re a Windows user then I would recommend either Studio One Prime or Audacity which are fairly simple and beginner friendly DAWs.