It’s amazing how many free Digital Audio Workstations (DAW for short) are available these days for recording, creating, editing and mixing music from a simple home computer setup.
Oct 01, 2019 An extremely popular piece of software. Although Logic Pro is great for composing and producing music, I love using it for mixing too. The stock plugins that come with Logic Pro X are perhaps the best stock plugins of any DAW. This one is my personal go-to DAW! What They Say: Logic Pro X puts a complete recording and MIDI production studio on your Mac, with everything a pro musician needs to.
When I first started getting into recording music from home, I thought it was pretty much required to spend a few hundred dollars (at least) on music recording software, but it turns out that’s not the case at all.
In fact if you’re a beginner just starting out, you’re much better off not buying a DAW right away.
It’s better to test a few different DAWs at first, some free versions and demos, to find out what fits your style and workflow the best.
There’s nothing worse than spending several hundred dollars on software that you later find out that you don’t like, so it’s important to take some time when it comes to choosing a DAW.
If you’re looking for a new DAW or are just starting out, here’s a list of the best free Digital Audio Workstations that are currently available to download and try out.
Pro Tools First
Pro Tools has been one of the top Digital Audio Workstations for a long time. It is used in many professional studios and is considered the industry standard in some circles. But Pro Tools also receives a lot of criticism for the way Avid chooses to handles things.
Avid released a completely free version of Pro Tools earlier this year called Pro Tools First. It has a lot of good things going for it, with a couple of significant drawbacks. The free version is a great way to try out Pro Tools without having to commit to spending a fortune on a full license or a subscription plan.
Here’s a comparison chart that lists the differences between the free and paid versions of Pro Tools.
Pros
- Supports recording 16 mono/stereo audio and instrument and MIDI tracks.
- Supports ReWire.
- Comes with Xpand!2, a virtual instrument plugin with 1000’s of built-in sounds for drums, strings, pianos, loops, synths, etc; plus over 20 Pro Tools plugins are included.
Cons
- Plugins can only be purchased through Avid’s marketplace; you can’t install plugins from outside sources.
- Supports just three projects at one time.
- Projects are stored in the cloud (with offline caching).
Studio One 3 Prime
The other big-name free DAW up for the taking that works with Mac and PC computers is Studio One Prime. Unlike most other free DAWs it offers unlimited audio tracks, MIDI tracks, buses, and FX channels. The main limitation is you can’t load 3rd party plugins with the free version because there is no VST support—and that’s a pretty big issue.
The $99 PreSonus AudioBox USB audio interface comes with a free download of Studio One 3 Artist, which sells for $75 separately. It’s a step-up from the free version and adds a number of additional features, but VST and ReWire support costs an extra $79 as an add-on.
Here’s a comparison chart at PreSonus listing all the different features between each version of Studio One.
Pros
- Impressive interface and workflow, with advanced multi-track editing and comping, automation, and full MIDI support.
- Supports unlimited audio tracks, MIDI tracks, buses, and FX channels.
- It comes with 9 high-quality effects, including Ampire, Beat Delay, Chorus, MixVerb, EQ, Presence XT sampler, etc.
Cons
- No VST plugin support.
- Just one virtual instrument included.
Podium Free
One of the better options for a free DAW is Podium Free, the freeware edition of Podium. It’s a fully-functional DAW for Windows that supports recording and editing audio and MIDI, and it can load VST plugins as well.
Pros
- VST plugin support.
- Identical to the commercial version of Podium, with a few limitations.
- Can download and use freely, registration optional.
Cons
- Windows only.
- Plugin multi-processing is disabled on free version.
- ReWire and 64-bit mixer engine disabled on free version.
Tracktion T5
If you truly want to go the free DAW route, Tracktion 5 is one of the best options. It’s not encumbered by the usual limitations like other brands. It’s a fully-operational DAW, complete with VST and ReWire support and unlimited tracks. T5 also supports automation and it has audio comping, latency management, track freeze, MIDI learn, and more.
Pros
- Supports unlimited VST/AU plugins and ReWire.
- Unlimited number of audio and MIDI tracks supported.
- Works with Windows, Mac, and Linux.
Cons
- Single window user interface.
- Less overall features than the big name stuff like Pro Tools First.
DarkWave Studio
DarkWave Studio is another freeware DAW that is available for Windows. It’s designed with an emphasis on creating electronic music. It supports VST and VSTi instrument and plugin effects. DarkWave Studio features a modular approach and it comes with a bunch of bundled plugins.
Pros
- VST plugins supported.
- Multi core & multi CPU support.
- Regularly updated.
Cons
- Windows only.
- Not well known, not much info.
Reaper
Reaper is a popular DAW that’s loaded with tons of features and a very user-friendly license policy. There’s an older free version of Reaper available, v0.999. It hasn’t been updated in 10 years and won’t be updated again, but it still has a number of useful tools for recording and editing music.
However, it doesn’t really make any sense to even bother with the free version of Reaper because the full version only costs $60. Don’t let the price fool you. It’s a full DAW with the same level of features as the expensive stuff. Plus it has a 60-day trial period to demo the full software.
Additional Options
Audacity – It’s not a DAW precisely but Audacity is highly-capable open source audio software for multi-track recording and editing—it even supports VST plugins. It works with Windows, Mac, and Linux and it’s free.
LMMS – While it does not offer any type of external audio recording, LMMS is free open-source software for Windows, Mac, and Linux. It comes with some included effects and instrument plugins. It supports MIDI and 3rd-party VST plugins.
Ableton Live Lite 9 – A fully-functional DAW that’s main limitation is it only supports 8 tracks/scenes. It’s not free exactly but it does come free with a number of MIDI and audio interfaces. One of the best and most capable free software add-ons if you can get a hold of it.
MuLab Free – A free version of MuLab that supports four tracks and eight VST plugins per project. Works with Windows and Mac OSX.
Ardour – A fully functional DAW for OSX and Linux. It’s not free but it can be purchased for as little as $1.
Wavosaur – Wavosaur is a free audio editor and audio recorder program that supports wav and mp3 files. Wavosaur can install VST plugins for real time effects processing. The program is freeware for Windows computers.
Best Free DAWs for music, sound design, and anything audio. These are the best free daws for Windows (pc), Mac & Linux in 2019!
There are even some free daws for mobile and online (browser).
A Digital Audio Workstation is an essential tool for the modern audio engineer or producer, so why not learn what's out there?
Chart of the best Free Digital Audio Workstations (DAWs)
| DAW Name | Plugin Support | OS Support |
|---|---|---|
| Bosca Ceoil | N/A (built-in) | Windows, Mac, Linux, Online |
| LMMS | VST, SoundFont, LADSPA (64 & 32-bit) | Windows, Mac, Linux |
| Tracktion T7 | VST & AU (64 & 32-bit) | Windows, Mac, Linux |
| Ohm Studio | VST | Windows, Mac, Linux |
| SoundBridge | VST (64 & 32-bit) | Windows |
| Cakewalk | VST (64 & 32-bit) | Windows |
| Garageband | AU | Mac |
| Qtracktor | LADSPA, DSSI, NativeVSTi, LV2 | Linux |
| Rosegarden | LADSPA, DSSI, VSTi, VST, LV2 | Linux |
| Audiotool | N/A (built-in) | Online |
| Soundtrap | N/A(built-in) | Online |
| Audacity | VST, AU, LADSPA, Nyquist (64 & 32-bit effect plugins only) | Windows, Mac, Linux |
| MixPad | VST (64-bit effect plugins only) | Windows, Mac |
| WavePad | VST, DirectX (64-bit) | Windows, Mac |
Now, it's worth mentioning if you have a plugin that isn't supported by a DAW that you want to use it with, there are ways around it.
By using a plugin wrapper, you can load (for example, a VST plugin into a DAW that only supports AU). You can even turn 64-bit plugins into 32-bit, and vice-versa. It all depends on what the plugin wrapper can do.
Top FREE DAWs For any OS
Bosca Ceoil
Supported Plugin Formats: N/A
Bosca Ceoil is not only a downloadable DAW but it can also be used directly on your browser. This DAW is dedicated to chiptune and other low-bit styles of music, and it's got some pack to its punch.
It all comes as-is, so you won't be able to use any third party plugins or effects directly in the DAW, but it's not like you'll need any.
With its simplicity, this is a great tool for audio producers of any skill and even game developers who want to do their own music.
LMMS
Supported Plugin Formats: VST / SoundFont / LADSPA
Now, if chiptune or bit-music is your thing and you want to also use your own plugins or simply want to be in more of a standard DAW environment, LMMS has got you covered.
It comes with quite a few plugins that emulate those nostalgic video game sounds and is available for Windows, Mac, and Linux. It’s also said to be like FL Studio.
Tracktion T7
Supported Plugin Formats: VST / AU
Available on the 3 major operating systems, T7 is fully-featured free DAW has a nice UI. With unlimited audio and MIDI tracks, you won’t run into any roadblocks.
Ohm Studio
Supported Plugin Formats: VST
Ohm studio has an amazing feature that is really rare for a DAW to have. With Ohm studio, you can collaborate real-time with anyone, anywhere.
This means you can work on the same project at the same time with more than one person from anywhere in the world. You can chat in the DAW and see what they're doing as well.
FREE DAWs For Windows
Soundbridge
Supported Plugin Formats: VST
SoundBridge (previously known as Lumit) has a very unique and easy to understand interface, which is great for newcomers in audio especially.
It comes with a few stock effects and a powerful drum machine called Ritmix.
Cakewalk
Supported Plugin Formats: VST
Cakewalk by Bandlab is a free DAW that used to be a popular paid one called Sonar (by Cakewalk). This gives the DAW some great premium-grade features that were made to cost money.
FREE DAWs For Mac
Garageband
Supported Plugin Formats: AU
Sharing a near-identical User Interface with Apple's flagship DAW, Logic, you have a seamless upgrade path to one of the leading DAWs in the industry. Not to mention there is a Garageband app for IOS so you can make your music wherever you are.
Its simplicity and arsenal of sounds will have you ready to produce even at entry-level. There is an abundance of resources to learn from, all interactive, all integrated into the DAW.
FREE DAWs For Linux
Qtractor
Supported Plugin Formats: LADSPA / DSSI / NativeVSTi / LV2
Qtracktor comes with many unlimited features and its open source, so its updates are virtually unlimited too.
This DAW is updated very frequently (~every few months) so you can look forward to more out of this as you develop your skill.
Rosegarden
Supported Plugin Formats: LADSPA / DSSI / VSTi / VST / LV2
If you understand sheet music or want to learn more about it and have access to a Linux computer, Rosegarden is definitely worth experimenting with.
It comes with a notation editor, so you can actually write a song using sheet music, or simply use the piano roll, which is the MIDI editor.
FREE Online DAWs (Browser)
Best Daw For Mac Reddit
Audiotool
Supported Plugin Formats: N/A
If you'd rather make your music online or on the go, Audiotool is the perfect DAW.
With everything being cloud-based, you can collaborate and access your projects much easier, so you can go from your computer, to your phone, then to your friend's computer.
After you've made your music, you can actually publish it through Audiotool's built-in publishing platform.
Use Audiotool For Free Here (Press app on the navbar to launch.)
Soundtrap
Supported Plugin Formats: N/A
If you just can't sit still when you produce your music or like to work on-the-go, Soundtrap works on any device. Your phone, tablet, laptop or computer, you name it.
This is a good choice for those who just want to quickly get a song down without access to a professional DAW on a computer.
Audio Editors (Semi-DAWs)
Audacity
Supported Plugin Formats: VST / AU / LADSPA / Nyquist
This audio editor is a go-to for anyone involved with podcasts or voice acting. It comes with plenty of effects built in. The use of plugins with Audacity is limited to effects.
Free Daws Windows10
Currently, there is no support for instruments. However, this DAW doesn’t come with the ability to edit MIDI and is focused on recording and audio editing.
MixPad
Supported Plugin Formats: VST
A simple free DAW that works on both Windows and Mac, this software can let you record multiple tracks at once. There is also a royalty-free sound library included with it.
In this, you can export files via many different formats or directly upload to SoundCloud, Dropbox, or Google Drive.
WavePad
Daw For Mac
Supported Plugin Formats: VST / DirectX
With a similar feel to Audacity, this audio editor comes with some simple to use features for audio production. Although there is no support for virtual instrument plugins for this Digital Audio Workstation, it’s still a good way to edit and record live.
There you go, a list of amazing free DAWs that you can use to start (or continue) making music with.
No excuses, go to the library and use a computer there if you have to.
If you'd like to check out some options that cost money, you might enjoy The Best Paid DAWs.
I hope you found this list insightful, don’t forget to share this article if you liked it. Thanks for reading!