Introducing
The Slant team built an AI & it’s awesome
Find the best product instantly
Add to Chrome
Add to Edge
Add to Firefox
Add to Opera
Add to Brave
Add to Safari
Try it now
4.7 star rating
0
Add Tags
What are the best free DAWs for Linux?
9
Options
Considered
40
User
Recs.
Jan 14, 2024
Last
Updated
Related Questions
Activity
Have feedback or ideas?
Join our community
on Discord
Ad
7
Options
Considered
Best free DAWs for Linux
Price
Platforms
MIDI
--
Ardour
Open Source, $1+
Windows, Linux, Mac
Yes
--
Zrythm
FREE - 25$
-
-
--
Reaper
60$ - 225$
-
-
--
LMMS
FREE
Linux, Windows, Mac
Yes
--
Waveform
FREE - 600$
-
-
See Full List
--
Ardour
My Rec
ommendation
for
Ardour
My Recommendation for
Ardour
All
1
Specs
Specs
Platforms:
Windows, Linux, Mac
MIDI:
Yes
Plugin Support:
VST, LADSPA, LV2
Hide
Open Source, $1+
Recommend
3
--
Zrythm
My Rec
ommendation
for
Zrythm
My Recommendation for
Zrythm
All
8
Experiences
1
Pros
5
Cons
1
Specs
Top
Pro
•••
The creator enjoys it (github/alex-tee, alexteee, etc..)
There are a lot more things to see, but... Recently he compiled, added help to build OS-251, (new lo-fi syth!) Over the years, he helped audio related open-source projects, pointing out some issues. Zrythm is still growing, and going faster.
See More
Top
Con
•••
Only free if you compile the source code
See More
Theoteno's Experience
LMMS isn't so pretty as this software, doesn't support native linux VSTs by default, and vst3 support might take some time. But Zrythm's beauty not worth its price, not to me. When it's that hard to compile it well, and not with JACK! I would prefered Alsa-rtaudio. Yes, it was 1-2 years to go this far in development... Still: I would rather compile Carla, as LMMS has automatic audio driver and MIDI keyboard detection, at least!
See More
Specs
Compatibility:
GNU/Linux, FreeBSD, Windows, Mac
Plugin Compatibility:
LV2, VST2, VST3, AU, LADSPA, DSSI
Top
Pro
•••
Free if you compile the source code
See More
Top
Pro
•••
Cross-platform
Installers can be bought for Linux, MacOS and Windows. Or you can compile the source code for free on any platform.
See More
Top
Pro
•••
Free software
AGPLv3 licensed with source code available.
See More
Top
Pro
•••
Monolithic
Unlike many Linux DAWs, Zrythm comes in one coherent program.
See More
Hide
See All
FREE - 25$
Recommend
5
1
--
Reaper
My Rec
ommendation
for
Reaper
My Recommendation for
Reaper
All
38
Pros
37
Specs
Top
Pro
•••
Can edit while you're recording
Reaper allows editing while you're recording for a performative and fluid workflow. This feature can also help save time when mixing.
See More
Specs
Compatibility:
Windows , Mac, Linux
Plugin Compatibility:
VST, VST2, VST3, VSTi, AU, DX (Windows Only), DXi (Windows Only), LV2/LV2i (Linux)
Included sounds:
None
Processing type:
32-bit, 64-bit, ARM (32/64-bit, Linux Only)
See All Specs
Top
Pro
•••
Can mix on arranger view without console (mixer) or inspector
See More
Top
Pro
•••
Script tools
Can run edited Script tools programmed by users.
See More
Top
Pro
•••
Lightweight and affordable price
These two things are the biggest advantage of Reaper. No other DAW can beat it based on CPU efficiency. Some people say Reaper isn't a professional DAW by look, but it's not true. Reaper is a full-featured professional DAW. You can do anything whatever you want for music production. The price is also reasonable. They are even generous with the evaluation policy. If they offer the simple and intuitive version, I'll be back to Reaper.
See More
Top
Pro
•••
Excellent license model
You can have one version and the future version when its out .
See More
Top
Pro
•••
Potential to be the most beautiful DAW
You can customize Reaper with hundreds of themes, or make them yourself.
See More
Top
Pro
•••
Universal tracks
In Reaper, you can record MIDI and Audio onto the same track. As well, there are no distinctions between any form of audio. Surround Sound, Mono, Stereo files, and anything else you can think of; all of this can be recorded onto the same track.
See More
Top
Pro
•••
Tabbing multiple projects
You can have multiple projects open via tabs at the top left. You can then drag and drop clips, instruments or ideas between projects with ease.
See More
Top
Pro
•••
Tool-less interface
Set the cursor, press a key, done. Reaper's cursor is extremely intuitive. A monkey could understand it. Unlike Cakewalk, Bitwig, etc., there is no need to switch cursor editing modes or work around "smart" cursors.
See More
Top
Pro
•••
Very full featured but basic recording and production can be learned and done in a few hours
Without prior experience with DAW, you can install Reaper, set up ASIO drivers, connect to your amp and mikes, get the hang of recording/re-recording tracks, and render an mp3 in just a few hours. You can accomplish the basics very fast.
See More
Top
Pro
•••
Application is extendable
Reaper has no limitations. Once you understand it, Reaper becomes a mixing, mastering and editing mainstay. Reaper punches way above its price range in terms of sheer brevity.
See More
Top
Pro
•••
Editing audio can be done on track
You don't have to go to a separate editor to edit audio files. You can work directly on the track, and drop/drag pieces to other tracks, sew them together. It's a fun sandbox and easy peasy.
See More
Top
Pro
•••
Huge community support
See More
Top
Pro
•••
Multiple recording and playback formats
Records in WAV, AIFF, FLAC, WAVPACK, OGG and MP3.
See More
Top
Pro
•••
Multi-level freezing
A freeze can be applied to a group, and then picked apart track by track.
See More
Top
Pro
•••
Free Reaplugs VST/VSTi bundle
Allows usage of the basic bundled like EQ's and comp plugins in any DAW.
See More
Top
Pro
•••
Portable
Reaper is lightweight enough to be run off of a flash drive; the installer weights less than 20 MB and the portable installation option is included in it.
See More
Top
Pro
•••
Constantly updated
Reaper's developers add features based on user request at lightspeed. This is what makes Reaper reliable and trustworthy. Fans of Reaper are so adamant about the software because of this. Contrary to Music Radar's review of FL Studio, Reaper is the true "People's DAW".
See More
Top
Pro
•••
Very low cpu usage
Reaper's will tailor itself to fit your computer's processing power by automatically using the "anticipative FX processing" feature.
See More
Top
Pro
•••
Auto-bridges 32-bit plugins in a 64-bit environment
When using a 64-bit installation of Reaper, all 32-bit plugins will still work alongside 64-bit plugins. On computers with an x86-64 CPU and an OS that supports multi-architecture, you can also run bridged 64-bit plugins on 32-bit Reaper.
See More
Top
Pro
•••
Easy to install
No complex activation shenanigans. No dongle and such.
See More
Top
Pro
•••
Extremely stable, rarely crashes
Reaper receives high praise for its stability. It's one of the many talking points of the software.
See More
Top
Pro
•••
Highly customizable
As well as making your own themes, you can configure the Reaper interface to best suit your needs. There are no limitations to how customizable or programmable Reaper truly is. It's almost magic.
See More
Top
Pro
•••
Notation editing
Miraculously, composition-focused musicians can now find a home in Reaper.
See More
Top
Pro
•••
Native Linux support
No need to install Wine, Reaper supports Linux natively!
See More
Top
Pro
•••
OSC support
You can control almost everything via OSC (and MIDI, too).
See More
Top
Pro
•••
Runs well on Wine in Linux
While other DAWs drag their feet on Windows, Reaper hits a solid stride even on Linux.
See More
Top
Pro
•••
Smooth
Running smoothly with 50 tracks on i5 gen3 RAM 4GB laptop (mixing and mastering work done separately).
See More
Top
Pro
•••
Clean, easy-to-read GUI
While some may disagree, the GUI has been widely celebrated for its informative nature. Everything you need to see is there or reachable. For more analytical types, Reaper can be of use.
See More
Top
Pro
•••
The software advances with you
If you want to use it as a glorified tape machine and nothing else, you'll still be able to get work done. If you want to learn all the shortcuts, scripts, custom actions and macros and really unlock what Reaper can do, you can do that as well. Either way, you'll still be able to make music.
See More
Top
Pro
•••
Many time-saving features
Thought has been given to many time-saving features and shortcuts which speed up workflow considerably.
See More
Top
Pro
•••
Lua scripting can be done in the DAW with a built-in IDE
See More
Top
Pro
•••
Supports ReWire
See More
Top
Pro
•••
Highly affordable
Reaper can be purchased in two different ways: A commercial license (225 USD) and a discounted license (60 USD). You can use Reaper unhindered with either license. You can only get the discount if your salary does not exceed 20,000 USD.
See More
Top
Pro
•••
Comes with ~300 free plugins
In addition to its powerful inbuilt plugins, Reaper comes bundled with about 300 little plugins written in its own EEL2 (aka Jesusonic) scripting language. This is also open-source so the end user can create or edit preexisting ones to get exactly what they want.
See More
Top
Pro
•••
DRM-free
Although it may seem otherwise, Reaper is shareware. After your 60-day free trial runs out, the program remains full-featured. Like WinRAR, the only person forcing you to get a license is you.
See More
Top
Pro
•••
Supports unlimited number of tracks with unlimited number of effects
There are no limits to the amount of tracks or effects that Reaper can run. Reaper is stable enough to handle comically dense projects with style.
See More
Hide
See All
60$ - 225$
Recommend
2
--
LMMS
My Rec
ommendation
for
LMMS
My Recommendation for
LMMS
All
18
Pros
13
Cons
4
Specs
Top
Pro
•••
Free and open source
LMMS is available for free with source code licensed under GPL and available on GitHub allowing anyone to edit and extend the software as they see fit.
See More
Top
Con
•••
No merging or splicing options
There is no feature that allows you to merge or splice tracks in LMMS.
See More
Specs
Plugin Compatibility:
VST, LADSPA
Platforms:
Linux, Windows, Mac
Included sounds:
Yes
Processing type:
32-bit, 64-bit
See All Specs
Top
Pro
•••
Works with many VSTs and effects
See More
Top
Con
•••
Windows are stuck inside of the main window and can't escape
Uses a "multiple-document interface," which even its own developers don't like.
See More
Top
Pro
•••
VST Support
Uses VeSTige as the VST plugin. It has some bugs but most VSTs work with it.
See More
Top
Con
•••
Not actively developed
No major features or improvements in a very long time.
See More
Top
Pro
•••
MIDI controllers support
Just plug in and play. Plug in the MIDI keyboard before opening LMMS and it'll automatically pick up that you've connected the keyboard.
See More
Top
Con
•••
GUI is ugly
See More
Top
Pro
•••
VST plugins support
See More
Top
Pro
•••
Cross-platform
LMMS works on Linux, Windows and OSX.
See More
Top
Pro
•••
Computer Keyboard to MIDI
You can use your computer keyboard as a MIDI controller.
See More
Top
Pro
•••
No Scanning VST instruments/FX in LMMS
You can load a VST Instrument plugin directly from your desktop if you want to and it supports most of the ddl plugins, both 32-bit 64-bit. FX plugins need to be placed into your directed plugin folder e.g C :/Program files/LMMS/Plugins.
See More
Top
Pro
•••
Preloaded with basic VST instrument plugins and modifiers
LMMS comes with a triple oscillator, Gameboy sound emu, NES sound emu added into the software, which makes it easier to create sounds without the inclusion of external plugins. It is very accessible for beginners.
See More
Top
Pro
•••
LADSPA plugins support
See More
Top
Pro
•••
JACK Audio Connection Kit support
See More
Top
Pro
•••
Easy to use
LMMS is ideal for beginners, as it is easy to use and comes with tons of ready to use instruments and samples.
See More
Top
Pro
•••
Is a great open-source alternative to FL Studio
Interface look like FL Studio interface. Has many of the same windows such as step-sequencer, piano roll, playlist, mixer, etc.
See More
Hide
See All
FREE
Recommend
7
1
--
Waveform
My Rec
ommendation
for
Waveform
My Recommendation for
Waveform
All
13
Pros
8
Cons
4
Specs
Top
Pro
•••
Free version available
Older releases are available for free when new versions come out.
See More
Top
Con
•••
Not open source
See More
Specs
Compatibility:
Windows, Linux, Mac
Top
Pro
•••
Clean interface
See More
Top
Con
•••
No option to easily cut a file
There is no scissors tool or similar....
See More
Top
Pro
•••
ARM/ARM64 support
Runs on SBC (single board computer) systems like the Raspberry Pi3, Pine64, and ODroid development boards, as well as systems like the Pinebook and Chromebooks with ARM based SoC CPU's that have been reformatted with a Linux OS.
See More
Top
Con
•••
Crashes a lot
See More
Top
Pro
•••
Ideal for beginners
Self-explaining interface.
See More
Top
Con
•••
Not suited for live performance
No session based Workflow (like Live/Bitwig), hiccups upon loading projects.
See More
Top
Pro
•••
Easy to understand
Very logically structured.
See More
Top
Pro
•••
Very stable
See More
Top
Pro
•••
Linux support
Runs great on Linux(except LV2 Support).
See More
Top
Pro
•••
Creative Tools
Has a Chord Track, MIDI pattern creator and great included tools.
See More
Hide
See All
FREE - 600$
Recommend
1
--
Linux TASCAM interface
My Rec
ommendation
for
Linux TASCAM interface
My Recommendation for
Linux TASCAM interface
All
1
Experiences
1
ReflectiveSandas's Experience
It's interesante /l ooking for TASCAM Ubuntu harmonization x. Love recording
See More
Hide
Recommend
11
--
Waveform Free
My Rec
ommendation
for
Waveform Free
My Recommendation for
Waveform Free
All
1
Cons
1
Top
Con
•••
Crashes
The program crashes constantly, cannot be used comfortably.
See More
Hide
FREE
Recommend
2
1
Don't see your favorite option? Add it.
--
Bitwig Studio
My Rec
ommendation
for
Bitwig Studio
My Recommendation for
Bitwig Studio
99$ - 399$
Recommend
4
--
Radium
My Rec
ommendation
for
Radium
My Recommendation for
Radium
Get it
here
Recommend
2
See flagged products
Hide flagged products
Built By the Slant team
Find the best product instantly.
4.7 star rating
Add to Chrome
Add to Edge
Add to Firefox
Add to Opera
Add to Brave
Add to Safari
Try it now - it's free
One sec!
Are you sure that you want to abandon your hard work?
Delete Work
Continue working
{}
undefined
url next
price drop