When comparing n-Track 8 vs Audacity, the Slant community recommends Audacity for most people. In the question“What are the best DAWs? ” Audacity is ranked 21st while n-Track 8 is ranked 36th. The most important reason people chose Audacity is:
Audacity is available for free on Windows, Mac OS, and Linux with source code available [here](http://audacityteam.org/download/source).
Specs
Ranked in these QuestionsQuestion Ranking
Pros
Pro High quality customer service
Pro A step-sequencer composition mode
Pro Cross-platform
Compatible with Windows, Mac, iOS, and Android devices.
Pro Low CPU usage and light installer
Pro Clear and nice interface
Pro You can share projects with mobile versions
There are Android and iOS versions of this DAW, which allows for composing and playing on the go.
Pro Affordable price
Pro Supports all major plugin formats
Vst, Vst3 and AU.
Pro Free, open source and cross-platform
Audacity is available for free on Windows, Mac OS, and Linux with source code available here.
Pro Well maintained
Audacity is constantly updated.
Pro Great community backing it
Pro Great for vocal track editing
Cons
Con Unreliable effects
When three or more effects are applied, their parameters behave sporadically.
Con Included drum plugin is not very intuitive
Con Not seen as a full DAW
Audacity doesn't have the capabilities of popular DAWs and generally isn't considered to be good option.
Con Doesn't retain audio integrity
Audacity uses destructive editing, meaning applying effects, cutting, etc is non-reversable after you've saved a project.
Con No real time effects
Users are unable to change effects in real time with Audacity. If effects are to be changed, no sound can be playing or recording.
Con Unable to use Synthesizers / virtual instruments
You can only use effect plugins or record live with this DAW.
Con No native 64-bit version, therefore does not support 64-bit VST plugins
Audacity is available only as a 32-bit application, therefore even when running on 64-bit machines, it only supports 32-bit VST plugins unless they are converted to 32-bit using an application such as JBridge.