The best free music making software is GarageBand on Mac, Cakewalk Next or Tracktion Waveform Free on Windows, and BandLab in a browser. Audacity records vocals on any system, and LMMS makes beats for free. Free programs record and mix a full song. What they lack is a ready vocal mix chain.
Most lists of free music programs give you one long ranking. That makes it hard to choose, because a program that is great for beats may be a poor fit for vocals. This guide lists 19 programs that are free, free-tier or free to try, grouped by what you want to do: record vocals, make beats, record a band or a full song, make music in a browser, or add free plugins. Prices and plans are what we found at the time of writing. Check each maker's site before you download, because plans change.
Free music software: quick comparison
| Program | Price | Platforms | Best for | Catch |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| GarageBand | Free | Mac, iPhone, iPad | Vocals and songs on Apple devices | Apple devices only |
| Audacity | Free | Windows, Mac, Linux | Simple voice recording and editing | Not built for full songs |
| Ocenaudio | Free | Windows, Mac, Linux | Quick, light audio editing | Editor, not a full studio |
| Pro Tools Intro | Free tier | Windows, Mac | Learning an industry-standard DAW | Limited tracks and projects |
| LMMS | Free | Windows, Mac, Linux | Beats and electronic music | Weak for recording vocals |
| Hydrogen | Free | Windows, Mac, Linux | Drum patterns | Drums only |
| Ableton Live Lite | Free with some hardware | Windows, Mac | Loops and electronic music | You need qualifying gear |
| Cakewalk Next | Free tier | Windows, Mac | Full songs on a free account | Needs a BandLab account; terms change |
| Tracktion Waveform Free | Free | Windows, Mac, Linux | Full songs with no track limit | Busy screen for beginners |
| Ardour | Free if you build it; binaries cost a small payment | Windows, Mac, Linux | Recording bands and live audio | Steeper learning curve |
| Reaper | Not free: 60-day evaluation, then a paid license | Windows, Mac, Linux | Deep control on a low budget | Plain look, many options |
| MuseScore Studio | Free | Windows, Mac, Linux | Writing sheet music | Notation, not recording |
| BandLab | Free | Browser, iOS, Android | Recording on any device | Needs an internet connection |
| Soundtrap | Free tier | Browser, mobile | Class work and simple projects | Free plan has limits |
| Vital | Free tier | Windows, Mac, Linux | A modern synth | Fewer presets on free tier |
| Surge XT | Free | Windows, Mac, Linux | A deep synth | Large and complex |
| TDR Nova | Free | Windows, Mac | Vocal EQ and de-essing | Takes practice |
| MFreeFxBundle | Free | Windows, Mac | A set of free effects | Many controls |
| Graillon Free Edition | Free | Windows, Mac | Pitch and voice effects | Fewer features than paid |
How to choose free music software
Answer these five questions in order. They narrow the list fast.
What computer do you have?
GarageBand runs on Apple devices only. Cakewalk Next, Pro Tools Intro and Ableton Live Lite run on Windows and Mac. Audacity, LMMS, Ardour and Waveform Free also run on Linux. BandLab works in a browser on any computer, so an old laptop is fine.
What do you want to make?
If you sing or rap, pick a program that records audio well. If you build beats, pick one with a step sequencer or piano roll. If you record a band, pick one that handles many tracks at once. The sections below follow these three goals.
What is your budget?
You can finish a song for $0. Paid programs add more sounds, more plugins and fewer limits. Spend money only when you hit a clear limit, not before.
Do you need a path to upgrade?
Some programs let you move up later. GarageBand projects open in Logic Pro. Pro Tools Intro and Cakewalk Next sit below larger paid versions from the same makers. Open-source tools like Ardour and LMMS have no paid upgrade, which also means no sales pressure.
Do you want to learn one program well?
Pick one and stay with it for a month. Switching programs every week is the most common beginner mistake. For a wider look at paid and free picks, read our guide to the best DAW for beginners.
Best free software to record vocals
Any free DAW can record a clean vocal. The microphone, the room and the singer matter more than the program. The real gap in free software is the mix chain: EQ, compression, de-essing and reverb. Free programs ship basic versions of these effects, but you must set them up yourself, and that is where most beginners get stuck.
A preset chain fixes this. It loads a tuned set of effects on your vocal track in one click. If you use GarageBand, try our GarageBand vocal presets. If you use Logic Pro, see our Logic Pro X vocal presets. You can start with a free chain, the free vocal chain preset for Logic Pro, which costs $0.
GarageBand
GarageBand is Apple's free DAW for Mac, iPhone and iPad. It records audio and MIDI, includes loops and software instruments, and has built-in vocal effects. A beginner gets a simple screen and a fast start. The limit is that it works on Apple devices only. If you want to learn how its effects work, read our guide to GarageBand vocal effects. To add a ready chain, the GarageBand Starter Pack has 3 vocal presets for $19.
Audacity
Audacity is a free, open-source audio recorder and editor. It is good for recording a voice, cutting out mistakes, removing noise and exporting files. A beginner can learn the basics in an hour. The limit is that it is an editor, not a full music studio, so it is a weak choice for building songs from many parts.
Ocenaudio
Ocenaudio is a free audio editor with a clean, light design. You can open a file, apply an effect and hear the result in real time. It is easy for quick fixes. The limit is that it does not have the multitrack mixing of a DAW.
Pro Tools Intro
Pro Tools Intro is the free tier of the studio standard from Avid. You sign in with an Avid account to use it. A beginner gets to learn the layout that many studios use. The limit is a cap on tracks and projects, so check Avid's page for the current numbers.
Best free software to make beats
Beat makers need a sequencer, drum sounds and a way to arrange loops. The free options below do this well. They are weaker at recording a voice, so many people make the beat in one program and record vocals in another. For more ideas, see our list of the best free beat maker tools.
LMMS
LMMS is a free, open-source program for making electronic music and beats. It has a song editor, a beat editor, a piano roll and built-in synths. A beginner can build a full track from scratch. The limit is that its audio recording is basic, so it is not the best tool for a vocal session.
Hydrogen
Hydrogen is a free, open-source drum machine. You draw drum patterns in a grid and chain them into a song. It is simple and fast to learn. The limit is that it makes drums only, so you need a second program for the rest.
Ableton Live Lite
Ableton Live Lite is a cut-down version of Ableton Live. It comes free with many audio interfaces, controllers and other music gear. A beginner gets the loop-based workflow that many electronic producers use. The limit is that you cannot download it on its own for free. If you buy no qualifying hardware, you pay for a paid edition or use the trial.
Best free software to record a band or a full song
A full song needs many tracks, a good mixer and support for plugins. These programs handle all three. They have more buttons than the programs above, so give yourself a week to learn the screen.
Cakewalk Next
Cakewalk Next is a modern DAW from BandLab, and BandLab says a free tier is available through a BandLab account. It records audio, supports plugins and runs on Windows and Mac. A beginner gets a full studio with no cost. The limit is that BandLab has changed how Cakewalk is offered before, so confirm what the free tier includes on the maker's site.
Tracktion Waveform Free
Waveform Free is a free version of Tracktion's Waveform DAW. It records audio and MIDI, takes third-party plugins and has no track limit. A beginner gets a full studio for free. The limit is a busy screen, and it takes time to learn where things are.
Ardour
Ardour is an open-source DAW built for recording and mixing. It is strong for live audio, like a band or a podcast. The source code is free. The ready-to-install versions for Windows and Mac ask for a small payment, and you can pay what you want above the minimum. The limit is a steeper learning curve.
Reaper
Reaper is not free, but it is worth knowing. It has a 60-day evaluation with all features, and the discounted license costs $60 at the time of writing. It is light on your computer and very flexible. The limit is that after 60 days you should buy a license, and the plain look can confuse a beginner.
MuseScore Studio
MuseScore Studio is a free program for writing sheet music. You enter notes, play them back and print the score. It suits songwriters who read music. The limit is that it does not record audio, so it is a notation tool, not a studio.
A note on Studio One: PreSonus has dropped the free Prime edition, so we leave it out. Old lists still show it, so do not rely on them.
Best free music software in a browser
A browser DAW needs no install and works on almost any computer. Your work saves online, so you can start on a laptop and finish on a phone. For a longer look at this idea, read our guide on how to make music online for free.
BandLab
BandLab is a free social music studio that runs in a browser and on iOS and Android. It records vocals, has loops and lets you share and collaborate. A beginner gets the quickest start of any program here. The limit is that you need an internet connection, and the effects are simpler than those in a desktop DAW.
Soundtrap
Soundtrap is an online studio with loops, instruments and recording. It has a free tier that suits school projects and simple ideas. A beginner gets an easy screen and live collaboration. The limit is that the free plan has fewer sounds and options than the paid plans, so check the current limits first.
Free plugins that fill the gaps
A plugin adds a sound or an effect to your DAW. Free plugins can match paid ones for many jobs. These work in most DAWs that support plugins, but note that GarageBand uses Audio Units only on Mac and cannot load every format.
Vital
Vital is a modern synth with a free tier. You can shape sounds with clear visuals. A beginner gets a large sound library to start from. The limit is that the free tier has fewer presets than the paid tiers.
Surge XT
Surge XT is a free, open-source synth with a large range of sounds. It suits both presets and deep sound design. A beginner can load a preset and play. The limit is that its size makes it harder to learn than a simple synth.
TDR Nova
TDR Nova is a free dynamic EQ from Tokyo Dawn Records. It acts as an EQ that also reacts to volume. Many people use it to tame harsh sounds in a vocal. The limit is that dynamic EQ takes practice to hear.
MeldaProduction MFreeFxBundle
MFreeFxBundle is a free set of effects from MeldaProduction. It includes EQ, compression and more in one download. A beginner gets a full set of mixing tools at no cost. The limit is that each plugin has many controls, which can overwhelm a new user.
Graillon Free Edition
Graillon from Auburn Sounds does pitch correction and voice effects. The free edition gives you a taste of the paid version. It is useful for creative vocal sounds. The limit is that some features are only in the paid version.
Free software plus a preset chain
You can build a good vocal sound with free tools alone, but it takes hours of testing. A preset chain gives you a strong starting point in seconds. Logic Pro users can load the Logic Pro X Starter Pack, which has 3 vocal presets for $19. Not sure which Apple DAW to use? Our comparison of Logic Pro vs GarageBand for vocals explains the difference. If you want more free options, see our list of free music production software.
FAQ
What is the best free music software?
For most Mac users it is GarageBand. For Windows users, Cakewalk Next and Tracktion Waveform Free are strong picks. For any computer with a browser, BandLab is the quickest start. The best choice depends on your goal, so use the sections above.
Is GarageBand really free?
Yes. GarageBand is free on Mac, iPhone and iPad. Apple includes it with the device or offers it in the App Store at no cost. It does not run on Windows.
What free program do professionals use?
Many professionals use free plugins like TDR Nova and open-source tools like Audacity or Ardour for certain jobs. Most use a paid DAW for main projects. Free tools are good enough to learn on and to finish real songs.
Can I make music on a PC for free?
Yes. On Windows you can use Cakewalk Next, Tracktion Waveform Free, LMMS, Audacity or Ardour. You can also use BandLab in a browser. Pick one based on whether you record vocals, make beats or record a band.
Is there a free music studio online?
Yes. BandLab is a free studio in your browser. Soundtrap has a free tier. Both let you record, use loops and save your work online.
Can free software sound professional?
Yes, if you also learn the mix. The program matters less than the recording, the microphone and the mix chain. A preset vocal chain helps close the gap quickly.
If you want to compare free and paid options side by side, read our guide to the best DAW for beginners.
