DAW Comparison Chart

The following is a comparison of 20 DAWs (Digital Audio Workstation).
Each DAW's name links to an individual article discussing the strengths,
weaknesses, history and common uses of each one.

Check Out Internet DAWs (or Web-Based DAWs) HERE

Ableton Live

Version:8 Price: $399 Plug-in: VST/AU

On-the-fly production for the 21st century.


Y	Y	N	Y	Y	Y	N	Y

Adobe Audition

Version: 4 Price: $339 Plug-in: VST

Top quality built in audio tools including restoration.


Y	Y	N	Y	Y	Y	N	Y

Apple Logic Pro

Version: 9 Price: $199 Plug-in: AU

Very popular for music production and composition.


Y	N	N	Y	Y	Y	Y	Y

Ardour

Version: 3 Price: Donate Plug-in: AU

Open source DAW with a great look and features.


Y	N	Y	Y	N	N	N	N

Audacity

Version: 1 Price: Free Plug-in: VST

Perfect for use as a consumer tape recorder.


Y	Y	Y	Y	N	N	N	N

Avid Pro Tools

Ver:10 Price: $699 Plug-in: RTAS/AAX

Simple standardized interface and machine-like.


Y	Y	N	Y	Y	Y	Y	Y

Avid Pro Tools HD

Ver:10 Pr: $10K Plug: AAX/TDM/RTAS

Industry standard DAW running on DSP cards.


Y	Y	N	Y	Y	Y	Y	Y

Cakewalk Sonar

Version:10 Price: $399 Plug-in: VST/DX

Excellent music production DAW with a long history.


N	Y	N	Y	Y	Y	Y	Y

Cockos Reaper

Ver: 4 Price: $60-225 Plug: VST/DX/JS

Superb quality DAW with no hype and great updates.


Y	Y	N	Y	Y	Y	N	Y

Image-Line FLStudio

Ver: 10 Price: $49-299 Plug-in: VST

Great starter DAW and very easy to use.


N	Y	N	Y	Y	Y	N	Y

Magix Samplitude

Ver: 11 Price: $499 Plug-in: VST/DX

Amazing sounding music and audio production DAW.


N	Y	N	Y	Y	Y	Y	Y

Magix Sequoia

Ver: 11 Price: $2,975 Plug-in:VST/DX

Samplitude with advanced features for big facilities.


N	Y	N	Y	Y	Y	Y	Y

Merging Tech Pyramix

Ver: 7 Price: $1-5K Plug-in: VST

Competitor to Pro Tools with DSP native systems.


N	Y	N	Y	Y	N	N	N

MOTU Digital Performer

Version:7 Price: $495 Plug-in: MAS/AU

Great music creation DAW used by composers.


Y	N	N	Y	Y	Y	Y	Y

Propellerhead Reason

Version:6 Price: $399 Plug-in: N/A

Popular instrument rewired to other DAWs.


Y	Y	N	Y	Y	Y	N	Y

Sony Acid Pro

Version: 7 Price: $299 Plug-in: VST/DX

The ultimate loop-based production program.


N	Y	N	Y	Y	Y	N	Y

Sony Sound Forge

Ver: 10 Price: $375 Plug-in: VST/DX

Audio DAW great for restoration to sound design.


N	Y	N	Y	Y	Y	N	N

Steinberg Cubase

Version:6 Price: $499 Plug-in: VST

Great all around music production. (VST Creator)


Y	Y	N	Y	Y	Y	Y	Y

Steinberg Nuendo

Version:5 Price: $1,800 Plug-in: VST

Advanced audio for post-production DAW.


Y	Y	N	Y	Y	Y	N	Y

Synapse Orion

Version: 9 Price: $249 Plug-in: VST/DX

Amazing set of stock virtual instruments and effects.


N	Y	N	Y	Y	Y	N	Y

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