The Best Audio Editing Software in 2026
We researched audio editing software from official websites, including pricing pages, plan tables and product documentation. Rankings reflect each product’s core editing and mixing capabilities, value for money and verified features for different audio workflows.
Our top picks
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Top ranked
Pro Tools#1 of 1289.4/10A broad workstation for studios spanning music production, audio post, and immersive mixing.
Free plan · 30-day trial
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Runner-up
REAPER#2 of 1289.3/10A flexible desktop DAW with broad audio and MIDI tools and a one-time license from $60.
60-day trial
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Top-ranked free plan
Ardour#9 of 1288.6/10A capable open-source DAW with broad routing, plug-in, MIDI, and video tools.
Free plan
Advertiser disclosure: iTechGuides is reader-supported. Vendors can pay for top positions in our rankings and for a place on other products' pages, and we may earn a commission when you click some links. Bought places stand at the number bought; this page and our disclosure say so. Paying vendors may get a fuller, more detailed review from our editors, and that review can change their score. How we rank.
The full ranking 128 tools, best first · page 1 of 3
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Best forProfessional studios and advanced audio workflows
A broad workstation for studios spanning music production, audio post, and immersive mixing.
- Cloud collaboration
- Video synchronization
- Noise reduction
Free plan · 30-day trial Our Pro Tools verdict → Visit Pro ToolsFor vendors Sponsor this spot · #1 · $149/mo →9.4/10★★★★★Visit Pro Tools -
Best forAffordable, flexible desktop production
A flexible desktop DAW with broad audio and MIDI tools and a one-time license from $60.
- Video synchronization
- Noise reduction
- MIDI sequencing
9.3/10★★★★★Visit REAPER -
Best forApple-based producers and video composers
A broad audio and MIDI workstation for Apple-based producers and video composers.
- Video synchronization
- Noise reduction
- MIDI sequencing
9.2/10★★★★★Visit Apple -
Best forTraditional studio production on Windows or Mac
A full desktop studio for producers and composers who need audio, MIDI, mixing, and video workflows.
- Video synchronization
- Noise reduction
- MIDI sequencing
9.1/10★★★★★Visit Cubase -
Best forLive performers and electronic producers
A deep DAW for performers and producers who need clip-based and timeline workflows.
- Video synchronization
- Noise reduction
- MIDI sequencing
9.0/10★★★★☆Visit Ableton Live -
Best forBeatmakers and electronic producers
A pattern-focused DAW with broad production tools and a $99 one-time starting price.
- Video synchronization
- Noise reduction
- MIDI sequencing
8.9/10★★★★☆Visit Image-Line -
Best forFilm, game, and immersive-audio professionals
A deep Windows and macOS workstation for post-production, immersive audio, and game sound.
- Video synchronization
- Noise reduction
- MIDI sequencing
8.8/10★★★★☆Visit Steinberg -
Best forVideo editors in the Adobe ecosystem
A mature desktop editor for detailed audio work and Adobe video-production workflows.
- Video synchronization
- Noise reduction
- Third-party plugins
8.7/10★★★★☆Visit Adobe Audition -
Best forOpen-source users needing a full DAW
A capable open-source DAW with broad routing, plug-in, MIDI, and video tools.
- Video synchronization
- MIDI sequencing
- Third-party plugins
8.6/10★★★★☆Visit Ardour -
Best forWindows users wanting a free full-featured DAW
A capable free Windows DAW with multitrack audio, MIDI, mixing, and VST3 support.
- Video synchronization
- MIDI sequencing
- Third-party plugins
8.5/10★★★★☆Visit Cakewalk Sonar -
Best forModular producers needing Linux support
A flexible DAW for modular production, broad hardware support, and Linux workflows.
- MIDI sequencing
- Third-party plugins
- Multitrack editing
8.4/10★★★★☆Visit Bitwig Studio -
Best forBeginners using Apple devices
A capable free starting point for Apple users recording, editing, and arranging audio.
- Noise reduction
- MIDI sequencing
- Third-party plugins
8.3/10★★★★☆Visit GarageBand -
Best forFree cross-platform audio editing
A capable free editor for multitrack audio, recording, restoration and format conversion.
- Cloud collaboration
- Video synchronization
- Noise reduction
8.2/10★★★★☆Visit Audacity -
Best forCollaborative browser-based music and podcasts
A flexible collaborative DAW for music makers, podcasters, educators, and students.
- Cloud collaboration
- Noise reduction
- MIDI sequencing
8.1/10★★★★☆Visit Soundtrap -
Best forApollo users wanting a free DAW entry point
A capable free DAW, with its strongest fit in Apollo and Volt-centered workflows.
8.0/10★★★★☆Visit LUNA -
Best forWindows studios needing very large track counts
A deep Windows DAW for high-track-count recording, editing, mixing, and post-production.
- Video synchronization
- Noise reduction
- MIDI sequencing
7.9/10★★★★☆Visit Samplitude -
Best forSpecialist audio repair and noise removal
A specialist spectral editor for repairing noise, dialogue, and damaged recordings.
7.8/10★★★★☆Visit iZotope RX -
Best forProfessional spectral repair and audio unmixing
A focused spectral editor for detailed restoration, repair, and DAW-based workflows.
7.7/10★★★★☆Visit Steinberg -
Best forEditors focused on restoration and mastering
A focused choice for restoration, mastering, multitrack work, and audio publishing.
- Third-party plugins
- Multitrack editing
7.6/10★★★★☆Visit Steinberg -
Best forWindows creators needing AI audio tools
A broad Windows audio editor with AI tools, podcast features, and a free restricted edition.
- Video synchronization
- Noise reduction
- Third-party plugins
7.5/10★★★★☆Visit AudioDirector -
Best forAffordable multitrack recording across many devices
A flexible, affordable multitrack workstation with broad device support.
- Noise reduction
- MIDI sequencing
- Third-party plugins
7.4/10★★★★☆Visit MixPad -
Best forAccessible waveform editing across many devices
A broad, cross-device waveform editor with recording, restoration and format support.
- Noise reduction
- Third-party plugins
7.3/10★★★★☆Visit WavePad -
Best forRack-based sound designers and producers
A rack-focused DAW for producers who want recording, sequencing, routing, and mixing in one system.
- MIDI sequencing
- Third-party plugins
- Multitrack editing
7.2/10★★★★☆Visit Reason -
Best forExpressive MIDI and live-performance workflows
A paid DAW for musicians and producers who prioritize expressive MIDI and live workflows.
- MIDI sequencing
- Multitrack editing
7.1/10★★★★☆Visit site -
Best forWindows creators mixing audio and video
A broad Windows-only DAW for creators combining audio, MIDI, and video.
- Video synchronization
- MIDI sequencing
- Third-party plugins
7.0/10★★★★☆Visit Mixcraft -
Best forCross-platform producers wanting mobile support
A feature-rich DAW with mobile support, flexible plug-ins, and one-time desktop pricing.
6.9/10★★★☆☆Visit n-Track Studio -
Best forTranscript-first audio and video teams
A transcript-first editor for teams producing audio, video, and podcasts.
6.8/10★★★☆☆Visit Descript -
Best forRemote podcasters needing AI cleanup
A focused browser studio for remote podcast recording and AI speech cleanup.
6.7/10★★★☆☆Visit Adobe Podcast -
Best forRemote podcast and interview production
A focused remote production platform with strong recording, transcription, and publishing tools.
6.6/10★★★☆☆Visit Riverside -
Best forFree mobile and web collaboration
A capable free studio for multitrack music creation across web and mobile.
- Cloud collaboration
- Noise reduction
- MIDI sequencing
6.5/10★★★☆☆Visit BandLab -
Best forAffordable Windows loop-based music production
An affordable Windows DAW for loop-based production, recording, MIDI, and VST3 plug-ins.
6.4/10★★★☆☆Visit MAGIX -
Best forDJs and beatmakers using stems
A focused desktop workstation for beatmakers, DJs and stem-based production.
6.3/10★★★☆☆Visit Serato Studio -
Best forBeatmakers using hardware and DAW plugins
A focused beat-making system with sampling, sequencing, mixing, stems, and DAW integration.
6.2/10★★★☆☆Visit MASCHINE -
Best forFree browser-based collaborative production
A capable free browser DAW for collaborative recording, MIDI, and beatmaking.
6.1/10★★★☆☆Visit Soundation -
Best forLinux users wanting a free multitrack editor
A focused Linux multitrack editor for audio, MIDI, plug-ins, and automation.
6.0/10★★★☆☆Visit Qtractor -
Best forAI stem separation and practice tools
A focused audio toolkit for separating stems, practicing songs, and adjusting tracks.
5.9/10★★★☆☆Visit Moises -
Best forPitch and timing correction specialists
A focused editor for precise pitch and timing work, with deeper tools by edition.
5.8/10★★★☆☆Visit Celemony -
Best forFree mobile-first music production
A capable free starting point for multitrack music production across devices.
- MIDI sequencing
- Third-party plugins
- Multitrack editing
5.7/10★★★☆☆Visit Zenbeats -
Best forMobile DAW users needing broad storage integration
A capable mobile DAW for recording, arranging and mixing music across iOS and Android.
- Noise reduction
- MIDI sequencing
- Third-party plugins
5.6/10★★★☆☆Visit Steinberg -
Best forWindows post-production and mastering professionals
A Windows-focused workstation for complex audio, mastering and video-synced post-production.
- Video synchronization
- Noise reduction
- MIDI sequencing
5.5/10★★★☆☆Visit Boris FX -
Best forFree open-source production with AI options
A capable free DAW for multitrack production, MIDI, plugins, pitch work, and optional local AI.
- MIDI sequencing
- Third-party plugins
- Multitrack editing
5.4/10★★★☆☆Visit OpenStudio -
Best forAI stem separation and note-level editing
A focused desktop DAW for separating, reshaping, repairing, and exporting audio.
5.3/10★★★☆☆Visit RipX DAW -
Best forPodcasters wanting automated cleanup and hosting
A focused web studio for podcasters who want automated cleanup and publishing tools.
5.2/10★★★☆☆Visit Alitu -
Best forFree open-source MIDI-focused production
A capable free DAW for MIDI-led composition, arranging, and electronic music production.
5.0/10★★☆☆☆Visit LMMS -
Best forCross-platform tracker and modular synthesis
A focused tracker and modular studio for electronic composition across desktop and mobile.
- MIDI sequencing
- Multitrack editing
4.9/10★★☆☆☆Visit SunVox -
Best forFree browser-based podcast video editing
A focused browser editor for transcript-led podcast video production.
- Cloud collaboration
4.8/10★★☆☆☆Visit Streamlabs -
Best forMix-focused producers seeking low-cost desktop software
Low-cost, mix-oriented DAW with broad platform support and optional Dolby Atmos.
4.7/10★★☆☆☆Visit Harrison Audio -
Best forOpen-source MIDI and audio production
A capable open-source DAW for multitrack audio and MIDI production.
- MIDI sequencing
- Third-party plugins
- Multitrack editing
4.6/10★★☆☆☆Visit Zrythm -
Best forBudget-conscious Windows audio editors
A Windows-focused workstation with deep editing, mixing, repair, and video-sync tools.
- Video synchronization
- Noise reduction
- Third-party plugins
4.5/10★★☆☆☆Visit Soundop -
Best forCollaborative web and Mac music projects
A collaborative browser and Mac workstation with recording, MIDI, plugins, and mastering.
- Cloud collaboration
- MIDI sequencing
- Third-party plugins
4.4/10★★☆☆☆Visit Raxx Studio
No tools match those filters.
Compare at a glance
| # | Tool | Free plan | Paid from | Supported platforms | Multitrack editing | MIDI sequencing | Third-party plugins | Score |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Pro Tools | Yes | Windows, macOS | Yes | Yes | Yes | 9.4 | |
| 2 | REAPER | No | $60 one-time | Windows, macOS, Linux | Yes | Yes | Yes | 9.3 |
| 3 | Logic Pro | No | $29.99/yr | macOS and iPadOS | Yes | Yes | Yes | 9.2 |
| 4 | Cubase | No | Windows, macOS | Yes | Yes | Yes | 9.1 | |
| 5 | Ableton Live | No | $31.21/mo | Windows, macOS | Yes | Yes | Yes | 9.0 |
| 6 | FL Studio | No | $99 one-time | Windows, macOS | Yes | Yes | Yes | 8.9 |
| 7 | Nuendo | No | Windows, macOS | Yes | Yes | Yes | 8.8 | |
| 8 | Adobe Audition | No | Windows and macOS | Yes | Yes | 8.7 | ||
| 9 | Ardour | Yes | $1/mo | Linux, macOS, Windows | Yes | Yes | Yes | 8.6 |
| 10 | Cakewalk Sonar | Yes | Windows 11 and higher | Yes | Yes | Yes | 8.5 | |
| 11 | Bitwig Studio | No | $99 one-time | macOS, Windows, Linux | Yes | Yes | Yes | 8.4 |
| 12 | GarageBand | Yes | Free | macOS, iPhone, iPad | Yes | Yes | Yes | 8.3 |
| 13 | Audacity | Yes | Free | Windows, macOS, Linux | Yes | No | Yes | 8.2 |
| 14 | Soundtrap | Yes | Web browser, Windows, macOS, iOS, Android | Yes | Yes | 8.1 | ||
| 15 | LUNA | Yes | $149/yr | 8.0 | ||||
| 16 | Samplitude | No | $145/yr | Windows | Yes | Yes | Yes | 7.9 |
| 17 | iZotope RX | No | $99 one-time | 7.8 | ||||
| 18 | SpectraLayers Pro | No | 7.7 | |||||
| 19 | WaveLab | No | Windows, macOS | Yes | Yes | 7.6 | ||
| 20 | AudioDirector | Yes | Windows 10 and 11, 64-bit | Yes | Yes | 7.5 | ||
| 21 | MixPad | Yes | Windows, macOS, iOS/iPadOS, Android | Yes | Yes | Yes | 7.4 | |
| 22 | WavePad | Yes | $60/yr | Windows, macOS, iOS, Android | Yes | 7.3 | ||
| 23 | Reason | Yes | Windows, macOS | Yes | Yes | Yes | 7.2 | |
| 24 | Digital Performer | No | macOS and Windows | Yes | Yes | 7.1 | ||
| 25 | Mixcraft | No | Windows; iOS and Android companion app | Yes | Yes | Yes | 7.0 | |
| 26 | n-Track Studio | Yes | $109/yr | 6.9 | ||||
| 27 | Descript | Yes | $16/user/mo | 6.8 | ||||
| 28 | Adobe Podcast | Yes | $19.99/mo | 6.7 | ||||
| 29 | Riverside | Yes | $15/mo | 6.6 | ||||
| 30 | BandLab Studio | Yes | Web, iOS, Android | Yes | Yes | 6.5 | ||
| 31 | MAGIX Music Maker | Yes | $59.99 one-time | 6.4 | ||||
| 32 | Serato Studio | Yes | $9.99/mo | 6.3 | ||||
| 33 | MASCHINE | No | $39 one-time | 6.2 | ||||
| 34 | Soundation | Yes | 6.1 | |||||
| 35 | Qtractor | Yes | Free | 6.0 | ||||
| 36 | Moises | Yes | 5.9 | |||||
| 37 | Melodyne | No | 5.8 | |||||
| 38 | Zenbeats | Yes | Windows, macOS, iOS, Android, and compatible Chrome OS systems | Yes | Yes | Yes | 5.7 | |
| 39 | Cubasis | No | iOS, iPadOS, Android, Chrome OS | Yes | Yes | Yes | 5.6 | |
| 40 | Sequoia | No | $595/yr | Windows 10 and 11 (64-bit) | Yes | Yes | Yes | 5.5 |
| 41 | OpenStudio | Yes | Free | Windows, macOS, Linux | Yes | Yes | Yes | 5.4 |
| 42 | RipX DAW | No | $99 one-time | 5.3 | ||||
| 43 | Alitu | No | $380/yr | 5.2 | ||||
| 44 | LMMS | Yes | Free | 5.0 | ||||
| 45 | SunVox | Yes | Windows, macOS, Linux, iOS, Android, Windows CE | Yes | Yes | No | 4.9 | |
| 46 | Streamlabs Podcast Editor | Yes | Web browser | No | 4.8 | |||
| 47 | Harrison Mixbus | No | $49.99 one-time | 4.7 | ||||
| 48 | Zrythm | Yes | GNU/Linux, Windows, macOS | Yes | Yes | Yes | 4.6 | |
| 49 | Soundop | No | $2.99/mo | Windows 8, Windows 10, Windows 11 | Yes | Yes | 4.5 | |
| 50 | Raxx Studio | Yes | Web browser and macOS desktop app | Yes | Yes | Yes | 4.4 |
Head-to-head All 28 comparisons →
- Pro Tools vs REAPER
- Pro Tools vs Logic Pro
- Pro Tools vs Cubase
- Pro Tools vs Ableton Live
- Pro Tools vs FL Studio
- Pro Tools vs Nuendo
- Pro Tools vs Adobe Audition
- REAPER vs Logic Pro
- REAPER vs Cubase
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How we rank audio editing software
Every tool on this page was researched by iTechGuides Editors from its official website — pricing pages, plan tables and product documentation. We rank on how well each one does this category's core job, what the free or entry plan includes, and where it falls short. Where we have enough verified facts, the score out of 10 is a rubric — job fit, value and how much we could verify — shown with its breakdown on every tool's page; a tool we have not verified enough to score yet shows its rank without a number. Scores are re-checked when a product changes its plans. Read the full editorial policy, or submit a tool we missed.
Reviewed by iTechGuides Editors · Editorial team · Updated Oct 2026
Last updated · How we research and update