GarageBand vs FL Studio

GarageBand9.4Visit FL Studio8.0Visit

Higher score GarageBand #1 in Audio Editing Apps for iPhone 9.4/10 Free plan Free plan✓ 1 of 4 features Visit GarageBand

vs

FL Studio #8 in Audio Editing Apps for iPhone 8.0/10 Paid ✓ 1 of 4 features Visit FL Studio

• GarageBand fits best

  Free, full-featured iPhone multitrack editing

• FL Studio fits best

  Desktop-first production that also needs deep tools

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.

Side by side

Feature	GarageBand 9.4/10 Visit ↗	FL Studio 8.0/10 Visit ↗
At a glance
Editor score	9.4	8.0
Ranking	#1 in Audio Editing Apps for iPhone	#8 in Audio Editing Apps for iPhone
Best for	Free, full-featured iPhone multitrack editing	Desktop-first production that also needs deep tools
Pricing model	Free	Paid
Starting price	Free	$99 one-time
Free plan	✓ (best)	—
Free trial	—	—
Deployment	Desktop, Mobile	Desktop
Platforms	macOS, iOS	Windows, macOS
Support	Community, Docs	Tickets, Community, Docs
Built for	Solo, Small business	Solo, Small business, Mid-market, Enterprise
Features GarageBand 1/4 · FL Studio 1/4
Multitrack editing	✓	✓
Audio effects	Not checked yet	Not checked yet
MIDI support	Not checked yet	Not checked yet
Cloud sync	Not checked yet	Not checked yet
Specs
Maximum tracks	Not checked yet	Not checked yet
Export formats	Not checked yet	Not checked yet
Our review
Pros	Free access to recording, arranging, mixing, instruments, loops, and effects Multitrack projects support up to 32 tracks on iPhone and iPad MIDI editing, Audio Unit Extensions, and iCloud syncing across Apple devices	Pattern, Playlist, and Piano Roll workflows cover complete song production Supports VST, VST3, Audio Unit, and CLAP third-party plugins AI stem separation, noise removal, and synchronized video playback included
Cons	Available only on Apple devices: Mac, iPhone, and iPad iPhone and iPad projects support fewer tracks than Mac projects Video synchronization is not part of the feature set	Runs on Windows and macOS rather than iPhone Fruity Edition does not include audio recording or stem separation No free plan; the $99 entry license is a one-time purchase
Our verdict	GarageBand is Apple’s free music creation and recording software for Mac, iPhone, and iPad. It suits solo musicians, songwriters, and small creative teams that want to record, arrange, mix, and share music within Apple’s ecosystem. On… Read the review →	FL Studio is a desktop digital audio workstation for music producers, composers, beat makers, and recording artists. Its workflow combines pattern-based beat and step sequencing with a Playlist for full-song arrangement, Piano Roll MIDI… Read the review →

Strengths and trade-offs

• GarageBand — where it wins

  • Free access to recording, arranging, mixing, instruments, loops, and effects
  • Multitrack projects support up to 32 tracks on iPhone and iPad
  • MIDI editing, Audio Unit Extensions, and iCloud syncing across Apple devices

  Where it doesn't

  • Available only on Apple devices: Mac, iPhone, and iPad
  • iPhone and iPad projects support fewer tracks than Mac projects
  • Video synchronization is not part of the feature set

• FL Studio — where it wins

  • Pattern, Playlist, and Piano Roll workflows cover complete song production
  • Supports VST, VST3, Audio Unit, and CLAP third-party plugins
  • AI stem separation, noise removal, and synchronized video playback included

  Where it doesn't

  • Runs on Windows and macOS rather than iPhone
  • Fruity Edition does not include audio recording or stem separation
  • No free plan; the $99 entry license is a one-time purchase

• GarageBand9.4/10 · Free plan

  A free, full-featured multitrack studio for making music on Apple devices.

  Visit GarageBandFull verdict →
• FL Studio8.0/10 · Paid

  A deep desktop DAW for production teams that do not need iPhone access.

  Visit FL StudioFull verdict →