Pro Tools vs REAPER

PTPro Tools9.4Visit REAPER9.3Visit

Higher score PT Pro Tools #1 in Audio Editing Software 9.4/10 Free plan · 30-day trial Free planFree trial✓ 6 of 6 features Visit Pro Tools

vs

REAPER #2 in Audio Editing Software 9.3/10 60-day trial Free trial✓ 5 of 6 features Visit REAPER

• Pro Tools fits best

  Professional studios and advanced audio workflows

• REAPER fits best

  Affordable, flexible desktop production

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Side by side

Feature	PTPro Tools 9.4/10 Visit ↗	REAPER 9.3/10 Visit ↗
At a glance
Editor score	9.4	9.3
Ranking	#1 in Audio Editing Software	#2 in Audio Editing Software
Best for	Professional studios and advanced audio workflows	Affordable, flexible desktop production
Pricing model	Free plan + paid	Paid
Starting price	—	$60 one-time
Free plan	✓ (best)	—
Free trial	30 days	60 days
Free trial length	30 days	60 days
Deployment	Desktop	Desktop
Platforms	Windows, macOS	Windows, macOS, Linux
Support	Community, Tickets, Phone	Email, Community, Docs
Integrations	3 integrations	10 integrations
Built for	Solo, Small business, Mid-market, Enterprise	Solo, Small business, Mid-market
Features Pro Tools 6/6 · REAPER 5/6
Multitrack editing	✓	✓
MIDI sequencing	✓	✓
Third-party plugins	✓	✓
Noise reduction	✓	✓
Video synchronization	✓	✓
Cloud collaboration	✓ (best)	Not checked yet
Specs
Supported platforms	Windows, macOS	Windows, macOS, Linux
Our review
Pros	Covers recording, multitrack editing, MIDI, mixing, and video sync Free Intro plan plus paid tiers from $9.99 per month Supports AAX, ARA 2, Dolby Atmos, and cloud collaboration	Records, edits, mixes, and masters multitrack audio and MIDI Runs on Windows, macOS, and Linux Supports broad plug-in formats, scripting, and video processing
Cons	Advanced tiers reach $34.99 and $99 per month Full audio post workflows are limited to Ultimate Cloud collaboration requires current Cloud Client Services software	The $60 license is limited to eligible users Commercial users who do not qualify pay $225 Desktop-only workflow; no recurring subscription option
Our verdict	Pro Tools is a digital audio workstation for musicians, producers, recording engineers, and audio post-production teams. Its scope covers audio recording, multitrack session management, clip-based editing, MIDI composition, virtual… Read the review →	REAPER is a desktop digital audio workstation for recording, editing, processing, mixing, and mastering audio and MIDI. It suits home producers, professional studios, broadcast and location recording, education, sound design, game… Read the review →

Strengths and trade-offs

• Pro Tools — where it wins

  • Covers recording, multitrack editing, MIDI, mixing, and video sync
  • Free Intro plan plus paid tiers from $9.99 per month
  • Supports AAX, ARA 2, Dolby Atmos, and cloud collaboration

  Where it doesn't

  • Advanced tiers reach $34.99 and $99 per month
  • Full audio post workflows are limited to Ultimate
  • Cloud collaboration requires current Cloud Client Services software

• REAPER — where it wins

  • Records, edits, mixes, and masters multitrack audio and MIDI
  • Runs on Windows, macOS, and Linux
  • Supports broad plug-in formats, scripting, and video processing

  Where it doesn't

  • The $60 license is limited to eligible users
  • Commercial users who do not qualify pay $225
  • Desktop-only workflow; no recurring subscription option

• PTPro Tools9.4/10 · Free plan · 30-day trial

  A broad workstation for studios spanning music production, audio post, and immersive mixing.

  Visit Pro ToolsFull verdict →
• REAPER9.3/10 · 60-day trial

  A flexible desktop DAW with broad audio and MIDI tools and a one-time license from $60.

  Visit REAPERFull verdict →