REAPER vs Ardour

REAPER9.1Visit Ardour8.7Visit

Higher score REAPER #3 in Digital Audio Workstations 9.1/10 60-day trial Free trial✓ 0 of 4 features Visit REAPER

vs

Ardour #6 in Digital Audio Workstations 8.7/10 Free plan Free plan✓ 0 of 4 features Visit Ardour

• REAPER fits best

  Affordable cross-platform power users

• Ardour fits best

  Open-source cross-platform production

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Side by side

Feature	REAPER 9.1/10 Visit ↗	Ardour 8.7/10 Visit ↗
At a glance
Editor score	9.1	8.7
Ranking	#3 in Digital Audio Workstations	#6 in Digital Audio Workstations
Best for	Affordable cross-platform power users	Open-source cross-platform production
Pricing model	Paid	Free plan + paid
Starting price	$60 one-time	$1/mo
Free plan	—	✓ (best)
Free trial	60 days	—
Deployment	Desktop	Desktop
Platforms	Windows, macOS, Linux	Windows, macOS, Linux
Support	Email, Community, Docs	Email, Live chat, Tickets, Community, Docs
Integrations	10 integrations	7 integrations
Built for	Solo, Small business, Mid-market	Solo, Small business, Mid-market, Enterprise
Features REAPER 0/4 · Ardour 0/4
Audio warping	Not checked yet	Not checked yet
Score editor	Not checked yet	Not checked yet
Video timeline	Not checked yet	Not checked yet
VST3 support	Not checked yet	Not checked yet
Specs
Operating systems	Not checked yet	Not checked yet
Max audio tracks	Not checked yet	Not checked yet
Max MIDI tracks	Not checked yet	Not checked yet
Our review
Pros	Runs on Windows, macOS, and Linux Supports multitrack audio, MIDI, video, and surround processing Offers VST, VST3, LV2, CLAP, AU, DX, and JSFX support	Free access with optional $1, $4, $10, and $50 monthly tiers Multitrack audio, MIDI editing, automation, routing, and video sync Runs on Windows, macOS, and Linux with broad plugin support
Cons	No free plan; the evaluation period is limited to 60 days Discounted licensing depends on eligibility Desktop deployment only, with no recurring subscription option	Desktop-only deployment Paid tiers primarily fund development and provide update access The feature set may be more than needed for simple recording tasks
Our verdict	REAPER is a desktop digital audio workstation for recording, editing, processing, mixing, and mastering audio and MIDI. It is aimed at solo creators, small and mid-market teams, home users, professional studios, broadcast, location… Read the review →	Ardour is an open-source digital audio workstation for audio engineers, musicians, composers, soundtrack editors, podcasters, and radio producers. It supports multitrack audio and MIDI recording, editing, mixing, mastering, and exporting… Read the review →

Strengths and trade-offs

• REAPER — where it wins

  • Runs on Windows, macOS, and Linux
  • Supports multitrack audio, MIDI, video, and surround processing
  • Offers VST, VST3, LV2, CLAP, AU, DX, and JSFX support

  Where it doesn't

  • No free plan; the evaluation period is limited to 60 days
  • Discounted licensing depends on eligibility
  • Desktop deployment only, with no recurring subscription option

• Ardour — where it wins

  • Free access with optional $1, $4, $10, and $50 monthly tiers
  • Multitrack audio, MIDI editing, automation, routing, and video sync
  • Runs on Windows, macOS, and Linux with broad plugin support

  Where it doesn't

  • Desktop-only deployment
  • Paid tiers primarily fund development and provide update access
  • The feature set may be more than needed for simple recording tasks

• REAPER9.1/10 · 60-day trial

  REAPER packs extensive audio, MIDI, video, and plug-in support into a one-time desktop license.

  Visit REAPERFull verdict →
• Ardour8.7/10 · Free plan

  A capable cross-platform DAW with free access, deep routing, MIDI, plugins, and video sync.

  Visit ArdourFull verdict →