GarageBand
GarageBand: A capable free starting point for Apple users recording, editing, and arranging audio. Ranked #12 of 128 in Audio Editing Software by our editors (8.3/10); pricing: Free plan; best for beginners using Apple devices.
At a glance
- Editor score8.3 / 10
- PricingFree plan
- Best forBeginners using Apple devices
- Free planYes
- Paid fromFree
- Third-party pluginsYes
- Facts checked21 Sep 2026
Where it wins
- Free access with no subscription-based pricing
- Supports up to 255 audio tracks on Mac
- Includes instruments, effects, Flex Time, and Audio Units
Where it doesn't
- Available only on macOS and iOS
- Advanced workflows are narrower than full DAWs
- Does not support simultaneous multi-user collaboration
Our verdict on GarageBand
GarageBand is Apple's free music creation and recording software for Mac, iPhone, and iPad. It suits beginners who want to record, arrange, mix, and edit audio without a subscription, while also giving musicians access to software instruments, MIDI editing, loops, virtual amplifiers, and effects. The Mac version supports projects with up to 255 audio tracks, and the iPhone and iPad version supports up to 32 tracks. It can also create movie soundtracks and add soundtracks to movies.
The free plan covers both Apple device experiences: the Mac version is available through the Mac App Store, while the iPhone and iPad version is available through the App Store. The feature set includes Apple Loops, Drummer, amps, cabinets, stompboxes, compression, visual EQ, reverb, panning, the Piano Roll Editor, and tools for recording multiple takes. Flex Time and Groove Track help adjust timing, and Audio Units plus third-party Audio Unit Extensions extend its audio toolkit. Logic Remote, iMovie, and iCloud add useful connections within Apple's ecosystem.
GarageBand is a strong choice for Apple users who want a broad set of recording and editing features at no cost. iCloud can sync and import projects, but GarageBand is not positioned as a simultaneous multi-user collaboration tool. Its Apple-only platform coverage also rules it out for Windows or Android workflows. Choose it for accessible multitrack production, instruments, effects, MIDI sequencing, and movie audio; choose a fuller digital audio workstation when more advanced workflows or wider platform support are priorities.
Your product? Our editors can test GarageBand in depth and publish a review, labelled as paid · from $149/mo →
GarageBand pricing
All 1 GarageBand plans and prices →
GarageBand fact sheet
| Free plan | Yes |
|---|---|
| Paid from | Free |
| Supported platforms | macOS, iPhone, iPad |
| Multitrack editing | Yes |
| MIDI sequencing | Yes |
| Third-party plugins | Yes |
| Noise reduction | Yes |
| Video synchronization | No |
| Cloud collaboration | Not verified |
| Deployment | Desktop, Mobile |
| Platforms | macOS, iOS |
| Support | Community, Docs |
| Built for | Solo, Small business (editorial estimate) |
| Integrations | 4 integrations: iCloud, Logic Remote, iMovie, Clips |
| Pricing | Free plan (source) |
| Website | apple.com |
| Facts checked | 21 Sep 2026 |
GarageBand integrations
GarageBand lists 4 integrations on its own site.
- iCloud
- Logic Remote
- iMovie
- Clips
Alternatives to GarageBand
- Pro ToolsA broad workstation for studios spanning music production, audio post, and immersive mixing.9.4
- REAPERA flexible desktop DAW with broad audio and MIDI tools and a one-time license from $60.9.3
- Logic ProA broad audio and MIDI workstation for Apple-based producers and video composers.9.2
See all GarageBand alternatives →
Also Ranked In
GarageBand is ranked in 6 of our directories.
Used GarageBand? Be the first to review it
The editor score above is our own research. What this page doesn't have yet is a reader's view — what you used GarageBand for, what worked and what didn't. No stars are seeded and no review is paid for; an editor reads every one before it appears.
Write a reviewTwo minutes · verified accounts only · read by an editor before it appears
Featured on iTechGuides
GarageBand is listed in our Audio Editing Software directory. Add the badge to your site — it links back to this page.
<a href="https://www.itechguides.com/products/garageband/"><img src="https://www.itechguides.com/best/badge/garageband.svg" alt="Featured on iTechGuides" width="230" height="46"></a>
Reviewed by iTechGuides Editors · Editorial team · Updated Oct 2026
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.
Last updated · How we research and update