LUNA
LUNA: A capable free DAW, with its strongest fit in Apollo and Volt-centered workflows. Ranked #15 of 128 in Audio Editing Software by our editors (8.0/10); pricing: Free plan; best for apollo users wanting a free DAW entry point.
At a glance
- Editor score8.0 / 10
- PricingFree plan
- Best forApollo users wanting a free DAW entry point
- Free planYes
- Paid from$149/yr
- Founded1958 · Scotts Valley, California, United States
- Facts checked19 Sep 2026
Where it wins
- Unlimited tracks and no time limit in LUNA Free
- Supports MIDI, warping, VST3, Audio Units, and ARA plug-ins
- Apollo and Volt integration with low-latency monitoring
Where it doesn't
- The strongest hardware workflow is centered on Apollo and Volt
- LUNA Studio costs $199 one-time
- UAD Spark Studio requires a $149 annual subscription
Our verdict on LUNA
LUNA is Universal Audio’s digital audio workstation for macOS and Windows, covering recording, arranging, editing, mixing, and MIDI production. It suits musicians and producers who want a free DAW with unlimited audio and instrument tracks, no time limit, piano-roll editing, virtual instruments, audio warping, and third-party plug-in hosting. Apollo and Volt owners get a more integrated workflow, while LUNA also works with any audio interface.
The free tier is unusually broad for an entry point. LUNA Free includes eight UAD plug-ins, four-track stem separation, unlimited tracks, and core recording and production features. LUNA Studio costs $199 one-time and adds 30 UAD plug-ins and instruments, six ARA plug-ins, console and tape extensions, advanced smart features, and hardware inserts. UAD Spark Studio costs $149 per year and includes LUNA Studio, 70 UAD plug-ins, and regularly added plug-ins. The paid choices therefore target different priorities: a permanent Studio purchase or a larger subscription-based UAD collection.
Its ecosystem fit is the main buying consideration. LUNA supports VST3 and Audio Units, ARA plug-ins, Apollo and Volt hardware, low-latency monitoring, and hardware inserts with routing and delay compensation. Built-in tape, console, and summing extensions also give the workstation a defined production character. Choose LUNA if its free plan, UAD tools, and Universal Audio hardware integration match your workflow. Consider another DAW if you want a less hardware-oriented ecosystem or do not expect to use Apollo, Volt, or UAD-centered features.
Your product? Our editors can test LUNA in depth and publish a review, labelled as paid · from $149/mo →
LUNA pricing
LUNA fact sheet
| Free plan | Yes |
|---|---|
| Paid from | $149/yr |
| Supported platforms | Not verified |
| Multitrack editing | Not verified |
| MIDI sequencing | Not verified |
| Third-party plugins | Not verified |
| Noise reduction | Not verified |
| Video synchronization | Not verified |
| Cloud collaboration | Not verified |
| Deployment | Desktop |
| Platforms | macOS, Windows |
| Integrations | 5 integrations: Apollo, Volt, VST3, Audio Units, ARA |
| Pricing | Free plan (source) |
| Website | uaudio.com |
| Facts checked | 19 Sep 2026 |
LUNA integrations
LUNA lists 5 integrations on its own site.
- Apollo
- Volt
- VST3
- Audio Units
- ARA
Alternatives to LUNA
- 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
Also Ranked In
LUNA is ranked in 2 of our directories.
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Featured on iTechGuides
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Reviewed by iTechGuides Editors · Editorial team · Updated Oct 2026
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