Just getting started with music production? Then this 7 best free DAW software can be your best company for getting started without spending a buck.
Digital Audio Workstations (DAWs) are the primary setup for music production. Though the work is not for children. Yet, spending thousands of dollars on buying a subscription can be a burden for those who are just starting off their path. The good news is that there are a few DAWs which come totally free of cost.
Remasterify researchers tried all of them, used for few weeks, and presented an all-inclusive data comprising of the top DAW software and they classified them based on their operating system, features, and other details of specification. These DAWs have No Trial, No Hidden Costs.
Table of Contents:
LMMS (Linux MultiMedia Studio)
Does These Free DAWs offer Good Mixing/Mastering?
1. Cakewalk (by BandLab)
If you don’t want to pay yet but are looking for a free DAW with no time limit, Cakewalk would be the best choice. Again, BandLab offers the best free online DAW for producers who don’t want to download large software just at the beginning of their career.
| Best for | Full-scale music production with pro-grade tools |
| Operating system | Windows 10 or 11 (64-bit) |
| Processor | Minimal requirement is Dual-core CPU. Use 8-core CPU for best uses. |
| Hard Drive Space | Will work from 1GB; but recommended is 20GB for best reflection at work |
| Best Monitor Resolution | Not specified, but 1920×1080 is recommended |
| Audio interface | ASIO-compatible hardware |
| Capabilities | Unlimited projects on audio & MIDI tracks High-precision audio processing. Live recording, comping, time-stretching, pitch correction Non-destructive editing with advanced quantization. |
| Mixing/ Mastering Channel? | Yes. |
| Touchscreen support? | Yes, for Windows tablets |
| Virtual Instruments | TTS-1 General MIDI Synth SI-Instruments Suite Supports VST3 & ARA plugins |
| UI | Clean, customizable, and efficient |
| Export Option Available? | Yes, directly to YouTube, SoundCloud, Facebook, and more |
| Cost | Truly FREE |
| Avoid if | You have macOS or Linux (only Windows supports) |
2. Tracktion Waveform Free
Waveform Free would be an intelligent choice for the best free DAW for home studio setup.
| Best for | Creative producers who want a flexible interface |
| Operating system | Windows 10/11 (64-bit), macOS 10.15+ (Intel or Apple Silicon, 64-bit), Ubuntu 20.04+ (64-bit), Raspberry Pi 3 Model B (64-bit) |
| Processor | Modern multi-core CPU recommended |
| Hard Drive Space | Not specified |
| Best Monitor Resolution | Not specified, but 1920×1080 is recommended |
| Audio interface | Any (ASIO recommended on Windows for low latency) |
| Capabilities | Unlimited projects on audio & MIDI tracks Pattern generator, clip launcher, drag-and-drop workflow Advanced MIDI editing |
| Utility Plugins Support | VST, VST3 (Windows/macOS/Linux), and AU (macOS) |
| Mixing/ Mastering Channel? | Yes (Mixing support is good, but mastering is very limited) [use Remasterify] |
| Touchscreen support? | Not specified |
| Virtual Instruments | Yes; includes 4OSC synth, Micro Drum Sampler, Micro Sampler, Rompler |
| UI | Modern, intuitive interface |
| Advanced MIDI Tools | MIDI Pattern Generator, MPE (MIDI Polyphonic Expression) |
| Audio & MIDI Effects | 14 refreshed built-in audio effects: Compressor, Gate, Limiter, Chorus, Phaser, Stereo Delay, Distortion, several types of Reverb, DJ Filter, Single/Three/Eight-band EQs, and more |
| Export Option Available? | Yes, in any format |
| Cost | Truly FREE |
| Avoid if | You require advanced features like Melodyne integration, which are available only in the paid version. |
Looking for something simple to learn? Your pick comes below:
3. Audacity
Audacity is the best platform for beginners who have dreamt of their future in audio mastering. The software is very easy to use, i.e., edit your recordings; hence you need no experience with music software to use Audacity, rather you can learn production basics.
| Best for | Podcasters, voiceover artists, and those needing straightforward audio editing. |
| Operating system | Windows 7/8/10/11, macOS, Linux |
| Processor | Intel Pentium III / AMD Athlon XP 1600+ |
| Hard Drive Space | Minimal |
| Best Monitor Resolution | 1024 x 768 or higher |
| Audio interface | Any |
| Capabilities | Multi-track editing, Noise reduction, Basic effects |
| Mixing/ Mastering Channel? | Basic mixing capability. External mixing and mastering tools are needed for better results. |
| Touchscreen support? | No |
| Virtual Instruments | No |
| UI | Simple |
| Export Option Available? | Yes; supports various formats |
| Cost | Truly FREE |
| Avoid if | You need MIDI support or virtual instruments for music composition |
4. GarageBand
Nothing other than GarageBand is the best free DAW for guitarists. It provides built-in virtual amps, pedals, intuitive interface, and AU plugin support. If you want to record your guitar, please make sure you’ll be able to manage the following specifications, and get this software:
| Best for | Apple users creating music with virtual instruments and loops. |
| Operating system | macOS 10.13.6 (High Sierra) or later |
| Processor | Intel Core 2 Duo or higher; Intel or Apple Silicon (M1/M2/M3) |
| Hard Drive Space | 3.5GB for macOS version |
| Best Monitor Resolution | 1024 x 768 or higher |
| Audio interface | Core Audio-compatible hardware recommended |
| Capabilities | Multi-track recording, Virtual instruments, Loops, effects |
| Plugin support | Restricted |
| Mixing/ Mastering Channel? | Basic mixing capability. Use Remasterify for mastering. |
| Touchscreen support? | Yes; on iOS devices |
| Virtual Instruments | Wide range of sampled instruments (pianos, strings, synths, etc.) and software-modeled synthesizers. |
| UI | beginner-friendly interface |
| Export Option Available? | Yes; supports various formats |
| Cost | Truly FREE |
| Avoid if | You’re not using Apple devices |
5. SoundBridge
If you’re a dedicated Apple user, SoundBridge would be the best free DAW for Mac. This software works best for those who want to master beats with the efficiency of electronic musicians.
| Best for | Beatmakers and electronic musicians |
| Operating system | Windows 8/10/11; macOS High Sierra 10.13 to Monterey 12 |
| Processor | Intel Core i5 or AMD multi-core processor |
| Hard Drive Space | 2GB for basic installation |
| Best Monitor Resolution | 1280 x 700 or higher |
| Audio interface | ASIO-compatible hardware recommended |
| Capabilities | Up to 10 tracks per project (for Free) Audio or MIDI support Multitrack audio and MIDI recording Advanced comping & editing Crossfades and nested group tracks MIDI/audio routing and sidechaining Scale presets, fold preset, and swing tool for creative sequencing |
| Plugin support | VST (32/64-bit) |
| Mixing/ Mastering Channel? | Basic mixing capability. It’s NOT for mastering at all. |
| Touchscreen support? | Yes |
| Virtual Instruments | RitMix drum machine and reChord MIDI arpeggiator |
| UI | Sleek interface |
| Export Option Available? | Yes; supports various formats |
| Cost | Truly FREE |
| Avoid if | You require frequent software updates, as development updates are infrequent, or you want more than 10 tracks per project. |
6. LMMS (Linux MultiMedia Studio)
Though the name suggests ‘Linux’, LMMS is available on Windows and Mac also. This tool has stood as one of the best free DAWs. Linux MiltiMedia Studio would be perfect for bedroom producers, as the software gives a lot of opportunities to function. Else, please find other specifications of LMMS before installing:
| Best for | Beginners interested in electronic music and FL Studio-style beatmaking. |
| Operating system | Windows 7 or later, macOS X Lion or later, Linux |
| Processor | 1.5 GHz x86/x86_64/ARM dual-core (minimum) |
| Hard Drive Space | 100MB |
| Best Monitor Resolution | 1024 x 768 or higher |
| Audio interface | ALSA, PulseAudio, or JACK-compatible sound card |
| Capabilities | GPL-licensed, and community-driven Compose with MIDI keyboard, computer keyboard Supports MIDI import/export Pattern-based sequencing Unlimited tracks for instruments, samples, and automation. Beat programming and melodic composition Automation Editor for effects Arrange, edit, and process audio samples and loops. |
| Plugin support | Native LMMS plugins (synths, effects, etc.) LADSPA and LV2 (master branch only) plugin support VST plugin support via Win32/Win64/Wine32 (LinuxVST in nightly builds; macOS VST support not available) |
| Mixing/ Mastering Channel? | Basic mixing capability. External tools should be used for mixing and mastering. |
| Touchscreen support? | No |
| Virtual Instruments | A range of synthesizers (e.g., TripleOscillator, ZynAddSubFX) and effects (EQ, reverb, delay, distortion, etc.) |
| UI | FL Studio-inspired interface which is customizable |
| Export Option Available? | Export audio to WAV, FLAC, OGG, and MP3 (with external encoder) |
| Cost | Truly FREE |
| Avoid if | You want to record audio directly, and built-in sample library |
7. Ohm Studio
Ohm Studio is placed in our DAW list for its high compatibility that works on both Mac and Windows. It has exclusive options of built-in instruments and an easy interface for aspiring music producers.
| Best for | Musicians collaborating remotely in real-time. |
| Operating system | Windows 8, 10, or 11 or, macOS 10.5.8 (Leopard) or later |
| Processor | Intel Pentium 4 2.0 GHz or better |
| Hard Drive Space | 1GB or more depending on usage |
| Best Monitor Resolution | 1024 x 768 or higher |
| Graphics | NVIDIA GeForce 6100 or similar |
| Audio interface | ASIO-compatible sound card recommended |
| Capabilities | Up to 10 online projects (per Free account) Real-time cloud collaboration Built-in synths and effects Record, edit, and arrange both audio and MIDI tracks (Limited to 16-bit recording in the free version) Included built-in effects and and a selection of partner plugins Add Post-it-style notes anywhere in your project Add Contextual info about tracks, patterns, audio files |
| Plugin support | Third-party VST plugins |
| Mixing/ Mastering Channel? | Standard mixing capability. But mastering is unto expectation. |
| Touchscreen support? | No |
| Virtual Instruments | Exclusive UVI Ohmplug Instrument (1.5 GB sound library) |
| UI | Collaborative-focused interface |
| Export Option Available? | Yes; supports various formats |
| Cost | Truly FREE |
| Avoid if | You need offline functionality, as it requires internet for full features. |
These are the best DAW for beginners who can use different operating systems. Once you grow in your experience, and get ready to move to any paid software, you can use Avid Pro Tools, Apple Logic Pro, Ableton Live, Steinberg, PreSonus Studio One, Cockos Reaper and more.
Does These Free DAWs offer Good Mixing/Mastering?
This is the common question beginner music producers ask. Most of these free softwares are good at mixing but are not exclusively made for mastering. That’s why you may look for some affordable options to master options that are unquestionably required. Remasterify offers the best options for that with approximately 50% less charges than any other tool – where you can master unlimited tracks (yes, it’s unbelievable).
While using Remasterify, you get access to some extra features like HD WAV, MP3, MP4 exports, Meta data editing, up to 96kHz & 30 Minutes of tracks mastering, and the most beautiful feature – you get unlimited cloud storage. That’s the best way to DAW for beginners with a further publishing channel.
Conclusion
Even if you’re not ready to pay, still there’s a brunch of the best free DAW for beginners 2025. Remasterify’s music experts have tested each softwares on different kinds of OS and made this presentation more accurate for newcomers in this domain. Below are few FAQs that will answer questions in your mind:
Frequently Asked Questions
Is there a DAW that’s completely free?
Yes, completely free DAWs do exist, and they’ve been actively used by beginner producers around the world. Tools like Cakewalk by BandLab, Audacity, and LMMS have been released without time limits, pricing tiers, or watermarks. These digital audio workstations can be downloaded, installed, and used for full projects without needing to upgrade.
Which DAW is easiest to learn for beginners?
Among free music production software, GarageBand is widely considered the easiest to learn. Its clean layout, drag-and-drop loops, and built-in instruments have helped beginners make full songs within hours. For Windows users, Tracktion Waveform Free is often praised for its user-friendly design and clip-based workflow.
Can I produce music without paying for a DAW?
Music can absolutely be produced without paying for a DAW. Several free DAWs have been designed to handle complete recording, editing, arranging, and exporting workflows. Tools like Cakewalk, LMMS, and SoundBridge allow audio production with professional features at zero cost. While paid software adds advanced options, a full music project can be finished entirely within these free platforms.
What’s the best DAW for making beats free?
When it comes to free DAWs for beat making, LMMS, Zenbeats, and SoundBridge are often preferred. Each offers tools like a step sequencer, built-in synths, and loop-friendly environments. Drum programming, bassline creation, and MIDI editing are made easy, even without external plugins. These DAWs have been used by producers to make beats for hip-hop, EDM, and trap, all without spending a dollar.
What is the best free DAW to use?
The “best” free DAW depends on the device being used and the type of music being created. Cakewalk by BandLab is often rated five stars – the top free DAW for Windows users due to its pro-level features. GarageBand is ideal for Mac and iOS users because of its high-quality sounds and ease of use. For Linux or electronic music production, LMMS continues to be a popular pick. Each of these options has been used successfully for serious projects.
What is DAW compatibility?
DAW compatibility refers to how well a digital audio workstation works with a user’s operating system, plugins, and hardware. For example, Cakewalk supports only Windows, while GarageBand runs only on Apple devices. Plugin formats like VST, AU, or LV2 may or may not be supported by a given DAW. Audio interfaces and MIDI devices also need to be recognized by the DAW for proper use. Compatibility should be checked before downloading any music production software.
Why do you need to get paid DAW later?
While free DAWs are more than capable of learning and basic production, a paid DAW may be needed later for professional use. Features like high-end mastering tools, third-party plugin hosting, surround sound mixing, and advanced automation are often reserved for premium software. Paid DAWs also tend to receive more frequent updates, customer support, and compatibility improvements. As projects grow more complex, those features become essential for saving time and improving workflow.