The Best Free Ableton Live AlternativesTop Music Production Apps & Digital Audio Workstations like Ableton Live

The best free alternative to Ableton Live is LMMS, which is also Open Source. If that doesn't suit you, our users have ranked more than 50 alternatives to Ableton Live and loads of them is free so hopefully you can find a suitable replacement. Other interesting free alternatives to Ableton Live are GarageBand, Cakewalk, Bespoke Synth and Zrythm.

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Ableton Live alternatives are mainly Music Production Apps, but if you're looking for Digital Audio Workstations or Audio Editors you can filter on that. Other popular filters include Free, Open Source, Linux, iPad, Android, Android Tablet and Android + Free. These are just examples - use the filter bar below to find more specific alternatives to Ableton Live.
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Alternatives list

  1. LMMS icon

    LMMS

     633 likes

    Cross-platform digital audio workstation supporting lossless audio and VST plugins. Features include music looping, sequencing, and MIDI support. Provides an ad-free, privacy-focused, portable experience without registration, working offline with extensibility through plugins and add-ons.

    91 LMMS alternatives

    Cost / License

    Application types

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Linux
    • BSD
    • Flathub
    • PortableApps.com
    • Haiku
    • Flatpak
    LMMS screenshot 1
     
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    13
    71
    Comments about LMMS as an Alternative to Ableton Live
    Comment summary: While LMMS is praised for being free and open-source, it lacks the capabilities and live performance features of Ableton Live. Many users find LMMS's functionality limited with issues in VST support and workflow, although it's appreciated as a decent entry-level DAW for those on a budget. Comparisons often highlight that Ableton's performance and workflow advantages make it superior, particularly for live setups.
    Top Positive Comment
    Guest
    3

    If you are just getting into the scene and are on a budget, its pretty darn decent especially for being free and open source.

    Review by a new / low-activity user.
    Top Negative Comment
    Guest
    17

    It is good but does not even come close to the Abelton workflow.

    Review by a new / low-activity user.
    Oscar Sanderson
    Positive
    0

    LMMS is free (free as in freedom and free beer) and open source and overall really cool

    3 of 13 comments
    Ableton Live Icon
    LMMS icon

    • Most users think LMMS is a great Ableton Live alternative.

    • LMMS is the most popular Windows, Mac & Linux alternative to Ableton Live.

    • LMMS is the most popular Open Source & free alternative to Ableton Live.

    • LMMS is Free and Open SourceAbleton Live is Paid and Proprietary
    • LMMS is Customizable, Privacy focused and LightweightAbleton Live is not according to our users
  2. GarageBand icon

    GarageBand

     268 likes

    Experience a rich music creation suite on Mac and iOS with comprehensive sound libraries, virtual session drummers, and user-friendly tools suitable for beginners and pros. Create, edit, and share your music effortlessly through a seamless Apple integration.

    103 GarageBand alternatives

    Cost / License

    • Free
    • Proprietary

    Application types

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • iPhone
    • iPad
    iPad Version: Tracks
     
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    9
  4. Cakewalk icon

    Cakewalk

     75 likes

    Cakewalk, formerly SONAR, is a comprehensive audio software for music composition, audio recording, editing, mixing and mastering. It features a full suite of high quality audio and MIDI effects and instruments and composition tools ranging from drum sequencer and piano roll...

    115 Cakewalk alternatives

    Cost / License

    • Free Personal
    • Proprietary

    Application types

    Platforms

    • Windows
    Cakewalk screenshot 1
     
  5. Ad
    Screenshot
    MAGIX Music Maker icon
    MAGIX Music Maker

    Create songs, soundtracks, and beats with 1,500+ sounds, 64 audio/MIDI tracks, and a mixing console featuring effects and synths, catering to new and experienced musicians. Industry-standard CD burning and a user-friendly interfa...

    https://www.magix.com
    Learn More
  8. Qtractor icon

    Qtractor

     52 likes

    Qtractor is an Audio/MIDI multi-track sequencer application written in C++ with the Qt framework. Target platform is GNU/Linux, where the Jack Audio Connection Kit (JACK) for audio, and the Advanced Linux Sound Architecture (ALSA) for MIDI, are the main infrastructures for...

    76 Qtractor alternatives

    Cost / License

    Application types

    Platforms

    • Linux
    • Flathub
    • Flatpak
    Qtractor screenshot 1
     
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    6
  10. Melodic Mind icon

    Melodic Mind

     8 likes

    Mobile-first platform with integrated DAW, stem separation, songwriting, synthesizer, real instruments, music theory, practice toolkit, vocal training, chromatic tuner, progress tracking, and unique gamification inspired by anime quests, all in a free public beta.

    Cost / License

    • Freemium (Pay once)
    • Proprietary

    Application type

    Platforms

    • Online
    • Android
    • Android Tablet
    • Software as a Service (SaaS)
    Melodic Mind screenshot 1
    Melodic Mind screenshot 2
    Melodic Mind screenshot 3
     

    • Melodic Mind is the most popular SaaS alternative to Ableton Live.

    • Melodic Mind is Freemium and ProprietaryAbleton Live is Paid and Proprietary
  11. Waveform icon

    Waveform

     56 likes

    Waveform is a commercial, cross-platform DAW. With a focus on design and composition, it offers tools to greatly simplify everything from initial inspiration to the final mix.

    63 Waveform alternatives

    Cost / License

    • Freemium (Pay once)
    • Proprietary

    Application types

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Linux
    Waveform screenshot 1
     
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    1
    Comments about Waveform as an Alternative to Ableton Live
    Guest
    Positive
    0

    Intuitive UI, lots of features even in the free version.

    Review by a new / low-activity user.
    Ableton Live Icon
    Waveform icon
    • Waveform is Freemium and ProprietaryAbleton Live is Paid and Proprietary
  12. AudioTool icon

    AudioTool

     81 likes

    Make music online with a powerful set of tools ranging from synthesizers and samplers to mixers, delays, reverb and much more. AudioTool is an advanced, collaborative DAW (Digital Audio Workstation) built for the browser.

    76 AudioTool alternatives

    Cost / License

    • Free
    • Proprietary

    Application types

    Platforms

    • Online
    AudioTool screenshot 1
     
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    2
    7
    Comments about AudioTool as an Alternative to Ableton Live
    Guest
    Positive
    1

    Really great interface for starting out, very much capable in the basics, but the actual effects and imputing your own samples isn't too great.

    Review by a new / low-activity user.
    Guest
    Positive
    0

    EEZY to use and has a good UI

    Review by a new / low-activity user.
    Ableton Live Icon
    AudioTool icon

    • Most users think AudioTool is a great Ableton Live alternative.

    • AudioTool is Free and ProprietaryAbleton Live is Paid and Proprietary
  13. Draw.Audio icon

    Draw.Audio

     8 likes

    Explore sound art with an innovative, free musical sketch-pad offering a synthesizer, sequencer, and drawing tools. Underpinned by the Web Audio API, it enables music recording, editing, and playback without ads, all in a seamless web-based interface for creative expression.

    53 Draw.Audio alternatives

    Cost / License

    • Free
    • Proprietary

    Application type

    Platforms

    • Online
    Draw.Audio screenshot 1
     
  14. FamiStudio icon

    FamiStudio

     24 likes

    FamiStudio is very simple music editor for the Nintendo Entertainment System or Famicom. It is designed to be easier to use than FamiTracker, but its feature set is also much more limited. It is targeted at both chiptune artists and NES homebrewers.

    34 FamiStudio alternatives

    Cost / License

    • Free
    • Open Source (MIT)

    Application type

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Linux
    • Android
    • Wine
    Version 1.4.0
     
  15. SoundBridge icon

    SoundBridge

     10 likes

    Free digital audio workstation featuring complete tracking, sequencing, editing, and mixing tools, third-party VST plugin integration, multi-touch screen gestures, real-time online collaboration, automation, built-in effects, low-latency drivers, and compatibility with Windows and macOS.

    67 SoundBridge alternatives

    Cost / License

    • Freemium (Pay once or Subscription)
    • Proprietary

    Application types

    Platforms

    • Online
    SoundBridge screenshot 1
     
12 of 56 Ableton Live alternatives