Ableton Live Alternatives for Linux

Ableton Live is not available for Linux but there are plenty of alternatives that runs on Linux with similar functionality. The best Linux alternative is LMMS, which is both free and Open Source. If that doesn't suit you, our users have ranked more than 50 alternatives to Ableton Live and many of them are available for Linux so hopefully you can find a suitable replacement. Other interesting Linux alternatives to Ableton Live are Bitwig Studio, Ardour, REAPER and Bespoke Synth.

filter to find the best alternatives

Ableton Live alternatives are mainly Digital Audio Workstations, but if you're looking for Music Production Apps or Audio Recorders you can filter on that. Other popular filters include Free, Linux, Open Source, iPad, Android + Free, Android Tablet and Windows + 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
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    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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    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

    Show more comments
    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. Bitwig Studio icon

    Bitwig Studio

     94 likes
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    Bitwig Studio is a multi-platform music-creation system for production, performance and DJing, with a focus on flexible editing tools and a super-fast workflow.

    53 Bitwig Studio alternatives

    Cost / License

    • Pay once
    • Proprietary

    Application types

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Linux
    • Flathub
    • Flatpak
    Bitwig Studio screenshot 1
     
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    44
    Comments about Bitwig Studio as an Alternative to Ableton Live
    David
    Positive
    3

    The closest match to Ableton's clip-based workflow, Bitwig Studio is equally viable as a DJ and live performance tool as well as a typical DAW for composing original music. Unlike most DAWs, Bitwig directly supports Linux. It's also built from a modular core and now has a modular synth and effect tool for creating any imaginable sound from scratch.

    Guest
    Positive
    7

    Very similar functionality + similar workflow. Easy recovery from rare crashes, and plugin sandboxing means fewer crashes in comparison to Ableton Live

    Review by a new / low-activity user.
    Guest
    Positive
    4

    It is the only DAW I know that has a similar workflow

    Review by a new / low-activity user.
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    3 of 4 comments
    Ableton Live Icon
    Bitwig Studio icon

    • Almost everyone thinks Bitwig Studio is a great Ableton Live alternative.

    • Bitwig Studio is the most popular commercial alternative to Ableton Live.

    • Bitwig Studio is Paid and ProprietaryAbleton Live is also Paid and Proprietary
  4. Ardour icon

    Ardour

     240 likes
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    Ardour is a hard disk recorder and digital audio workstation application. Record, edit, and mix on Linux, Mac OS X, and Windows.

    92 Ardour alternatives

    Cost / License

    • Pay once
    • Open Source

    Application types

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Linux
    • BSD
    Ardour 6
     
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    23
    Comments about Ardour as an Alternative to Ableton Live
    burnx50
    Positive
    2

    Ableton-style clip launcher is added to Ardour 7.

    Guest
    Negative
    1

    Ardour is good if you primary deal with audio. It is not very good for midi. You can work around making midi work for you. It has a lot of functionality, but what makes Ableton great is the clip launche. Ardour can't replace Ableton at this point.

    Review by a new / low-activity user.
    Guest
    Negative
    -25

    The description did not mention you can make music on the program yourself.

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

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

    • Ardour is Paid and Open SourceAbleton Live is Paid and Proprietary
    • Ardour is Privacy focusedAbleton Live is not according to our users
  5. REAPER icon

    REAPER

     254 likes
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    A digital audio workstation, MIDI sequencer and video editing software application created by Cockos. The current version is available for Microsoft Windows, macOS, and Linux.

    83 REAPER alternatives

    Cost / License

    • Pay once
    • Proprietary

    Application types

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Linux
    • Flathub
    • Flatpak
    Default theme
     
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    15
    Comments about REAPER as an Alternative to Ableton Live
    Guest
    Negative
    0

    Reaper is really good if you like the traditional timeline. I personally love Ableton Live because of the clip launcher. In ableton you easily create a clip, and it loops for ever. It is really good for songwriting. I own Reaper, but have not been able to replace Reaper with Ableton. The UI in reaper is a little outdated as well. But I will admit, if you learn Reaper, it is a top notch program.

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

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

    • REAPER is Paid and ProprietaryAbleton Live is also Paid and Proprietary
    • REAPER is Customizable and LightweightAbleton Live is not according to our users
  9. Qtractor icon

    Qtractor

     52 likes
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    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...

    Cost / License

    Application types

    Platforms

    • Linux
    • Flathub
    • Flatpak
    Qtractor screenshot 1
     
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    6
  10. Waveform icon

    Waveform

     56 likes
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    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
  11. Studio One icon

    Studio One

     48 likes
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    Studio One is an advanced digital audio workstation for Mac and Windows featuring a bevy of powerful composition, editing, mixing and mastering tools on top of standard multi-track DAW features. Highly praised for its intuitive chord track that lets users drag and drop both...

    54 Studio One alternatives

    Cost / License

    • Pay once or Subscription
    • Proprietary

    Application types

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Linux
    Studio One Pro 7
     
  12. Renoise icon

    Renoise

     43 likes
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    Renoise is a contemporary digital audio workstation (DAW) based upon the heritage and development of tracker software. Its primary use is the composition of music using sound samples, soft synths, and effects plug-ins. It is also able to interface with MIDI equipment.

    Cost / License

    • Pay once
    • Proprietary

    Application types

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Linux
    A song playing in Renoise 2.6 with the Matrix and Pattern displayed
     
  13. FamiStudio icon

    FamiStudio

     24 likes
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    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.

    Cost / License

    • Free
    • Open Source (MIT)

    Application type

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Linux
    • Android
    • Wine
    Version 1.4.0
     
  14. n-Track Studio icon

    n-Track Studio

     13 likes
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    n-Track Studio is an audio and MIDI multitrack recorder that turns your device into a full-fledged recording studio. Record and playback a virtually unlimited number of tracks, mix them during playback and add effects. Create MIDI tracks using the built-in General MIDI synth.

    45 n-Track Studio alternatives

    Cost / License

    • Pay once or Subscription
    • Proprietary

    Application types

    Platforms

    • Android
    • iPhone
    • Android Tablet
    • iPad
    • Linux
    • Flathub
    • Flatpak
    • Windows
    • Mac
    • Snapcraft
    n-Track Studio screenshot 1
     
12 of 27 Ableton Live alternatives