Ardour AlternativesTop Music Production Apps & Digital Audio Workstations like Ardour

Ardour is described as 'Hard disk recorder and digital audio workstation application. Record, edit, and mix on Linux, Mac OS X, and Windows' and is a very popular music production app in the audio & music category. There are more than 50 alternatives to Ardour for a variety of platforms, including Windows, Mac, Linux, iPad and Android apps. The best Ardour alternative is LMMS, which is both free and Open Source. Other great apps like Ardour are REAPER, FL Studio, Ableton Live and Bitwig Studio.

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Ardour alternatives are mainly Music Production Apps but may also be Digital Audio Workstations or Audio Recorders.  Other popular filters includes Windows + Open Source. Filter by these or use the filter bar below if you want a narrower list of alternatives or looking for a specific functionality of Ardour.
Ardour iconArdour
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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.

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Ardour alternatives page was last updated Mar 10, 2023
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Alternatives
  1. LMMS icon

    LMMS

     602 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

    License model

    • Free • Open Source

    Application types

    Country of Origin

    • DE flagGermany
    • European Union flagEU

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Linux
    • BSD
    • PortableApps.com
    • Haiku
    LMMS screenshot 1

    Properties

    1.  Customizable

    Features

    1.  Support for VST Plugins
    2.  Digital Audio Workstation
    3.  Piano Roll
    4.  Export to MP3
    5.  Export to MIDI
    6.  MIDI Keyboard Input
    7.  Portable
    8.  Audio Recording
    9.  Music Sequencer
    10.  Works Offline
    11.  Support for MIDI
    12.  No registration required

    LMMS VS Ardour

     
    Comments about LMMS as an Alternative to Ardour
    Guest
    Negative •Nov 18, 2019
    -3

    LMMS does not let you record audio tracks. You can only import samples.

    Ardour Icon
    LMMS icon

    • Most users think LMMS is a great Ardour alternative.

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

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

    • LMMS is Free and Open SourceArdour is Paid and Open Source
  2. REAPER icon

    REAPER

     244 likes
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    REAPER (Rapid Environment for Audio Production, Engineering, and Recording) is a digital audio workstation, MIDI sequencer and video editing software application created by Cockos. The current version is available for Microsoft Windows (XP and newer), macOS (10.5 and newer), and Linux.

    85 REAPER alternatives

    License model

    Application types

    Country of Origin

    • US flagUnited States

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Linux
    Default theme

    Properties

    1.  Customizable
    2.  Lightweight

    Features

    1.  Audio Recording
    2.  Digital Audio Workstation
    3.  Support for VST Plugins
    4.  Support for scripting
    5.  MultiTrack
    6.  Support for MIDI
    7.  Extensive customisability
    8.  Portable
    9.  Ad-free
    10.  Spectral editing
    11.  Multi Channel
    12.  Lossless Audio

    REAPER VS Ardour

     

    • Almost everyone thinks REAPER is a great Ardour alternative.

    • REAPER is the most popular commercial alternative to Ardour.

    • REAPER is Paid and ProprietaryArdour is Paid and Open Source
    • REAPER is Customizable and LightweightArdour is not according to our users
  4. FL Studio icon

    FL Studio

     482 likes
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    A complete digital audio workstation featuring professional music creation tools for mixing, mastering, editing, and sequencing. It includes a responsive piano roll sequencer, lifetime license updates, visualizer plugins for video creation, and multi-touch support for advanced graphical interface navigation.

    93 FL Studio alternatives

    License model

    Application types

    Country of Origin

    • BE flagBelgium
    • European Union flagEU

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Android
    • iPhone
    • Android Tablet
    • HUAWEI AppGallery
    • iPad
    FL Studio screenshot 1

    Properties

    1.  Lightweight

    Features

    1.  Support for VST Plugins
    2.  Audio Recording
    3.  Digital Audio Workstation
    4.  Voice Recording
    5.  Piano Roll
    6.  Synth rack
    7.  MIDI Keyboard Input
    8.  Visualize Music
    9.  Drum matrix editing
    10.  Works Offline
    11.  Live Performance
    12.  Noise Reduction

    FL Studio VS Ardour

     

    • Almost everyone thinks FL Studio is a great Ardour alternative.

    • FL Studio is the most popular Android, iPhone, iPad & Android Tablet alternative to Ardour.

    • FL Studio is Paid and ProprietaryArdour is Paid and Open Source
    • FL Studio is LightweightArdour is not according to our users
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    Magix ACID Pro

    Experience transformative music production with multitrack recording, comprehensive MIDI sequencing, legendary looping, and Transparent Technology for seamless creative flow without barriers in professional audio creation and pos...

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  6. Ableton Live icon

    Ableton Live

     203 likes
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    Music software facilitating idea creation, editing, and performance with Arrangement and Session Views. Enhanced interfaces, improved waveforms, and great EQs provide intuitive and detailed music-making for studio and stage experiences.

    83 Ableton Live alternatives

    License model

    Application types

    Country of Origin

    • DE flagGermany
    • European Union flagEU

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    Ableton Live screenshot 1

    Top Ableton Live Features

    1.  Digital Audio Workstation
    2.  Live Performance
    3.  Support for VST Plugins
    4.  Virtual Instrument
    5.  Audio Recording
    6.  Music Sequencer
    7.  Works Offline
    8.  Extensible by Plugins/Extensions
    9.  Ad-free
    10.  Dark Mode
    11.  Support for MIDI
    12.  Batch Editing

    Ableton Live VS Ardour

     
  7. Bitwig Studio icon

    Bitwig Studio

     89 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.

    49 Bitwig Studio alternatives

    License model

    Application types

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Linux
    Bitwig Studio screenshot 1

    Top Bitwig Studio Features

    1.  Live Performance
    2.  Modular System
    3.  Multiplatform
    4.  Digital Audio Workstation
    5.  Grid layout
    6.  Support for VST Plugins
    7.  Piano Roll
    8.  Music Sequencer
    9.  Support for MIDI
    10.  Works Offline
    11.  Music Looper
    12.  Support for scripting

    Bitwig Studio VS Ardour

     
    Comments about Bitwig Studio as an Alternative to Ardour
    Ranogard
    Positive •Mar 10, 2023
    0

    Much more stable. Only the audio engine sometimes crashes, which is its own separate process and that can be easily restarted after it crashed, so it's not a big deal. Ardour on the other hand just dies completely regularly.

    Ardour Icon
    Bitwig Studio icon
    • Bitwig Studio is Paid and ProprietaryArdour is Paid and Open Source
  8. Adobe Audition icon

    Adobe Audition

     181 likes
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    A comprehensive audio editing suite designed for commercial use with features like post-production refinement, video and podcast editing capabilities, minus composition tools. Equipped with Waveform and Multitrack modes for recording and editing, with new Clip and Session Markers.

    95 Adobe Audition alternatives

    License model

    Application types

    Country of Origin

    • US flagUnited States

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    Adobe Audition screenshot 1

    Top Adobe Audition Features

    1.  Spectral editing
    2.  Waveform Seekbar
    3.  Audio restoration
    4.  MultiTrack
    5.  Dark Mode
    6.  Support for VST Plugins
    7.  Virtual Instrument
    8.  Music Looper
    9.  Lossless Audio
    10.  Works Offline
    11.  Ad-free
    12.  Multiple metering standards

    Adobe Audition VS Ardour

     
  10. GarageBand icon

    GarageBand

     264 likes
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    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.

    100 GarageBand alternatives

    License model

    • Free • Proprietary

    Application types

    Country of Origin

    • US flagUnited States

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • iPhone
    • iPad
    iPad Version: Tracks

    GarageBand Features

    1.  Preset beats
    2.  Virtual Instrument
    3.  Works Offline
    4.  Audio Samples
    5.  Music Sequencer
    6.  Piano Roll
    7.  Support for Keyboard Shortcuts

    GarageBand VS Ardour

     
  11. Cakewalk icon

    Cakewalk

     68 likes
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    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...

    113 Cakewalk alternatives

    License model

    • Free Personal • Proprietary

    Application types

    Platforms

    • Windows
    Cakewalk screenshot 1

    Properties

    1.  Customizable

    Features

    1.  Support for VST Plugins
    2.  Ad-free
    3.  Support for MIDI
    4.  Multitrack editing
    5.  Step Sequencer
    6.  Dark Mode
    7.  Works Offline
    8.  Virtual Instrument
    9.  Music Looper
    10.  Lossless Audio
    11.  Music Sequencer
    12.  Extensible by Plugins/Extensions

    Cakewalk VS Ardour

     
  12. Logic Pro icon

    Logic Pro

     118 likes
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    Comprehensive studio app offering advanced DAW and MIDI tools, a creative interface, powerful software instruments, plugins like Beat Breaker, full mixer capabilities, and seamless integration with Mac and iPad for professional-sounding mixes.

    78 Logic Pro alternatives

    License model

    Application types

    Country of Origin

    • US flagUnited States

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • iPad
    Logic Pro screenshot 1

    Logic Pro Features

    1.  Audio Recording
    2.  Synthesizer
    3.  Piano Roll
    4.  Mix Music
    5.  Music Sequencer
    6.  Music Recording
    7.  Support for MIDI
    8.  Support for VST Plugins
    9.  Record Tracks
    10.  Loop Library

    Logic Pro VS Ardour

     
  13. Bespoke Synth icon

    Bespoke Synth

     27 likes
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    Bespoke is a software modular synthesizer. It contains a bunch of modules, which you can connect together to create sounds.

    75 Bespoke Synth alternatives

    License model

    • Free • Open Source

    Application types

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Linux
    • Flathub
    • Flatpak
    Bespoke Synth screenshot 1

    Properties

    1.  Lightweight

    Features

    1.  Modular connections
    2.  Synthesizer
    3.  Virtual Instrument
    4.  Node Based
    5.  Music Looper
    6.  Ad-free
    7.  Music Sequencer
    8.  Support for MIDI
    9.  Dark Mode
    10.  Works Offline
    11.  Music Recording
    12.  Mix Music

    Bespoke Synth VS Ardour

     
  14. Cubase icon

    Cubase

     85 likes
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    Definitive desktop DAW (Digital Audio Workstation) for professional mixing, mastering, music production and sound design.

    76 Cubase alternatives

    License model

    Application types

    Country of Origin

    • DE flagGermany
    • European Union flagEU

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    Cubase screenshot 1

    Cubase Features

    1.  Music Looper
    2.  Music Sequencer
    3.  Works Offline
    4.  Live Performance
    5.  Ad-free
    6.  Support for VST Plugins
    7.  Voice Recording
    8.  Music Recording
    9.  Mix Music
    10.  Piano Roll

    Cubase VS Ardour

     
  15. Zrythm icon

    Zrythm

     30 likes
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    Zrythm is a digital audio workstation designed to be featureful and easy to use.

    91 Zrythm alternatives

    License model

    • Freemium • Open Source

    Application types

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Linux
    • BSD
    Zrythm screenshot 1

    Properties

    1.  Privacy focused

    Features

    1.  Extensible by Plugins/Extensions
    2.  Support for VST Plugins
    3.  Audio Export
    4.  Multiple languages
    5.  Music Sequencer
    6.  Ad-free
    7.  Dark Mode
    8.  No registration required
    9.  Works Offline
    10.  No Tracking
    11.  Support for MIDI
    12.  Support for Audio Units Plugins

    Zrythm VS Ardour

     
12 of 89 Ardour alternatives