GarageBand AlternativesOnly apps from the EU

The best alternative to GarageBand is LMMS, which is both free and Open Source. If that doesn't suit you, our users have ranked more than 100 alternatives to GarageBand and many of them are so hopefully you can find a suitable replacement. Other interesting alternatives to GarageBand are FL Studio, Ableton Live, AudioTool and Sound Forge.

filter to find the best alternatives

GarageBand alternatives are mainly Music Production Apps, but if you're looking for Audio Recorders or Audio Editors you can filter on that. Other popular filters include Windows, Android, Online, Linux, Free, Mac + Free and Open Source. You can also filter by region, for example EU-based alternatives if you prefer software developed in the European Union. These are just examples - use the filter bar below to find more specific alternatives to GarageBand.
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Alternatives list

  1. LMMS icon

    LMMS

     630 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

    • Free
    • Open Source

    Application types

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Linux
    • BSD
    • Flathub
    • PortableApps.com
    • Haiku
    • Flatpak
    LMMS screenshot 1
     
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    8
    114
    Comments about LMMS as an Alternative to GarageBand
    Top Positive Comment
    TheBeast
    13

    More of a learning curve but a great program if you can take the time to learn it.

    Top Negative Comment
    Guest
    19

    Incredibly more complex, not recommended for beginners

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

    it's for electronic music production, not music recording

    Review by a new / low-activity user.
    Show more comments
    3 of 8 comments
    GarageBand Icon
    LMMS icon

    • Most users think LMMS is a great GarageBand alternative.

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

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

    • LMMS is Free and Open SourceGarageBand is Free and Proprietary
    • LMMS is Customizable, Privacy focused and LightweightGarageBand is not according to our users
  2. FL Studio icon

    FL Studio

     494 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.

    94 FL Studio alternatives

    Cost / License

    • Pay once
    • Proprietary

    Application types

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Android
    • iPhone
    • Android Tablet
    • HUAWEI AppGallery
    • iPad
    • Online
    FL Studio screenshot 1
     
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    1
    82
    Comments about FL Studio as an Alternative to GarageBand
    Guest
    Positive
    1

    This is exactly what I've been looking for. The perfect site with just what I need

    Review by a new / low-activity user.
    GarageBand Icon
    FL Studio icon

    • Most users think FL Studio is a great GarageBand alternative.

    • FL Studio is the most popular Web-based, Android, iPhone, iPad & Android Tablet alternative to GarageBand.

    • FL Studio is the most popular commercial alternative to GarageBand.

    • FL Studio is Paid and ProprietaryGarageBand is Free and Proprietary
    • FL Studio is LightweightGarageBand is not according to our users
  4. Ableton Live icon

    Ableton Live

     212 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.

    85 Ableton Live alternatives

    Cost / License

    • Pay once
    • Proprietary

    Application types

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    Ableton Live screenshot 1
     
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    2
    15
    Comments about Ableton Live as an Alternative to GarageBand
    Guest
    Positive
    3

    Ableton is a very versatile and powerful alternative.

    Review by a new / low-activity user.
    Guest
    Negative
    -6

    Use for live performances, not really to write/create a song

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

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

    • Ableton Live is Paid and ProprietaryGarageBand is Free and Proprietary
  5. Ad
    Screenshot
    Magix ACID Pro icon
    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...

    https://www.magix.com
    Learn More
  6. AudioTool icon

    AudioTool

     79 likes
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    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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    34
  7. Sound Forge icon

    Sound Forge

     86 likes
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    Comprehensive audio editing software offering high-resolution multi-channel recording, advanced mastering and restoration tools, non-destructive editing, VST support, batch processing, disc burning, 1-click cleaning, and export to broadcast or streaming formats.

    63 Sound Forge alternatives

    Cost / License

    • Pay once or Subscription
    • Proprietary

    Application types

    Platforms

    • Windows
    Sound Forge screenshot 1
     
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    27
  8. Zrythm icon

    Zrythm

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

    Cost / License

    • Freemium (Pay once)
    • Open Source

    Application types

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Linux
    • BSD
    • Flathub
    • Flatpak
    Zrythm screenshot 1
     
  11. Reason icon

    Reason

     117 likes
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    Reason is a virtual studio rack with all the tools and instruments you need to turn your ideas into music. And it's more than just a set of excellent synths and effects. It's a complete music system. Step into the age of Reason.

    73 Reason alternatives

    Cost / License

    • Pay once
    • Proprietary

    Application types

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    Reason screenshot 1
     
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    7
  12. 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...

    76 Qtractor alternatives

    Cost / License

    • Free
    • Open Source

    Application types

    Platforms

    • Linux
    Qtractor screenshot 1
     
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    6
  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

    Application type

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Linux
    • Android
    • Wine
    Version 1.4.0
     
  14. Magix ACID Pro icon

    Magix ACID Pro

     48 likes
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    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 post-production.

    62 Magix ACID Pro alternatives

    Cost / License

    • Pay once or Subscription
    • Proprietary

    Application types

    Platforms

    • Windows
    Magix ACID Pro screenshot 1
     
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    6
  15. MAGIX Music Maker icon

    MAGIX Music Maker

     24 likes
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    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 interface make music creation seamless and accessible.

    40 MAGIX Music Maker alternatives

    Cost / License

    • Freemium (Pay once)
    • Proprietary

    Application types

    Platforms

    • Windows
    MAGIX Music Maker screenshot 1
     
12 of 38 GarageBand alternatives