GarageBand Alternatives for Linux

GarageBand 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 100 alternatives to GarageBand and many of them are available for Linux so hopefully you can find a suitable replacement. Other interesting Linux alternatives to GarageBand are Reaper, Ardour, Bitwig Studio and Spek.

GarageBand alternatives are mainly Music Production Apps but may also be Audio Editors or Digital Audio Workstations. Filter by these if you want a narrower list of alternatives or looking for a specific functionality of GarageBand.

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Mac + Free

GarageBand

256

Free • Proprietary
Music Production App

Welcome to the school of rock. A Mac-sized practice space. Your own recording studio. If you want to learn to play an...

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GarageBand alternatives page was last updated

LMMS
Is this is a good alternative?
Yes
No
Free • Open Source
Music Production App
Digital Audio Workstation
Audio Recorder
Mac
Windows
Linux
BSD
PortableApps.com
Haiku
89 LMMS alternatives
LMMS is a free cross-platform alternative to commercial programs like FL Studio , which allow you to produce music with your computer. This includes the creation of melodies and beats, the synthesis and mixing of sounds, and arranging of...
- - LMMS is the most popular Windows, Mac & Linux alternative to GarageBand.
- - LMMS is the most popular Open Source & free alternative to GarageBand.
Suggest and vote on features
LMMS Features
1. Support for VST PluginsLMMS support third-party Virtual Studio Technology (VST) plugins.
2. PortableLMMS can be used from a USB stick or similar with no prior installation.
3. Music SequencerRecord, edit, or play back music with LMMS, by handling note and performance information.
4. DRM FreeNo Digital rights management (DRM), i.e. no copy protection.
Piano Roll
Export to MP3
Export to MIDI
MIDI Keyboard Input
Free API
Customizable
Royalty-free music
Lossless quality
Mix Music
Image exporting
Comments about LMMS as a Alternative to GarageBand
Most users think LMMS is a great GarageBand alternative.
all • positive • negative relevance • date
Guest
It does not lag when there’s a ton of sounds playing
Top positive comment •
3

TheBeast
More of a learning curve but a great program if you can take the time to learn it.
Top positive comment •
13

Guest
not as user friendly as garageband
Top negative comment •
13

MacGuini
It's the closest to Garage Band for Linux. But it's also far from being comparable. LMMS may be powerful, but it doesn't have the ease of use that Garage Band has. It's professional quality. Which is why this is a horrible alternative to Garage Band.
Negative comment •
-1

Guest
The GUI seems to try to mimic GarageBand but fails to replicate the ease of usage for those unfamiliar with LMMS.
Negative comment •
1

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5 of 7 comments
Reaper
Is this is a good alternative?
Yes
No
Paid • Proprietary
Digital Audio Workstation
Music Production App
Audio Editor
Mac
Windows
Linux
82 Reaper alternatives
REAPER is a complete digital audio production application for Windows, Mac and Linux, offering a full multi-track audio and MIDI recording, editing, processing, mixing and mastering tool set.
Suggest and vote on features
Reaper Features
1. Support for VST PluginsReaper support third-party Virtual Studio Technology (VST) plugins.
2. Support for scriptingReaper supports scripts and macros to automate or customize tasks.
3. Support for MIDIReaper includes MIDI hardware and software support to record and import audio.
4. PortableReaper can be used from a USB stick or similar with no prior installation.
5. Ad-freeReaper doesn't contain any form of external advertising.
6. LightweightReaper consumes less device resources compared to similar apps.
7. Music SequencerRecord, edit, or play back music with Reaper, by handling note and performance information.
8. Dark ModeReaper supports dark mode for comfortable usage in low light conditions.
9. Lossless AudioReaper has lossless audio support, basically studio quality sound.
Customizable
MultiTrack
Extensive customisability
Spectral editing
Convert audio to MIDI
Multi Channel
Built-in routing
Pitch shift engine
Piano Roll
Music Recording
Opinions about Reaper as a Alternative to GarageBand
Most users think Reaper is a great GarageBand alternative.
Ardour
Is this is a good alternative?
Yes
No
Paid • Open Source
Music Production App
Digital Audio Workstation
Audio Recorder
Mac
Windows
Linux
BSD
87 Ardour alternatives
Ardour is a hard disk recorder and digital audio workstation application. It runs on GNU/Linux, Mac OS X, and Windows. Ardour's intention is to provide digital audio workstation software suitable for professional use.
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Ardour Features
1. Non Destructive EditingArdour can make changes to a file without overwriting the original data, which remains available in case you want to revert to it.
2. Support for VST PluginsArdour support third-party Virtual Studio Technology (VST) plugins.
3. Music SequencerRecord, edit, or play back music with Ardour, by handling note and performance information.
4. Works OfflineArdour can be used without the need to connect to the internet.
5. Extensible by Plugins/ExtensionsArdour can be extended with add-ons, plugins and extensions.
6. Lossless AudioArdour has lossless audio support, basically studio quality sound.
7. Ad-freeArdour doesn't contain any form of external advertising.
8. Live PerformanceListen to and adjust your music productions with Ardour based on incoming audio in real time.
9. Support for MIDIArdour includes MIDI hardware and software support to record and import audio.
Multitrack editing
Mix Music
Virtual Instrument
Music Looper
Opinions about Ardour as a Alternative to GarageBand
Most users think Ardour is a great GarageBand alternative.
Bitwig Studio
Is this is a good alternative?
Yes
No
Paid • Proprietary
Music Production App
Digital Audio Workstation
Audio Editor
Mac
Windows
Linux
42 Bitwig Studio alternatives
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.
Suggest and vote on features
Bitwig Studio Features
1. Live PerformanceListen to and adjust your music productions with Bitwig Studio based on incoming audio in real time.
2. Support for VST PluginsBitwig Studio support third-party Virtual Studio Technology (VST) plugins.
3. Support for MIDIBitwig Studio includes MIDI hardware and software support to record and import audio.
4. Works OfflineBitwig Studio can be used without the need to connect to the internet.
5. Support for scriptingBitwig Studio supports scripts and macros to automate or customize tasks.
6. Music SequencerRecord, edit, or play back music with Bitwig Studio, by handling note and performance information.
7. Music LooperBitwig Studio supports a grid of musical loops and phrases that you can trigger and manipulate in real time.
Grid layout
Modular System
Multiplatform
Piano Roll
Mix Music
Music Recording
Opinions about Bitwig Studio as a Alternative to GarageBand
Most users think Bitwig Studio is a great GarageBand alternative.
Spek
Is this is a good alternative?
Yes
No
Free • Open Source
Mac
Windows
Linux
53 Spek alternatives
Spek helps to analyse your audio files by showing their spectrogram. Spek is free software available for Unix, Windows and Mac OS X.
Suggest and vote on features
Spek Features
1. LightweightSpek consumes less device resources compared to similar apps.
Spectrogram view
Comments about Spek as a Alternative to GarageBand
pros, cons and recent comments
superluminar
Spek shows a spectrum; it is a sound analysis tool, nothing for creating music itself.
Negative comment •
1

Joshua Wheeler
It is not at all like Garageband, it is not for creating music
Negative comment •
0
Zrythm
Is this is a good alternative?
Yes
No
Freemium • Open Source
Music Production App
Digital Audio Workstation
Audio Recorder
Mac
Windows
Linux
BSD
86 Zrythm alternatives
Zrythm is a digital audio workstation designed to be featureful and easy to use.
Suggest and vote on features
Zrythm Features
1. Extensible by Plugins/ExtensionsZrythm can be extended with add-ons, plugins and extensions.
2. Support for VST PluginsZrythm support third-party Virtual Studio Technology (VST) plugins.
3. Ad-freeZrythm doesn't contain any form of external advertising.
4. Music SequencerRecord, edit, or play back music with Zrythm, by handling note and performance information.
Multiple languages
Audio Export
Mix Music
Support for Audio Units Plugins
Music Mastering
Carla
Is this is a good alternative?
Yes
No
Free • Open Source
Music Production App
Audio Router
Mac
Windows
Linux
BSD
42 Carla alternatives
Carla is an audio plugin host, with support for many audio drivers and plugin formats. It has some nice features like automation of parameters via MIDI CC (and send output back as MIDI too) and full OSC control.
Suggest and vote on features
Carla Features
1. Support for VST PluginsCarla support third-party Virtual Studio Technology (VST) plugins.
Rack Effects
Studio One
Is this is a good alternative?
Yes
No
Paid • Proprietary
Music Production App
Digital Audio Workstation
Audio Editor
Mac
Windows
Linux
72 Studio One alternatives
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...
Suggest and vote on features
Studio One Features
1. Virtual InstrumentStudio One uses mainy virtual instruments (piano, guitar, drums, bass, etc.).
2. Music SequencerRecord, edit, or play back music with Studio One, by handling note and performance information.
3. Works OfflineStudio One can be used without the need to connect to the internet.
4. Lossless AudioStudio One has lossless audio support, basically studio quality sound.
5. Support for MIDIStudio One includes MIDI hardware and software support to record and import audio.
6. Live PerformanceListen to and adjust your music productions with Studio One based on incoming audio in real time.
7. Support for VST PluginsStudio One support third-party Virtual Studio Technology (VST) plugins.
8. Music LooperStudio One supports a grid of musical loops and phrases that you can trigger and manipulate in real time.
Drag and Drop
Mix Music
Piano Roll
MIDI Clips
MIDI Keyboard Input