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 Bespoke Synth.

filter to find the best alternatives

GarageBand 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 Windows, Android, Online, Linux, Open Source, Mac + Free and Free. 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

     632 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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    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
    Positive
    0

    It allows you to have a lot of fun and configurations even starting without any knowledge

    Show more comments
    3 of 9 comments
    GarageBand Icon
    LMMS icon

    • Most users think LMMS is a great GarageBand alternative.

    • LMMS is the most popular 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. 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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    25
  5. 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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    8
  9. Carla icon

    Carla

     36 likes
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    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.

    44 Carla alternatives

    Cost / License

    • Free
    • Open Source

    Application type

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Linux
    • BSD
    Carla screenshot 1
     
  10. 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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  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. DaVinci Resolve Fairlight icon

    DaVinci Resolve Fairlight

     13 likes
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    Every track includes real time equalization and dynamics processing to sweeten and fine tune your mix. This is in addition to your six real time track effects, making Fairlight far more powerful than other digital audio workstation software!

    13 DaVinci Resolve Fairlight alternatives

    Cost / License

    • Free
    • Proprietary

    Application types

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Linux
    DaVinci Resolve Fairlight screenshot 1
     
  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.

    34 FamiStudio alternatives

    Cost / License

    • Free
    • Open Source (MIT)

    Application type

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Linux
    • Android
    • Wine
    Version 1.4.0
     
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