Reason AlternativesMusic Production Apps & Digital Audio Workstations like Reason

Reason is described as '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' and is a very popular music production app in the audio & music category. There are more than 50 alternatives to Reason for a variety of platforms, including Windows, Mac, Linux, Android and iPad apps. The best Reason alternative is REAPER. It's not free, so if you're looking for a free alternative, you could try GarageBand or Bespoke Synth. Other great apps like Reason are Ardour, Ableton Live, Bitwig Studio and Adobe Audition.

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Alternatives list

  1. REAPER icon

    REAPER

     254 likes

    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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    9
    Comments about REAPER as an Alternative to Reason
    Guest
    Positive
    0

    Full featured DAW, will accept VST as replacement for Reason's instruments, but overall as easy to use.

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

    Misses instruments but mixing / mastering plugins are ove rthe top. Routing is even easier than Reason cables.

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

    • Most users think REAPER is a great Reason alternative.

    • REAPER is the most popular Windows, Mac & Linux alternative to Reason.

    • REAPER is the most popular commercial alternative to Reason.

    • REAPER is Paid and ProprietaryReason is also Paid and Proprietary
    • REAPER is Customizable and LightweightReason is not according to our users
  2. Ardour icon

    Ardour

     240 likes

    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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    11
    Comments about Ardour as an Alternative to Reason
    Guest
    Negative
    0

    Less possibilities, interface is not up to speed.

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

    No instruments included, clunky interface

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

    • Some users think Ardour is a great Reason alternative, some don't.

    • Ardour is the most popular Open Source alternative to Reason.

    • Ardour is Paid and Open SourceReason is Paid and Proprietary
    • Ardour is Privacy focusedReason is not according to our users
  4. Ableton Live icon

    Ableton Live

     212 likes

    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
     
  5. Ad
    Screenshot
    MAGIX Music Maker icon
    MAGIX Music Maker

    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 interfa...

    https://www.magix.com
    Learn More
  6. Bitwig Studio icon

    Bitwig Studio

     94 likes

    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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    7
    Comments about Bitwig Studio as an Alternative to Reason
    Guest
    Positive
    0

    It is more "all in one" than ardour and reaper so you don´t need so much external plugins.

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

    Great modular synth that kinda replaces the whole reason cable thing. Better live abilities. Linux support. Not enough instruments

    Review by a new / low-activity user.
    Reason Icon
    Bitwig Studio icon

    • Almost everyone thinks Bitwig Studio is a great Reason alternative.

    • Bitwig Studio is Paid and ProprietaryReason is also Paid and Proprietary
  7. GarageBand icon

    GarageBand

     268 likes

    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.

    103 GarageBand alternatives

    Cost / License

    • Free
    • Proprietary

    Application types

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • iPhone
    • iPad
    iPad Version: Tracks
     

    • This alternative is disputed. GarageBand is a legitimate Reason alternative, but it might have issues that some users think are important.

    • GarageBand is the most popular iPhone & iPad alternative to Reason.

    • GarageBand is the most popular free alternative to Reason.

    • GarageBand is Free and ProprietaryReason is Paid and Proprietary
  8. Adobe Audition icon

    Adobe Audition

     184 likes

    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

    Cost / License

    • Subscription
    • Proprietary

    Application types

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    Adobe Audition screenshot 1
     
  10. Logic Pro icon

    Logic Pro

     120 likes

    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.

    79 Logic Pro alternatives

    Cost / License

    • Pay once
    • Proprietary

    Application types

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • iPad
    Logic Pro screenshot 1
     
  13. Melodic Mind icon

    Melodic Mind

     8 likes

    Mobile-first platform with integrated DAW, stem separation, songwriting, synthesizer, real instruments, music theory, practice toolkit, vocal training, chromatic tuner, progress tracking, and unique gamification inspired by anime quests, all in a free public beta.

    Cost / License

    • Freemium (Pay once)
    • Proprietary

    Application type

    Platforms

    • Online
    • Android
    • Android Tablet
    • Software as a Service (SaaS)
    Melodic Mind screenshot 1
    Melodic Mind screenshot 2
    Melodic Mind screenshot 3
     

    • Melodic Mind is the most popular Web-based, Android, SaaS & Android Tablet alternative to Reason.

    • Melodic Mind is Freemium and ProprietaryReason is Paid and Proprietary
  14. Avid Pro Tools icon

    Avid Pro Tools

     57 likes

    Pro Tools makes music creation fast and fluid, providing a complete set of tools to create, record, edit, and mix audio. Get inspired and start making music with a massive collection of plugins, instruments, and sounds.

    91 Avid Pro Tools alternatives

    Cost / License

    • Pay once or Subscription
    • Proprietary

    Application types

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    Avid Pro Tools screenshot 1
     
  15. Qtractor icon

    Qtractor

     52 likes

    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

    Application types

    Platforms

    • Linux
    • Flathub
    • Flatpak
    Qtractor screenshot 1
     
12 of 73 Reason alternatives