Cakewalk AlternativesOnly apps categorised as Digital Audio Workstations

The best Digital Audio Workstation alternative to Cakewalk is LMMS, which is both free and Open Source. If that doesn't suit you, our users have ranked more than 100 alternatives to Cakewalk and loads of them are Digital Audio Workstations so hopefully you can find a suitable replacement. Other interesting Digital Audio Workstation alternatives to Cakewalk are REAPER, FL Studio, Ardour and Ableton Live.

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Cakewalk alternatives are mainly Music Production Apps but may also be Digital Audio Workstations or Audio Editors.  Filter by these or use the filter bar below if you want a narrower list of alternatives or looking for a specific functionality of Cakewalk.
Cakewalk iconCakewalk
  66
  • ...

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...

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Cakewalk alternatives page was last updated May 9, 2024
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  1. LMMS icon
    LMMS icon

    LMMS

     596 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
    LMMS screenshot 1

    License model

    • Free • Open Source

    Application types

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Linux
    • BSD
    • PortableApps.com
    • Haiku
    LMMS screenshot 1
    LMMS screenshot 2
    +2
    LMMS screenshot 3

    Top LMMS 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 iconCakewalk Icon

    LMMS VS Cakewalk

    Is LMMS a good alternative to Cakewalk?
     
    Comments about LMMS as an Alternative to Cakewalk
     
    sedeti

    Miles behind from cakewalk

    Negative comment •Sep 21, 2021
    -1
    Guest

    A long way away from Sonor

    Negative comment •Apr 22, 2020
    -1
    Cakewalk Icon
    LMMS icon

    • Some users think LMMS is a great Cakewalk alternative, some don't.

    • LMMS is Free and Open SourceCakewalk is Free Personal and Proprietary
  2. REAPER icon
    REAPER icon

    REAPER

     238 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.

    83 REAPER alternatives
    Default theme

    License model

    Application types

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Linux
    Full screen in Linux with inline MIDI editor using REA Evolution theme
    Analog Default theme
    +3
    Dark_Side_Imperial 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 iconCakewalk Icon

    REAPER VS Cakewalk

    Is REAPER a good alternative to Cakewalk?
     
    Comments about REAPER as an Alternative to Cakewalk
     
    anakin777

    I don't know much about Cakewalk but reaper can be compared to professional DAW like Logic, Cubase or ProTools by its large amount of powerful functionalities : Audio multitrack recording, processing, looping, rewiring, MIDI handling, 32bits and 64bit VST support, interface customization etc. The only drawback I found is the limited MIDI creation, particularly with the quantization and step-by-step event recording

    Positive comment •Nov 1, 2022
    0
    Cakewalk Icon
    REAPER icon

    • Most users think REAPER is a great Cakewalk alternative.

    • REAPER is the most popular commercial alternative to Cakewalk.

    • REAPER is Paid and ProprietaryCakewalk is Free Personal and Proprietary
    • REAPER is Customizable and LightweightCakewalk is not according to our users
  4. FL Studio icon
    FL Studio icon

    FL Studio

     479 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.

    92 FL Studio alternatives
    FL Studio screenshot 1

    License model

    Application types

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Android
    • iPhone
    • Android Tablet
    • HUAWEI AppGallery
    • iPad
    FL Studio screenshot 1
    FL Studio screenshot 2
    +3
    FL Studio screenshot 3

    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 iconCakewalk Icon

    FL Studio VS Cakewalk

    Is FL Studio a good alternative to Cakewalk?
     

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

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

    • FL Studio is Paid and ProprietaryCakewalk is Free Personal and Proprietary
    • FL Studio is LightweightCakewalk is not according to our users
  5. Ad
    Screenshot
    Avid Pro Tools icon

    Avid Pro Tools

    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.

    https://www.avid.com
    Learn More
  6. Ardour icon
    Ardour icon

    Ardour

     226 likes
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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.

    88 Ardour alternatives
    Ardour 6

    License model

    Application types

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Linux
    • BSD
    Ardour with a custom theme
    main window + mixer
    +8
    MIDI tracks

    Top Ardour Features

    1.  Multitrack editing
    2.  Audio Recording
    3.  Mix Music
    4.  Digital Audio Workstation
    5.  Non Destructive Editing
    6.  Support for VST Plugins
    7.  Music Sequencer
    8.  Extensible by Plugins/Extensions
    9.  Lossless Audio
    10.  Works Offline
    11.  Ad-free
    12.  Virtual Instrument
    Ardour iconCakewalk Icon

    Ardour VS Cakewalk

    Is Ardour a good alternative to Cakewalk?
     
  7. Ableton Live icon
    Ableton Live icon

    Ableton Live

     200 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.

    82 Ableton Live alternatives
    Ableton Live screenshot 1

    License model

    Application types

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    Ableton Live screenshot 1
    Ableton Live screenshot 2
    +5
    Ableton Live 10

    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 iconCakewalk Icon

    Ableton Live VS Cakewalk

    Is Ableton Live a good alternative to Cakewalk?
     
  8. GarageBand icon
    GarageBand icon

    GarageBand

     263 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
    iPad Version: Tracks

    License model

    • Free • Proprietary

    Application types

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • iPhone
    • iPad
    iPad Version: Piano Roll Editor
    Mac Version: Guitar Amplifier
    +4
    Size comparison between iPhone, iPad, and Macbook

    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 iconCakewalk Icon

    GarageBand VS Cakewalk

    Is GarageBand a good alternative to Cakewalk?
     
    Comments about GarageBand as an Alternative to Cakewalk
     
    anakin777

    A very intuitive/straghtforward tool for music creation, with both MIDI and audio. Supports Virtual instruments and extensions (with Apple format)

    Positive comment •Nov 1, 2022
    0
    Cakewalk Icon
    GarageBand icon

    • Some users think GarageBand is a great Cakewalk alternative, some don't.

    • GarageBand is Free and ProprietaryCakewalk is Free Personal and Proprietary
  10. Bitwig Studio icon
    Bitwig Studio icon

    Bitwig Studio

     88 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
    Bitwig Studio screenshot 1

    License model

    Application types

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Linux
    Bitwig Studio screenshot 1
    Bitwig Studio screenshot 2
    +3
    Bitwig Studio screenshot 3

    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 iconCakewalk Icon

    Bitwig Studio VS Cakewalk

    Is Bitwig Studio a good alternative to Cakewalk?
     
  11. Bespoke Synth icon
    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
    Bespoke Synth screenshot 1

    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 iconCakewalk Icon

    Bespoke Synth VS Cakewalk

    Is Bespoke Synth a good alternative to Cakewalk?
     
  12. Logic Pro icon
    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.

    81 Logic Pro alternatives
    Logic Pro screenshot 1

    License model

    Application types

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • iPad
    Logic Pro screenshot 1
    Logic Pro screenshot 2
    +7
    Logic Pro screenshot 3

    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 iconCakewalk Icon

    Logic Pro VS Cakewalk

    Is Logic Pro a good alternative to Cakewalk?
     
    Comments about Logic Pro as an Alternative to Cakewalk
     
    anakin777

    Logic was my first DAW. Lots of thing has changes since the Atari version but it's still powerful, professional, unlimited

    Positive comment •Nov 1, 2022
    0
    Cakewalk Icon
    Logic Pro icon

    • Most users think Logic Pro is a great Cakewalk alternative.

    • Logic Pro is Paid and ProprietaryCakewalk is Free Personal and Proprietary
  13. Zrythm icon
    Zrythm icon

    Zrythm

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

    91 Zrythm alternatives
    Zrythm screenshot 1

    License model

    • Freemium • Open Source

    Application types

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Linux
    • BSD
    Zrythm screenshot 1
    Zrythm screenshot 2
    +4
    Zrythm screenshot 3

    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 iconCakewalk Icon

    Zrythm VS Cakewalk

    Is Zrythm a good alternative to Cakewalk?
     
10 of 61 Cakewalk alternatives