Checked September 2026 · 10 picks

Best Free DAWs for Mac (2026)

The best free DAWs for Mac are GarageBand, Waveform Free and Pro Tools. GarageBand is best for beginners making music free on mac or iphone/ipad. Waveform Free is best for musicians wanting an unlimited free DAW with no track/time restrictions. Pro Tools is best for professional recording studios and post-production audio.

1. 

   #1Apple

   GarageBand

   FREE

   Incredible music. In the key of easy.

   VST3not supportedAUsupportedAAXnot supportedCLAPnot supportedWINnot supportedMACsupportedLNXnot supported+ iOS · iPadOS
2. 

   #2Tracktion

   Waveform Free

   FREE

   Fully featured, completely unlimited free DAW for all music creators.

   VST3supportedAUsupportedAAXnot supportedCLAPnot supportedWINsupportedMACsupportedLNXsupported
3. P

   #3Avid

   Pro Tools

   FREEpaid $9.99+

   Professional DAW for recording, editing, and mixing used across the music and post-production industry.

   VST3not supportedAUnot supportedAAXsupportedCLAPnot supportedWINsupportedMACsupportedLNXnot supported
4. B

   #4BandLab Technologies

   BandLab

   FREE

   Free, browser and mobile-based DAW with built-in collaboration and social sharing.

   VST3not supportedAUnot supportedAAXnot supportedCLAPnot supportedWINsupportedMACsupportedLNXnot supported+ iOS · Android · Web
5. L

   #5LMMS

   LMMS

   FREE

   Free, open source, cross-platform digital audio workstation.

   VST3not supportedAUnot supportedAAXnot supportedCLAPnot supportedWINsupportedMACsupportedLNXsupported
6. A

   #6Ardour

   Ardour

   FREE

   Free, open-source, cross-platform DAW for recording, editing and mixing audio and MIDI.

   VST3supportedAUsupportedAAXnot supportedCLAPnot supportedWINsupportedMACsupportedLNXsupported
7. 

   #7Muse Group

   Audacity

   FREE

   Free, open-source multitrack audio editor and recorder (not a full beat-making DAW).

   VST3supportedAUnot supportedAAXnot supportedCLAPnot supportedWINsupportedMACsupportedLNXsupported
8. 

   #8Universal Audio

   LUNA

   FREEpaid $199+

   DAW with built-in tape/console emulations and AI-assisted tools; runs without UAD hardware.

   VST3supportedAUsupportedAAXnot supportedCLAPnot supportedWINsupportedMACsupportedLNXnot supported
9. 

   #9Reason Studios

   Reason

   FREEpaid $299+

   Rack-based DAW combining a sequencer with virtual instruments, effects, and modular routing.

   VST3supportedAUsupportedAAXsupportedCLAPnot supportedWINsupportedMACsupportedLNXnot supported
10. S

    #10Serato

    Serato Studio

    FREEpaid $149+

    Beat-making software with real-time Stems separation and a built-in sample deck.

    VST3supportedAUsupportedAAXnot supportedCLAPnot supportedWINsupportedMACsupportedLNXnot supported