Producer Rack

Checked September 2026 · 10 picks

Best Free DAWs for Windows (2026)

The best free DAWs for Windows are Waveform Free, Pro Tools and BandLab. 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. BandLab is best for beginners and collaborators who want a free, cloud-based DAW.

  1. #1Tracktion

    Waveform Free

    FREE

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

    VST3supportedAUsupportedAAXnot supportedCLAPnot supportedWINsupportedMACsupportedLNXsupported

  2. #2Avid

    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

  3. #3BandLab 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

  4. #4LMMS

    LMMS

    FREE

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

    VST3not supportedAUnot supportedAAXnot supportedCLAPnot supportedWINsupportedMACsupportedLNXsupported

  5. #5Ardour

    Ardour

    FREE

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

    VST3supportedAUsupportedAAXnot supportedCLAPnot supportedWINsupportedMACsupportedLNXsupported

  6. #6Muse Group

    Audacity

    FREE

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

    VST3supportedAUnot supportedAAXnot supportedCLAPnot supportedWINsupportedMACsupportedLNXsupported

  7. #7BandLab Technologies

    Cakewalk Sonar

    FREEpaid $149.50+

    Free Windows DAW successor to the discontinued Cakewalk by BandLab, with an optional paid BandLab Membership.

    VST3not supportedAUnot supportedAAXnot supportedCLAPnot supportedWINsupportedMACnot supportedLNXnot supported

  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. #10Serato

    Serato Studio

    FREEpaid $149+

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

    VST3supportedAUsupportedAAXnot supportedCLAPnot supportedWINsupportedMACsupportedLNXnot supported

Questions people ask

Waveform Free by Tracktion. It is best for musicians wanting an unlimited free DAW with no track/time restrictions and is free to use.