Find your way to make music, from a spark of an idea to a finished track.
VST3supportedAUsupportedAAXnot supportedCLAPnot supportedWINsupportedMACsupportedLNXnot supported
Checked September 2026
Ableton Live 12 vs Waveform Free (2026)
Ableton Live 12 is best for live performance and loop-based electronic music production; Waveform Free is best for musicians wanting an unlimited free DAW with no track/time restrictions. Ableton Live 12 starts at $99 one-time (Intro) and Waveform Free at Free.
Fully featured, completely unlimited free DAW for all music creators.
VST3supportedAUsupportedAAXnot supportedCLAPnot supportedWINsupportedMACsupportedLNXsupported
| Ableton Live 12 | Waveform Free | |
|---|---|---|
| Best for | live performance and loop-based electronic music production | musicians wanting an unlimited free DAW with no track/time restrictions |
| Starting price | $99 one-time (Intro) | Free |
| Free version | No | Yes |
| Free trial | Yes | — |
| Formats | Standalone, VST3, AU | Standalone, VST, VST3, AU |
| OS | Windows, macOS | Windows, macOS, Linux |
| Key features | Session View for live performance/looping, Max for Live (Suite only), Meld and Roar built-in devices (Live 12), Sound Similarity Search | Unlimited tracks and audio/MIDI recording, 14 built-in audio effects plus MIDI/utility plugins, 4 built-in instruments including a sampler and rompler, Flexible routing and export, Sample/plugin browser with tagging |
| Developer | Ableton | Tracktion |
Questions people ask
Ableton Live 12 starts at $99 one-time (Intro); Waveform Free starts at Free.
Session View for live performance/looping, Max for Live (Suite only), Meld and Roar built-in devices (Live 12), Sound Similarity Search.
Unlimited tracks and audio/MIDI recording, 14 built-in audio effects plus MIDI/utility plugins, 4 built-in instruments including a sampler and rompler, Flexible routing and export, Sample/plugin browser with tagging.