Checked September 2026
Muse Group
Audacity review
DAWsFree version
Free, open-source multitrack audio editor and recorder (not a full beat-making DAW). Best for free multitrack audio recording and editing rather than beat production. Price: Free.
Key features
- Multitrack recording and editing
- Spectrogram view
- VST3/LV2/Nyquist plugin support
- Wide audio format import/export
- Audio.com cloud integration
Pros
- Completely free and open source
- Cross-platform, lightweight
- Large plugin/effect ecosystem via MuseHub
Cons
- Not a MIDI-first multitrack DAW for music production
- Interface feels dated compared to modern DAWs
Audacity alternatives
- $60once
Cockos
REAPER
Full-featured DAW for audio and MIDI recording, editing, and mixing.
VST3supportedAUsupportedAAXsupportedCLAPnot supportedWINsupportedMACsupportedLNXsupported A dynamic, flexible DAW for electronic music production and live performance.
VST3supportedAUsupportedAAXnot supportedCLAPsupportedWINsupportedMACsupportedLNXsupported- FREE
LMMS
LMMS
Free, open source, cross-platform digital audio workstation.
VST3not supportedAUnot supportedAAXnot supportedCLAPnot supportedWINsupportedMACsupportedLNXsupported
Sources: www.audacityteam.org