GarageBand is among the many software applications that come preprogrammed on Apple devices. If you use an Apple gadget, the odds are good that you already know about it even if you don’t use it. Apple’s music creation software is free, coming alongside all their products.

While GarageBand is a cost-free instrument for both beginners and seasoned sound designers, it may not be a good option for you (or a viable option even if you re on Windows!) Let us examine GarageBand options for Mac, Windows, and The Cloud.

You may want GarageBand alternatives to GarageBand

GarageBand is among the most widely used digital audio workstations (DAWs) available today. It has a huge library of instruments and samples in addition to a variety of excellent native plugins and audio manipulation features. Even functions like EQs and compressors from semi-professional audio processing are included.

Perhaps one of the most appealing aspects of GarageBand is the fact that it is entirely free, which makes it an excellent choice for up-and-coming music producers.

Although GarageBand may be a fantastic option for many, there are other DAWs available. GarageBand might not be the greatest option for you if you’re a professional or someone who truly wants to delve into complicated features. Not to mention, PC owners aren’t even given the choice. Thankfully, there are some outstanding GarageBand substitutes available for Mac, Windows, and even the cloud.

Topic Contents:

GarageBand alternatives to Mac that are for Mac

All new Macs come with GarageBand pre-installed, but it might not have all the functionality you’re looking for in a music creation program. If you’re looking for some alternative Mac programs to GarageBand, take a look at these ones.

Logic Pro

For expert songwriting, beat creation, audio editing, and mixing, Apple’s Logic Pro software provides a full range of advanced capabilities. You can use the vast library of instruments, effects, loops, and samples in it to give your music a completely new dimension.

 

With this software, you may record up to 1,000 tracks with each track and layer tracks over each other, applying many effects while the track is playing. With an abundant scope of advanced editing features, Logic Pro is an excellent choice for Mac users who want complex features without getting in the way of ease of use.

Features

• Support for 24-bit/192kHz audio, intelligent take management, and seamless punch recording
• Create spatial audio mixes that go beyond stereo with integrated Dolby Atmos tools.
• Various instruments, effects, loops, and samples are available, along with royalty-free producer
• packs from artists including Oak Felder, Take a Daytrip, TRAKGIRL, and others.
• With multi-touch faders, multi-touch mixing enables you to mix from anywhere in the room.
• A touch of the finger can program drum patterns and produce dynamic rhythms using beat sequencing.
  You can operate Logic Pro on your Mac with your iPhone or iPad thanks to Logic Remote.
  You may quickly make music with Logic Remote’s Key Instructions by selecting from a list of workflow-specific commands.

Price: $199.99

Why you need it: Logic Pro is much more versatile than GarageBand. Logic Pro is a great option if you’re serious about making music and seeking for a professional tool with all the functionality you could possibly need.

Ableton Live 11

Ableton Live 11 is a versatile music-making program that is available for both Mac and Windows. It has a collection of effects, instruments, sounds, and creative tools, giving you everything you need to produce original music. There are three alternatives (Intro, Standard, and Suite) to select from, each with a different set of features and price points.

One thing that makes Ableton Live 11 different from other softwares is it’s Session View, which allows you to mix and match your music ideas without a timeline, making it great for improvisation. It also has the traditional Arrangement View where you can create your music on a timeline, bringing together different pieces to complete your masterpiece.

FEATURES:

• Consider recording and comping techniques that let you combine the best elements to create your ideal take, or utilize sample splicing to combine random samples from your library.
• Linked track editing allows you to join many tracks together and edit them all at once.
• Hybrid Reverb enables you to set your sounds in any environment, whether it be real-world or not.
• Ideal for DJs and live music performances, Tempo Following instantly alters the music’s tempo based on the incoming audio.
• You can produce instantaneous sound variations while performing by creating Macro Variations from stored Macros.
• Instrument collections including Upright Piano, Brass Quartet, and String Quartet were produced in association with Spitfire Audio.
• Every note in a chord can have bends, slides, and pressure added to it thanks to MPE compatibility.

Pricing: Live 11 Intro costs $99, Live 11 Standard is $449, and Live 11 Suite is $749.

If you participate in DJ activity or incorporate your audio production in a live show, Abelton Live 11 can come in handy because it provides plugins like Tempo Following and Macro Variations, which allow you to immediately alter your melodies according to any modifications in the venue or your audience.

Cubase 12

Cubase 12 is one of the most popular GarageBand alternatives for Windows and Mac. With 3 different versions and different levels of features, Cubase 12 has something that caters to every budget and type of user. This music production software tool has a selection of professional-grade audio production features suitable for professionals. And if you’re a novice user, you’ll appreciate the tutorial videos to help guide you through the complex features.

Features:

• You can create your own processes using the logical editor, or you can utilize defaults.
• By automatically identifying your MIDI controllers and mapping the controls, MIDI remote integration enables you to use your devices.
• Your recording’s scale and pitch can be easily set with VariAudio’s Scale Assistant.
• Your sounds are given new life by the FX Modulator, enabling you to develop your own genres and use various effects.
• The AudioWarp tool allows you to modify your audio files directly in the Project window or with Group Editing.
• With the help of the dynamic processing tool “Raiser,” you can louden your creations significantly without compromising their quality.
• For individuals using the most recent Mac machines with M1 chips, native Apple silicon support is available.

Pricing:Cubase Elements 12 costs $99.99, Cubase Artist 12 $329.99, and Cubase Pro 12 costs $579.99.

Why you want it: Cubase Pro 12 is a program you should use if your new Mac computer has an M1 chip. It provides native support for Apple silicon so that you can use it without any problems.

Audacity

Free, open-source, cross-platform audio program designed for simplicity is called Audacity. Various operating systems, including Windows, macOS, GNU/Linux, and others, support this adaptable multi-track audio editor.

Audacity is a free music creation and editing program, however it lacks some of GarageBand’s features. Even yet, it still comes with several cutting-edge capabilities, including noise reduction, that let you produce high-quality music for your projects.

Features:

• provides support for 16-, 24-, and 32-bit audio for crisp, high-quality sound.
• Utilize a microphone or mixer to capture live audio, and digitize your recordings from various sources.
• You may import, edit, and combine sound files in a variety of file formats to include numerous files simultaneously.
• Cutting, pasting, deleting, and using undo and redo to take as many steps back as necessary make editing simple.
• With the help of the noise-removal feature, you may sample ambient hums and rattles and add those filters to the music.
• allows you to design your own plug-in and supports LADSPA, LV2, Nyquist, VST, and Audio Unit effect plug-ins
• You may see and choose frequencies in Spectrogram display mode with the Vamp analysis plug-in supported.

Price: Free

Why you want it: Audacity is a great choice for people on a tight budget or those new to music production if you’re seeking for another piece of free software that can compete with GarageBand.

FL Studio

On our list of GarageBand alternatives for Mac, FL Studio stands its own thanks to more than 20 years of ongoing development. FL Studio 20 has a lot to offer both professionals and beginners thanks to its improved user interface and plugin library.

FL Studio is one of the greatest solutions for beginners learning how to use audio engineering software because of its simple workflow and abundance of native plugins. It still includes the extensive range of capabilities professionals want and seek when composing music, though.

Features:

• A large variety of native instruments, effects, and loops with one of the best-known synth VSTs available. Any sound or sample can be placed on the grid of a step sequencer that functions like a beat grid and is then triggered in the sequence.
• You can use additional plugins that offer high-quality effects to add FX to existing sounds.
  Place any sound or sample directly on the playlist and anywhere along the timeline by dragging it there.
• Utilize the countless presets created just for the native plugins to get started creating music straight away.
• Create visual content that is ready to be shared on social media by syncing your tracks to video effects.
• Apple Silicon M1 processor compatibility as well as native 64-bit support for macOS

FL Studio Fruity Edition costs $99; FL Studio Producer Edition is $199; FL Studio Signature Blend is $299; and FL Studio All Plugins Edition is $499.

Why you want it: FL Studio 20 is a fantastic choice for people who are new to music production yet desire access to a sophisticated feature set in a user-friendly environment at a low cost.

Alternatives to GarageBand for Windows

Since GarageBand is designed for Apple devices, a section listing GarageBand alternatives for Windows is only logical. These are our preferred choices to utilize on PCs, despite the fact that many of the options on this entire list function equally well under Windows and Mac.

 

Cakewalk by BandLab

One of the most used DAWs for Windows is Cakewalk by BandLab, which has 30 years of innovation and development. Users can easily create original music with the software’s powerful technology and user-friendly interface.

With this software, you may record with stunning quality and an endless number of tracks while producing songs with professional songwriting tools and instruments. Additionally, you can use the built-in tools to edit, mix, and master your songs before sharing them straight to networks like YouTube, Facebook, SoundCloud, and others.

Features:

• For any project, there are unlimited audio, MIDI, instrument, loop, and auxiliary tracks.
• Strong EQ, convolution reverb, resonant filtering, dynamic compression, tape and console
• emulation, and peak limiting are among the ProChannel modules in the library.
• Build and upgrade your channel strip with an extendable architecture designed to mimic an analog console.
• crafted with versatility in mind, allowing users to select the layout, color scheme, and display settings
• A user-friendly and slick audio mixing experience is produced by ProChannel, the 64-bit mix engine, and the mixing console interface.
• MIDI and audio characteristics that let users use MIDI controllers to change plug-in parameters
• By streamlining and speeding up the learning process, the help module reduces the learning curve.

Price: Free

Why you want it: Cakewalk by BandLab is among the top free GarageBand replacements for Windows, making it a need for anyone looking for a fully functional DAW on a tight budget.

Magix Music Maker

FL Studio 20 is a good starting point for someone wanting to do more with music but who is busy with limited time to spend on tools. Word-processing software, in this case, is accessible in an easy interface and still meets resistances of more advanced options with a high level of capability.

It is commonly recognized that Magix Music Maker has a low learning curve compared to many of the other products on this list, making it user-friendly. For specialists, the tool could appear a little too limiting, but for enthusiasts and people who want to get started right away, it’s a fantastic choice.

Features:

• Your workflows can be customized with the help of a simple, modular interface thanks to the in-app instructions.
• To incorporate your own recordings into your music, attach instruments or a microphone to your computer.
• Sound samples can be arranged using drag and drop capability to create own songs.
• With 17 drum kits and 200 patterns, Beatbox enables you to build adaptable sample-based rhythms for every genre.
• With access to 8 Soundpools and 49 Sond templates, Songmaker AI employs artificial intelligence to assist you in coming up with the best ideas for bespoke beats.
• With professional musician recordings of drums, synths, basses, guitars, string ensembles, and more,
• Music Maker provides all the sounds you could possibly need for your tunes.
  You can purchase sounds, loops, and song fragments from the in-app store.

Pricing:Free with paid upgrades ranging from $59.99 to $119

Why you want it: With its straightforward yet effective capabilities, Magix Music Maker may be the finest choice on this list if you’re a newbie using a PC. (Plus, you can start with the free version!)

Pro Tools

Avid Pro Tools, which has been operating since 1983, is now a top-tier DAW. This software, which is popular with both experienced producers and newcomers, enables you to go through all the steps of music production, from recording and editing to mixing and mastering.

Though it may have started out as a drum machine named Digidrums, Pro Tools has evolved into a full-fledged digital audio studio used by renowned musicians and producers like Dr. Dre and Pharell Williams. For long-term users who intend to frequently create music, Pro Tools is a better choice than GarageBand, which is more suited to casual users.

Features:

 

• Tools for non-destructive editing that assist keep the quality of your recordings no matter what you do with them
• When you record a fresh take on a multitrack recording with an auto-cancel setting, the record-enabled tracks are automatically disabled.
• Drawing audio waveforms or manually changing MIDI notes with a pencil tool, as well as adding panning effects with a click and hold.
• To automate the procedure, the Smart Tool combines the Trim, Select, and Grabber tools.
• You may apply effects in real time without installing any plug-ins using a dedicated Clip FX window.
• Six Pro Tools instruments, including an acoustic grand piano, a monophonic vacuum tube synthesizer, a boom drum machine with sequencer, and more
• contains a function for editing videos that lets you import, play, edit, and export

Pricing:Starting at $29.99, or $9.99 for educators and students.

 

Why you want it: Soundation might be your best bet if you’re just getting started with music production and want a straightforward yet effective cloud-based DAW that’s connected to a vibrant community.

 MPC Beats

MPC Beats is a free, MIDI-based beat maker designed by a first-time user experience that is friendly to novices. Anybody can set up a template that’s already setup, while those who have a more advanced understanding of beat making can purchase the expansion pack to gain access to even more sound libraries.

This DAW will give you all the tools necessary for creating, mixing, and performing beats efficiently without the steep learning curve. The simplicity of usage and built-in functionality make it a great option for aspiring beat makers and hobbyists of all skill levels.

FEATURES:

• 16 pads are available for triggering loops and drum samples, and MIDI controller compatibility is included.
• comes with a 2GB library of samples, loops, and instruments, plus there is the option to buy an expansion pack for more sound libraries.
• Two stereo tracks can be used to record vocals or instruments to give your music a live feel.
• features a sample editor that makes it simple and quick to cut and alter your samples.
• MPC offers three plug-in instruments: Electric, Tubesynth, and Bassline.
• Over 80 FX plugins from AIR Effects provide a great range of instruments for giving your tracks a polished, professional look.
• With suitable third-party instrument and audio processing plugins, VST/AU compatibility allows you to increase the size of your sound library.

Price: Free

Just why you need it: If you’re new to music production and want to concentrate on crafting beats, MPC Beats is the DAW for you because it provides you everything you need to get started!

Reaper

Reaper stands for RAPID Environment FOR AUDIO Production, ENGINEERING, and Recording. While a mouthful, this software has a clean and customizable interface that makes it easy for people using it to quickly pick up on its unique interface.

It has a lot more advanced functionality than GarageBand, enabling you to accomplish more than you could with the free Mac program. Reaper offers a free 60-day trial, so there’s no harm in checking it out to see if it has the features you require.

FEATURES:

• Multi-track live audio or MIDI recording that can be used to record an orchestra, band, or soloist
• Real-time network FX processing and application
• Pitch correction, time stretching, and shifting in real-time, with numerous pitch and time stretch engines
• Drag-and-drop capabilities for production activities such as importing, organising, and rendering
• Move, divide, glue, resize, trim, loop, time stretch, pitch shift, fade, crossfade, slip, and snap to grid all with a single tool.
• ReaSurround, which provides stereo, surround, or multichannel audio spatial visualization and processing (up to 64 channels)
• Experience that may be altered, including colors, icons, layouts, toolbars, and other features

Cost: $60 for iO Transit all the differentiate and $225 for a commercial badge.

Why you need it: Reaper is suitable for the professional who wants to deal with a complex software with lots of selection options.

Various cloud-based GarageBand choices are available.

To save you a pretty good chunk of cash, using a DAW sometimes necessitates a substantial investment of time. Cloud-based GarageBand alternatives are perfect for users who want to create right away in the cloud without the hassle of buying pricey equipment.

Soundtrap

As one of the first online music studios, Soundtrap has the essential features of a conventional digital recording studio. Its collaborative tools make it a popular option for users who want to share recordings online.

With its app, Soundtrap enables you to record, edit, and collaborate from any location and on any device. The best thing, though? You never have to be concerned about losing any of your work because everything is stored online in the cloud.

FEATURES:

• Access to an unlimited number of projects and more than 800 instruments and sounds, including more than 150k sound effects from freesound.org
• a robust audio editing program that lets you adjust the volume, pan, and apply filters
• contains tens of thousands of premium beats and presets, including synths, 808s, chords, drum beats, melodies, and more.
• You can alter the pitch of your voice recordings using Auto-Tune.
• Musicians can record and create music on their mobile device using the Soundtrap Capture App.
• With the help of Patterns Beatmaker, you can easily and intuitively create your own distinctive beats for your next tune.
• Collaboration with nearby users while being able to see who is recording and respond to suggestions instantly

Price ranges from $7.99 for Premium to $11.99 for Supreme, $11.99 for Storytellers, and $16.99 for the Soundtrp x Spotify Premium Bundle.

Soundtrap is an ideal option for bands or musicians collaborating remotely or creating music on the go.

BandLab

BandLab is another web-based DAW for people who like to compose music anywhere. With unlimited cloud storage, using BandLab is like walking around with a recording studio in your pocket. You can record an impromptu performance whenever inspiration strikes from your mobile device.

FEATURES:

• Unlimited projects, teamwork, top-notch downloads, and safe storage
• Connect your own instruments, use over 200 professionally designed instruments, such as pianos and drum kits, or use sounds from other DAWs.
• includes cross-platform universal FX and presets with high-quality guitar, bass, and voice effects.
• Sync all of your work to the cloud so that it is secure and always available for you to work on.
• Using a secret algorithm developed by BandLab, the AutoPitch program allows you to automatically fix pitch in real time.
• In order to restore prior versions, full version history records all of your revisions.
• You can always sound your finest with unlimited free professional algorithmic mastering.

Price: Free

You will like this because: BandLab is a user-friendly and reasonably priced choice for folks who are new to music production but desire remote collaboration.

Audiotool

The modular-focused cloud-based DAW Audiotool is an excellent choice for individuals who want to explore the processes used by the first electronic musicians. Producers have complete control over their tunes because to the modular workflow, which enables them to route, split, or combine various synth outputs.

The fact that Audiotool employs its community to expand its library of more than 250k samples and 50k device presets is one of its distinctive features. Producers have the chance to participate more actively in a vibrant online community of other musicians thanks to this DAW, which is completely free.

Features:

• More than 250k samples and presets for various synthesizers and effects are included in the extensive sample collection.
• includes a sample editor to adjust, chop, and edit your audio files as well as 28 unique FX, including mastering tools and MIDI effects.
• Use three drum machines, such as Beatbox 8 and Beatbox 9, as well as modern recreations of vintage drum machines.
• Invite other producers to cooperate, impart knowledge to, or work concurrently in the same studio while corresponding via video, audio, and text chat.
• You can use your physical device to play instruments and control sliders and knobs thanks to MIDI device compatibility.
• a platform that is driven by community that allows you to share your music on its publishing platform or connect with other producers inside the Audiotool community.
• All tracks are kept on the Audiotools servers, which enables

Price: Free

Why you want it: Audiotool is the best cloud-based alternative if you want to experience a modular workflow that allows you greater control over your sounds or if you enjoy the collaborative nature of composing music.

 Roland Zenbeats

You can start using Roland Zenbeats, a music-making program, on any platform or device. It makes it very simple for users to create beats, learn new skills, or sample their surroundings while synchronizing creations to the cloud from their mobile devices.

Zenbeats is no less helpful or professional than other online DAWs simply because it can be utilized on mobile devices like smartphones and iPads. It’s a DAW that allows you the ability to record and produce music no matter where you are thanks to its versatility and reasonable price.

FEATURES:

• You can download song templates from a single dashboard interface, as well as open, search, and rename songs.
• SampleVerse enables you to play, edit, and record sounds from your environment, such as acoustic music and live vocals.
• You have precise control over each note’s properties with MIDI Polyphonic Expression.
• integrates with Microsoft OneDrive and Google Drive to make it simple to share work online.
• To assist you in producing new music, Zenbeats Store has a vast library full of sounds, loops, and artistic resources.
• Directly upload your music to SoundCloud and share it with your audience.
• Compatible with Windows, Mac, iOS, and Android

Price: Free with in-app purchases needed to access additional features, instruments, and effects

You will like this because: Roland Zenbeats is a fun, useful application that enables you to effortlessly exchange inspiration with cloud-based collaborators while on the road.

Soundation

A fantastic introduction to cloud-based DAWs is provided by Soundation. It is suitable for novices or amateurs as well as teachers who want to instruct their students because of its simple controls and extensive learning library.

Soundation has evolved since it was first developed, becoming more powerful and professional with additional features that increase its utility. However, it isn’t exactly the greatest choice for professionals without support for third-party plugins.

Features:

• modern-looking user interface with simple drag-and-drop controls
• A ready-to-mix library of more than 20,000 loops, samples, baselines, melodies, and percussion beats
• Tremolo, distortion, reverb, phaser, delay, fakie, equalizer, and other sound shaping tools are available.
• Grimy wubs are produced by the Wub Machine, an LFO-focused synthesizer, for the dubstep and bass music genres.
• With 8 bands available for parametric EQ, you can better manage each parameter.
• Live collaboration with other musicians is possible as projects are instantly synced to the cloud.
• A music community where you can publish your songs to gain more listeners has 150k+ monthly active users and 10k+ songs posted each month.

Price: Starter costs $4.99 per month, Creator costs $9.99 per month, and Pro costs $29.99 per month.

Why you want it: Soundation might be your best option if you’re new to music production and want to get started with a cloud-based DAW that is both straightforward and effective and is integrated with a vibrant community.

Your favorite Garageband alternative

Mainly based on what features you desire and within your budget, you might think about the audio engineering software that would be best for you. But you will never truly know how any audio engineering software is the best choice for you until you explore its various features.