GarageBand for Windows: Does It Exist? The Best Alternatives

You watch someone build a beat in GarageBand in a few minutes and you want to try it yourself. Only problem: you have a Windows laptop. Can you just download GarageBand? Short answer: no. But plenty of programs do work on Windows, and a few of them are completely free.

Is there a GarageBand for Windows?

No. GarageBand is an Apple app. On the App Store the Mac version is listed as a free download, marked as Mac only. There's also a version for iPhone and iPad. Apple doesn't make a Windows version.

Come across a download online called "GarageBand for Windows"? Then it doesn't come from Apple. Better to skip it and pick a program that's actually made for Windows.

The best GarageBand alternatives for Windows

Every program below is a DAW: software where you make beats, record your voice and export your track. Exactly what GarageBand does, just on Windows.

BandLab: free, in your browser

According to BandLab, its Studio is free and works in your browser and as an app on your phone. So you don't have to install anything on your laptop. You can make beats and record your voice in it, and your projects are stored online. If you want to start without any hassle, this is the easiest step. Also read how to make a beat in BandLab.

FL Studio: a trial with no time limit

FL Studio runs on Windows and Mac. According to Image-Line, the trial never expires and includes every plugin and feature. You can export your track to audio too. The big catch: you can't reopen a saved project until you buy an edition. Everything about the trial is in FL Studio for free: how the trial works.

Waveform Free: a fully free DAW

Waveform Free by Tracktion is free and runs on Windows 10 and 11 (64-bit), macOS and Linux. According to Tracktion, it comes with built-in effects and instruments, and you can load plugins from other makers too, like VST and VST3. If you don't want to spend anything and still want a complete DAW on your laptop, this is a strong pick. Expect a bit of a learning curve though, because it works differently from GarageBand.

Ableton Live: try everything for 30 days

Ableton gives you 30 days of Live 12 Suite for free, on Windows and Mac. After those 30 days you can still open your projects, but you can't save or export anymore. Great if you like working with loops and clips and want to try ideas fast.

REAPER: 60 days with full functionality

According to the makers of REAPER, you can use it free for 60 days with every feature. After that you buy a license. REAPER is especially nice if you record and mix a lot.

Audacity: just recording and editing

Audacity is free and open source, on Windows too. It's mainly a program for recording and editing audio, not for building beats. If you only want to record your voice over a beat you already have, it does the job.

Which one fits you?

• You want to start free without installing anything: BandLab.
• You want a complete free DAW on your laptop: Waveform Free.
• You mainly want to make beats: try FL Studio and Ableton Live side by side and see which one feels better.
• You mainly want to record your voice: REAPER, or Audacity if you want to keep it simple.

It matters less than you think. Pick one and get to know it well. Want to compare them in more detail, including Mac options? Read which DAW to pick as a beginner.

From GarageBand to Windows: how to take your music with you

Started on a Mac and switching to a Windows PC? You can't open a GarageBand project in a Windows DAW. What does work: exporting your music as an audio file.

1. Export your song. In GarageBand on your Mac, choose Share and then Export Song to Disk. According to Apple, you can pick AAC, MP3, AIFF or WAVE there.
2. Choose WAVE. That's a WAV file without quality loss, and every DAW above opens it.
3. Want separate tracks? Mute everything except one track and export again. Do that for every track you want on its own, for example your beat and your vocal separately.
4. Move the files to your Windows PC and drag them into your new DAW. Quickly check that all tracks line up.

Only have an M4A or AAC file of an old idea? Convert it to WAV with the free audio converter. Your audio stays on your own device.

Rather start fresh? Use the free chord progression generator to pick a mood and key, listen, and drag the MIDI straight into FL Studio, Ableton or any other DAW.

Ready to start?

Want to write and record right away instead of building a beat first? Find an instrumental in the NameOnTheBeat beats and load it into your new DAW. Going with FL Studio? Then also check out the vocal presets for FL Studio and Logic Pro. Check on each product which DAW and which version you need.

FAQ

Can I install GarageBand on Windows?

No. Apple only makes GarageBand for Mac, iPhone and iPad. On Windows you use a different program, like BandLab, Waveform Free or FL Studio.

What's the best free GarageBand alternative for Windows?

If you don't want to install anything, go with BandLab in your browser. If you want a complete DAW on your laptop without paying, go with Waveform Free.

Can I open a GarageBand project in FL Studio?

No. Export your song or your separate tracks from GarageBand as WAV and bring those into FL Studio.

Is the FL Studio trial really free?

Yes. According to Image-Line, it doesn't expire and you can export. Only reopening saved projects requires a purchased edition.

Need more free help? Check out all the free music tools for producers and rappers.