Which DAW Should You Pick as a Beginner? FL Studio, Ableton, GarageBand and More

A DAW is the program where you make beats and record your voice. There are a lot of them, and honestly they can all do more than enough to get started. These are the best known ones, what it takes to try them and what they're handy for.

What is a DAW?

DAW stands for digital audio workstation. It's your studio on your computer or phone: you put drums and melodies in it, record your voice, mix everything and export your track.

FL Studio

Runs on Windows and Mac. The Channel rack and the Piano roll let you lay down drums and melodies fast, which makes it nice for building beats.

According to Image-Line, you can use the trial without a time limit and export to WAV or MP3 too. You just can't reopen saved projects until you buy an edition.

Read more: how to make a trap beat in FL Studio, how to export a beat in FL Studio and how to sidechain in FL Studio.

Ableton Live

Runs on Windows and Mac. Handy if you like working with loops and clips and want to try out ideas quickly.

According to Ableton, you can try Live 12 Suite free for 30 days. After that you can still open your Sets, but you can no longer save or export.

Read more: how to make a trap beat in Ableton Live, how to export a beat in Ableton Live and how to record vocals in Ableton Live.

GarageBand

Free from Apple, for Mac, iPhone and iPad. An easy start if you have an Apple device.

Read more: how to make a beat on iPhone with GarageBand, how to make a beat in GarageBand on Mac, how to record vocals in GarageBand on Mac and autotune in GarageBand.

Logic Pro

Mac only. You can think of it as GarageBand's big brother: you can open your GarageBand projects in it.

Read more: how to master in Logic Pro.

REAPER

Runs on Windows, Mac and Linux. According to the makers, you can try it free for 60 days with full functionality.

Read more: how to record vocals in REAPER and a rap vocal chain in REAPER.

BandLab

Free to use, in your browser and as an app on your phone. Handy if you don't have a computer.

Read more: how to make a beat in BandLab, how to record rap in BandLab and autotune in BandLab.

Audacity

Free and open source, for Windows, Mac and Linux. Audacity is mainly a program for recording and editing audio, not for building beats. If you just want to record your voice over a beat, it works fine.

Read more: how to record rap in Audacity.

Which one should you pick?

• You have a Mac, iPhone or iPad and want to start free: GarageBand.
• You only have a phone: BandLab, or GarageBand on an iPhone.
• You mainly want to make beats: try both FL Studio and Ableton Live and see which feels better.
• You mainly want to record your voice: every DAW here can do that. Pick what you already have.

It matters less than you think. Pick one and get to know it well. You can always switch later. Picked one? Start with how to make a beat: a beginner's guide.

FAQ

What's the best DAW for beginners?

There isn't one best. Pick based on what you already have and what you want to make. You can start free with GarageBand or BandLab.

Can I try FL Studio for free?

Yes. According to Image-Line, the trial has no time limit and you can export. You can only reopen saved projects once you buy an edition.

How long can I try Ableton Live for free?

According to Ableton, 30 days. After that you can still open your Sets, but you can no longer save or export.

Sources: Image-Line, Ableton and REAPER.