The 10 Best Free DAWs for Beginner Music Producers (2025)

Jumping into music production can feel like cracking open a spaceship cockpit — knobs, sliders, and mysterious buttons everywhere. But here’s the secret: you don’t need to buy an expensive DAW to make great music. In fact, many producers started making music with free DAWs, discovering their passion and skills without spending a dime.

Getting Started

Some of the most creative producers in the world started out on free software, and today’s options are way more powerful than they used to be. Whether you’re making beats, recording vocals, or just figuring out what a compressor does (we’ve all been there), these free DAWs are all you need to start.

Let’s break down the best free music production software in 2025 — what they’re good at, what to watch out for, and how to find the one that matches your vibe.

1. GarageBand (Mac, iOS)

If you’ve got a Mac, congrats — you already own one of the most powerful beginner DAWs on Earth. GarageBand is Apple’s free, built-in music studio, and it’s honestly impressive for something that comes preinstalled.

You can record vocals, plug in instruments, drag in loops, or play with Apple’s built-in Drummer feature (which feels like having an AI bandmate). It’s intuitive, clean, and way more capable than most people realize.

Why GarageBand rocks:

• Free and ready to go on any Mac or iPhone.

• Great built-in loops, synths, and effects.

• Perfect stepping stone to Logic Pro.

What’s not so hot:

• Mac-only.

• Limited mixing tools for advanced users.

Best for: Total beginners with a Mac who want to get started today.

2. BandLab (Browser, iOS, Android)

BandLab is the easiest way to start making music without installing anything. It runs straight in your browser and syncs across your devices, meaning you can start a beat on your laptop and finish it on your phone while you’re out.

It’s got everything you need: a multi-track timeline, virtual instruments, effects, and a built-in social platform for sharing and collaborating. You can set up your workspace and customize your set of tools to fit your creative workflow. Think of it like Google Docs for music producers—but cooler.

Why BandLab rocks:

• 100% free and works on any device.

• Cloud-based with automatic saves.

• Built-in loops, effects, and collaboration tools.

What’s not so hot:

• Internet required.

• No third-party plugin support (yet).

Best for: Creators and musicians who want to make and share tracks from anywhere—no setup required.

3. Cakewalk by BandLab (Windows)

Once a paid powerhouse called SONAR, Cakewalk is now completely free thanks to BandLab — and it’s one of the most advanced DAWs you can get without paying a dime. Note: Cakewalk requires a free BandLab account to download and use.

It’s loaded with professional features: unlimited tracks, full VST plugin support, automation, mixing tools, and a mastering suite. If you’re on Windows, this is about as close to a pro studio as you can get for free.

Why Cakewalk rocks:

• Full professional DAW with zero limitations.

• Excellent for recording and mixing.

• Smooth upgrade path within BandLab’s ecosystem.

• Comprehensive settings for customization.

• Supports third party plugins and VSTs.

• Built-in FX suite for mixing and mastering.

What’s not so hot:

• Windows-only.

• A little intimidating for total beginners.

Best for: Windows users ready to dive into serious production.

4. Tracktion Waveform Free (Windows, Mac)

Waveform Free is one of those DAWs that makes you do a double take — it’s free, but feels premium. Developed by Tracktion, the developer provides resources for users, including support and updates. You get unlimited tracks, plugin support, MIDI editing, automation, and a modern, creative layout that’s flexible enough for any genre. Users can also access a playlist of tutorials to help learn Waveform Free and improve their skills.

It’s got a bit more of a learning curve than ultra-simple tools like BandLab or GarageBand, but it’s a perfect “next step” for growing producers.

Try Waveform by Tracktion for:

• Modern interface with deep features.

• No track limits or feature caps.

• Works across all major operating systems.

• Customizable settings for workflow and plugin management.

What’s not so hot:

• Waveform Free lacks several advanced tools found in the paid version, such as Pro plugins, arranger tracks, video support, and stem export. The Pro version also adds more sophisticated instruments, effects, and enhanced MIDI and audio features.

Best for: Intermediate beginners who want something to grow into.

5. LMMS (Windows, Mac)

LMMS, short for Let’s Make Music, is an open-source DAW that’s perfect for beatmakers and electronic producers. It’s lightweight, stable, and built entirely by a passionate community.

It’s not built for recording vocals, but if you’re sequencing MIDI, programming drums, or designing synth sounds, LMMS delivers.

Why it rocks:

• 100% open-source and cross-platform.

• Great for electronic genres and sampling.

• Comes with tons of built-in instruments.

• Supports VSTs for expanding your plugin collection.

• Includes a range of built-in FX like reverb, distortion, and compression for professional sound design.

What’s not so hot:

• Interface looks a little 2008.

• Not great for recording live instruments.

Best for: EDM, hip-hop, or lo-fi producers who love tweaking sounds.

6. SoundBridge (Windows, Mac)

SoundBridge is what happens when a traditional DAW meets a clean, minimalist design. It has everything you expect — a full mixer, automation, plugin support — and it even includes a free drum machine called RitMix.

It’s easy to learn and doesn’t feel cluttered, making it a solid pick for beginners who want a real recording setup without the bloat. Need help DIY-ing your recording environment? Check out our at-home recording guide here. You can also customize settings for plugin management and workflow, making integration and troubleshooting straightforward.

Why SoundBridge rocks:

• Familiar “studio-style” workflow.

• Built-in drum machine plugin.

• Professional-grade FX included.

• Optimized for touchscreen use.

• Customizable settings for plugins and workflow.

What’s not so hot:

• Small user community.

• Occasional stability quirks.

Best for: Beginners who prefer a classic DAW layout and want to make full songs fast.

7. Audacity (Windows, Mac)

Not technically a full DAW, but still a legend. Audacity is the go-to tool for recording vocals, podcasts, and live instruments — and it’s been around forever because it just works. Developed and maintained by a dedicated open-source community, Audacity continues to evolve with user needs.

It doesn’t do MIDI or fancy synths, but it’s unbeatable for quick takes, editing, or cleaning up samples.

Why Audacity works:

• Free, simple, and open source.

• Lightweight and fast.

• Great for voice or acoustic recording.

• Customizable settings for audio editing and recording.

What’s not so hot:

• No MIDI or virtual instruments.

Best for: Vocalists, podcasters, and anyone who needs clean audio recording.

8. Pro Tools Intro (Windows, Mac)

If you want to dip your toes into the industry standard without the price tag, Pro Tools Intro is your entry ticket. It’s the official free version of Avid’s legendary DAW — used in professional studios around the world — and it gives beginners a taste of that pro workflow.

You get eight audio tracks, eight instrument tracks, and eight MIDI tracks, plus access to Avid’s excellent stock plugins and virtual instruments like Boom and Xpand!2. It’s a little more technical than some free options, but it’s an unbeatable intro to the real thing. You can also adjust various settings for workflow customization and plugin management, including plugin directories and scan options.

Try ProTools Intro for:

• Free, no subscription required.

• Real Pro Tools workflow and session format.

• Comes with professional-grade plugins and instruments.

What’s not so hot:

• Limited to 8 audio and 8 instrument tracks.

• Slightly higher learning curve for total beginners.

Best for: Beginners who want to learn industry-standard production tools from day one. Pro Tools Intro is a great option if you want a reliable, feature-rich DAW to start your music production journey.

9. Reaper (Windows, Mac – Free Trial)

Let’s be real — Reaper’s “free trial” is basically an honor system. The trial never expires, and you get the full pro version with every feature unlocked.

It’s insanely efficient, customizable, and beloved by engineers for a reason. The learning curve’s a little steeper, but it rewards you with pure flexibility and speed.

Why Reaper's Free Trial rocks:

• Fully functional and endlessly customizable.

• Runs on almost any computer.

• Pro-level mixing, routing, and editing tools.

What’s not so hot:

• Slightly dated visuals.

• Technically not 100% “free.”

Best for: Ambitious beginners who want pro power without paying upfront—Reaper is a great option for those seeking flexibility and value.

10. Soundtrap by Spotify (Browser, iOS, Android)

Soundtrap is Spotify’s online DAW made for collaboration. You can record vocals, make loops, and invite friends to join in real time — all inside your browser. Musicians can easily set up collaborative sessions and configure their set of tools to fit their workflow.

It’s ideal for creators who love quick idea capture and teamwork. Plus, publishing to Spotify is seamless.

Why Soundtrap rocks:

• Cloud-based, works on all devices.

• Real-time collaboration and chat.

• Great for quick creation and sharing.

What’s not so hot:

• Internet required.

• Some features locked behind paid plans.

Best for: Collab-focused creators and social music makers.

So… Which DAW Should You Choose?

If you’re still undecided, here’s the TL;DR:

• Mac users: GarageBand—hands down.

• Windows users: Cakewalk for power, SoundBridge for simplicity.

• Mobile-first creators: BandLab or Soundtrap.

• Electronic producers: LMMS or Waveform Free.

• Vocalists & songwriters: Pro Tools Intro for a clean workflow, great sound, and industry-standard basics.

• Recordists & podcasters: Audacity.

• Ambitious beginners: Reaper; technically not 100% free, but easily the best “try-before-you-buy” pro DAW.

When comparing free DAWs to paid industry standards like FL Studio, you’ll find that many free options offer impressive features and flexibility, especially for those just starting out.

The key is to pick one and stick with it. DAWs all share the same basic principles — tracks, effects, automation — so what you learn in one carries over to the others.

Final Thoughts

You don’t need an expensive DAW to sound professional, you just need to start. Every great producer begins by fumbling through their first session, bouncing a weird mix, and realizing they accidentally learned five things along the way.

So grab one of these free DAWs, load up a loop, and make something weird. The best DAW isn’t the most advanced one — it’s the one you’ll actually open tomorrow.

Now go make some noise.

-SK

Sam Kearney is a producer, composer and sound designer based in Evergreen, CO.