One of the most persistent myths in music production is that you need expensive software to make good music. It’s not true. Some of the most interesting electronic music, hip-hop, and indie pop coming out of Australia right now is being made on software that costs nothing.

I’ve tested, used, and talked to producers about free DAWs (digital audio workstations) extensively. Here are five that can genuinely support professional-level work.

1. Reaper ($60 for personal use, free evaluation)

Yes, technically Reaper has a suggested price of $60 USD for a personal licence. But the evaluation version is fully functional with no time limit or feature restrictions. The developers operate on an honour system, and the evaluation is legitimate — they want you to buy it when you can, not before.

Why it’s good: Reaper is arguably the most powerful DAW on this list. Full MIDI sequencing, unlimited tracks, advanced routing, comprehensive plugin support (VST, VST3, AU), and performance that embarrasses software costing ten times as much.

Who it’s for: Producers who want professional-level capabilities and don’t mind a learning curve. The interface isn’t as polished as Ableton or Logic, but the functionality is there.

Australian producers using it: Several electronic producers I know have switched to Reaper from Ableton for its CPU efficiency. When you’re running forty tracks of plugins on a five-year-old laptop, that matters.

2. GarageBand

If you own a Mac, you already have GarageBand. And despite its reputation as a “beginner” tool, it’s surprisingly capable.

Why it’s good: The built-in instruments and loops are high quality. The interface is intuitive. It handles basic recording, MIDI sequencing, and mixing without overwhelming new users. And any project you create in GarageBand can be opened directly in Logic Pro if you eventually upgrade.

Who it’s for: Songwriters, beginners, and anyone who wants to capture ideas quickly. It’s also excellent for podcasting if you’re an artist who does that.

Limitations: No third-party plugin support (a significant drawback for serious production), limited mixing capabilities, and no advanced MIDI editing.

3. Cakewalk by BandLab

When Gibson acquired Cakewalk (formerly Sonar) and then passed it to BandLab, the DAW became completely free. This is a full professional-grade DAW with no feature limitations.

Why it’s good: Comprehensive MIDI and audio recording, professional mixing console, full plugin support, and features that rival expensive competitors. The ProChannel strip on each track provides EQ, compression, and saturation without needing additional plugins.

Who it’s for: Windows users who want a complete production environment. Cakewalk is Windows-only, which is its main limitation for Mac users.

The catch: It requires a BandLab account to download and use, and BandLab’s social features are baked into the interface. You can ignore them, but they’re there.

4. Ardour

Ardour is an open-source DAW that’s been around since the early 2000s. It’s available on Mac, Windows, and Linux.

Why it’s good: Full multitrack recording and editing, MIDI support, non-destructive editing, and professional-level mixing. It’s used in professional studios, particularly in film and video post-production.

Who it’s for: Producers who are comfortable with open-source software and want a DAW that focuses on recording and mixing rather than electronic music production. If you’re a band recording live instruments, Ardour is a serious option.

Limitations: The interface is functional rather than beautiful. The learning curve is steeper than GarageBand or Cakewalk. Some third-party plugins can be finicky.

5. LMMS

LMMS (Linux MultiMedia Studio) is a free, open-source music production tool focused specifically on electronic music production. It runs on Mac, Windows, and Linux.

Why it’s good: Built-in synthesizers, sample manipulation tools, a beat sequencer, and a piano roll that works well for electronic production. The workflow is reminiscent of FL Studio, which makes it a natural choice for beatmakers and electronic producers who can’t afford FL Studio.

Who it’s for: Electronic producers, beatmakers, and anyone making music primarily with software instruments rather than live recordings.

Limitations: The audio recording capabilities are basic. If you’re recording vocals or live instruments, LMMS isn’t the right choice. Plugin support exists but isn’t as robust as Reaper or Cakewalk.

Honourable Mentions

Audacity isn’t a DAW in the traditional sense, but it’s an excellent free audio editor for recording, cleaning up, and processing audio files. Every musician should have it installed.

SoundBridge is a newer free DAW with a modern interface and growing feature set. It’s worth keeping an eye on.

Tracktion T7 is an older version of Tracktion’s DAW that was made free when newer versions launched. It’s still fully functional and quite capable.

The Bottom Line

The best DAW is the one you’ll actually use. All five options above can produce professional-quality music if you invest the time to learn them. The software is not what’s holding you back.

Start with whichever feels most intuitive when you open it. Make music. Learn as you go. Upgrade when (and if) you outgrow what the free tools offer. For many producers, that day never comes.