Ardour vs Reaper

Struggling to choose between Ardour and Reaper? Both products offer unique advantages, making it a tough decision.

Ardour is a Audio & Music solution with tags like recording, editing, mixing, audio, midi.

It boasts features such as Multi-track recording, Non-linear editing, Unlimited audio tracks and busses, VST plugin support, MIDI recording and editing, Mixing and mastering tools and pros including Free and open source, Powerful features rivaling paid DAWs, Cross-platform - runs on Linux, macOS and Windows, Constantly updated and improved.

On the other hand, Reaper is a Audio & Music product tagged with audio-editing, midi-sequencing, multitrack-recording, mixing, mastering.

Its standout features include Multi-track audio and MIDI recording and editing, Supports VST, AU, DX and JS plug-ins, Customizable interface and shortcuts, Powerful routing and bussing options, Time stretching, pitch shifting and audio quantization, Automation for volume, pan, plugins and more, Supports surround sound mixing, ReaScript for creating custom actions, Theme support for customizing the look, and it shines with pros like Very flexible and customizable, Great value for money, Regular updates and active development, Lightweight and low resource usage, Excellent community and documentation.

Feature	Ardour	Reaper
Overall Score	N/A	N/A
Primary Category	Audio & Music	Audio & Music

Product Overview

Ardour

Description: Ardour is an open source digital audio workstation for recording, editing, and mixing audio and MIDI. It runs on Linux, macOS, and Windows and provides a flexible and powerful multi-track audio and MIDI environment.

Reaper

Description: Reaper is a digital audio workstation and MIDI sequencer software for Windows, Mac and Linux. It has a fully featured interface for multi-track audio and MIDI recording, editing and mixing. Reaper is known for its flexibility, customization and value.

Key Features Comparison

Ardour Features

• Multi-track recording
• Non-linear editing
• Unlimited audio tracks and busses
• VST plugin support
• MIDI recording and editing
• Mixing and mastering tools

Reaper Features

• Multi-track audio and MIDI recording and editing
• Supports VST, AU, DX and JS plug-ins
• Customizable interface and shortcuts
• Powerful routing and bussing options
• Time stretching, pitch shifting and audio quantization
• Automation for volume, pan, plugins and more
• Supports surround sound mixing
• ReaScript for creating custom actions
• Theme support for customizing the look

Pros & Cons Analysis

Ardour

Pros

• Free and open source
• Powerful features rivaling paid DAWs
• Cross-platform - runs on Linux, macOS and Windows
• Constantly updated and improved

Cons

• Steep learning curve
• Limited native instruments and effects
• No notation or score editing

Reaper

Pros

• Very flexible and customizable
• Great value for money
• Regular updates and active development
• Lightweight and low resource usage
• Excellent community and documentation

Cons

• Can be overwhelming for new users
• Not as beginner friendly as some DAWs
• Limited included instruments and effects

Pricing Comparison

Ardour

• Open Source

Reaper

• Free Trial
• One-time Purchase