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Software · head to head

Ableton Live vs REAPER

A

Ableton Live

Software

Digital audio workstation built around a Session View for arranging ideas live

From
On request
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite
R

REAPER

Software

Full digital audio workstation with a 60 day evaluation and a USD 60 personal licence

From
On request
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite

The short version

  • Each has a real cost: Ableton Live live 12 Intro is capped at 16 audio and MIDI tracks, where Standard and Suite are both listed as Unlimited; REAPER the USD 60 discounted licence requires that yearly gross revenue does not exceed USD 20,000, above which the commercial licence at USD 225 applies

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which Ableton Live and REAPER actually diverge.

Attributes where Ableton Live and REAPER differ
AttributeAbleton LiveREAPER
PlatformsmacOS, WindowsWindows, macOS, Linux

Identical on both: starting price (On request), pricing model (one-time), free tier (No), user rating (Not yet rated), category (Unknown).

What people use each for

The jobs each tool is most often brought in to do.

Ableton Live

  • Music production
  • Live performancenot REAPER
  • Electronic musicnot REAPER
  • Audio recording
  • Sound designnot REAPER

REAPER

  • Music production
  • Audio recording
  • Audio editingnot Ableton Live
  • Post productionnot Ableton Live
  • Podcast editingnot Ableton Live

Both are used for music production, audio recording, on those jobs the choice comes down to price and fit rather than capability.

Where each one falls short

Documented limitations, not opinions. Every one is a constraint you would hit in normal use.

Ableton Live

  • Live 12 Intro is capped at 16 audio and MIDI tracks, where Standard and Suite are both listed as Unlimited
  • Intro includes 8 software instruments and 27 audio effects, against 20 instruments and 58 effects in Suite
  • Max for Live is listed as Suite only, so neither Intro at USD 99 nor Standard at USD 349 includes it
  • Intro ships 5+ GB of sound content, against 38+ GB in Standard and 71+ GB in Suite
  • MIDI Tools are listed as 0 in Intro, against 14 in both Standard and Suite
  • Sold as a paid licence per edition, USD 99 for Intro, USD 349 for Standard and USD 749 for Suite, with no free tier

REAPER

  • The USD 60 discounted licence requires that yearly gross revenue does not exceed USD 20,000, above which the commercial licence at USD 225 applies
  • The commercial licence at USD 225 is nearly four times the discounted one for identical software, since the price is set by who is using it rather than by what it does
  • The evaluation lasts 60 days, after which continued use requires a purchased licence
  • Sold as a paid licence with no free tier beyond the evaluation period

Pricing, plan by plan

Ableton Live

On request

No published plan breakdown. See the Ableton Live review.

REAPER

On request

No published plan breakdown. See the REAPER review.

Which should you pick?

Choose Ableton Live if

  • You work on macOS, Windows.
Ableton Live review

Choose REAPER if

  • You work on Windows, macOS, Linux.
REAPER review

Questions people ask

Is Ableton Live or REAPER better?
Neither clearly leads. Ableton Live starts at On request and REAPER at On request, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, Ableton Live or REAPER?
Ableton Live starts at On request and REAPER at On request.
Does Ableton Live or REAPER run on more platforms?
Ableton Live runs on macOS, Windows. REAPER runs on Windows, macOS, Linux.
What is Ableton Live best used for?
Ableton Live is most often used for music production, live performance, electronic music, audio recording. Of those, live performance and electronic music are not what REAPER is typically brought in for.
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