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Music · head to head

GarageBand vs REAPER

GarageBand logo

GarageBand

Music

Free digital audio workstation bundled with macOS and iOS, with no paid tier or upgrade path of its own

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite
REAPER logo

REAPER

Music

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

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite

The short version

  • Each has a real cost: GarageBand it only runs on macOS and iOS, so it is entirely unavailable to Windows and Android users, unlike BandLab or Soundtrap.; 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
  • Prices and features above were last checked on 1 September 2026.

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which GarageBand and REAPER actually diverge.

Attributes where GarageBand and REAPER differ
AttributeGarageBandREAPER
Pricing modelOpen source, no licence feeone-time
PlatformsmacOS, iOSWindows, macOS, Linux

Identical on both: starting price (Free), free tier (Yes), user rating (Not yet rated), category (Music).

What each one covers

Drawn from each product's published feature list. An absence here means we hold no record of it - not that the product lacks it.

Only in GarageBand

  • Multitrack recording
  • Virtual instrument library
  • Guitar and bass amp modelling
  • Logic Pro project compatibility
  • Live Loops
  • iOS and Mac parity

Only in REAPER

Nothing recorded that GarageBand does not also cover.

What people use each for

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

GarageBand

  • A beginner learning to record and produce music without paying for softwarenot REAPER
  • A songwriter sketching ideas on an iPhone and continuing them on a Mac the same daynot REAPER
  • A podcaster or hobbyist needing basic multitrack recording without a subscriptionnot REAPER
  • A Logic Pro user creating quick voice memos or loop ideas on iOS before opening the full project on desktopnot REAPER

REAPER

  • Music productionnot GarageBand
  • Audio recordingnot GarageBand
  • Audio editingnot GarageBand
  • Post productionnot GarageBand
  • Podcast editingnot GarageBand

Where each one falls short

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

GarageBand

  • It only runs on macOS and iOS, so it is entirely unavailable to Windows and Android users, unlike BandLab or Soundtrap.
  • Third-party plugin support is far more limited than Logic Pro or Pro Tools, which constrains serious production work.
  • There is no path to more tracks or advanced mixing automation within GarageBand itself; growing past it means buying different software entirely.
  • Because it has no paid tier, Apple has no commercial incentive to add professional features, and its capability gap versus Logic Pro has stayed wide for years.
  • Collaboration and cloud project sharing are weaker than browser-based tools like BandLab or Soundtrap, which are built for multi-user sessions from the start.

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

GarageBand

Free
  • GarageBandFree
    • Full application, no tiers or paid upgrades
    • Bundled with macOS and iOS
    • No subscription or in-app purchases for core functionality

REAPER

Free
  • Discounted License$60/one-time
    • For individuals using REAPER personally
    • For businesses with yearly gross revenue under 20000 USD
    • For educational and non-profit organizations
  • Commercial License$225/one-time
    • For commercial use by businesses exceeding revenue threshold
    • Includes free upgrades through REAPER version 8.99

Which should you pick?

Choose GarageBand if

  • You need multitrack recording.
  • You want to start without paying.
  • You work on macOS, iOS.
  • You also want virtual instrument library.
GarageBand review

Choose REAPER if

  • You want to start without paying.
  • You work on Windows, macOS, Linux.
REAPER review

Questions people ask

Is GarageBand or REAPER better?
Neither clearly leads. GarageBand starts at Free and REAPER at Free, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, GarageBand or REAPER?
GarageBand starts at Free and REAPER at Free.
Does GarageBand or REAPER run on more platforms?
GarageBand runs on macOS, iOS. REAPER runs on Windows, macOS, Linux.
Can I use GarageBand for free?
Both have a free tier, so you can try either at no cost before committing.
What is GarageBand best used for?
GarageBand is most often used for a beginner learning to record and produce music without paying for software, a songwriter sketching ideas on an iphone and continuing them on a mac the same day, a podcaster or hobbyist needing basic multitrack recording without a subscription, a logic pro user creating quick voice memos or loop ideas on ios before opening the full project on desktop. Of those, a beginner learning to record and produce music without paying for software and a songwriter sketching ideas on an iphone and continuing them on a mac the same day are not what REAPER is typically brought in for.
What can GarageBand do that REAPER cannot?
GarageBand covers Multitrack recording, Virtual instrument library, Guitar and bass amp modelling, Logic Pro project compatibility.

Answered from the vendors’ own pages

GarageBand: Is GarageBand really free with no catch?

Yes. It has no subscription, trial limits or paid tier; it is bundled with macOS and iOS at no additional cost.

REAPER: How much does REAPER cost?

REAPER costs 60 USD for a discounted license (individuals, non-profits, organizations under 20000 USD annual revenue) or 225 USD for commercial use. All licenses include free updates through version 8.99.

Source
GarageBand: What happens when I outgrow it?

The natural upgrade is Logic Pro, a separate one-time-purchase product from Apple; GarageBand projects open in Logic Pro without conversion issues.

REAPER: Can I try REAPER before buying?

Yes, REAPER offers a 60-day full evaluation period with no artificial feature limitations, allowing you to test all capabilities before purchasing.

Source
GarageBand: Does it run on Windows?

No. It is exclusive to macOS and iOS; Windows users need an alternative such as BandLab or a paid DAW.

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