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Music · head to head

Logic Pro vs REAPER

Logic Pro logo

Logic Pro

Music

Apple's digital audio workstation, sold outright on Mac and by subscription on iPad

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: Logic Pro requires macOS 15.6 or later and a Mac with Apple silicon, so it will not run on an Intel Mac or on Windows at all; 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 29 August 2026.

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which Logic Pro and REAPER actually diverge.

Attributes where Logic Pro and REAPER differ
AttributeLogic ProREAPER
Pricing modelsubscriptionone-time
PlatformsmacOS, iPadOSWindows, macOS, Linux

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

What people use each for

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

Logic Pro

  • Music production
  • Audio recording
  • Mixing and masteringnot REAPER
  • Scoringnot REAPER
  • Sound designnot REAPER

REAPER

  • Music production
  • Audio recording
  • Audio editingnot Logic Pro
  • Post productionnot Logic Pro
  • Podcast editingnot Logic Pro

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.

Logic Pro

  • Requires macOS 15.6 or later and a Mac with Apple silicon, so it will not run on an Intel Mac or on Windows at all
  • On iPad it is not available as a one-time purchase, only through Apple Creator Studio at $12.99/month or $129/year
  • The iPad version requires iPadOS 26 or later and an iPad with an A12 Bionic chip or later
  • The standalone Mac app is $199.99, paid before any evaluation beyond the 30 day Apple Creator Studio trial

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

Logic Pro

Free
  • Apple Creator Studio (Subscription)$12.99/month
    • Logic Pro for Mac and iPad
    • Final Cut Pro
    • Motion
  • Apple Creator Studio (Annual)$129/year
    • All monthly plan features
  • Logic Pro (Standalone Mac)$199.99/one-time
  • Student/Educator Subscription (Monthly)$2.99/month
    • All subscription features at reduced rate

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 Logic Pro if

  • You want to start without paying.
  • You work on macOS, iPadOS.
Logic Pro review

Choose REAPER if

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

Questions people ask

Is Logic Pro or REAPER better?
Neither clearly leads. Logic Pro 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, Logic Pro or REAPER?
Logic Pro starts at Free and REAPER at Free.
Does Logic Pro or REAPER run on more platforms?
Logic Pro runs on macOS, iPadOS. REAPER runs on Windows, macOS, Linux.
Can I use Logic Pro for free?
Both have a free tier, so you can try either at no cost before committing.
What is Logic Pro best used for?
Logic Pro is most often used for music production, audio recording, mixing and mastering, scoring. Of those, mixing and mastering and scoring are not what REAPER is typically brought in for.

Answered from the vendors’ own pages

Logic Pro: How much does Logic Pro cost?

Logic Pro is available through Apple Creator Studio at $12.99/month or $129/year (annual subscription saves $25.88 versus monthly). Alternatively, Logic Pro for Mac can be purchased as a one-time $199.99 standalone license on the App Store. Students and educators receive discounted pricing at $2.99/month or $29.99/year.

Source
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
Logic Pro: Does Logic Pro offer a free trial?

Yes, Apple Creator Studio (which includes Logic Pro) offers a 30-day free trial, allowing users to test all bundled apps including Final Cut Pro, Motion, and Compressor before committing to payment.

Source
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
Logic Pro: What is the difference between Logic Pro subscription and one-time purchase?

The Apple Creator Studio subscription at $12.99/month includes Logic Pro for Mac and iPad plus Final Cut Pro, Motion, Compressor, and other apps. The $199.99 one-time purchase for Logic Pro for Mac standalone provides only Logic Pro without bundled applications.

Source
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