5 best free DAW software for Windows

Windows comes with a lot of free software. You get WordPad for writing, Paint 3D for drawing, and simple video editing tools built into the Photos app. But unfortunately, Windows does not include any software for creating music.

The good news is that there are plenty of free music production software, also known as DAW software, available on Windows. So in this article, Quantrimang.com will help you find the best free DAW (Digital Audio Workstation) software for Windows.

What is DAW software?

DAW stands for Digital Audio Workstation, but the term has several different meanings. The first DAWs were simply digital replacements for the analog recorders used to record music. As technology improves, so does the DAW. It added features that allow users to create songs without knowing how to play an instrument.

Before deciding on a free DAW, you will need to think about a few key aspects of how to use it. Most DAW software focuses on recording musical performances with microphones or creating music from scratch. You’ll find plenty of DAWs that handle both of these tasks, but often a certain application is better suited to a particular aspect.

5 best free DAW software for Windows

1. Cakewalk by BandLab

The software was originally developed by Cakewalk and called Sonar, until 2017 when parent company Gibson announced it was stopping development. Everything about this tool seemed to have disappeared until 2018, when BandLab acquired the software and released it for free under its current name.

The software does not have all the outstanding features of Sonar, but has most of them. This may not be the best DAW for Windows, but it is the best free DAW.

Most free DAW software places some limits on what you can do, like counting tracks or saving work. But CakeWalk by BandLab doesn’t set any of these limits. This tool has unlimited tracks, a large number of built-in virtual tools and effects. Since there is no paid version of the product, you don’t even have to worry about annoying ads asking for an upgrade.

2. Traktion T7

Traktion may be better known for its Waveform DAW or various digital instruments, but a free full-featured DAW is also offered in the Traktion T7.

Like BandLab by Cakewalk, this version offers unlimited audio tracks, so there won’t be any restrictions on your creativity. It is true that the Traktion T7 lacks the features found in Waveform 8 and 10, but many of these features, such as color changing tables, are unnecessary.

Some virtual instruments are only found in Waveform 10. These limitations make the Traktion T7 a better choice for those with only a few instruments around. Another plus is that thanks to the Blue Steel user interface, Traktion T7 becomes the best DAW for beginners, especially among the free options.

3. Pro Tools First

Pro Tools is one of the biggest names in the audio industry, and it’s been around for a long time. Pro Tools First was introduced in 2015, and unlike many free versions of paid DAW software, you don’t need to buy a specific piece of hardware to be able to use it.

In return Pro Tools First has significant limitations. You are limited to 16 simultaneous voices and 4 hardware inputs max. The sample rate is lower than what you’ll get in Pro Tools or Pro Tools Ultimate.

There are other limitations, but if you want to get familiar with Pro Tools, this free version is a good way to start.

4. Studio One Prime

First released in 2009, Presonus Studio One was for a long time the best DAW software known to all. The tool has begun to gain more popularity in recent years, however, perhaps in part thanks to its free DAW offering, Studio One Prime. This tool has many of the features of the paid versions of the software, and like Pro Tools First, you do not need to buy any hardware to try the free version.

Studio One Prime does not limit the number of audio tracks or virtual instrument tracks you can use. Instead, the tool does not offer some of the features found in the paid versions of the software. However, you still get the Presence XT virtual sample player, 9 Native Effects plugins, plus 1GB of loops and samples to get started.

5. Audacity

While it’s still technically a DAW, Audacity is quite different from other free DAW software. Audacity is built primarily for audio editing. Because of this, its editing tools are very powerful, but actually recording in Audacity doesn’t feel as seamless as with other software.

Another difference is that Audacity does not provide much support for virtual instruments. You can route them through your computer’s sound system from other applications and record them, but Audacity isn’t focused on making music this way.

If you’re looking for something that excels at audio editing and just needs basic DAW functionality, Audacity is a good choice. It is also completely open source.

Don’t forget about the hardware!

No matter what kind of music you’re making, you may want to invest in an audio interface at some point. If you’re making music simply, you basically just need something to output to headphones or a pair of speakers. On the other hand, you will need an interface with as many micro preamps as possible.

Audio interfaces can connect to computers in a number of different ways, but the most common is USB.

What about the best free DAWs for macOS?

While many popular DAWs are cross-platform, not all options are the same. For example, Pro Tools is available for both Windows and macOS, but Cakewalk is for Windows only. There are also some very popular DAWs like Logic Pro which are only available for macOS.

Every Mac comes with GarageBand, which may be all you need. However, if you’re starting to feel a bit constrained by the limitations of GarageBand, or just want a change of pace, check out these other free DAWs for macOS.

Hope you find the right option!