The question of which DAW is best is one of the most fiercely debated topics among music producers around the world. There are many die-hard fans of every DAW (digital audio workstation) we'll go over on this list who will try to convince you their preferred DAW is the only choice, but the reality is all these DAWs are great options for those looking to produce music on their Mac. It really just comes down to which one you prefer after gaining a basic understanding of what each of these DAWs has to offer.
In this guide, I compared the 5 best DAWs for Mac to help you decide which music production software you should use.
What is the Best DAW for Mac?
Macs are amazing computers for music production and they are compatible with many different DAW options. There are many things to consider when deciding which DAW to go with, from pricing, ease of use, stock plugin quality, and more. Each option has its own strengths and weaknesses, and for DAW choice it really comes down to personal preference and which software you feel the most comfortable with so you can just focus on making great music.
In this guide, we'll cover all the most important factors to help you make the most informed decision possible to get started with making music on your Mac.
After you’re done reading, don’t forget to check out our Bedroom Producer Essentials guide where you'll learn about all the necessary gear you need to get started on your music production journey.
With all that said, let's get into our guide on the best DAW for Mac.
Cost: $199.99
Logic Pro X is by far our top recommendation for those looking to make music on their Mac. Logic is developed by Apple (and is exclusive to Macs), meaning the system compatibility is seamless and Apple's clean and user-friendly design philosophy is apparent. In our opinion, the interface is really easy to learn and understand, and the software is easily able to accomplish any music production task you need it to.
The stock plugins that come with Logic Pro X are top-notch, meaning you won't need to shell out any extra money on plugins when you're just starting out. It also comes with a huge library of virtual instruments and royalty-free loops with Apple Loops, all within the Logic interface.
At a one-time cost of $199.99, it's also one of the best values on this list. While the other DAWs on this list may offer cheaper options, the sub-$200 plans are often not the full version of the DAW, and some also make you pay for the new version when there's a software update. With Logic Pro X, you only pay for it once and you get all subsequent software updates 100% free.
All-in-all, Logic Pro X is definitely our top recommendation for Mac users, especially if you're relatively new to producing, due to its simple design, powerful plugins, and its great value for the money.
Cost: $99 - $749
Ableton Live is one of the most popular DAWs out there with many die-hard fans, and it's easy to see why. The software has an intuitive (though slightly dated) interface, really solid stock plugins, and is one of the easiest DAWs to learn and master in a relatively short period of time. It also started out as a DAW specifically for live performances, so its capabilities for live looping are among the best in the industry.
While Ableton offers a cheaper "Intro" tier for $99, if you want the full "Ableton Suite" with all the available features, expect to shell out $749 (plus any upgrade fees for new versions of the DAW). However, if you're just starting out, the "Intro" tier is sufficient to begin learning the software and creating your first few tracks.
All-in-all, although it's more expensive than Logic Pro X, Ableton Live would be our next DAW recommendation due to its easy-to-learn interface, incredible stock plugins, and cult-like following (meaning lots of other users + available tutorials on YouTube).
Cost: $99 - $499
FL Studio is one of the favorite DAWs among hip-hop/trap producers, with big names like Metro Boomin, Hit-Boy, Boi-1da, and many more making this their DAW of choice. It's able to handle most basic music production tasks, however its stock plugins are not comparable to those of Logic Pro X and Ableton Live.
Similar to Ableton Live, FL Studio is offered at different tiered price points, with the entry-level option starting at $99. However, with basic functions such as audio recording not available in the entry-level tier, you'll likely need one of the tiers $199 and up, making its price point comparable with Logic Pro X.
However, one of the downsides of FL Studio is the user interface isn't very intuitive and it's not super easy to learn. Due to this, it's not very easy to switch to a different DAW down the road if you end up not loving the software after awhile. That said, there are still plenty of YouTube tutorials for FL Studio, and if you put in the work you'll likely begin to master the workflow and tools available over time.
All-in-all, FL Studio is a great option for beginner producers on Mac, especially if you look up to guys like Metro Boomin, Boi-1da, and more and want to emulate their sound in your productions. However, in our opinion, there are better, more affordable options out there that we'd choose over FL Studio.
Cost: Free
Another Apple/Mac exclusive DAW, Garageband is 100% free and comes automatically installed on any Mac you buy. This makes it an amazing option for those who just want to get their feet wet with music production without spending a ton of money upfront.
Similar to Logic Pro X, the design/interface is really clean and user-friendly, and is not intimidating like other DAWs can be. It also comes with many free virtual instruments and plugins to help you learn the ropes of music production before you graduate to a more complete DAW.
The interface is almost exactly the same as Logic Pro X, so it's a pretty seamless transition if you decide to upgrade later on. The only real difference between Logic Pro X and Garageband is Garageband is missing a few advanced features such as automation, a more complete mixing console, Drum Machine Designer, and a few other features.
While we don't think Garageband is a great forever-DAW, it's an amazing free option for Mac users who are just starting out on their music production journey.
Cost: $9.99/month - $99.99/month
Pro Tools isn't necessarily on this list due to its merits, but it (for some reason) is the industry standard DAW used in many professional recording studios around the world. While I personally think the interface looks clunky and confusing, it's certainly a powerful DAW and can execute any music production task you need it to.
This is the only DAW on this list that requires a monthly subscription, which could potentially be beneficial if you want to try it out temporarily before committing to the DAW long term. However, those monthly payments will add up over time and end up costing you more than any of the other DAWs on this list with one-time purchase options.
While it can't quite compete with any of the other DAWs on this list, it's definitely one you should consider if your long term goal is to eventually be a professional producer and/or audio engineer since this is likely the DAW you'll have to use in that setting.
I hope this guide helps you decide which DAW is best for you and your personal needs! Enjoyed this guide? Make sure to check out our Bedroom Producer Essentials Guide or some of our other reviews/buyer's guides.
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