Audacity vs GarageBand

Last Updated:

Our analysts compared Audacity vs GarageBand based on data from our 400+ point analysis of Audio Editing Software, user reviews and our own crowdsourced data from our free software selection platform.

Audacity Software Tool
GarageBand Software Tool

Product Basics

Audacity is a versatile audio editing software that excels in tasks such as recording, editing, and mixing audio tracks. It is particularly well-suited for podcasters, musicians, and sound engineers due to its robust feature set and user-friendly interface. The software supports multi-track editing, allowing users to manipulate multiple audio files simultaneously, which is essential for complex projects.

One of the standout benefits of Audacity is its open-source nature, making it freely accessible to users, which is a significant advantage over many paid alternatives. It offers powerful features like noise reduction, pitch correction, and a wide array of effects and plugins, enhancing its utility for professional and amateur users alike. The software's ability to handle various audio formats and its compatibility with different operating systems further add to its appeal.

Compared to similar products, users often praise Audacity for its reliability and comprehensive toolset, although some note that its interface can be less intuitive for beginners. Pricing is not a concern with Audacity as it is free, but for tailored needs, users are encouraged to contact SelectHub for a detailed pricing quote.

read more...

GarageBand is a versatile digital audio workstation designed for music production, offering a comprehensive suite of tools for recording, editing, and mixing audio. It is particularly well-suited for beginners and hobbyists due to its intuitive interface and ease of use. Musicians, podcasters, and educators find it beneficial for creating high-quality audio content without the steep learning curve associated with more complex software.

One of the standout features of GarageBand is its extensive library of pre-recorded loops and virtual instruments, which allows users to create rich, layered compositions effortlessly. Additionally, the software supports multi-track recording, enabling the simultaneous capture of multiple instruments or vocals. The built-in audio effects and amp simulations further enhance the creative possibilities, making it a powerful tool for sound design and music production.

Compared to similar products, GarageBand is praised for its seamless integration with other devices and its affordability, as it is often included for free with certain hardware. For detailed pricing information tailored to specific needs, users are encouraged to contact SelectHub for a personalized quote.

read more...
$0 Free, Open-Source
Free Trial is unavailable →
Get a free price quote
Tailored to your specific needs
$0 Free
Get a free price quote
Tailored to your specific needs
Small 
i
Medium 
i
Large 
i
Small 
i
Medium 
i
Large 
i
Windows
Mac
Linux
Android
Chromebook
Windows
Mac
Linux
Android
Chromebook
Cloud
On-Premise
Mobile
Cloud
On-Premise
Mobile

Product Assistance

Documentation
In Person
Live Online
Videos
Webinars
Documentation
In Person
Live Online
Videos
Webinars
Email
Phone
Chat
FAQ
Forum
Knowledge Base
24/7 Live Support
Email
Phone
Chat
FAQ
Forum
Knowledge Base
24/7 Live Support

Product Insights

  • Cost-Effective Solution: Audacity is free and open-source, making it accessible for individuals and businesses without the need for expensive licenses.
  • Cross-Platform Compatibility: Available on Windows, macOS, and Linux, ensuring seamless integration across different operating systems.
  • Comprehensive Editing Tools: Offers a wide range of editing tools such as cut, copy, paste, and delete, allowing for precise audio manipulation.
  • High-Quality Audio Output: Supports high-quality audio formats like WAV and AIFF, ensuring professional-grade sound production.
  • Multi-Track Editing: Enables users to work on multiple audio tracks simultaneously, facilitating complex audio projects.
  • Extensive Plugin Support: Compatible with various plugins, including VST, LV2, and LADSPA, to extend functionality and enhance audio effects.
  • Noise Reduction Capabilities: Features effective noise reduction tools to clean up recordings and improve audio clarity.
  • Customizable Interface: Allows users to personalize the workspace to suit their workflow, improving efficiency and user experience.
  • Batch Processing: Facilitates the processing of multiple files at once, saving time on repetitive tasks.
  • Detailed Spectrogram View: Provides a visual representation of audio frequencies, aiding in precise editing and analysis.
  • Community Support: Backed by a large user community and extensive online resources, offering assistance and tutorials for all skill levels.
  • Regular Updates: Continuously improved with regular updates, ensuring the software remains current with new features and bug fixes.
  • Export Flexibility: Supports exporting in various formats, including MP3, OGG, and FLAC, catering to different distribution needs.
  • Real-Time Preview: Allows users to preview effects in real-time, making it easier to achieve the desired audio outcome.
  • Undo/Redo Functionality: Provides robust undo and redo options, allowing users to experiment without the risk of losing previous work.
read more...
  • Cost-Effective Solution: GarageBand is free with macOS, making it an affordable option for music production without compromising on quality.
  • User-Friendly Interface: The intuitive design allows users of all skill levels to navigate and utilize the software efficiently, reducing the learning curve.
  • High-Quality Sound Library: Access to a vast array of pre-recorded loops, instruments, and effects ensures professional-grade sound production.
  • Seamless Integration with Apple Ecosystem: Easily sync projects across Apple devices, enhancing workflow and productivity for users who own multiple Apple products.
  • Flexibility in Music Creation: Supports a wide range of genres and styles, allowing for creative freedom and experimentation in music production.
  • Educational Value: Ideal for beginners and educational settings, providing a platform to learn the basics of music production and sound engineering.
  • Collaboration Features: Share projects with other GarageBand users, facilitating collaborative efforts and remote teamwork.
  • Professional-Grade Output: Despite being free, GarageBand offers high-quality output that can meet the standards of professional music production.
  • Regular Updates: Frequent updates from Apple ensure the software remains current with new features and improvements, enhancing user experience.
  • Accessibility: Built-in accessibility features make it usable for individuals with disabilities, promoting inclusivity in music production.
read more...
  • Multi-Track Editing: Allows users to work on multiple audio tracks simultaneously, facilitating complex audio projects.
  • Cross-Platform Compatibility: Available on Windows, macOS, and Linux, ensuring accessibility for a wide range of users.
  • Audio Effects: Includes a variety of built-in effects such as reverb, delay, and equalization to enhance audio quality.
  • Spectral Analysis: Provides a spectrogram view for detailed frequency analysis, useful for audio forensics and research.
  • Noise Reduction: Features tools to reduce background noise, improving the clarity of recordings.
  • Support for Various File Formats: Can import and export a wide range of audio file formats including WAV, MP3, FLAC, and OGG.
  • Batch Processing: Enables the application of effects and conversions to multiple files at once, saving time on repetitive tasks.
  • Plugin Support: Compatible with VST, LV2, and LADSPA plugins, allowing for extended functionality through third-party tools.
  • Envelope Tool: Allows for precise control over volume changes within a track, facilitating dynamic audio adjustments.
  • Label Tracks: Provides the ability to add labels and annotations to tracks, aiding in organization and navigation.
  • Time and Pitch Adjustment: Offers tools to change the tempo or pitch of audio without affecting the other, useful for music production and remixing.
  • Recording Capabilities: Supports recording from multiple sources including microphones and line inputs, suitable for podcasting and voiceovers.
  • Undo/Redo Functionality: Unlimited undo and redo options allow for non-destructive editing, ensuring flexibility in the editing process.
  • Keyboard Shortcuts: Extensive keyboard shortcut support enhances workflow efficiency for power users.
  • Real-Time Preview: Allows users to preview effects in real-time before applying them, ensuring desired outcomes.
  • Metadata Editor: Includes a built-in editor for adding and modifying metadata tags, useful for organizing and cataloging audio files.
  • Customizable Interface: Users can adjust the layout and appearance of the interface to suit their preferences and workflow needs.
  • Open Source: As an open-source project, Audacity benefits from community contributions and regular updates, ensuring continuous improvement and innovation.
read more...
  • Multi-Touch Gestures: Utilize intuitive touch controls for creating and editing music on iOS devices.
  • Drummer: Access a virtual session drummer that can play along with your tracks, offering various styles and genres.
  • Sound Library: Explore an extensive collection of pre-recorded loops, instruments, and sound effects to enhance your compositions.
  • Smart Controls: Adjust the sound of your instruments and effects with a simple, user-friendly interface.
  • Audio Recording: Record vocals or live instruments with high-quality audio capture capabilities.
  • Virtual Instruments: Play a wide range of instruments, including keyboards, guitars, and drums, directly from your device.
  • Music Notation: View and edit your music in traditional notation format, making it easier to compose and arrange.
  • Flex Time: Adjust the timing of your recordings without affecting pitch, allowing for precise edits and corrections.
  • Groove Matching: Automatically align the rhythm of different tracks to create a cohesive sound.
  • Audio Effects: Apply a variety of effects such as reverb, delay, and EQ to shape your sound.
  • Automation: Control volume, panning, and other parameters over time to create dynamic changes in your tracks.
  • Third-Party Plug-In Support: Expand your creative options with additional instruments and effects from third-party developers.
  • Project Sharing: Easily share your projects with other GarageBand users or export them to other formats for further production.
  • Integration with Logic Pro: Seamlessly transfer projects to Logic Pro for more advanced editing and production capabilities.
  • Live Loops: Create and arrange music in real-time using a grid-based interface, perfect for live performances and spontaneous creativity.
  • iCloud Sync: Keep your projects up-to-date across all your Apple devices with iCloud integration.
  • Educational Tools: Access built-in lessons for learning to play instruments and improve your musical skills.
  • Touch Bar Support: Utilize the MacBook Pro's Touch Bar for quick access to controls and shortcuts.
  • Accessibility Features: Benefit from VoiceOver and other accessibility options to ensure an inclusive user experience.
read more...

Product Ranking

#1

among all
Audio Editing Software

#4

among all
Audio Editing Software

Find out who the leaders are

Analyst Rating Summary

63
66
89
76
100
56
95
95
Show More Show More
Audio Formats and Conversion
Basic Editing Tools
Audio Recording
Advanced Editing Tools
Effects and Processing
Audio Recording
Basic Editing Tools
Effects and Processing

Analyst Ratings for Functional Requirements Customize This Data Customize This Data

Audacity
GarageBand
+ Add Product + Add Product
Advanced Editing Tools Audio Formats And Conversion Audio Recording Basic Editing Tools Effects And Processing Platform Capabilities 89 100 95 100 87 68 76 56 95 91 91 74 0 25 50 75 100
75%
25%
0%
63%
13%
24%
100%
0%
0%
25%
50%
25%
100%
0%
0%
100%
0%
0%
100%
0%
0%
100%
0%
0%
73%
18%
9%
82%
9%
9%
63%
13%
24%
63%
25%
12%

Analyst Ratings for Technical Requirements Customize This Data Customize This Data

14%
43%
43%
57%
29%
14%
0%
0%
100%
20%
40%
40%

Synopsis of User Ratings and Reviews

Free and Accessible: Audacity is a free and open-source audio editing software, making it a cost-effective choice for businesses with budget constraints.
Cross-Platform Compatibility: Audacity runs seamlessly on various operating systems, including Windows, macOS, and Linux, ensuring accessibility for businesses with diverse technology environments.
Extensive Plugin Support: Audacity supports a wide range of plugins, allowing businesses to extend its functionality and tailor it to their specific audio editing needs.
Built-in Effects: Audacity offers a collection of built-in audio effects, such as noise reduction, equalization, and compression, enabling businesses to enhance and refine their audio content.
Show more
User-Friendly Interface: GarageBand is celebrated for its intuitive design, making it easy for even someone with no background in music production to learn quickly.
Comprehensive Sound Library: It offers a rich library of sounds, including virtual drummers, instruments, loops, and samples, catering to a wide array of musical styles.
High-Quality Output: Despite being an entry-level DAW, GarageBand allows users to produce professional-sounding music, making it suitable for home studios and musicians.
Seamless Apple Integration: It integrates seamlessly with other Apple products and software, providing a smooth and efficient workflow for users within the Apple ecosystem.
Show more
Occasional Instability: Audacity can sometimes experience hangs or crashes, potentially causing frustration and disrupting workflow, especially during time-sensitive projects.
Limited Multitrack Recording: The software lacks robust multitrack recording features, making it unsuitable for projects that require recording and mixing multiple audio sources simultaneously, such as a band recording session.
Basic Envelope Editor: While functional, the envelope editor's visual representation could be more intuitive and user-friendly, potentially making precise audio level adjustments more cumbersome than necessary.
Show more
Limited Advanced Features: As a streamlined digital audio workstation, GarageBand lacks some advanced features found in professional-grade software, potentially limiting creative options for seasoned producers.
Timing Adjustments: Some users have reported difficulties adjusting timing without a pre-existing metronome track, which could pose challenges for complex musical arrangements.
Customization and Flexibility: Compared to industry-standard music production software, GarageBand offers less customization and flexibility, potentially restricting experienced producers seeking granular control over their workflow.
Show more

Is Audacity audacious enough to be your go-to audio editing software? User reviews from the last year reveal a resounding "yes," particularly for those seeking a free and feature-rich tool. Users consistently highlight Audacity's comprehensive functionality, often comparing it favorably to paid alternatives like Adobe Audition. For instance, one user raves about Audacity's ability to "capture audio all day without issue," praising its lighter system footprint compared to Audition. This robust feature set, coupled with its intuitive interface, makes it a popular choice for both beginners and seasoned podcasters. However, some users find Audacity's extensive features a double-edged sword, admitting that the learning curve can be initially steep. Others point to the outdated interface as a drawback, describing it as "straight out of a clipart site from 1998." While these criticisms exist, they are often outweighed by the sheer value proposition of a free tool that rivals paid counterparts in functionality. Ultimately, Audacity emerges as the ideal choice for budget-conscious users, hobbyists, and anyone seeking a reliable workhorse for basic to intermediate audio editing tasks. Its comprehensive features, ease of use, and cross-platform compatibility make it a compelling option for a wide range of users.

Show more

Can GarageBand help users compose a musical masterpiece, or will it fall flat? User reviews from the past year suggest that GarageBand remains a strong contender in the music production software arena, especially for those entrenched in the Apple ecosystem. Users consistently praise its intuitive interface and robust sound library, making it incredibly approachable for beginners. The seamless integration with other Apple devices and services is a significant plus, simplifying workflows for many. The inclusion of "Drummers," virtual session players covering various genres, is frequently cited as a game-changer, providing high-quality backing tracks effortlessly. However, experienced users point out limitations in advanced features compared to professional DAWs like Logic Pro or FL Studio. While GarageBand excels in acoustic instrument and vocal recording, and MIDI keyboard integration, its capabilities for intricate sound design and mixing might leave professionals wanting more. Despite this, many users, including those with experience in other DAWs, acknowledge the surprising quality of music produced solely within GarageBand, particularly for genres where live instrumentation is prominent. The iPad version garners specific praise for its touch-centric design, making music creation engaging and intuitive. Features like Smart Instruments and cloud storage further enhance its appeal, particularly for users who value portability and a clutter-free creative process. Ultimately, GarageBand emerges as an ideal choice for beginners and hobbyists seeking a free, user-friendly, yet surprisingly powerful music production tool within the Apple ecosystem. While it may not fully replace professional-grade DAWs, its accessibility and ease of use make it a compelling option for a broad audience.

Show more

Screenshots

we're gathering data

Top Alternatives in Audio Editing Software


Ableton Live

Adobe Audition

AudioDirector 365

Cubase

FL Studio

GarageBand

GoldWave

Logic Pro

Ocenaudio

Pro Tools

Reaper

Reason Studios

Sound Forge

Soundtrap

Studio One

WavePad

WE DISTILL IT INTO REAL REQUIREMENTS, COMPARISON REPORTS, PRICE GUIDES and more...

Compare products
Comparison Report
Just drag this link to the bookmark bar.
?
Table settings