In the age of social media and influencers, there has never been a better time to step into the world of audio editing. If you’re looking for a reliable digital audio workstation (DAW), there are plenty of software options out there ranging from free to hundreds of dollars. It all depends on your level of experience, the tools and features you’re looking for, and how much you’re willing to spend. To help you decide, we’ve created a list of the top 9 best professional audio-editing software.
Top 9 Best Professional Audio-Editing Software
- Audacity – Best Audio-Editing Software for Free
- Ableton Live – Best Audio-Editing Software for Live Performances
- Descript – Best Audio-Editing Software for Transcriptions
- Logic Pro X – Best Audio-Editing Software for Mac
- Avid Pro Tools – Best Audio-Editing Software for Experts
- Audiotool – Best Audio-Editing Software for Musicians
- Adobe Audition – Best Audio-Editing Software for Beginners
- Mixcraft 9 – Best Audio-Editing Software Overall
1. Audacity – Best Audio-Editing Software for Free
PRICING:
One of the most well-known free audio editing software out there, Audacity has been a go-to choice for audio professionals everywhere. It has all of the basic features and some more advanced ones, including the ability to convert music to multiple audio formats. Their integrated microphone lets you record live sound as well. If you’re new to DAWs and are looking for something free but efficient, Audacity is a solid choice.
KEY FEATURES:
- Spectrogram View Mode
- LADSPA, LV2, VST, Nyquist, and Audio Unit support
- Unlimited sequential undo and redo
REASONS TO BUY:
- Open source and cross-platform
- Allows exporting of multiple files at once
- Records live audio
REASONS TO AVOID:
- Doesn’t support pitch correction
- Might be too basic for more experienced professionals
2. Ableton Live – Best Audio-Editing Software for Live Performances
PRICING: $129 with monthly payment option
If you need a DAW best suited for live performances, then Ableton Live is a top contender. They offer 3 tiers of their Live software: Intro, Standard, and Suite. While the price may seem high, Ableton offers a 90-day free trial for you to test their program and see if it works best for you. If you’re a student or teacher, they also offer a 40% discount. All tiers are feature-rich and allow you to process instruments simultaneously, adjust digital shimmers, and convert audio signals into partials. Keep in mind that Ableton Live is only available on macOS and Windows devices.
KEY FEATURES:
- Linked-track editing
- Hybrid Reverb
- Note and Velocity Chance
- Tempo Following
REASONS TO BUY:
- 90-day free trial
- Supports MPE-capable controller
- Full suite of instrument options
- 40% discount for students and teachers
REASONS TO AVOID:
- Only available on macOS and Windows
3. Descript – Best Audio-Editing Software for Transcriptions
PRICING: Free
While Descript can be used for podcasting, video-editing, and screen-recording, its most unique feature is its automatic transcription. It supports 22 languages, syncs to the cloud, and offers excellent collaboration tools – all while securing your work with top-tier privacy protocols. If you need it, Descript also offers a White Glove service where you can hire transcriptionists at a low price.
KEY FEATURES:
- Multitrack
- White Glove service
- Overdub
REASONS TO BUY:
- Attractive user interface
- Unlimited screen recordings
- Removes filler words
REASONS TO AVOID:
- Free version is limited
4. Logic Pro – Best Audio-Editing Software for Mac
PRICING: $279.99
It’s hard to beat Apple’s longstanding, professional-grade audio-editing software. Having been used in the industry for decades, Logic Pro has evolved into a program that’s packed with countless features. It’s as powerful and fast as it is complex, which could be daunting if you’re a beginner. However, if you’re familiar with professional-grade audio tools and you own a Mac, then Logic Pro is the top choice for you. Don’t let the high price deter you from using this powerhouse software as Apple offers a 90-day free trial to test it out.
KEY FEATURES:
- Integrated Dolby Atmos
- 3D Object Panner
- Smart Quantize
- Dynamic head tracking on Airpods
REASONS TO BUY:
- Offers a massive suite of features
- Lets you control sessions from your Apple device
- Large suite of sound packs, instruments, and more
- 90-day free trial
REASONS TO AVOID:
- Expensive
- Not recommended for beginners
- Only available for Mac
5. Avid Pro Tools – Best Audio-Editing Software for Experts
PRICING: $129/year
Avid Pro Tools is another professional-grade tool that’s been on the market for decades. This workhorse software is used in the music and cinema industry, so you’ll typically find it in professional recording studios. While it can easily do all the heavy lifting with its range of tools and features, Avid Pro Tools may be too much for you if you’re a beginner or don’t have a background in audio production.
KEY FEATURES:
- Cloud Collaboration
- 32-bit floating/192 kHz audio resolution
- Dolby Atmos
REASONS TO BUY:
- Industry-standard production packages
- Thousands of instrument sounds available
- Discounts for students and teachers
REASONS TO AVOID:
- Not recommended for beginners
- Expensive
6. Audiotool – Best Audio-Editing Software for Musicians
PRICING: Free
If you’re looking to make music on a budget, then you can’t find a better price than free. Audiotool delivers a full range of features, including multiple synthesizers, drum machines, mixers, compressors, and sound effects. Its modular structure also lets you add all Audiotool devices to the app’s desktop, and you can work on the go anywhere in the world. Enjoy accessing their library of over a million samples and 200,000+ device presets – all for free.
KEY FEATURES:
- Cloud Production
- Live Collaboration
- Sample-Editor Probe
REASONS TO BUY:
- Runs directly from your browser
- Listen to Audiotool artists for free
- MIDI-compatible
REASONS TO AVOID:
- For musicians only
7. Adobe Audition – Best Audio-Editing Software for Beginners
PRICING: $27.99/month
Adobe is known for developing software that’s well-rounded, easy to use, and professional-grade, which is why Audition is perfect for beginners and professionals alike. Audition is fast, efficient, and rich with features like DeNoise, Multitrack editor, and Spectral Frequency Display. It’s also great for recording full-bodied sound for podcasts. For novices, they also offer best practices for repairing and restoring audio.
KEY FEATURES:
- ITU-based Loudness Meter
- Strip Silence
- Adobe Sensei
- Royalty-free sound effects
REASONS TO BUY:
- Discount for students
- 30-day free trial
- Great launchpad for beginners
- Offers tons of guides and tutorials
REASONS TO AVOID:
- Pricey subscription plan
8. Mixcraft 9 – Best Audio-Editing Software Overall
PRICING: $75
Heralded as an industry-leading DAW and honoured with multiple awards, it’s hard to believe that Acoustica’s Mixcraft 9 is so affordable. This musician-created software shows its raw power with its blazing-fast audio technology and processing power. Its attractive and detachable interface is packed with features, including Vocoder Tracks, Modular Synthesis, Tempo and Pitch Automation, and more.
KEY FEATURES:
- Step Recording
- Integrated Melodyne tuning
- Pianissimo Grand Piano
- Curved Automation
REASONS TO BUY:
- 2-week free trial
- Unlimited audio and virtual instrument tracks
- Extensive loop library
- Live Performance features
REASONS TO AVOID:
- Modular synthesizer only available on Pro Studio tier
References & Links
- https://www.pcmag.com/picks/the-best-audio-editing-software
- https://www.g2.com/categories/audio-editing
- https://www.softwaretestinghelp.com/best-audio-editing-software/
- https://www.creativebloq.com/buying-guides/best-audio-editing-software
- https://www.audacityteam.org/
- https://www.ableton.com/en/
- https://www.descript.com/
- https://www.apple.com/ca/logic-pro/
- https://www.avid.com/pro-tools
- https://www.audiotool.com/
- https://acoustica.com/
- https://www.adobe.com/ca/products/audition.html