Overview
ProductRatingMost Used ByProduct SummaryStarting Price
Audacity
Score 9.3 out of 10
N/A
Audacity is a free and open source audio recording and editing software.N/A
Pro Tools
Score 9.3 out of 10
N/A
Avid offers Pro Tools, the company's flagship music and audio editing and recording suite.
$29.99
Per User / Per Month
Logic Pro X
Score 8.8 out of 10
N/A
Apple offers Logic Pro X, an audio editing application.
$199.99
Per License
Pricing
AudacityAvid Pro ToolsLogic Pro X
Editions & Modules
No answers on this topic
Pro Tools
$29.99
Per User / Per Month
Pro Tools - Ultimate
$79.99
Per User / Per Month
Pro Tools - First
Free
Starting Price
$199.99
Per License
Offerings
Pricing Offerings
AudacityPro ToolsLogic Pro X
Free Trial
NoNoNo
Free/Freemium Version
NoNoNo
Premium Consulting/Integration Services
NoNoNo
Entry-level Setup FeeNo setup feeNo setup feeNo setup fee
Additional Details
More Pricing Information
Community Pulse
AudacityAvid Pro ToolsLogic Pro X
Considered Multiple Products
Audacity
Chose Audacity
Easier to use than Garage Band. I have tried to use Garage Band for the same thing as I used Audacity and have had to give up. Not as easy. With the simple things that I have been able to accomplish, Audacity does it faster and better than anything I have tried. I have also …
Chose Audacity
All of the DAW's listed above are great for scoring to picture, which is something Audacity doesn't do. But it's an excellent standalone audio editor, which is a vital tool in any studio. It's very easy to transfer the clip, make the changes, and import it back into your session.
Chose Audacity
Adobe Audition is also a recording and audio editing software, as a user of both software [programs] I can say that Adobe Audition has way more features and tools than Audacity, but the catch is that it is not free, in fact, the complete opposite, it is very expensive. …
Pro Tools
Chose Avid Pro Tools
Pro Tools has the most prestige and branding of any Digital Audio Workstation (DAW) that I know of. It is the industry standard for professional recording studios, and you'd be hard pressed to find an audio engineer who hasn't used it at one point or another. Most audio …
Chose Avid Pro Tools
I like Apple Logic Pro. For certain things. The user interface is relatively simple and it can be quick and easy to get a project going. There are also certain features in Logic that don't yet exist in Avid's Pro Tools. But for most things I find it more cumbersome and less …
Chose Avid Pro Tools
Originally a PC user, my first music program was "Personal Composer" in 1988. I moved to Cakewalk in the late 90s, which became Sonar. Sonar was a very good DAW and I was happy with its performance and functionality. It was, essentially, as close to Pro Tools for PC as you …
Chose Avid Pro Tools
As discussed above, these other products are likely better suited for home audio production, especially based on their integration of software instruments and their surface-level interface and tools. Pro Tools excels as a tool for professionals, who need to move audio along …
Chose Avid Pro Tools
In my opinion, ProTools is the best audio editing tool currently on the market. It's very user-friendly, incredibly intuitive and has so many different functionalities that would take weeks to learn how to use them all and well if you needed them. It is far better suited than …
Logic Pro X
Chose Logic Pro X
Each has their strengths in different areas. I would say Logic Pro X is the best for music production and mixing, whereas Audition is good with podcasts and audio for video, and Pro Tools is an all-around powerhouse for big projects.
Chose Logic Pro X
One of my biggest complaints about Pro Tools is the cost. It's overpriced, in my opinion, and then they force you to pay even more for basic add-ons that you need to do your job. Logic provides all of these right out of the box, and it's much better suited for writing with MIDI …
Chose Logic Pro X
Logic Pro X is the natural successor to GarageBand. GarageBand is a fantastic app, however, it's fairly rudimentary and doesn't have the robust features that Logic Pro X supports. Pro Tools is more expensive but does similar things to Logic. Thankfully, Logic rests in the …
Chose Logic Pro X
Logic Pro X is in that sweet spot between amateur Digital Audio Workstations like GarageBand and high end DAWs like Avid Pro Tools. Logic Pro X is good enough to be used on high end productions for film, TV, commercials and such, while remaining inexpensive and accessible, with …
Chose Logic Pro X
I have limited experience with Pro Tools. The breadth of features is probably similar in both platforms. But I find Logic Pro X to have the edge in the effects and virtual instruments it offers out of the box, it's ease-of-use and coherent workflow, and most importantly, it's …
Chose Logic Pro X
Most DAWs have the same basic features and can get the job done, but Logic Pro X is simply more intuitive and familiar for Mac users. The interface looks very polished and is easy to read whereas competitors look clunky or overwhelming.
Chose Logic Pro X
We use several different audio editors, the main reason for this is to have software available to cover most staff experience.
However, we find that a good portion of new staff were familiar with Logic Pro X, meaning that there was reduced training time involved by having the …
Best Alternatives
AudacityAvid Pro ToolsLogic Pro X
Small Businesses
Descript
Descript
Score 8.2 out of 10
Descript
Descript
Score 8.2 out of 10
Descript
Descript
Score 8.2 out of 10
Medium-sized Companies
Adobe Audition
Adobe Audition
Score 8.9 out of 10
Adobe Audition
Adobe Audition
Score 8.9 out of 10
Adobe Audition
Adobe Audition
Score 8.9 out of 10
Enterprises
Adobe Audition
Adobe Audition
Score 8.9 out of 10
Adobe Audition
Adobe Audition
Score 8.9 out of 10
Adobe Audition
Adobe Audition
Score 8.9 out of 10
All AlternativesView all alternativesView all alternativesView all alternatives
User Ratings
AudacityAvid Pro ToolsLogic Pro X
Likelihood to Recommend
9.9
(28 ratings)
9.7
(10 ratings)
9.0
(10 ratings)
Likelihood to Renew
10.0
(1 ratings)
-
(0 ratings)
-
(0 ratings)
Usability
8.7
(4 ratings)
9.4
(4 ratings)
9.0
(1 ratings)
Availability
10.0
(1 ratings)
-
(0 ratings)
-
(0 ratings)
Performance
10.0
(1 ratings)
-
(0 ratings)
-
(0 ratings)
Support Rating
5.0
(11 ratings)
9.1
(4 ratings)
9.6
(5 ratings)
Implementation Rating
10.0
(1 ratings)
-
(0 ratings)
-
(0 ratings)
Configurability
7.0
(1 ratings)
-
(0 ratings)
-
(0 ratings)
Product Scalability
8.0
(1 ratings)
-
(0 ratings)
-
(0 ratings)
User Testimonials
AudacityAvid Pro ToolsLogic Pro X
Likelihood to Recommend
Audacity
For just a quick down and dirty audio recording from computer source, Audacity is a no-frills solution that any user can get up and running with quickly without the intimidating functions seen in most standard DAWs. This would be a great tool to start with to record church services, or basic live performances where someone wouldn't want to use a full DAW like Ableton Live or Studio One.
Read full review
Avid Technology
Again, Avid Pro Tools is considered the "industry standard" for a reason. The ability to record, mix and edit with such ease is something that I don't find in other DAWs. That may be because I'm a longtime user and so I may be partial. Still, I do use Logic and I'm very familiar with many of the processes in that DAW as well. Avid Pro Tools just does so many of them better and more intuitively. Editing audio in particular is one where Avid Pro Tools has every other DAW beat.
Read full review
Apple
Logic Pro X has been particularly well-suited for recording, mixing, and mastering our full-band audio content. We have used it to capture several songs each year and have mixed and mastered them to professional levels for posting to streaming services. We have been able to use it with our current digital console as a great DAW, seamlessly connecting for the 'live' recording of several services. It is also well-suited for the mixing and editing of podcast and sermon content. Logic Pro X is not the best for mixing livestream audio, in a live environment, even with the added plug-ins and effects available. There is just enough lag that it was not the best option for this usage
Read full review
Pros
Audacity
  • Audacity has a wide variety of controls and capabilities for editing, making it a very robust tool for audio editing.
  • Even though it's a robust tool, it is very easy to use to get many basic things done in audio editing. The learning curve is small.
  • Love that audacity is free! What else could you ask for? There really is no reason not to use it.
Read full review
Avid Technology
  • Variety of plug-ins and the ability to buy 3rd party plug ins and use them well.
  • Recording to multiple tracks, live monitoring while recording, live inserts/sends while recording audio.
  • Pro Tools always creates a backup of your audio file that you can restore at any point in time.
  • Built in metronome, timeline indicators for beat/time.
  • Midi controls/ virtual instruments are fantastic.
Read full review
Apple
  • Incredible breadth of features... it feels like there's literally nothing the program can't do
  • Time stretching... amazing features to change tempo and length with adding sonic weirdness of pitch changes
  • Vast library of virtual instruments and effects included in purchase
Read full review
Cons
Audacity
  • easier to grab and re-order tracks, the grab area is small
  • I am constantly zooming in and out to grab a small piece of track; make it easier to grab an audio clip
  • a button to move the focus to the beginning of the tracks
Read full review
Avid Technology
  • Virtual instrument interfaces are clunky and non-intuitive.
  • Rename/Move session functions should programmatically update subfolder labels.
  • Better, more targeted in-app access/help to the myriad of shortcuts, and scripts already present in PT.
Read full review
Apple
  • Could use an Abelton-like synth/effect rack with a quick view.
  • Some built-in plugins are old and need a refresh.
  • Frequent crashes.
Read full review
Likelihood to Renew
Audacity
With no subscription fees unlike other products on the market, I am very confident I will continue using Audacity for my simple audio editing needs. I'm not an expert in audio editing, I'm sure what works for me as a more general user in a public institution would not suit someone more experienced, but I'm very happy with the quality of work I'm able to produce.
Read full review
Avid Technology
No answers on this topic
Apple
No answers on this topic
Usability
Audacity
Audacity is for audio prodcasts only and not for video podcasts. Audacity does not have a transcript development feature. Audacity can not edit using the transcript feature that does not exist. I use another program to develop a transcript and edit using that transcript. Then I move the file into Audacity for final processing.
Read full review
Avid Technology
It’s very easy to use it on a basic level. There is a learning curve for advanced stuff, but if you have a need to learn the advanced features and shortcuts then it’s not too hard. Plus, you’re probably using it to make money then anyway, so it all works out
Read full review
Apple
Like every DAW, it takes some time and getting used to, but Logic's tools and interface just make sense to anyone who is familiar with Apple products and music tools.
Read full review
Reliability and Availability
Audacity
Audacity is great for this, it doesn't require a network connection once downloaded, and previous versions of the software are still functional in my experience. I have never experienced the program crashing, lost work, corrupted files, anything of the sort.
Read full review
Avid Technology
No answers on this topic
Apple
No answers on this topic
Performance
Audacity
I have never had issues with speed in Audacity, I don't integrate it with other software but the program runs smoothly even with larger jobs. I haven't measured the CPU while using Audacity, but I imagine it's not high compared to other, more professional or specialized programs in the same category.
Read full review
Avid Technology
No answers on this topic
Apple
No answers on this topic
Support Rating
Audacity
We have not used direct support for Audacity, other than using the information available on their website, which resolved the issues we were experiencing so we had a good experience in that regard. As this is Open Source FREE software, I don't believe there is direct support available. In saying that, it has the following great support options:
  • Online documentation and FAQ
  • Online tutorials covering all functions
  • Online user forums where questions are asked and answered by other users
  • Online wiki with more information
With these options most issues should be able to be resolved to get full use from Audacity.
Read full review
Avid Technology
I've never contacted Avid for support issues, but Pro Tools is so widely used that its user community can help you solve virtually any issue you encounter, if the issue isn't solved already by a simple Google search. The fact that Pro Tools is such an industry standard means that you can rest assured hardware manufacturers of audio interfaces test their interfaces with Pro Tools to ensure compatibility.
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Apple
The user community of Logic Pro X is vibrant, responsive, and lively. There are many great forums out there where you can solve any problem you encounter, whether it's sound card latency, a certain plugin not working, audio routing, multitrack issues, or virtually anything else you run into. The community is so helpful that I'm giving Logic Pro X a 10 in this department, despite having never contacted their official support department. I've never had to, since there is such a great user community.
Read full review
Implementation Rating
Audacity
Again I found it helpful to write up a step-by-step tutorial for coworkers based on our institution's standard practices. This combined with support from coworkers to answer questions is very effective for simple everyday use of Audacity. The support in-program is minimal but troubleshooting in the internet age is straightforward.
Read full review
Avid Technology
No answers on this topic
Apple
No answers on this topic
Alternatives Considered
Audacity
Easier to use than Garage Band. I have tried to use Garage Band for the same thing as I used Audacity and have had to give up. Not as easy. With the simple things that I have been able to accomplish, Audacity does it faster and better than anything I have tried. I have also used Pro Tools, however, that is more expensive
Read full review
Avid Technology
As discussed above, these other products are likely better suited for home audio production, especially based on their integration of software instruments and their surface-level interface and tools. Pro Tools excels as a tool for professionals, who need to move audio along efficiently towards a polished form, especially in the context of vocal production
Read full review
Apple
We use several different audio editors, the main reason for this is to have software available to cover most staff experience.
However, we find that a good portion of new staff were familiar with Logic Pro X, meaning that there was reduced training time involved by having the software available. This was perhaps the main reason we made the purchase decision and this fact is testament to how prolific Logic Pro X is in the audio community, you'd be silly not to have it available in any business where content creation is important.
Read full review
Scalability
Audacity
I feel that Audacity is useful, simple, and suited both to casual users and more advanced use cases. There are options for expanding functionality in complex situations, but the option to not mess with it as a beginner is perfectly fine and suited to most everyday uses in my institution.
Read full review
Avid Technology
No answers on this topic
Apple
No answers on this topic
Return on Investment
Audacity
  • Audacity is completely free, so it has helped us to eliminate the expense of paying for recording software.
  • It is fast and efficient, which helps us save time and generate a great workflow.
  • Even though we have what we need there are some features that cannot be found on Audacity, this affects the quality of our audio in a way.
Read full review
Avid Technology
  • Low cost of entry
  • Being able to network with employers is vital, and saves time and money
  • Add-ons to the main software can be a bit overpriced compared to other DAWs.
Read full review
Apple
  • Logic has allowed us to quickly and expertly edit audio for publishing online.
  • It's made a way for us to share projects easily between users.
Read full review
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