Editing Software
AudacityvsREAPER
Compare Audacity and REAPER side by side. See pricing, features, and which is right for your podcast.
Pricing Comparison
| Tier | Audacity | REAPER |
|---|---|---|
| Free Tier | — | 60-day full-featured evaluation |
| Starting Price | Free | $60 |
| Pricing Model | free | one-time |
Feature Comparison
| Feature | Audacity | REAPER |
|---|---|---|
| Multitrack | ||
| Non-Destructive | ||
| Plugins | ||
| Transcription | ||
| Collaboration | ||
| Cloud Sync | ||
| Video Editing | ||
| AI Features |
Audacity Pros & Cons
Pros
- Completely free and open-source
- Cross-platform (Windows, Mac, Linux)
- Extensive plugin support (VST, VST3, AU, LV2)
Cons
- Destructive editing workflow
- Dated user interface
- No real-time collaboration
REAPER Pros & Cons
Pros
- Exceptional value at $60 for personal use
- Extremely lightweight and fast
- Highly customizable with scripting
Cons
- Steeper learning curve
- Default interface is utilitarian
- Requires customization for best workflow
The Verdict
Audacity is best for:
- →Budget-conscious podcasters
- →Beginners learning audio editing
- →Linux users needing a capable editor
REAPER is best for:
- →Budget-conscious professionals
- →Power users who love customization
- →Those wanting pro features at indie prices
Frequently asked questions
- Which is cheaper: Audacity or REAPER?
- Audacity, by a wide margin: it is free, while REAPER starts at $60 as a one-time purchase with its Discounted plan.
- Do Audacity and REAPER have free versions?
- Only Audacity, which offers a Free plan at $0. REAPER has no free plan. REAPER does list a free option: 60-day full-featured evaluation. The cheapest way into REAPER is Discounted at $60 as a one-time purchase.
- What is the main difference between Audacity and REAPER?
- REAPER covers Non-Destructive and Video Editing, which Audacity does not. Nothing on the compared feature list goes the other way.