10 Best DAWs UK 2024 | Logic, Ableton and More

Logic Pro is one of the most popular DAWs for Mac. So, like many, if you're looking to step up from GarageBand and invest in an intermediate application capable of professional music production, this is the one for you!

Compatible across Apple devices, including iPad and iPhone, it's a solid choice for songwriting, beat-making, editing and mixing. The real cherry on top, however, is the introduction of Dolby Atmos tools integration with version 10.7. This allows you to mix and export spacial audio for immersive surround sound.

If the name didn't give it away, Ableton's critically acclaimed DAW is fully optimised for live performance. With a colossal library of sounds, virtual instruments and effects at your disposal, it provides DJs with customisable tools for tempo matching, re-sequencing and remixing on-the-fly.

One of the best DAWs for electronic music, Ableton offers an advanced workspace for streamlined music production. A stand out feature of Live 11 is linked-track editing, which lets you edit two or more tracks at the same time – including MIDI tracks.

Avid Pro Tools was one of the earliest DAWs on the market, first released in 1991. Widely regarded as the industry standard for professional music production and audio post-production, you'll want to get to grips with this workstation if you're serious about your craft.

Not only does Pro Tools grant you access to an award-winning DAW, but Avid Play also lets you stream and sell your music on supported platforms, including Spotify and Apple Music. You can also take advantage of Avid's in-depth knowledge hub and cloud-based collaborative tools. The only real downside is that it's a subscription-based package that will need to be renewed annually. 

If you're new to DAWs, Audacity is a great place to start. This open-source software is entirely free and compatible with all operating systems, including legacy downloads for older versions. There's even an entire Wiki as well as forums dedicated to troubleshooting and making sure you get the most from your experience.

It's easy enough to navigate, with a fairly standard DAW UI, and despite not being a 'high-end' product, it is capable of producing professional audio. In fact, there are even downloadable plugins for Nyquist, LV2 and AU.

GarageBand is one of the most accessible DAWs for beginners. Not only is it free to download from Apple's app store, but it also has an intuitive design that's easy to navigate. Offering plenty of tools for creativity, you can record live audio or compose and arrange music using MIDI instruments.

You'll also gain access to Apple's extensive library of royalty-free loops. However, we recommend trying out Drummer, GarageBand's virtual session player. Spanning 28 unique acoustic and electronic kits across music genres, it's a fantastic feature for beat-making, fills, loops and more. 

Studio One pioneered the drag and drop workflow commonly used across DAWs today. This intuitive functionality is implemented throughout, whether you're adding plug-in effects or virtual instruments. So, if you're looking for software that's quick and easy to use, the original is still the best!

An incredible tool for boundless creativity, this DAW offers a limitless number of tracks, effects and busses. What really sets Studio One apart, however, is the integrated mastering capabilities that have made it a popular choice for many industry professionals.

FL Studio is a professional DAW that's suitable for all levels of expertise. The latest update introduces playlist arrangements, which lets you work with multiple versions of your project, as well as plug-in delay compensation to minimise latency. DJs are sure to love FL Studio's live performance controls, including video effect visualisation. 

Version 20 now supports macOS, offering native 64-bit application support for VST, AU and third-party plug-ins, meaning it is easier than ever to swap projects between Apple and PC. Best of all, lifetime free updates makes the pricing very competitive!

Reason 12 has undergone a makeover for this latest iteration, with vivid, high-resolution graphics. The updated Combinator provides a fully customisable workstation, allowing you to combine your favourite devices. It even lets you adjust the panel size, change background colours, and add custom backgrounds.

A great option for experimental sound design, Reason's Mimic Creative Sampler is optimised for immediate triggering, chopping, and audio manipulation – and with over 29,000 device patches, loops and samples, you'll be spoilt for choice. 

As an added incentive, you get a free copy of XO when you purchase a license for Bitwig Studio 4. Offering an innovative interface for sequencing drum loops and applying audio FX, the plug-in scans your sample library and groups files based on similarity and character.

Cubase 12 is available in multiple versions, including Artist and Elements, which are definitely worth it if you're on a budget. However, we recommend trying Pro to fully experience everything this DAW has to offer. One of the only DAWs with unlimited audio, MIDI and instrument tracks, Pro runs on an award-winning 64-bit floating-point Steinberg audio engine, with audio resolutions up to 192kHz.

Version 12 provides improved MIDI controller integration, for those who prefer a less keyboard-based workflow, and the introduction of Scale Assistant. This is a welcome upgrade for VariAudio, designed to make pitch editing as simple as can be.