Software Alternatives, Accelerators & Startups

Audacity VS FL Studio

Compare Audacity VS FL Studio and see what are their differences

Audacity logo Audacity

Audacity is a free and open-source audio production software suite that includes a surprising array of editing tools and recording systems.

FL Studio logo FL Studio

Image-Line's FL Studio, now on it's 12th version, is a well-known music production suite and the most popular beat processor on the market, due no doubt to its longevity. Read more about FL Studio.
  • Audacity Landing page
    Landing page //
    2021-12-18
  • FL Studio Landing page
    Landing page //
    2021-09-24

Audacity features and specs

  • Free and Open-Source
    Audacity is completely free to use and its source code is openly available, which allows for continuous improvement and customization by the community.
  • Cross-Platform Compatibility
    Audacity is available on multiple operating systems, including Windows, macOS, and Linux, providing flexibility for users across different platforms.
  • Extensive Editing Features
    Audacity offers a wide range of editing tools like cut, copy, paste, delete, and mute, that cater to both basic and advanced audio editing needs.
  • Support for Multiple File Formats
    Audacity supports various audio file formats such as WAV, AIFF, MP3, and OGG, making it easy to work with different types of audio files.
  • Wide Range of Effects
    The software includes numerous built-in effects like reverb, equalization, and noise reduction, as well as support for VST, AU, and LADSPA plug-ins for additional functionality.
  • Multi-track Editing
    Users can work with multiple tracks simultaneously, which is particularly useful for creating complex projects like podcasts and music compositions.

Possible disadvantages of Audacity

  • User Interface
    The interface can seem outdated and cluttered compared to other modern DAWs, which might make it less appealing or harder to navigate for some users.
  • Learning Curve
    While powerful, Audacity can be somewhat overwhelming for beginners due to its extensive range of features and lack of guided tutorials within the software.
  • Non-Destructive Editing
    Audacity lacks non-destructive editing, meaning changes are applied directly to the audio files, potentially leading to loss of original audio if not carefully managed.
  • Limited MIDI Support
    Audacity's MIDI capabilities are limited, which could be a drawback for musicians looking to integrate MIDI instruments and controllers into their projects.
  • Real-Time Effects
    The software does not support real-time effect processing, requiring users to apply effects offline, which can be less efficient for users needing immediate auditory feedback.

FL Studio features and specs

  • User-Friendly Interface
    FL Studio offers an intuitive and easy-to-navigate interface, making it accessible for beginners and efficient for experienced users.
  • Lifetime Free Updates
    Purchasing any version of FL Studio grants users lifetime free updates, ensuring long-term value and access to the latest features and improvements.
  • Versatile Plugin Compatibility
    FL Studio is compatible with a wide range of plugins and VSTs, allowing users to expand their sound library and capabilities easily.
  • Strong Community and Support
    With a large and active user community, as well as official support channels, users can find help, tutorials, and resources readily.
  • Powerful Production Tools
    FL Studio comes with a comprehensive set of production tools, including advanced MIDI support, automation, and a variety of instrument and effect plugins.

Possible disadvantages of FL Studio

  • Steep Learning Curve for Advanced Features
    While the basic features are easy to learn, mastering the advanced tools and functions in FL Studio can take significant time and effort.
  • Complex Workflow for Non-Linear Arrangement
    The pattern-based workflow can be less intuitive for users who prefer a linear arrangement style, potentially slowing down the production process for some.
  • Resource Intensive
    FL Studio can be quite demanding on system resources, which may require high-end hardware for optimal performance, especially with larger projects.
  • Limited Stock Effects
    Although there are many built-in effects, some users feel that the stock effects are not on par with third-party alternatives and might necessitate additional purchases.
  • Windows-Centric Design
    While a Mac version is available, FL Studio's design and performance are optimized for Windows, potentially leading to a less stable experience on macOS.

Audacity videos

Audacity Review | Free Audio Editor

More videos:

  • Review - Professional Producer Tries Audacity
  • Review - Audacity as a DAW
  • Tutorial - Audio Editing A-Z with Audacity
  • Demo - https://youtu.be/Nr6IK9UypMg
  • Tutorial - 7 Ways To Identify Someone Is In Love With You

FL Studio videos

FL Studio 20 Full Review

More videos:

  • Review - Which Version of FL Studio Should I Get?
  • Review - FIRST LOOK AND HONEST REVIEW ON FL STUDIO 20

Category Popularity

0-100% (relative to Audacity and FL Studio)
Audio & Music
61 61%
39% 39
Audio
63 63%
37% 37
Audio Recording
69 69%
31% 31
Music
47 47%
53% 53

User comments

Share your experience with using Audacity and FL Studio. For example, how are they different and which one is better?
Log in or Post with

Reviews

These are some of the external sources and on-site user reviews we've used to compare Audacity and FL Studio

Audacity Reviews

Top 14 The Best Spotify To MP3 Converters-[latest feature]
Not only can it record music from Spotify, but it can also record other sounds coming from a microphone. Therefore, when recording Spotify music on Audacity, please make sure your microphone is noise-free. Additionally, converting Spotify songs with Audacity may result in quality loss.
10 Best Vocal Removers for Karaoke on Desktop, Mobile, and Online
Last on our list of the best vocal remover apps available on Windows, Mac, or Linux is Audacity. It's an easy-to-use multi-track audio editor to create karaoke videos on any platform. Audacity is free and open-source software, so you can use it immediately.
Source: www.media.io
Top 18 Free Music Making Software for Beginners [2023]
Audacity is also an open-source project. But unlike LMMS, it comes with a recording functionality, allowing you to track live vocals without requiring an external audio editing tool. Another cool thing about Audacity is its support for Nyquist, a programming language that enables you to code your own plugin effects.
Expand Your Arsenal of Music Creation Tools With BandLab Alternatives
Audacity is a free open-source audio editor that can be used to record, edit, mix, and master music files on Macs, PCs, and Linux machines alike. It includes basic editing tools and more advanced features like noise reduction, pitch correction, spectrum analysis, and audio restoration tools. Audacity is great for those just starting in audio production who don't want to...
Source: bandlabwin.com
15 Best LALAL.AI Alternatives 2023
Among the best alternatives to LALAL.AI is Audacity, an audio editing and recording software. It is open-source and free software with no usage limitations for audio recording and editing programs.

FL Studio Reviews

10 Best GarageBand Alternatives for Android
The list of best alternatives to GarageBand will be incomplete if we don’t mention FL Studio. Though this app isn’t free, it is one of the best digital audio workstation apps that can get so close to GarageBand. It allows you to create, mix, sequence, and render audio projects from your phone. You get a long list of effects ranging from drums and bass to synth and keyboards...
Top 18 Free Music Making Software for Beginners [2023]
FL Studio is a fully-featured music production software used by many professional producers. The DAW offers a wide range of music-making functionalities in its free trial. However, if you save your project during the free trial, you cannot access them until you upgrade to a paid plan.
Expand Your Arsenal of Music Creation Tools With BandLab Alternatives
FL Studio is another powerful DAW that allows users to create professional quality music from their computers quickly and easily. It has an extensive library of samples and effects and support for virtual instruments and MIDI controllers so you can get creative with your productions immediately.
Source: bandlabwin.com
5 PRO TOOLS ALTERNATIVES FOR RECORDING AND MIXING AUDIO
FL Studio is a versatile DAW that has been used to produce music for both popular and underground artists alike. If you are interested in making EDM, hip hop or other electronic music, FL Studio is likely the best DAW for you. Ardour is another great option if you are looking to improve your recording and mixing skills. It provides an extensive range of features to help you...
9 Adobe Audition Alternatives That Do More Than Cleaning
A favorite DAW among professional musicians, FL Studio is best for house, techno, and electronic music. Look no further if you want a one-stop solution to record, mix, master, and edit your beats.

Social recommendations and mentions

Based on our record, Audacity should be more popular than FL Studio. It has been mentiond 28 times since March 2021. We are tracking product recommendations and mentions on various public social media platforms and blogs. They can help you identify which product is more popular and what people think of it.

Audacity mentions (28)

  • Keeps freezing at 4.09% when rendering for Youtube
    If you have audio clips in a compressed format, such as MP3, we recommend converting them to a lossless format like WAV or FLAC using free audio editor software like Audacity. OpenShot prefers working with uncompressed audio during project editing. Similarly, if your video clips are in a format other than MP4, use free video converter software, such as Handbrake, to convert them to MP4 format, as OpenShot prefers... Source: almost 2 years ago
  • Voice Over
    OpenShot does not have a record feature. You can use free audio editor software such as Audacity to record your voice-over audio and export the clip as an uncompressed audio file (I recommend FLAC). Import the audio clip into OpenShot and align the clips on the Timeline. Source: almost 2 years ago
  • I downloaded audacity from github as that was what was linked on the ds modding wiki and I needed it for theme background music
    That's valid, but unless you have a reason to specifically want that old version you might wish to get the current version from its official source at https://audacityteam.org . Source: about 2 years ago
  • Question from a frustrated user.
    The only other thing I can think of to try is a completely clean install; not just uninstalling Audacity, but trashing any config, cache, and other files it may leave on your computer after uninstall. Only after you've zapped away any trace of Audacity from your system should you download it again from https://audacityteam.org and reinstall. Source: about 2 years ago
  • Progressing through the late beginner stage?
    What changed my playing ( and my life ) was a digital multi-track recorder. I use a BOSS Micro BR, but a laptop equipped with Audacity ( https://audacityteam.org ) would work as well. I started working on multi-part pieces recording one line and then the next over it. I got better quickly, and it was fun. Source: over 2 years ago
View more

FL Studio mentions (6)

  • Computer software
    You can try FL Studio for free, by downloading the trial from their website (https://image-line.com) I think its a forever trial, and you have access to all the stock plugins, its just restricted in various ways (you can't open saved projects, for instance) but if your just trying DAW's on for size, that won't matter. Source: over 2 years ago
  • Trance Production Bootcamp
    I don't know about Ableton, but both FL Studio and Renoise offer high-functioning demos: ( image-line.com and https://www.renoise.com/ ). Source: over 2 years ago
  • where do i get FL studio?
    Where can I get a FL studio free trial? I saw something called image-line offering FL studio downloads and looked legit. Is this where I download it? Making sure I dont download malware. Source: over 3 years ago
  • How can I get sample packs?
    Log into your account on image-line.com, click your name in the top right and select "My Licenses", look for them under the "Loops" header. Source: over 3 years ago
  • Trickle down my pantaloons
    FL studio, it's a Digital Audio Workstation Https://image-line.com. Source: over 3 years ago
View more

What are some alternatives?

When comparing Audacity and FL Studio, you can also consider the following products

Reaper - Reaper is a focused digital audio workstation (DAW) developed by Cockos. In the creation of the software, the digital audio technology company intended to make audio editing accessible to the masses.

Ardour - Record, edit, and mix on Linux, Mac OS X, and Windows.

LMMS - Make music with a free, cross-platform tool

GarageBand - GarageBand is a fully equipped music creation studio for Mac

Cubase - Cubase is one of the world’s most powerful music creation software packages. From first idea to finished recording, Cubase helps you to make outstanding music.

Adobe Audition - Mix, edit, and create audio content in Adobe Audition CC with a comprehensive toolset that includes multitrack, waveform, and spectral display.