Tools worth knowing

Music software you can try today, picked by our editors. Every link goes to the official site. Last reviewed 25 October 2026.

• Surge XT

  Open-source hybrid synth. Runs on Win, Mac, Linux.

  Free

• Vital

  Visual wavetable synth. Runs on Win, Mac, Linux.

  Free tier

• Spitfire LABS

  Free sampled instruments. Runs on Win, Mac.

  Free

• Demucs

  AI stem separation model. Runs on Win, Mac, Linux.

  Free, open source

• Audacity

  Audio recording and editing. Runs on Win, Mac, Linux.

  Free

• GarageBand

  Beginner-friendly DAW. Runs on Mac, iOS.

  Free

Prices and plans change. Check each official site for current terms. Want the context? Read free music production tools worth installing.