Best Cakewalk by BandLab Alternatives in 2025

Looking for alternatives to Cakewalk by BandLab? In this comparison, we take a closer look at Cakewalk by BandLab alongside similar software solutions including Cakewalk by BandLab, PreSonus Studio One, Steinberg Cubase, FL Studio, REAPER, SOUND FORGE Audio Cleaning Lab, Native Instruments Komplete Kontrol and LMMS.

Our detailed comparison table highlights key features, pricing, and performance of these leading solutions, empowering you to make an informed decision. Whether you're seeking robust functionality, user-friendly design, or cost-effective alternatives, explore how Cakewalk by BandLab, PreSonus Studio One, Steinberg Cubase, FL Studio, REAPER, SOUND FORGE Audio Cleaning Lab, Native Instruments Komplete Kontrol and LMMS stack up to find the perfect software for your goals.

	Operating System Compatibility	Pricing Model	Learning Curve and Usability	Key Features and Capabilities
Cakewalk by BandLab	Windows 7 and later	Free digital audio workstation software, no subscription fees	Steep learning curve; user-friendly interface with customizable workspaces	Wide range of audio effects, MIDI editing, ARA MIDI integration, integrated Melodyne pitch correction, support for VST3 plug-ins, multitrack recording, customizable workspaces.
PreSonus Studio One	Windows and macOS	Free trial available; multiple versions including Artist and Professional at higher price points	Steeper learning curve; intuitive drag-and-drop workflow; user-friendly interface	Advanced audio editing and quantizing, MIDI sequencing, live performance mode, built-in virtual instruments, strong mixing and mastering tools, support for VST2 and VST3 plug-ins.
Steinberg Cubase	Windows 10 and macOS Sierra and later	Paid software with a 30-day free trial; high price point	Steep learning curve; targeted at beginners to professionals	Professional-grade audio processing, extensive virtual instrument collection, flexible routing, comprehensive mixing features, MIDI editing tools, supports a wide variety of audio file formats.
FL Studio	Windows and macOS	Paid software with several editions; free trial available; higher price point	Steep learning curve; intuitive user interface but complex features	Large number of built-in instruments and effects, support for various audio formats including OGG, MIDI controller mapping, regular updates, strong plugin support.
REAPER	Windows, macOS, Linux	Affordable licensing model with $60 license; 60-day free trial	Steep learning curve; highly customizable interface and workflow	Powerful audio routing and editing capabilities, low latency recording, extensive customization via scripts and extensions, supports all plugin formats including VST3 and AAX.
SOUND FORGE Audio Cleaning Lab	Windows 7 and later	Paid software with free trial version	User-friendly interface; easy navigation with extensive tutorials	Specialized in audio restoration and cleaning, automatic audio mastering, support for a variety of audio effects and filters suitable for beginners.
Native Instruments Komplete Kontrol	Windows and macOS	Paid software and hardware combination with demo version available	Learning curve due to hardware and software integration; intuitive interface	Integration of software with hardware keyboard controller, over 50 high-quality virtual instruments, customizable control scales and arpeggiators.
LMMS	Windows, macOS, Linux	Free and open-source software	User-friendly interface; some stability issues; suitable for beginners	Free open-source DAW with built-in instruments, support for LADSPA plugins and VST via wrappers, MIDI sequencing capabilities.

Operating System Compatibility

Cakewalk by BandLab	Windows 7 and later
PreSonus Studio One	Windows and macOS
Steinberg Cubase	Windows 10 and macOS Sierra and later
FL Studio	Windows and macOS
REAPER	Windows, macOS, Linux
SOUND FORGE Audio Cleaning Lab	Windows 7 and later
Native Instruments Komplete Kontrol	Windows and macOS
LMMS	Windows, macOS, Linux

Pricing Model

Cakewalk by BandLab	Free digital audio workstation software, no subscription fees
PreSonus Studio One	Free trial available; multiple versions including Artist and Professional at higher price points
Steinberg Cubase	Paid software with a 30-day free trial; high price point
FL Studio	Paid software with several editions; free trial available; higher price point
REAPER	Affordable licensing model with $60 license; 60-day free trial
SOUND FORGE Audio Cleaning Lab	Paid software with free trial version
Native Instruments Komplete Kontrol	Paid software and hardware combination with demo version available
LMMS	Free and open-source software

Learning Curve and Usability

Cakewalk by BandLab	Steep learning curve; user-friendly interface with customizable workspaces
PreSonus Studio One	Steeper learning curve; intuitive drag-and-drop workflow; user-friendly interface
Steinberg Cubase	Steep learning curve; targeted at beginners to professionals
FL Studio	Steep learning curve; intuitive user interface but complex features
REAPER	Steep learning curve; highly customizable interface and workflow
SOUND FORGE Audio Cleaning Lab	User-friendly interface; easy navigation with extensive tutorials
Native Instruments Komplete Kontrol	Learning curve due to hardware and software integration; intuitive interface
LMMS	User-friendly interface; some stability issues; suitable for beginners

Key Features and Capabilities

Cakewalk by BandLab	Wide range of audio effects, MIDI editing, ARA MIDI integration, integrated Melodyne pitch correction, support for VST3 plug-ins, multitrack recording, customizable workspaces.
PreSonus Studio One	Advanced audio editing and quantizing, MIDI sequencing, live performance mode, built-in virtual instruments, strong mixing and mastering tools, support for VST2 and VST3 plug-ins.
Steinberg Cubase	Professional-grade audio processing, extensive virtual instrument collection, flexible routing, comprehensive mixing features, MIDI editing tools, supports a wide variety of audio file formats.
FL Studio	Large number of built-in instruments and effects, support for various audio formats including OGG, MIDI controller mapping, regular updates, strong plugin support.
REAPER	Powerful audio routing and editing capabilities, low latency recording, extensive customization via scripts and extensions, supports all plugin formats including VST3 and AAX.
SOUND FORGE Audio Cleaning Lab	Specialized in audio restoration and cleaning, automatic audio mastering, support for a variety of audio effects and filters suitable for beginners.
Native Instruments Komplete Kontrol	Integration of software with hardware keyboard controller, over 50 high-quality virtual instruments, customizable control scales and arpeggiators.
LMMS	Free open-source DAW with built-in instruments, support for LADSPA plugins and VST via wrappers, MIDI sequencing capabilities.

Choosing the right software isn’t just about features. Size, license type, user ratings, and popularity also matter.

This quick comparison shows how Cakewalk by BandLab stacks up against Cakewalk by BandLab, PreSonus Studio One, Steinberg Cubase, FL Studio, REAPER, SOUND FORGE Audio Cleaning Lab, Native Instruments Komplete Kontrol and LMMS in these key areas—helping you find the best alternative for your needs.

	Size	License
Cakewalk by BandLab		Commercial
PreSonus Studio One		Commercial
Steinberg Cubase	355.3MB	Commercial
FL Studio	931MB	Demo
REAPER	14MB	Commercial
SOUND FORGE Audio Cleaning Lab		Commercial
Native Instruments Komplete Kontrol		Commercial
LMMS		Open Source

Size

Cakewalk by BandLab
PreSonus Studio One
Steinberg Cubase	355.3MB
FL Studio	931MB
REAPER	14MB
SOUND FORGE Audio Cleaning Lab
Native Instruments Komplete Kontrol
LMMS

License

Cakewalk by BandLab	Commercial
PreSonus Studio One	Commercial
Steinberg Cubase	Commercial
FL Studio	Demo
REAPER	Commercial
SOUND FORGE Audio Cleaning Lab	Commercial
Native Instruments Komplete Kontrol	Commercial
LMMS	Open Source

Rating

Cakewalk by BandLab
PreSonus Studio One
Steinberg Cubase
FL Studio
REAPER
SOUND FORGE Audio Cleaning Lab
Native Instruments Komplete Kontrol
LMMS

Popularity

Cakewalk by BandLab
PreSonus Studio One
Steinberg Cubase
FL Studio
REAPER
SOUND FORGE Audio Cleaning Lab
Native Instruments Komplete Kontrol
LMMS