REAPER review

REAPER gives Mac users a full digital audio workstation for a one-time $60 discounted license, which Cockos allows for personal use, for businesses with yearly gross revenue under $20,000, and for schools and non-profits. Everyone else pays $225. Cockos says there is a single version with no artificial limits: unlimited tracks, sends and effects, 64-bit internal processing, and support for VST, VST3, AU, CLAP and LV2 plug-ins. Version 7 added Track Lanes and Swipe Comping, which help podcasters assemble the best parts of several takes, and FX Containers for reusable effect chains. A license covers free updates through version 8.99, and the 60-day evaluation is fully featured. REAPER is the most flexible editor on this list, but that flexibility has a cost: it ships with no instrument library or loops, and its menus and preferences take longer to learn than GarageBand or Fission. Expect to spend time on setup before your first episode.

Who it is for

budget-minded podcasters and musicians who want a full DAW

Price

$60 discounted license for personal use or businesses under $20,000 a year; $225 commercial license; 60-day evaluation.

$60 : discounted license. $225 : commercial license.
Quoted from the vendor pricing page on November 11, 2026.

Key features

• Full multitrack audio and MIDI recording, editing, mixing and mastering
• Loads VST, VST3, AU, CLAP, LV2 and JS plug-ins
• Track Lanes and Swipe Comping for building composite takes
• Up to 128 channels per track with no limits on track counts or sends
• Scripting with ReaScript, custom skins and control surface support

Strengths and weaknesses

• Strength: $60 license includes free updates through REAPER version 8.99
• Strength: Full 60-day evaluation with every feature unlocked
• Strength: DRM-free and can run from a portable or network drive
• Weakness: Commercial users earning over $20,000 a year need the $225 license
• Weakness: No bundled virtual instrument library like GarageBand or Logic Pro
• Weakness: Deep customization means more setup time for new users

Key facts

• Price: $60 discounted, $225 commercial
• Evaluation: 60 days, fully featured
• Current version: 7.85 (November 5, 2026)
• Plug-in formats: VST, VST3, AU, CLAP, LV2, JS

Where it ranks

REAPER is No. 3 in our Best Audio Editing Software for Mac verdict.