About Pro Tools Pro Tools, Pro Tools Artist (32 audio tracks) $99 USD a year
$129 CAD
Every pick below has a free version.
Key file formats .ptx .wav .mid .mp3 Filter alternatives 2 alternatives
Tool License Platforms Status
Top pick 1 tool The editor’s first choice for most people switching.
1 Ar
Best for open-source recording and mixing
License: Open source
Status: Unknown
WAV WAV: opens and saves, full fidelity MP3 MP3: opens and saves, partial fidelity. MP3 export depends on the encoder available in your build FLAC FLAC: opens and saves, full fidelity PTX PTX: opens only, partial fidelity. Imports audio regions and tracks from Pro Tools sessions; plug-ins and automation do not carry over MID MID: opens and saves, full fidelity , 0 people switched from Pro Tools to Ardour Ardour for changes Runs on Windows, macOS and Linux. Pro Tools sessions (.ptx) do not open; move work as WAV stems and MIDI. Free version: Building the GPL source is free. Ready-to-run builds are paid, by download or a subscription from US$1 a month.
Situational 1 tool Right for specific needs, or not yet mature enough to recommend widely.
2 Au
Best for simple audio editing and recording
License: Open source
Status: Unknown
WAV WAV: opens and saves, full fidelity MP3 MP3: opens and saves, full fidelity FLAC FLAC: opens and saves, full fidelity , 0 people switched from Pro Tools to Audacity Audacity for changes An audio editor rather than a full DAW. Runs on Windows, macOS and Linux. Pro Tools sessions (.ptx) do not open.
Sponsor this page: $149 for 30 days. Sponsors appear above the ranking, labeled; the ranking itself is not for sale.
Feature parity How each alternative covers what people use Pro Tools for. Numbers link to editor notes.
Feature parity with Pro Tools Feature Ardour Audacity Recording Multitrack recording and editing Note 1Strong stereo editing and recording; multitrack mixing is basic Production MIDI and virtual instruments Note 2MIDI editing and instrument plug-ins; few built-in instruments Note 3No MIDI sequencing or instruments Mixing Mixer, busses and plug-in processing Note 4Busses, sends and VCAs; hosts LV2 and VST3 but not AAX plug-ins Note 5Per-track effects; no busses or sends Editing Elastic Audio time and pitch editing Note 6Time stretch and pitch shift; not real-time Elastic Audio Note 7Tempo and pitch effects that are not real-time Collaboration Cloud collaboration Note 8No cloud collaboration Note 9No cloud collaboration Parity score 70% 30%
Audacity, Multitrack recording and editing: Strong stereo editing and recording; multitrack mixing is basic Ardour, MIDI and virtual instruments: MIDI editing and instrument plug-ins; few built-in instruments Audacity, MIDI and virtual instruments: No MIDI sequencing or instruments Ardour, Mixer, busses and plug-in processing: Busses, sends and VCAs; hosts LV2 and VST3 but not AAX plug-ins Audacity, Mixer, busses and plug-in processing: Per-track effects; no busses or sends Ardour, Elastic Audio time and pitch editing: Time stretch and pitch shift; not real-time Elastic Audio Audacity, Elastic Audio time and pitch editing: Tempo and pitch effects that are not real-time Ardour, Cloud collaboration: No cloud collaboration Audacity, Cloud collaboration: No cloud collaboration Not covered by any free alternative yet: Elastic Audio time and pitch editing, Cloud collaboration. See all feature gaps
File formats Can each alternative open and save Pro Tools files?
Opening and saving Pro Tools files Format Ardour Audacity .ptx Note 1Imports audio regions and tracks from Pro Tools sessions; plug-ins and automation do not carry over Note 2Pro Tools sessions do not open; export the tracks as WAV .wav .mid Note 3It is an audio editor and does not edit MIDI .mp3 Note 4MP3 export depends on the encoder available in your build
Ardour, .ptx: Imports audio regions and tracks from Pro Tools sessions; plug-ins and automation do not carry over Audacity, .ptx: Pro Tools sessions do not open; export the tracks as WAV Audacity, .mid: It is an audio editor and does not edit MIDI Ardour, .mp3: MP3 export depends on the encoder available in your build Switching saves about $99 USD / $129 CAD a year. Prices checked Oct 7, 2026 .
Based on Pro Tools Artist (32 audio tracks). Price source .
Pro Tools is a product of Avid, named here for comparison only. Platforms listed for Pro Tools: Windows, macOS.