FL Studio vs Reaper: Which Digital Audio Workstation Is Right For You? 2024

Are you an aspiring musician or producer looking to create the next big hit? If so, then you’re going to need a DAW that best suits your needs.

Two of the most popular DAWs are FL Studio and Reaper, but which one is right for you? In this article, we compare both programs side-by-side and provide helpful pros and cons so that you can decide which program fits your production style best.

So if you’re ready to take your music career to the next level, let's get started!

FL Studio vs Reaper: Which Digital Audio Workstation Is Right For You? 2024
Table Of Contents
  1. What We Know About FL Studio
  2. What We Know About Reaper
  3. FL Studio vs Reaper: What's The Difference?
  4. Don't Have It Yet? Get FL Studio

What We Know About FL Studio

FL studio

FL Studio is a comprehensive DAW developed by the Belgian company Image-Line. It is designed for music production, composition, and recording, and offers a wide range of features and tools to help users create, edit, and mix their music.

One of the standout features of FL Studio is its graphical user interface, which includes a pattern-based music sequencer. This allows users to arrange and sequence their music using pre-defined patterns, making it easy to build and arrange complex compositions.

How Do Ghostwriters Work: Everything You Need To Know About The Ghostwriting Process (Music)
You Should Read This Next!
How Do Ghostwriters Work: Everything You Need To Know About The Ghostwriting Process (Music)

FL Studio also supports VST (Virtual Studio Technology) plugins, which allow users to expand the capabilities of the software by adding new virtual instruments, effects, and other tools.

In addition to its recording and mixing capabilities, FL Studio also includes a range of virtual instruments and synthesizers, as well as a variety of effects and processing tools.

It also comes with a range of pre-sets, templates, and samples to help users get started with their music production.

FL Studio is available in several different editions, including a free demo version, a Producer Edition, and a Signature Bundle.

The Producer Edition includes all of the features of the demo version, as well as additional tools and plugins, while the Signature Bundle includes everything in the Producer Edition, as well as additional content and features.

FL Studio is compatible with both Windows and MacOS, and supports a variety of file formats, including WAV, MP3, OGG, and MIDI. It is widely used by electronic music producers, but is also popular among a wide range of other musicians and music creators.

FL Studio Price: $99-$899

FL Studio Specs: 

  • Operating system: Windows
  • Processor: 2 GHz or higher
  • Minimum RAM: 1 GB
  • Recommended RAM: 4 GB or more
  • Disk space: 1 GB
  • Minimum screen resolution: 1024 x 600
  • Supported file formats: Audio: WAV, MP3, Ogg Vorbis, FLAC; MIDI: MIDI, SMF

Don't Have It Yet? Get FL Studio

What We Know About Reaper

Reaper-2

The music production software known as Reaper gives users the ability to record, edit, and produce their own audio files. Because it comes with such a comprehensive set of features, musicians, producers, and audio engineers consistently choose to work with it.

Recording and editing audio is one of the primary functions that can be performed with Reaper. Users have the ability to record multiple tracks at once, and then edit the recorded audio by cutting, copying, and pasting using the editing tools that come with the software.

It also has a variety of effects, such as reverb, delay, and EQ, that can be applied to the audio, which can help shape the sound of the recording.

One more benefit of using Reaper is that it is compatible with virtual instruments. These virtual instruments can be played using a MIDI controller or the keyboard on your computer. They are software recreations of actual musical instruments.

Reaper is pre-loaded with a variety of virtual instruments, and users also have the option to import their own. Users are able to create full-fledged musical productions entirely within the software thanks to this feature.

In addition, Reaper features a versatile mixing console that gives users the ability to change the volume, panning, and other settings for each individual audio track.

Users who make use of this feature may find that it facilitates the creation of music that features a balanced mix of its various components.

Users of Reaper will need a computer that has a reliable internet connection and sufficient processing power to run the software in order to make use of the programme.

If they want to record audio, they will additionally require a microphone or another device capable of recording audio.

After the software has been installed, users are able to begin the process of creating their own music by recording audio, adding new audio tracks, and utilising the software's many editing and mixing tools.


In a nutshell, Reaper is a potent piece of music production software that provides its users with a diverse collection of tools for recording, editing, and producing audio.

Because of its intuitive interface and straightforward operation, it is suitable for musicians and audio engineers of all experience levels, from novices to seasoned professionals.

Reaper Price: $60

Specs: 

  • REAPER allows users to import and edit audio and MIDI, synthesize and sample, and mix and master songs or other audio projects.
  • It is suitable for recording a wide range of audio, from soloists to orchestras, and is used by both home hobbyists and professional studios.
  • Users can record and overdub audio and MIDI, and record directly to a variety of audio formats and sample rates.
  • REAPER allows users to drag and drop to import, arrange, and render audio and media, and offers a range of tools for editing and manipulating audio and MIDI.
  • It supports almost any third-party audio or MIDI plug-in, including VST, VST3, VSTi, LV2, LV2i, DX/DXi (Windows only), AU/AUi (macOS only), and JSFX.
  • REAPER also offers real-time network FX processing, ReWire support, automatic plug-in delay compensation, and real-time pitch shifting and time stretch.
  • Users can customize REAPER's appearance and configure the layout to their liking, and can trigger almost any action within REAPER using customizable actions and macros.
  • REAPER is compatible with Windows and macOS and offers support for multiple languages.

Reaper Official Site / Where To Download:  Reaper Official Website

They have many useful tutorials over on the  Reaper Official Youtube Channel

FL Studio vs Reaper: What's The Difference?

The biggest difference between FL Studio and Reaper is how they design their user interfaces and how they let you change the way you work. FL Studio has a very simple drag-and-drop interface that makes it easy for even beginners to start making music right away.

It also gives users more freedom to change things the way they want. For example, there are many ways to change the look of the interface and the way hotkeys work.

Reaper, on the other hand, has a user interface that is more simple. Even though it might take a little longer to get used to, this method is better because it lets users change the interface to their liking, including moving and resizing different parts. This lets more experienced users customise and speed up their workflow.

Both FL Studio and Reaper have a wide range of features that can be used to write, arrange, and edit music. Both can record audio and have virtual instruments and effects processors.

But FL Studio is known for having a wider range of virtual instruments and effects, as well as an easier-to-use piano roll for editing MIDI notes.

On the other hand, Reaper is known for its advanced routing features and ability to work with a wide range of plugin formats.

Overall, the choice between FL Studio and Reaper comes down to what the user wants and needs. FL Studio might be a better choice if you are just starting out and want a DAW that is easier to use and understand.

But if you are an experienced user who wants more customization options and more advanced features, Reaper might be a better choice.

When it comes to customization, there are a lot of options for skinning the interface and making hotkeys work the way you want them to.

Reaper, on the other hand, has a user interface that is more simple. Even though it might take a little longer to get used to, this method is better because it lets users change the interface to their liking, including moving and resizing different parts. This lets more experienced users customise and speed up their workflow.

Both FL Studio and Reaper have a wide range of features that can be used to write, arrange, and edit music.

Both can record audio and have virtual instruments and effects processors. But FL Studio is known for having a wider range of virtual instruments and effects, as well as an easier-to-use piano roll for editing MIDI notes.

On the other hand, Reaper is known for its advanced routing features and ability to work with a wide range of plugin formats.

Overall, the choice between FL Studio and Reaper comes down to what the user wants and needs.

FL Studio might be a better choice if you are just starting out and want a DAW that is easier to use and understand.

But if you are an experienced user who wants more customization options and more advanced features, Reaper might be a better choice.

If you found this comparison useful, but are still undecided on what tool is best for you, you might want to check out my other FL Studio comparison articles.

A DAW isn't a small investment, so take your time and make sure you are getting the best bang for your buck!

About Author

Arielle P

Arielle P

Songwriter | Music Producer | Engineer.

With a background in music production and a strong passion for education, Arielle is dedicated to helping emerging artists navigate the music industry. She has worked with a diverse range of artists, from indie rock bands to well-known hip-hop and grime artists. Arielle's unique approach to teaching focuses on empowering artists to take control of their brand, ensuring they retain creative ownership throughout their journey. In her free time, she enjoys experimenting with new sounds in her home studio and sharing her insights through music production tutorials and workshops.

📧 Email Arielle