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Reaper

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Fast, flexible, low-cost DAW for recording, editing, and mixing audio and MIDI

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  • Deployment On Premises
  • Starting price $60
  • Free trial Available
  • Best for Freelancers, Startups, SMEs

What is Reaper?

REAPER is a digital audio workstation developed by Cockos Incorporated, built for recording, arranging, editing, and mixing audio and MIDI. It runs on Windows and macOS, supports unlimited tracks with flexible routing up to 128 channels, and works with VST, VST3, AU, and CLAP plugins. Its interface, toolbars, and actions list are fully customizable, and the ReaScript engine lets users automate tasks in Lua, Python, or EEL2.

REAPER is not free but is sold at a fraction of the price of other professional DAWs, with a 60-day full-featured evaluation period before purchase. It appeals to musicians, podcasters, and audio engineers who want a lightweight, highly customizable tool without a subscription. Its small install size and low system requirements make it popular for both home studios and professional post-production work.

Key Features of Reaper

Reaper lists 8 documented features, including Unlimited audio and MIDI tracks with flexible routing up to 128 channels per track, ReaScript engine for automation and custom tools in Lua, Python, or EEL2 and Support for VST, VST3, AU, CLAP, and JS effect plugins. The list below covers what the product does rather than how it is marketed.

  • Unlimited audio and MIDI tracks with flexible routing up to 128 channels per track
  • ReaScript engine for automation and custom tools in Lua, Python, or EEL2
  • Support for VST, VST3, AU, CLAP, and JS effect plugins
  • Fully customizable interface, themes, toolbars, and keyboard shortcuts
  • Extensive built-in effects, virtual instruments, and a scriptable actions list with macros
  • Multichannel and surround sound mixing and rendering
  • Small, fast installer with a lightweight system footprint
  • Basic video track support alongside audio editing

Reaper Pricing

Reaper lists 3 plans, starting free and running to $225.

Discounted License

$60

Individuals for personal use, businesses/individuals under $20,000/year revenue, or education/nonprofit

One-time purchase, includes free upgrades through REAPER version 8.99

Commercial License

$225

Businesses or individuals with over $20,000/year revenue

One-time purchase, includes free upgrades through REAPER version 8.99

Evaluation

Free

60 days

Full-featured evaluation period before purchase, no license required

Reaper Specifications

Reaper is available on Windows and macOS. It has a free trial.

Deployment
  • On Premises
Billing cycle
Onetime
Desktop
  • Windows
  • macOS
Languages
  • English
Built for
  • Freelancers
  • Startups
  • SMEs
Support
  • Email
Integrations
VST, VST3, AU, CLAP, ReWire, JS plugins, ReaScript (Lua, Python, EEL2), MIDI controllers
Public API
No
Free trial
Yes
Free plan
No
Runs in browser
No
Customisable
Yes
Website
reaper.fm

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Reaper FAQs

No, REAPER requires a paid license after a 60-day evaluation period, though it is priced well below most competing DAWs.

The discounted $60 license is for personal use, small businesses under $20,000 in annual revenue, or education and nonprofit use. The $225 commercial license is for businesses above that revenue threshold. Both unlock the same features.

Yes, REAPER supports VST, VST3, Audio Unit, and CLAP plugin formats along with its own JS effects.

Yes, REAPER includes the ReaScript engine, which allows users to write custom scripts and tools in Lua, Python, or EEL2.

REAPER runs on Windows and macOS; there is no official native mobile app.