Ardour

No phone app

7.5No. 22 of 116
in Audio Editing Software

Recognised40% of the score98
Phone app26% of the score0
Documented20% of the score84
Free plan14% of the score30

Free plan: No
Paid plans from: $1/mo
Runs on: Linux, Mac, Windows

Summary

Ardour is an open-source audio and MIDI workstation for recording, editing, mixing, and mastering projects on Linux, macOS, and Windows. It supports any number of tracks and busses, with unlimited undo and redo. Routing can connect sources one-to-many, many-to-one, or many-to-many. Plugin formats include AudioUnit, LV2, VST2/VST3, and LADSPA; plugins also support sample-accurate automation and MIDI Learn. For synchronization, Ardour handles MIDI timecode, MIDI Machine Control, MIDI clock, and JACK transport sync. It can import one video, display a thumbnail timeline, synchronize audio to it, and export video. Users can search Freesound within Ardour and import audio or MIDI from that database. The project uses the GNU GPL v2 license, allowing users to copy, share, and modify Ardour without paying. Optional subscriptions support development and provide unlimited updates while active. Monthly subscription options are 1.00 USD per month, 4.00 USD per month, 10.00 USD per month, and 50.00 USD per month; an annual option is 120.00 USD per year.

Who it is for

Ardour suits musicians and audio creators who need audio and MIDI recording, editing, mixing, and mastering across Linux, macOS, or Windows. Its video timeline and synchronization options may also suit projects that combine audio with video.

What is good

Works on Linux, macOS, and Windows
Supports unlimited tracks and busses
Includes unlimited undo and redo
Supports AudioUnit, LV2, VST2/VST3, and LADSPA
May be copied, shared, and modified without payment

What to know first

Optional updates are unlimited only while subscribed
Annual subscription is 120.00 USD per year
Video workflow imports one video

Verdict

Ardour offers broad audio and MIDI workflows alongside video synchronization and flexible routing. Users can work with it without paying, or subscribe for unlimited updates while subscribed.

Ardour plans and pricing

All plans

Developing World $1/mo billed monthly Supports Ardour development · Unlimited updates while subscribed community.ardour.org · 27 Sept 2026

Low Cost $4/mo billed monthly Supports Ardour development · Unlimited updates while subscribed community.ardour.org · 27 Sept 2026

Standard $10/mo billed monthly Supports Ardour development · Unlimited updates while subscribed community.ardour.org · 27 Sept 2026

Institutional $50/mo billed monthly Supports Ardour development · Unlimited updates while subscribed community.ardour.org · 27 Sept 2026

Annual subscription $120/yr billed annually at US$120 community.ardour.org · 27 Sept 2026

Compared on audio editing software

Free plan: Yescommunity.ardour.org
Paid from: $1/mocommunity.ardour.org
Supported platforms: Linux, macOS, Windowscommunity.ardour.org
Multitrack editing: Yescommunity.ardour.org
MIDI sequencing: Yescommunity.ardour.org
Third-party plugins: Yescommunity.ardour.org
Video synchronization: Yescommunity.ardour.org

Facts

Open Source: Ardour is an open-source collaborative project licensed under the GNU Public License v2.ardour.org · 27 Sept 2026
Free Use: Users are not obligated to pay and may copy, share, and modify Ardour.community.ardour.org · 27 Sept 2026
Subscriber Updates: Subscribers receive unlimited updates while they remain subscribers.community.ardour.org · 27 Sept 2026
Payment Billing: Subscriptions are managed through PayPal, with one retry if a monthly payment fails.community.ardour.org · 27 Sept 2026
Audio MIDI Workflows: Ardour supports recording, editing, mixing, and mastering audio and MIDI projects.ardour.org · 27 Sept 2026
Tracks And Busses: Ardour supports any number of tracks and busses.ardour.org · 27 Sept 2026
Undo Redo: The editor provides unlimited undo and redo.ardour.org · 27 Sept 2026
Plugin Formats: Supported plugin formats include AudioUnit, LV2, VST2/VST3, and LADSPA.ardour.org · 27 Sept 2026
Plugin Automation: Plugins support full sample-accurate automation and MIDI Learn control.ardour.org · 27 Sept 2026
Signal Routing: Connections can be one-to-many, many-to-one, or many-to-many.ardour.org · 27 Sept 2026
Video Timeline: Ardour can import one video, display a thumbnail timeline, sync audio, and export video.ardour.org · 27 Sept 2026
MIDI Synchronization: Ardour supports MIDI timecode, MIDI Machine Control, MIDI clock, and JACK transport sync.ardour.org · 27 Sept 2026
Freesound Access: Users can import audio or MIDI from the Freesound database and search it within Ardour.ardour.org · 27 Sept 2026
Support Channels: Support includes documentation, tutorials, bug tracking, email, forums, IRC, Matrix, and social channels.ardour.org · 27 Sept 2026
Development Funding: Subscriptions fund feature development, bug fixes, documentation, equipment, and developer meetings.community.ardour.org · 27 Sept 2026