Soundtrap

Soundtrap is a cloud-based digital audio workstation for creating music and podcasts, with access through a browser and apps for Windows, macOS, iOS, and Android. Its studio includes vocal and mixing tools, virtual instruments, a MIDI editor, and royalty-free loops and samples. Users can make multitrack projects, sequence MIDI, and use noise reduction. Collaboration features include real-time video and chat, comments on shared projects, and autosave. Soundtrap says its library offers up to 24,000+ loops and hundreds of presets, with new sound packs added every two weeks. A free account allows users to create and save projects with a selection of loops, instruments, drum kits, and studio tools; some sounds and features require a paid plan. Soundtrap for Education is aimed at students and teachers and integrates with services including Google Classroom, Microsoft Teams, Canvas, and Schoology. Educators can try it free for 30 days without providing payment details upfront. Browser support includes current Chrome, Firefox, Edge, and Safari, though some audio features may vary by browser and operating system.

Soundtrap brings music and podcast creation together with shared-project tools and a usable free tier. Consider browser variation and missing mobile features if your workflow depends on specific audio functions.

Soundtrap suits people making music or podcasts who want browser or mobile access and real-time collaboration. Its Education offering is designed for students and teachers creating audio projects across subjects and ability levels.

Overview

Soundtrap is a cloud-based studio for creating music and podcasts, with tools for both individual production and shared projects. It is best suited to creators who want recording, MIDI, sound libraries, and collaboration in one workspace. Its free account makes it possible to start without a subscription, but plan-dependent tools and browser or mobile limitations matter for more demanding workflows.

Soundtrap launched in 2013 and is based in Stockholm, Sweden. It combines multitrack editing, MIDI sequencing, noise reduction, and cloud collaboration, making it relevant to both Audio Editing Software and Music Collaboration Software.

Key features

Production and sound library

The studio brings together vocal and mixing effects, virtual instruments, a MIDI editor, and royalty-free loops and samples. Soundtrap says its library includes up to 24,000+ loops and hundreds of presets, with new sound packs added every two weeks. That breadth gives songwriters and producers material to build from, though the free account has a limited selection of loops and instruments.

Paid plan descriptions name vocal tuning, Time Restore, and automation, as well as one-shots, effects, high-quality downloads, and priority mixing. Those tools could matter to users seeking a more complete production workflow, but the plan descriptions do not establish that every feature is included in every paid tier.

Collaboration and podcasts

Real-time collaboration includes video and chat, project comments, and autosave. Those features make Soundtrap a practical option for people developing music or podcast projects together, rather than passing files back and forth. The Vocals & Songwriting plan also mentions podcast creation and interactive transcripts, while the service as a whole supports podcast creation.

Education

Soundtrap for Education is designed for students and teachers creating audio projects across subjects and ability levels. It integrates with Noteflight, Flat.io, Google Classroom, Microsoft Teams, Canvas, Schoology, and MusicFirst. Soundtrap says the Education service is designed to comply with COPPA, GDPR, and FERPA standards and supports CIPA certification; its walled garden limits student collaboration to their account environment and groups. Educators can try it free for 30 days without providing a card or payment method upfront.

Pricing

Soundtrap uses a freemium model. Soundtrap Basic costs free and allows users to create and save projects, with limited loops and instruments and a selection of free studio tools. It is a sensible starting point for exploring the workflow, but some sounds and features require a paid plan.

Sound Starter, Production & Vocals, Music Production, and Vocals & Songwriting have custom pricing. Sound Starter names professional features such as vocal tuning, Time Restore, and automation. Production & Vocals combines features from Sound Starter, Music Production, and Vocals & Songwriting. Music Production covers loops, one-shots, instruments, effects, high-quality downloads, and priority mixing. Vocals & Songwriting focuses on vocal tools, presets, songwriting, podcast creation, and interactive transcripts. Choose among them according to the work you need; the available descriptions do not establish which tier offers the best fit on price.

Soundtrap for Education is an annual subscription with custom pricing that depends on whether the school chooses Classroom, School, or District. Education plans require a 50-seat minimum, so they are aimed at organized school use rather than individual learners. The School plan includes chat and email support with a dedicated support team. District plans include an account manager and additional setup and professional development support for accounts with 400 or more seats. Classroom, School, and District plans target different school and district needs, with features and integrations varying by plan.

Platforms

Soundtrap supports web browsers, Windows, macOS, iOS, and Android. It supports current versions of Chrome, Firefox, Edge, and Safari, and recommends Chrome or Microsoft Edge Chromium. Some audio features may not work fully in every browser and operating system, and recording may have higher latency. That variation can be a drawback for users whose work depends on consistent recording performance.

iOS and Android apps extend access to mobile devices, but automation and MIDI input are unavailable on mobile. Mobile is therefore less suitable for workflows that depend on those capabilities.

Who it's for

Soundtrap suits songwriters, producers, and podcast creators who value a shared cloud workspace and want to start with a free account. Its Education offering is aimed at teachers and schools that need student project collaboration, integrations, and classroom-oriented account boundaries. It is a less convincing fit for users who need automation or MIDI input on mobile, or who cannot tolerate browser-dependent audio behavior.

Pros and cons

• Pros: Music and podcast creation share a workspace, with multitrack editing, MIDI sequencing, noise reduction, virtual instruments, and vocal and mixing effects.
• Pros: Real-time collaboration, video and chat, comments, and autosave support work on shared projects.
• Pros: The free account supports creating and saving projects, and the Education trial runs 30 days without upfront payment details.
• Cons: Free accounts have limited loops and instruments, while some sounds and features require a paid plan.
• Cons: Paid plan prices are custom, making it difficult to compare the feature tiers by cost.
• Cons: Automation and MIDI input are unavailable on mobile, and browser and operating-system variation can affect audio features or recording latency.
• Cons: Education plans start at 50 seats, which is a poor match for an individual educator seeking a small standalone purchase.

Alternatives

GarageBand is a free alternative for Mac, iPhone, and iPad users; its listed limits are 255 tracks on Mac and 32 tracks on iPhone and iPad.

Audacity is a free, open-source desktop audio editor with no subscription required, a better fit for someone seeking desktop editing rather than Soundtrap's shared creation workspace.

WavePad is another freemium audio editor to consider.

n-Track Studio is a freemium alternative with a free trial.

Riverside is a freemium alternative with a free plan and trial.

BandLab Studio is a free-plan alternative on Android, iOS, and the web; its free tier allows 20 BandLab Sounds claims and 2 BandLab Beats claims per week.

Zenbeats offers a free version with basic music production features and access to its in-app store.

Logic Pro is a paid alternative for iOS and macOS, with a free trial and Apple Creator Studio at $12.99 a month.

Verdict

Choose Soundtrap if you want a free entry point into music or podcast creation and expect to collaborate on shared projects. Its combination of production tools, sound library, and real-time collaboration is its clearest advantage. Look elsewhere if your work depends on mobile automation or MIDI input, or if browser variation makes predictable recording performance essential.