Zrythm
What it is
Zrythm is a digital audio workstation for GNU/Linux, Windows and macOS. It provides multitrack editing, MIDI sequencing, recording, automation and mixing, with a select tool for moving, resizing, cloning, linking, looping, deleting and cutting objects. Automation can control project BPM and time signature through lines, curves, CV signals or envelopes. Audio and MIDI recording works from devices or other applications using JACK, with punch in/out and multiple takes. Mixing includes group tracks, aux sends to FX tracks, plugin sidechain inputs and in-context listening. Supported plugins include LV2, VST2, VST3, AU, CLAP and JSFX, plus SFZ and SF2 soundfonts. Audio and MIDI backends include JACK/PipeWire, Windows MME, WASAPI and Core Audio/MIDI. It imports and exports libsndfile formats, adds MP3 import and exports MIDI Type 0 or Type 1. Automatic backups, undoable actions and saved undo history help preserve projects. A free plan is available; paid plans are £14 per month, £24 per month or £38 per year as listed.
For and against
For
- Runs on GNU/Linux, Windows and macOS
- Supports many plugin formats
- Records audio and MIDI
- Includes automation and multitrack editing
- Automatic backups and undo history
Against
- Paid plans limit release access
- Privacy policy allows startup contact
- Error reports require review before sending
- No price listed for Basic plan
The verdict
Zrythm combines broad platform, plugin and recording support with automation and project-safety tools. Its free plan lowers entry cost, while paid tiers differ by release access and build availability.
Who it suits
It suits musicians and producers needing cross-platform recording, sequencing, plugin hosting and mixing.
Plans and prices
Basic
Up to 25 tracks · Basic plugins · Web user manual · v1.0.0
Read 8 Oct 2026 · zrythm.org
Snapshot
Unlimited tracks · Basic & Z Series plugins · Web & PDF user manual · Access to v1.0.0 only
Read 8 Oct 2026 · zrythm.org
Bundle
Unlimited tracks · Basic & Z Series plugins · Web & PDF user manual · Access to all v1 & v2 releases
Read 8 Oct 2026 · zrythm.org
Subscription
Unlimited tracks · Basic & Z Series plugins · Web & PDF user manual · Access to all releases
Read 8 Oct 2026 · zrythm.org
On the record
- Audio backends
- Supported audio and MIDI backends include JACK/PipeWire, Windows MME, WASAPI and Core Audio/MIDI.zrythm.org · read 8 Oct 2026
- Automation
- It can automate parameters including project BPM and time signature, using lines, curves, CV signals or envelopes.zrythm.org · read 8 Oct 2026
- Data safety
- The software supports automatic project backups, undoable actions and saving undo history with projects.zrythm.org · read 8 Oct 2026
- Editing
- Its select tool can select, move, resize, clone, link, loop, delete and cut objects.zrythm.org · read 8 Oct 2026
- Import/export
- It imports and exports audio formats supported by libsndfile, with additional MP3 import, and exports MIDI Type 0 or Type 1.zrythm.org · read 8 Oct 2026
- License
- Zrythm is released under the GNU Affero General Public License, version 3.zrythm.org · read 8 Oct 2026
- MIDI sequencing
- Yeszrythm.org · read 21 Sep 2026
- Mixing
- Mixing features include group tracks, aux sends to FX tracks and plugin sidechain inputs, and in-context listening.zrythm.org · read 8 Oct 2026
- Multitrack editing
- Yeszrythm.org · read 21 Sep 2026
- Plugins
- Zrythm supports LV2, VST2, VST3, AU, CLAP and JSFX plugins, plus SFZ and SF2 soundfonts.zrythm.org · read 8 Oct 2026
- Privacy
- The privacy policy says the software may contact zrythm.org at startup for release notifications and can send error reports after showing users the data before sending.zrythm.org · read 8 Oct 2026
- Privacy controls
- The site says Umami analytics can be opted out of without consequences for website use and that no profiling is done.zrythm.org · read 8 Oct 2026
- Product
- Zrythm is a highly automated and intuitive digital audio workstation.zrythm.org · read 8 Oct 2026
- Recording
- It records audio and MIDI from devices or other apps using JACK, and supports punch in/out and multiple takes.zrythm.org · read 8 Oct 2026
- Support
- The site offers a community chat, forum, issue reporting, and contribution channels for code, bug reports, feature requests and translation.zrythm.org · read 8 Oct 2026
- Supported platforms
- GNU/Linux, Windows, macOSzrythm.org · read 21 Sep 2026
- Third-party plugins
- Yeszrythm.org · read 21 Sep 2026
