DaVinci Resolve (free)Edit video timelines, colour-grade footage and mix audio.
Free desktop editor · up to UHD 60 fps with supported 8-bit formats.
Video, audio & media
Ardour
Free optionOpen sourceLocal
Record, arrange and mix multitrack audio with a Linux distribution package.
What you can use it for
Record, arrange and mix multitrack audio with a Linux distribution package.
- A full local multitrack recording and mixing workflow without a Linux package licence fee.
- Supports audio, MIDI and plugin-based production on your own hardware.
Workflow coverage and comparison notes
Local audio/MIDI session recording, arranging, editing and mixing. Free Linux/source route only; not paid upstream binaries, proprietary project/plugin compatibility or complete live-performance and instrument-library parity.
Before you switch
The qualifying route is a free Linux distribution package or a technical source build. Ardour charges for its ready-to-run upstream installers; the demo that mutes after ten minutes does not qualify. Source builds on macOS/Windows are technical, not a simple free installer promise. Audio-device/plugin setup and your own hardware are required. No exact AAX, Adobe/Apple project interchange, Live clip-performance, proprietary instrument or commercial plugin parity.
Alternatives to these paid apps
Each comparison covers the workflow described above, rather than every paid feature.
