Ableton Live vs Ardour
Ableton Live
ableton.comArdour
ardour.orgSide by side
| Figure | Ableton Live | Ardour |
|---|---|---|
| Price from | $31.21/mo | $1/mo |
| Free plan | — | — |
| Free trial | — | — |
| Open source | — | — |
| Windows | Yes | Yes |
| macOS | Yes | Yes |
| Linux | — | Yes |
| Plans published | 7 | 5 |
| Spec score · Digital Audio Workstations | 7.6 (#24) | 8.6 (#4) |
| Spec score · Audio Editing Software | 7.6 (#84) | 8.6 (#16) |
| Spec score · Game Music Software | 7.6 (#18) | 8.6 (#3) |
| Spec score · Multimedia Software | 7.6 (#24) | 8.3 (#15) |
| Free plan | No | Yes |
| Headquarters | Berlin, Germany | Galisteo, New Mexico, United States |
| MIDI sequencing | Yes | Yes |
| Multitrack editing | Yes | Yes |
| Supported platforms | Windows, macOS | Ardour runs on Linux, macOS, and Windows. |
| Third-party plugins | Yes | Yes |
| Video synchronization | Yes | Audio regions can be locked to video and moved at video-frame granularity. |
Plans
Ableton Live
- Live 12 Intro$99 a month
- Live 12 Intro$99, paid once
- Live 12 Standard$349 a month
- Live 12 Standard$349, paid once
- Live 12 Suite$749, paid once
- Live 12 Suite$749 a month
- Live 12 Suite Rent-to-own$31.21 a month
Ardour
- Developing World$1 a month
- Low Cost$4 a month
- Standard$10 a month
- Institutional$50 a month
- Annual subscription$120 a year
In their own words
Ableton Live
Ableton Live has no write-up on Specifiction yet; its figures are above.
Ardour
Ardour is an open-source workstation for recording, editing, mixing and mastering audio and MIDI projects on Linux, macOS and Windows. It supports any number of tracks and busses, along with unlimited undo and redo. Signal connections can be one-to-many, many-to-one or many-to-many. Supported plugin formats include AudioUnit, LV2, VST2/VST3 and LADSPA; plugins also support sample-accurate automation and MIDI Learn. MIDI synchronization options include MIDI timecode, MIDI Machine Control, MIDI clock and JACK transport sync. Ardour can import one video, display a thumbnail timeline, synchronize audio and export video. Users can search for and import audio or MIDI from Freesound. The software is licensed under GNU GPL v2, allowing users to copy, share and modify it without payment. Optional subscriptions support development and include unlimited updates while active. Monthly subscriptions are $1 a month, $4 a month, $10 a month or $50 a month; an annual subscription is $120 a year.