Ableton Live vs Bitwig Studio
Ableton Live
ableton.com
Bitwig Studio
bitwig.comSide by side
| Figure | Ableton Live | Bitwig Studio |
|---|---|---|
| Price from | $31.21/mo | — |
| Free plan | — | — |
| Free trial | — | Yes |
| Open source | — | — |
| Windows | Yes | Yes |
| macOS | Yes | Yes |
| Linux | — | Yes |
| Plans published | 7 | 5 |
| Spec score · Digital Audio Workstations | 7.6 (#24) | 8.8 (#3) |
| Spec score · Audio Editing Software | 7.6 (#84) | 8.8 (#10) |
| Spec score · Game Music Software | 7.6 (#18) | 8.8 (#2) |
| Founded | 1999 | 2009 |
| Free plan | No | No |
| Headquarters | Berlin, Germany | Berlin, Germany |
| MIDI sequencing | Yes | Yes |
| Multitrack editing | Yes | Yes |
| Supported platforms | Windows, macOS | macOS, Windows, Linux |
| Third-party plugins | Yes | Yes |
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
Bitwig Studio
- Essentials$99, paid once
- Producer$199, paid once
- Bitwig Studio Essentials$99, paid once
- Bitwig Studio Producer$199, paid once
- Bitwig Studio$399, paid once
In their own words
Ableton Live
Ableton Live has no write-up on Specifiction yet; its figures are above.
Bitwig Studio
Bitwig Studio is a digital audio workstation for recording, arranging, improvising, performing, sound design, and building instruments. Its timeline Arranger supports linear workflows, while the Clip Launcher supports non-linear creation and performance. Audio tools include recording, comping, editing, and time stretching, with available algorithms varying by edition. The Grid provides modular tools for building instruments and audio or note effects; Bitwig Studio includes 43 modulators. Listed editions support unlimited VST and CLAP plugins, side-chain support, bridging, delay compensation, and crash protection. The software can sequence, sync, and control connected gear using MIDI, CC, CV, Gate, analog and MIDI Clock, and MIDI Timecode. It runs on macOS, Windows, and Linux, with operating-system, RAM, display, and disk requirements specified. Essentials is listed at 99.00 EUR once and Producer at 199.00 EUR once. A 30-day trial is available after signing up and downloading.