Ableton Live vs Digital Performer
Ableton Live
ableton.com
Digital Performer
motu.comSide by side
| Figure | Ableton Live | Digital Performer |
|---|---|---|
| Price from | $31.21/mo | — |
| Free plan | — | — |
| Free trial | — | Yes |
| Open source | — | — |
| Windows | Yes | Yes |
| macOS | Yes | Yes |
| Plans published | 7 | 10 |
| Spec score · Digital Audio Workstations | 7.6 (#24) | 8.4 (#6) |
| Spec score · Audio Editing Software | 7.6 (#84) | 8.4 (#23) |
| Spec score · Game Music Software | 7.6 (#18) | 8.3 (#5) |
| Cloud collaboration | No | No |
| Free plan | No | No |
| Headquarters | Berlin, Germany | Cambridge, Massachusetts, United States |
| MIDI sequencing | Yes | Yes |
| Multitrack editing | Yes | Yes |
| Supported platforms | Windows, macOS | macOS and Windows |
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
Digital Performer
- Full versionPriced on request
- Full versionPrice not published
- Competitive upgradePrice not published
- Competitive upgradePriced on request
- Performer Lite upgradePriced on request
- Upgrade from previous versionPriced on request
- Upgrade from previous version$195, paid once
- DP11 competitive upgrade$395, paid once
- Performer Lite upgrade$395, paid once
- Digital Performer 11 full version$499, paid once
In their own words
Ableton Live
Ableton Live has no write-up on Specifiction yet; its figures are above.
Digital Performer
Digital Performer is an application for recording audio, sequencing MIDI, editing, arranging, mixing, and creating music notation. Its MOTU Audio System combines a hard-disk recording engine with a mixing environment that includes internal busses, aux tracks, master faders, sends, and real-time effects. The application supports virtual instruments and third-party VST plug-ins on Mac and Windows, plus Audio Unit plug-ins on macOS. QuickScribe exports notation scores as MusicXML for use in notation programs such as Finale and Sibelius. Digital Performer runs on macOS and Windows and is 64-bit only; it does not support 32-bit plug-ins or virtual instruments, and PC ARM processors are not supported. The guide lists macOS 10.13 or later and 64-bit Windows 10 as minimum operating systems. A 30-day demo includes all features except MP3 exporting and allows documents to be saved. There is no free plan. The listed full version costs $499, paid once, and the DP11 competitive upgrade costs $395 as a one-time purchase. Registered users are eligible for technical support through the support website or by telephone.