Ardour vs MainStage
Ardour
ardour.orgMainStage
apple.comSide by side
| Figure | Ardour | MainStage |
|---|---|---|
| Price from | $1/mo | $2.50/mo |
| Free plan | — | — |
| Free trial | — | — |
| Open source | — | — |
| Windows | Yes | — |
| macOS | Yes | — |
| Linux | Yes | — |
| Plans published | 5 | 8 |
| Spec score · Digital Audio Workstations | 8.6 (#4) | 6.3 (#39) |
| Spec score · Music Production Software | 8.6 (#3) | 6.2 (#26) |
| Spec score · Game Music Software | 8.6 (#3) | 6.2 (#27) |
| Spec score · Audio Editing Software | 8.6 (#16) | 5.8 (#131) |
Plans
Ardour
- Developing World$1 a month
- Low Cost$4 a month
- Standard$10 a month
- Institutional$50 a month
- Annual subscription$120 a year
MainStage
- Apple Creator Studio$12.99 a month
- Apple Creator Studio$129 a year
- Apple Creator Studio Educator and student$2.99 a month
- Educator and student Apple Creator Studio$2.99 a month
- Apple Creator Studio Educator and student$29.99 a year
- Educator and student Apple Creator Studio$29.99 a year
- MainStage for Mac$29.99, paid once
- Logic Pro for Mac$199.99, paid once
In their own words
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.