LUNA vs Reason
LUNA
uaudio.com
Reason
reasonstudios.comSide by side
| Figure | LUNA | Reason |
|---|---|---|
| Price from | $12.42/mo | Free |
| Free plan | Yes | Yes |
| Free trial | — | Yes |
| Open source | — | — |
| Windows | Yes | Yes |
| macOS | Yes | Yes |
| Plans published | 5 | 11 |
| Spec score · Audio Editing Software | 8.5 (#18) | 8.8 (#12) |
| Spec score · Digital Audio Workstations | 8.2 (#11) | 8.2 (#12) |
| Founded | 1958 | 1994 |
| Free plan | Yes | Yes |
| Headquarters | Scotts Valley, California, United States | Stockholm, Sweden |
| Support | Universal Audio provides a LUNA Knowledge Base with the online manual and downloadable PDF manual. | Reason Studios provides product manuals, tutorials, and a support team for Reason questions. |
| System requirements | LUNA supports macOS Big Sur 11 through Tahoe 26 and 64-bit Windows 10 or Windows 11, and requires 600 MB of available system storage. | The minimum requirements include 4 GB RAM, 6.5 GB free space for the application, and an internet connection. |
Plans
LUNA
- LUNA FreeFree
- LUNA Studio$199 a month
- UAD Spark Studio$149 a year
- UAD Spark Studio$149 a year
- LUNA Studio$199, paid once
Reason
- Reason+Priced on request
- Reason+Price not published
- Reason+Priced on request
- Reason 14$299, paid once
- Reason FreeFree
- Reason 14Price not published
- Reason+ (annual)Price not published
- Reason+ (monthly)Price not published
- Reason Rack 14 PluginPrice not published
- Reason Rack Plugin subscription (annual)Price not published
In their own words
LUNA
LUNA is Universal Audio’s digital audio workstation for recording, producing, and mixing music. It runs on macOS and 64-bit Windows 10 or 11 and supports VST3 and AU plug-ins and virtual instruments. Its smart tools include tempo and instrument detection, voice control, stem separation, audio-to-MIDI, lyric transcription, and chord extraction, though some require LUNA Studio. LUNA Play detects an instrument, sets levels, and suggests presets. The software works with any audio interface; Apollo and Volt have deeper integration, and Apollo supports real-time tracking with UAD plug-ins, Unison preamp technology, and Accelerated Realtime Monitoring. LUNA Studio adds API, Studer, and Ampex console or tape extensions, hardware inserts, and six ARA plug-ins. LUNA Free is free. Listed paid plans are LUNA Studio at $199 a month and UAD Spark Studio at $149 a year, billed annually. Installation requires free Universal Audio and iLok accounts, UA Connect, and iLok License Manager. LUNA needs 600 MB of available system storage.
Reason
Reason is music-making software from Reason, a maker founded in 1994 and headquartered in Stockholm, Sweden. It is available as a full digital audio workstation (DAW) and as a plugin. The DAW supports recording, sequencing, and mixing, with multitrack editing and MIDI sequencing. In its virtual Rack, users can connect instruments, effects, and Player MIDI effects. The Rack plugin is available in VST3, AU, and AAX formats and is described as compatible with major DAWs; tutorials cover Ableton, FL Studio, Logic Pro, and Pro Tools.
Reason Free is a plugin with 15 devices and no trial, expiration, or watermarks; it requires a compatible DAW. Reason+ includes the latest DAW and Rack plugin, 93 devices, weekly sound packs, AI stem separation and mastering, and LANDR distribution. Reason runs on Windows and macOS, with minimum requirements of 4 GB RAM, 6.5 GB of free application space, and an internet connection. After login, Reason and Reason Rack can run offline for at least 30 days. Eligible subscriptions have a seven-day free trial.