Head-to-head comparison
Cakewalk by BandLab vs GarageBand
Two of the editing tools podcasters reach for. Here's how they differ on pricing, features, audience, and the trade-offs that actually matter day-to-day.
Surprisingly deep Windows DAW that costs nothing and ships every month.
Best for: Windows audio professionals
Apple's free DAW, surprisingly capable for music-driven podcasts.
Best for: First-time podcasters
At a glance
The honest trade-offs
Cakewalk by BandLab
Pros
- Pro-grade DAW, completely free
- Unlimited tracks, full VST3 compatibility
- Active development under BandLab
Watch-outs
- Windows only, no Mac or Linux
- Steep learning curve for newcomers
- Overkill for basic podcast editing
GarageBand
Pros
- Free, preinstalled on every Mac
- Solid multitrack recording and basic editing
- Project files open directly in Logic Pro
Watch-outs
- No noise reduction or auto-ducking built in
- iPad caps recordings at 72 minutes
- Apple-only, no Windows version
Which one should you pick?
Pick Cakewalk by BandLab if
You’re building around windows audio professionals. Cakewalk by BandLab is a 25-year-old professional DAW that BandLab gave away for free, then rebranded as Sonar in 2025. It's overkill for podcast editing but matches Pro Tools, Logic, and Studio One feature-for-feature for music production.
Pick GarageBand if
You’re building around first-time podcasters. GarageBand is the free DAW everyone underrates because it ships with their MacBook. It'll get you through your first hundred episodes just fine, but the moment you want strip-silence, real noise reduction, or transcript-based editing, you'll outgrow it and probably move to Logic Pro for $200 anyway.
Also worth comparing
Frequently asked
What does Cakewalk by BandLab do better than GarageBand?
Cakewalk by BandLab's standout is "Pro-grade DAW, completely free". GarageBand doesn't make that promise — it leans into "Free, preinstalled on every Mac" instead. If the first sentence describes your workflow, pick Cakewalk by BandLab; if the second does, pick GarageBand.
What are the trade-offs?
Cakewalk by BandLab: windows only, no mac or linux. GarageBand: no noise reduction or auto-ducking built in. Whether either matters depends entirely on what you actually need — neither is a deal-breaker by itself.
Do they support the same platforms?
Cakewalk by BandLab works on Windows where GarageBand doesn't. GarageBand works on macOS, iOS where Cakewalk by BandLab doesn't. If you're on a specific OS or device, that may decide for you.
Can I use Cakewalk by BandLab and GarageBand together?
Both are editing tools so most teams pick one. Some workflows do combine them — for example, using Cakewalk by BandLab for one show or episode type and GarageBand for another. Worth trying both free tiers before committing.