Tracktion Waveform Free
Free version of Tracktion's modern DAW with unlimited audio tracks.
What it is
Waveform Free is the free version of Tracktion’s DAW (digital audio workstation): record, edit and mix with as many tracks as you need, and run your own VST, VST3 and AU plugins. For a podcast that means multitrack editing and a plugin chain on each voice, at no cost.
Waveform Free vs Waveform Pro
Checked on the vendor’s own site on 8 October 2026.
Is it free? Yes. Waveform Free costs nothing, has no track limit, and runs third-party plugins. Waveform Pro ($249) adds more built-in effects and instruments.
- Runs on macOS 13 or later (Intel or Apple Silicon), Windows 10 and 11 (64-bit), and is tested on Ubuntu 24.04.
- Tracktion says Pro features unlock automatically on Linux.
- Upgrading from Waveform 13 to Pro 14 is $149.
Sources: Waveform Free, Waveform Pro, buy. Prices change; check before you buy.
Where Tracktion Waveform Free fits in making a podcast
Waveform Free is where you edit: put each voice on its own track, cut, level and add music. When the episode is done, check its loudness before you publish, then cut short clips from it for social.
Our take
Waveform Free is one of the most generous free DAWs going. Unlimited audio tracks, third-party plugin support, a single-screen workflow. Less polished than Studio One but more permissive than most free competitors.
At a glance
- Pricing
- Free
- Category
- Editing
- Price
- Free, no track limit; add-on packs from $30; Waveform Pro $249 one-time, 30-day free trial
- Platforms
- macOS, Windows
- Best for
- Free cross-platform DAW
In depth
Waveform Free is the free tier of Tracktion's flagship DAW, and it remains one of the most generous free audio workstations available. You get unlimited audio tracks, third-party VST and AU plugin support, automation, MIDI recording, time stretching, and a single-screen workflow that consolidates editing, mixing, and arrangement into one view rather than a window-pile-up.
For podcasters, the unlimited track count and plugin support are the real differentiators against alternatives like the old Studio One Prime, which capped plugin compatibility. You can drop iZotope's voice tools or a free EQ chain into your session and work the same way you would in a paid DAW.
The catches are the usual free-tier ones: Waveform Pro ($249 one-time, checked October 2026) adds more built-in effects and instruments, surround, Melodyne Essential and Auto-Tune. The interface diverges from the Pro Tools / Logic mental model, putting the timeline and mixer into one continuous view, which experienced engineers either love or hate.
The user base is smaller than Reaper's, so when you Google a specific problem you sometimes get fewer hits. For new podcasters or anyone on Linux, Waveform Free is one of the better free-DAW choices and a credible foundation for years of work before any paid upgrade pressure.
Alternatives to Tracktion Waveform Free
What each one is, in a line. Not a ranking.
- AudacityFree, open-source audio editor and recorder.
- REAPERFull DAW: $60 discounted licence or $225 commercial.
- GarageBandApple’s free DAW for Mac and iPhone.
- Cakewalk by BandLabWindows DAW from BandLab, now continued as Sonar.
- OcenaudioFree, simple audio editor for quick edits.
Related research and guides
- Best free podcast editing toolsEditors and DAWs you can use without paying.
- The $0 podcast stackEvery free tool you need to make and publish a show.
- Best podcast editing softwareOur researched shortlist of editors, with prices checked.
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Tracktion Waveform Free FAQ
Is Waveform Free really free?
Yes, $0 with no track limit, checked on Tracktion’s site on 8 October 2026. Optional add-on packs start at $30.
What does Waveform Pro add?
More built-in effects (38 against 14) and instruments (10 against 4), surround, an AI assistant, Melodyne Essential and Auto-Tune, and all seven add-on packs. It is $249 one-time, with a 30-day free trial.
Does Waveform Free run on Linux?
Yes. Tracktion tests it on Ubuntu 24.04, and says Pro features unlock automatically on Linux.
What is Tracktion Waveform Free in one line?
Free version of Tracktion's modern DAW with unlimited audio tracks.
Who should pick Tracktion Waveform Free?
Tracktion Waveform Free is shaped for free cross-platform daw. Unlimited audio tracks, third-party plugin support, a single-screen workflow
Is Tracktion Waveform Free free?
Yes. Waveform Free costs nothing, has no track limit, and runs third-party plugins. Waveform Pro ($249) adds more built-in effects and instruments.
What are the alternatives to Tracktion Waveform Free?
Audacity: Free, open-source audio editor and recorder. REAPER: Full DAW: $60 discounted licence or $225 commercial. GarageBand: Apple’s free DAW for Mac and iPhone. Cakewalk by BandLab: Windows DAW from BandLab, now continued as Sonar. Ocenaudio: Free, simple audio editor for quick edits.
Shorts by Slice
From the team behind these free tools
One video. A week of posts.
Upload an episode and get back the moments worth posting, cut and captioned.
- Reads the whole episode, then picks the excerpts worth posting
- Captions burned in and framed vertical, ready to post
- Your first video and first 3 clips are free, no card
Maintained by the team behind Podshare. No paid placements, and nobody can buy a listing or a ranking. A few entries are our own products and each one says so.
How we research each tool
Each entry is compiled from the tool’s own homepage and pricing pages, plus public reviews on G2, Capterra, and Trustpilot. Editorial copy reflects our independent take — not the vendor’s marketing language.
We refresh the directory monthly to catch pricing changes and discontinued tools. Last full sweep: May 2026.
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