The 10 Best Alternatives to Logic Pro for Windows (2024)

Logic Pro is a world-renowned DAW used by producers, sound designers, and songwriters. It offers great compositional tools, flawless workflow, and an intuitive interface. However, Logic Pro is only available for macOS, meaning Windows users may miss out on its many qualities.

All DAWs are different, and there’s not a Windows alternative that’s exactly like Logic Pro.

Some of the features offered by Logic Pro are unique. This includes Dolby Atmos export compatibility, remote control from iPad, and music notation. Nonetheless, there are some pretty good options for Windows that share many similarities with Logic Pro.

In this article, you’ll find the 10 best alternatives to Apple’s cutting-edge DAW, with the best matches on the top of the list.

To decide which DAW is the closest to Logic Pro, I considered some of the features that make Logic such a beloved music software:

• Plugin and effects collection
• Sound and loops collection
• Step sequencer
• Flex editing
• Automation
• Live looping
• Track/project alternatives
• Help assistant
• Music notation

Contents

• 1. Ableton Live
• 2. PreSonus Studio One
• 3. REAPER
• 4. Steinberg Cubase
• 5. Bitwig Studio
• 6. Acoustica Mixcraft
• 7. Tracktion Waveform
• 8. Cakewalk by BandLab
• 9. MOTU DP11
• 10. Avid Pro Tools
• What DAW is the most similar to Logic Pro?
• Summary

1. Ableton Live

Ableton Live is one of the best DAWs in today’s music market. It offers the flexibility that appeals to most users. From its performance-oriented approach to its clean and friendly user interface, Live allows you to easily start producing studio-quality music without much effort.

It comes packed with lots of software instruments, sample loops, and audio effects. Also, it features a set of interactive lessons to get you started (which are highly recommended). From beginner to professional, Ableton Live can take you from a simple setup to a deep and complex chain of instrument and effect racks.

Ableton Live should please any Logic Pro users because it's also a creative powerhouse. If you love Logic Pro because you like to play virtual instruments, come up with new sounds, and start drafting musical ideas on the go, then you should give Ableton Live a try.

Check it out: Ableton Live

2. PreSonus Studio One

If you're looking for a solution for composing, managing projects, recording, and even live performance, check out Studio One. It can help you through the whole scope of your project: from sketching to capturing ideas, from production to mastering, from live performance to CD burning. You can execute all this in one single app.

Some of the features worth mentioning are the Arranger Track, Audio Clip Versions, Retrospective Record, Drum, and tablature notation. You can even collaborate with your team using Presonus Sphere, a cloud-based subscription service for sharing your project with other people (even non-Presonus users).

Studio One's interface should be particularly familiar to longtime Logic Pro users. The workflow is very similar, and the arrangement view window is as close to Logic's as it gets.

Check it out: PreSonus Studio One

3. REAPER

REAPER is a DAW unlike any other. For one, it's open-source, which means it's highly customizable, so you can make it look and feel pretty much like Logic Pro!

It supports both VST and AU industry-standard plugin formats and allows you to use 32-bit or 64-bit without a hassle. Although a loop library is not provided, it makes it super lightweight, not compromising on the audio tools and effects. Another big advantage of REAPER is that you can try it for two months, free of charge.

There are two reasons why REAPER is one of the best alternatives for Logic Pro. For one, there's a Logic Pro skin available that's a rough copy of the DAW. In addition, REAPER is one of the few Windows-based tools that supports AU, meaning you can take your beloved Logic-Pro plugins to REAPER.

Check it out: REAPER

4. Steinberg Cubase

Cubase was created as a MIDI sequencer and was developed by the company which later came up with the VST format. It’s one of the greats in the DAW world, and it's an extremely well-built piece of software.

The most impressive features of Cubase are the mixer and channel strip, the included audio tools (such as Groove Agent, Chord Assistant, and Pitch Correction), the MIDI editor, the comping, the score editing, and the cross-platform compatibility.

If you are not afraid of learning a new tool, Cubase will reward your effort. Once you get familiar with its workflow and layout, you’ll be able to work in any kind of music production.

For those who love Logic Pro for its many built-in plugins, Cubase is an excellent alternative. If your thing is to play around with virtual instruments, Cubase has got you covered.

Check it out: Steinberg Cubase

5. Bitwig Studio

In recent years, Bitwig Studio has established itself as an impressive, powerful, and mature music tool. It has the set of features required for any major DAW and still pushes the envelope of the creative process.

One of its qualities is the GUI, which was developed with multi-monitor and touch connectivity in mind. It supports both traditional linear music arrangement and clip-based production.

Unlike Logic Pro, Bitwig does not support video playback monitoring, which might be a problem. Other than that, though, Bitwig does offer some strong creative solutions. Its modular approach to music production isn't anything like what you'd find in any other DAW, but its approach to loops should please any Logic Pro fan.

Check it out: Bitwig Studio

6. Acoustica Mixcraft

Mixcraft is one of those quiet apps that do not seem to make big waves, yet it crushes every challenge you throw at it. It offers an accessible and convenient production environment with an extensive set of features and friction-free workflow.

Like Logic Pro, Mixcraft comes loaded with many high-quality audio effects and virtual instruments. The inclusion of Melodyne and software by iZotope, ToneBoosters, and Cherry Audio is a big plus.

It runs slickly on a PC and offers a smooth music-making experience with enough extras to help you make pretty much any style of music you could wish for. Mixcraft is a DAW that is yet to be discovered by a mainstream audience and that should be embraced as one of the most cost-efficient DAWs in the market.

Pretty much like Studio One, Mixcraft is a good alternative to Logic Pro because it looks and feels roughly the same. If you’re accustomed to working with Logic Pro, you should find it easy to start using Mixcraft.

Check it out: Acoustica Mixcraft

7. Tracktion Waveform

Waveform combines amazing features and design with a deeply innovative workflow. With a solid set of features aimed at music production, you can expect a truly absorbing creative experience.

In its last iteration, Waveform has grown significantly and can offer you an enhanced audio engine, extra customization, and comprehensive MIDI tools. A feature worth pointing out is its plugin sandboxing, which silently prevents unstable plugins from crashing your host and allows you to restart or simply disable them.

Waveform is also available as an unrestricted, fully-featured free version which makes it one of the best free DAWs available today.

If you're looking for a free alternative to Logic Pro, Waveform Free is arguably the number-one pick.

Check it out: Tracktion Waveform

8. Cakewalk by BandLab

Despite being free, Cakewalk has powerful features and it's suited for professionals. And by professionals, I mean all kinds of music pros: from songwriters to audio engineers. Cakewalk’s workflow is pretty amazing and its many customization features are worth noting.

There’s a bit of a steep learning curve if you are a beginner and, although the collection of stock plugins is a little underwhelming, the quality it offers for a free fully-featured system is surprising.

I wouldn't recommend it over Waveform Free as the best free Logic Pro alternative, but it's right there at the very top. The interface is very Logic-Pro-like as well.

Check it out: Cakewalk by BandLab

9. MOTU DP11

MOTU DP11 tends to fall under the radar, but it should not. This less-known DAW features some pretty unique elements, especially when it comes to workflow and customization.

DP11's secret ingredient is its powerful Sequence system which enables you to structure your project in what they call Songs. After that, you mix and match different parts of your production, perhaps even using other sections from other projects; it’s truly flexible.

As for customization, DP11 has a modular approach to music production. This means that you can go from a minimalistic to a more complex user interface: you're the boss!

Why is MOTU DP11 a good alternative to Logic Pro? Mainly because its interface is inspired by Logic Pro's design. The arrangement view window looks pretty much the same.

Check it out: MOTU DP11

10. Avid Pro Tools

Pro Tools is the DAW used by the world’s top music studios and audio engineers. And while it feels very different from Logic Pro, it still deserves a place on the list. Why?

In some aspects, I believe Pro Tools is a step up from Logic Pro since it packs even more features and is capable of managing larger and more complex projects. If you own a studio, this is the way to go.

Pro tools stands out by providing a set of hardware named HDX Systems, which enables you to create bigger projects with flawless performance. If you work with video, Pro Tools is top shelf. It can manage up to 128 auxiliary video tracks (Logic Pro can only handle one).

Pro Tools is a good alternative to Logic Pro because it's superior in tasks such as recording and video editing. If you're looking for a new Windows-based DAW because you want to change the way you approach music production, Pro Tools can be a breath of fresh air.

Check it out: . Avid Pro Tools

To check out some other great options, read our article on the best DAWs.

What DAW is the most similar to Logic Pro?

Ableton Live for the fast workflow and creative tools, Cubase for the plugin count, Studio One for the overall functionality, and REAPER – simply because it provides a Logic Pro skin that’s basically a clone of Apple’s DAW.

There are two main concepts I have considered regarding this question.

One is the interface: the way it looks, the way you interact with it, and how it feels – how it shapes your creative process by balancing fluidity and effectiveness.

Two is the functionality: what tasks it allows you to do, how tasks like recording, mixing, and producing are connected, and how you can intersect them across your project.

With that in mind, and before you can say “Jack Robinson,” I’d recommend Ableton Live and Studio One as overall, top alternatives.

Is there a Windows version of Logic Pro?

There is no Windows version of Logic Pro. Apple is big on exclusivity and its software tends to only be available on Apple devices. Sadly for Windows users, it’s very unlikely that Logic Pro will ever be released for non-Apple devices.

Is there any way of using Logic Pro on Windows?

I would not recommend it because a DAW is software-sensitive to lag and latency issues. You don’t want your system to be running in a virtual machine that is resource-hungry, as it will compromise its stability.

Summary

Logic is with no doubt one of the favorites in the DAW world and finding a replacement is no easy task. However, you can take this opportunity to experiment and test some new approaches and methods.

Several alternatives will most certainly spark new and inspiring ideas for your new projects. No plan B is perfect, but sometimes changing is a good thing. Depending on what you prioritize in the music-making process, there are enough Windows-based DAWs out there to cover most of your needs.