Pricing and availability
* Product prices and availability are updated by Equipboard every 24hrs and are subject to change. Equipboard may receive compensation for purchases made at participating retailers linked on this site. This compensation does not affect what products or prices are displayed, or the order of prices listed. For more information, please refer to our affiliate disclosure.
Description
Apple GarageBand is a versatile DAW software designed to bring out the musician in you, whether you're a beginner or an experienced producer. Available exclusively for macOS and iOS, this software transforms your Apple device into a fully equipped music studio, right at your fingertips. With its intuitive interface, GarageBand makes it easy to create professional-quality music tracks, offering a comprehensive suite of tools and virtual instruments.
GarageBand provides a wide array of recording options, from live instrument input to MIDI. It features a rich library of 100+ software instruments and thousands of loops, allowing you to explore and mix various styles and genres seamlessly. Additionally, its built-in lessons and tutorials help you master instruments like guitar and piano, making it a great learning companion.
One of the standout features of GarageBand is its Live Loops functionality, enabling you to build music in real-time with a grid-based sequencer. This allows for dynamic and spontaneous composition, ideal for electronic music producers and live performers. GarageBand also offers seamless integration with Logic Pro, allowing you to expand your capabilities as your projects grow.
Key Features:
- Available for macOS and iOS with seamless integration
- Intuitive interface with a comprehensive suite of tools
- 100+ software instruments and thousands of loops
- Live Loops for real-time music creation
- Built-in lessons for guitar and piano
- Compatible with Logic Pro for expanded production capabilities
- Supports multiple recording options, including MIDI and live input
Videos
Charles Cleyn
Garageband Tutorial - Learn Under 10 Minutes
Garageband Tutorial - Learn Under 10 Minutes
Charles Cleyn
![Video thumbnail for GarageBand Tutorial - Complete Course - [Everything You Need To Know For The SUPER Beginner] by Charles Cleyn](https://img.youtube.com/vi/RpOfou3K-L8/mqdefault.jpg)
GarageBand Tutorial - Complete Course - [Everything You Need To Know For The SUPER Beginner]
Charles Cleyn
How to Use GarageBand - Tutorial for Beginners
Howfinity
GarageBand iPad/iPhone Tutorial For Brand New Beginners! // How To Make A Song In GarageBand iOS
Dean Davis
GarageBand iPad/iPhone Tutorial for Beginners
The GarageBand Guide
Apple GarageBand (Das Große Tutorial) Einfach Musik spielen und produzieren
Simon
![Video thumbnail for Garageband - Tutorial for Beginners in 11 MINUTES! [ 2023 ] by Skills Factory](https://img.youtube.com/vi/II2ALb1qsyQ/mqdefault.jpg)
Garageband - Tutorial for Beginners in 11 MINUTES! [ 2023 ]
Skills Factory
GarageBand for Mac: Do This First
The GarageBand Guide
Reviews
PROS
-
Free with Apple devices, making it an accessible entry-level DAW
-
User-friendly interface, great for beginners exploring music production
-
Includes a variety of amps, effects, and programmable instruments
-
Effective for quickly sketching out musical ideas and demos
-
Supports both iOS and macOS for versatile use across devices
-
Surprisingly capable of producing professional-sounding tracks for a free DAW
-
Integrates well with external tools like iRig and MIDI keyboards
-
Offers a wide range of loops and samples for creative experimentation
-
Provides a simplified version of Logic Pro X, making transition easier
-
Online tutorials available for learning and mastering features
CONS
-
Lacks some advanced features found in professional DAWs like multi-recording tracks
-
Quality of pre-equipped instruments and mixing capabilities can be underwhelming
-
Issues with recognizing external devices like iRig without restarting
-
Limited plugin support restricts advanced mixing and mastering options
-
Feedback concerns when recording guitar tracks without proper setup
Owner Insights
We analyzed real musician discussions from forums and Reddit to find what players love, question, and tweak about Apple GarageBand.
Features and functionality
Software and compatibility
User experience
Critic Reviews
4.0 out of 5
Based on 64 Reviews and 267 Ratings
105
Amazing
This is my favorite software by far out of the ones i have tried, this is my favorite.
280
Serious!
Way better than it's given credit for - if you can't do something creative with this, you need to look within, not for better software.
312
Cheap but powerful
You can't go wrong trying out this DAW. I still can't wait for FLStudio for Mac.
130
Apple GarageBand
my daw of choice. i'm a firm believer of GarageBand and it's capabilities. extremely underrated
110
Possibly the best free DAW
I have the old version and it works very well. Too bad they changed it in the update.
Artist usage
Add artist
8:13 "Well, um... to be honest I started with Garageband."
According to this interview Skrillex says: "I got GarageBand one day and started fucking with it, and that turned into Skrillex."
In this NPR interview with Glen Berger (author of "Song of Spiderman: The Inside Story of the Most Controversial Musical in Broadway History" and co-writer of the show), it's explained that Edge used GarageBand to demo songs for the production.
Edge can also be seen using the software briefly in the film It Might Get Loud.
Trent Reznor says, "For quite some time I've been interested in the idea of allowing you the ability to tinker around with my tracks […] What I'm giving you in this file is the actual multi-track audio session […] in GarageBand format," in this interview.
1:47 the preset "Ominous Dancefloor" is used in Fall Away.
In the video "Marshmello Goes Undercover on Twitter, YouTube, and Reddit | GQ" Marshmello reads a question on Quora asking about what software he uses. He mentions that he started on GarageBand.
I use Ableton, Ableton 10. I started on GarageBand. A lot of people moved to Logic in their early days, but I went right to Ableton and it just worked out. That's all I've used.
His full answer on Quora can be seen here.
When talking about her album visions Grimes says "Embarrassingly, I recorded the entire album on Garageband."
"A lot of people think it's bullshit when we say we use GarageBand, but it's actually an amazing tool."
In this Instagram post made by feliciathegoat (tyler's IG), he's saying that he used Garage Band (probably '08) for produce BASTARD (in 2009).
He uses GarageBand exclusively in this video
In this Instagram video clip, posted by Matthew Followill, he can be seen running Apple's GarageBand software on his MacBook Pro. He has recorded a riff using his newest Telecaster (newest guitar as of Sept 2014), and says, "Here is what the new Telecaster sounds like! #letsrock"
"I use Logic Pro a lot. Everything is integrated, there’s no external interface, it’s fantastic. I use it as a large sequencer, it’s like the nerve centre of the recording process. I also have it installed on my MacBook Pro. I’ll be going on tour soon and I’ll be able to continue working on my next album. I use GarageBand too, particularly as a notepad to write down all my musical ideas."
Album Usage
The Apple GarageBand has been featured on the following albums:
Relationships
HAIM (2025)
Don't Delete The Kisses
Wolf Alice & Wolf Alice (2017)
Best I Can (feat. Sharon Van Etten)
Michael Cera (2017)
Down To Earth Vol. 2 (The Standard Bap Edition)
Ras G (2014)
True That
Michael Cera (2014)
Visions
Grimes (2012)
Witchazel
Matt Berry (2011)
Goblin
Tyler, The Creator (2011)
Legionnaire
Marc Rizzo (2010)
Genre Usage
Based on how artists on Equipboard use this gear, it is most commonly found in the following genres.
Used With
Based on how musicians on Equipboard use Apple GarageBand, it is most commonly used with the following gear.
-s.webp?v=1783152138)
-s.webp?v=1782327089)
Community setups
Show yours
.jpg?v=1782784259)
Similar
Add recommendation5 alternative and related items for Apple GarageBand, curated by the Equipboard community.
$179.00
I recommend this after garageband, its just like it, expect better.
You can also try Ableton if you want.
$266.00 - $439.00
garageband is just a free version of logic, it even uses the same audio engine
More Apple DAW Software
$225.00 - $599.00
in DAW Software Rank
$398.00
in DAW Software Rank
$266.00 - $439.00
in DAW Software Rank
-m.webp?v=1783418446)
$99.99 - $344.00
in DAW Software Rank
$99.00 - $399.99
in DAW Software Rank
$179.00
in DAW Software Rank
-m.webp?v=1783418442)
$409.00 - $499.00
in DAW Software Rank
$119.00 - $295.00
in DAW Software Rank
$209.00 - $329.99
in DAW Software Rank
$199.99
in DAW Software Rank
.jpg?v=1783392100)
$199.00
in DAW Software Rank
$524.00 - $579.99
in DAW Software Rank
$75.00
in DAW Software Rank
$449.00 - $477.00
in DAW Software Rank
$129.00 - $189.00
in DAW Software Rank
$395.00 - $499.00
in DAW Software Rank
$477.00 - $528.00
in DAW Software Rank
$136.00 - $179.00
in DAW Software Rank
$139.99 - $199.99
in DAW Software Rank
$366.00 - $579.99
in DAW Software Rank
$579.99
in DAW Software Rank
$245.00 - $285.00
in DAW Software Rank
Gear Guides
Most Popular DAW Software
Most Popular Brands
-
Added to Equipboard on by
theelectroclassicGear IQ 234
-
