Recording Software reviews from Reddit
Summary
We analyzed 290 Reddit reviews across 63 subreddits and 92 posts to rank the best Recording Software brands recommended by redditors, including communities like r/musicproduction, r/NewTubers, r/recordingmusic, r/windows, r/podcasting. Top-rated brands include OBS Studio (4.7/5), Reaper (4.6/5), Audacity (4.4/5).
Stats
Reviews290
Subreddits63
Posts92
Brands94
Products12
290 reviews from
and
By Brand
/By Product
#1
OBS Studio
4.7
(59)
"OBS - Open Broadcaster Software"
"OBS has been the default for all recording/streaming needs for a while now, and it's free."
"Everyone uses OBS -- you realise OBS has settings, right? You can change everything from the framerate and resolution to bitrate and file format."
"As everyone has said, DaVinci for editing and OBS for recording."
"Try using OBS Studio. It’s free and helps with both video and sound."
"OBS Studio is considered the best."
"OBS in game capture mode is the best you're going to get."
"OBS, one thousand times."
"OBS."
"OBS."
#2
Reaper
4.6
(38)
"Reaper is the best free / cheap DAW out there imo"
"Reaper is so great I can’t believe it is cheap"
"I second Reaper as a free piece of software you can trial forever...but if you like it you should try to buy it!"
"Reaper"
"Reaper is a DAW with an indefinite free trial, though you should really buy it for $60."
"Reaper is $60 and covers nearly all the basics"
"Reaper 100%"
"Editing is the best in Reaper, they made it for a 4 year old, so fun."
"Reaper is the best for instrument recording and editing imo."
"Reaper. It’s free forever."
#3
Audacity
4.4
(24)
"Audacity ;)"
"For free or low-cost recording on Windows, Audacity is a great option. It’s free, reliable, and allows you to record, edit, layer, and add effects."
"Audacity."
"Audacity"
"Audacity, Adobe Audition, Ocen Audio, Reaper, Studio One, Twisted Wave"
"Audacity"
"Try Audacity (I'm using version 3.1.0)"
"My cohost and I record out tracks separately on audacity, then merge the two during the editing process."
"I've recorded multiple long sets (usually 2-3hrs max) with Audacity and never had it quit recording on me."
"I record the loopback audio device for 1-2 hours at a time with the latest versions of Audacity on Windows 10."
#4
OBS
4.8
(12)
"OBS is pretty much your best option."
"OBS (ideally the best and can use either CPU or GPU recording)."
"Of course OBS"
"OBS Studio is good."
"For your OBS setup, I would recommend the following..."
"Maybe: [OBS](https://obsproject.com/)"
"OBS Studio. Free and open source."
"OBS: [Open Broadcaster Software | OBS (obsproject.com)](https://obsproject.com/)"
"OBS"
"Https://obsproject.com/"
#5
GarageBand
4.7
(9)
"Garage band Free"
"Use GarageBand if you have a Mac, I use it frequently and it can create a nice enjoyable mix."
"If you have a Mac, you can use GarageBand, it’s a completely free (and for its free price, pretty powerful) DAW"
"If you are on a Mac try GarageBand or logic."
"If you have a Mac or iPad then garage band is free and does the job for simple stuff."
"Still GarageBand."
"Garage Band is surprisingly powerful and you can definitely get professional results with it."
"DAWs like GarageBand or FL Studio let you hum a tune and turn it into MIDI notes."
"You can do a lot with Garage Band, and it’s free with a Mac so that’s good too."
#7
NVIDIA ShadowPlay
4.1
(7)
"If you have an NVIDIA GPU use shadow play. It has basically no performance impact."
"NVIDIA use Shadowplay"
"If OBS dont work then nvidia shadow play might"
"If you have an NVIDIA graphics card then try to use shadow play. It records at high quality and doesn’t impact performance like OBS does."
"I use shadowplay and save a clip if I beat something. Good quality and I'm not wasting a bunch of storage recording."
"Screen recording - Nvidia Shadowplay works perfectly for me."
"Nvidia Shadowplay if you have an Nvidia GPU."
#8
Pro Tools
4.5
(6)
"Strictly recording and mixing? Pro-Tools. It’s the industry standard and will make it easier if collabing or going to a studio usually."
"Pro Tools, it's the standard for a reason. But even Logic is very good."
"If you're recording analog instruments and vocals, Pro Tools is still the king."
"Pro Tools is good for that, I personally prefer Audition but only because I already have the Adobe subscription."
"Pro tools, logic. Reaper if you're poor and don't mind 1990s interface"
"Strictly recording and mixing - Protools (even though I hate to use it) , definitely FL over GarageBand though"
#9
Bandicam
3.6
(7)
"I've been fine using Bandicam for decades"
"OBS is best streaming software and OKish recording, but best for only recording is Bandicam."
"Hypercam 2 or Bandicam."
"Bandicam has been great for about $50"
"I used bandicam to record an old game."
"Unregistered bandicam 2."
"Maybe bandicam, but you have to activate/crack it else you will have a nice 'www.bandicam.com' on the top of each records."
#10
Ableton Live
4.2
(6)
"Basic ableton came with my focusrite. It does everything you could ask it to"
"I like ableton"
"I swapped to ableton for the recording workflow"
"I like Ableton Live because it is super easy to loop and use in live performances."
"I record with Ableton. But I think audacity will do the trick too"
"My preferred is Ableton, however I use Reaper for recording Metal with others."
#11
Medal
4.2
(5)
"Medal detects which games you're playing, picks up mic, you can set how long each clip lasts."
"Medal is super good you can clip back up to 5 min and no need for vid / Audio set up just press a key and the clip saves to a file"
"You can download medal idk how it differs from the other ones but that's what I've always used."
"I've been using Medal and Outplayed for 2-3 years on Valorant without any problems."
"Medal, picks up my mic, which other softwares didn't do."
#12
FL Studio
4.0
(5)
"Fl studio gets a bad rep, but I think most people are operating on old info."
"FL Studio will be bet in the long run I believe, but right now Pro tool is kinda the industry standard."
"Fl can do everything any other daw can"
"DAWs like GarageBand or FL Studio let you hum a tune and turn it into MIDI notes."
"Play around on logic Pro or Appleton or studio one or FL studio or anything man"
#13
Riverside
4.8
(4)
"Riverside is a great choice. It's a very comprehensive piece of software."
"Riverside has the highest quality; but use the app, not the browser."
"Riverside.fm is a revolutionist."
"Riverside!"
#14
Studio One
4.3
(4)
"Studio one. Period."
"My friend uses Studio One."
"Play around on logic Pro or Appleton or studio one or FL studio or anything man"
"These days I prefer Studio One, but Reaper is another fine choice."
#15
Logic Pro
4.3
(3)
"Logic is amazing!"
"Play around on logic Pro or Appleton or studio one or FL studio or anything man"
"I prefer Logic, but if you have a Mac, use Garageband as long as you can."
#16
Pactto
4.3
(3)
"Check out Pactto. An old co-worker from Adobe and I are launching it today."
"It's really targeting creative professionals, content creators, and developers."
"Check out Pactto. An old co-worker from Adobe and I are launching it today."
#17
Cubase
4.0
(3)
"I would suggest Cubase. I've used most top known and some less known DAWs and my conclusion is that though there is a learning curve Cubase offers most out of the box."
"Pt, Reaper, Cubase...etc...they can also get the job done, IF you know what to do."
"I'll be the odd man and suggest Cubase. It is, to me, an incredible DAW."
#18
Hypercam
3.3
(3)
"Hypercam 2. Version 3 is the newest one to use for Windows 11 and 10."
"Unregistered Hypercam 2🤣"
"Good old hypercam 2/fraps."
#19
Cakewalk
5.0
(2)
"Cakewalk is completely free and really good"
"Cakewalk by BandLab is another excellent free option, with more advanced features for music production and mixing."
#20
Xbox
4.5
(2)
"I've had 0 issues with it and unlike other programs it doesn't seem to effect FPS."
"Doesn't take much fps and have good quality, just adjust the settings"
#21
Zencastr
4.0
(2)
"I really like Zencastr. We use it with different systems in completely different states."
"Zencastr and yes you’ll have to pay for it."
#22
Loom
4.0
(2)
"Loom and FlashBack Express are good choices too."
"Loom"
#23
Microsoft
4.0
(2)
"I've been using Xbox gamebar, it comes with windows 11 - press Windows key + G and it'll open the XBOX gamebar in which you can record your screen. I've had 0 issues with it and unlike other programs it doesn't seem to effect FPS."
"I had issues with the built in GFN recorder. I use Windows built in Xbox game bar now."
#24
GeForce Experience
4.0
(2)
"GeForce Experience, which has the ability to record the desktop."
"I've got the best quality footage from just using the GeForce experience recorder."
#25
Outplayed
4.0
(2)
"I use outplayed and it records my whole game."
"Outplayed"
#26
Mobizen
3.5
(2)
"Usually we recommend AZ or Mobizen."
"Mobizen? Screen Recorder Unlimited?"
#27
Xbox Game Bar
3.5
(2)
"I've been using Xbox gamebar, it comes with windows 11 - press Windows key + G and it'll open the XBOX gamebar."
"You can try recording from xbox game bar"
#28
Tascam DR-05X
5.0
(1)
"A Tascam recorder works really well. Like the DR05X."
#29
Bitwig
5.0
(1)
"Bitwig"
#30
Rodecaster
5.0
(1)
"Love my rodecasters soundboard."
#31
SimpleScreenRecorder
5.0
(1)
"Simplescreenrecorder is in the ubuntu repositories. It works great & it is simple to use."
#32
Roland
5.0
(1)
"I really like Roland Zenbeats"
#33
Apple
5.0
(1)
"GarageBand"
#34
GPU Screen Recorder
5.0
(1)
"By far the best recorder I've used."
#35
Zencaster
5.0
(1)
"We use Zencaster. It works very well. And has excellent recovery for technical issues."
#36
Adobe Audition
5.0
(1)
"Paid - Audition hands down, free - Reaper."
#37
Descript
5.0
(1)
"I just bought in for a few seats on Descript - has remote recording ability."
#38
Shutter Encoder
5.0
(1)
"Shutter encoder is the best thing you'll discover, free, easy to use, a million and one functions."
#39
Behringer
5.0
(1)
"Behringer UMC404HD and Reaper are probably the cheapest options."
#40
Tracktion Waveform Free
5.0
(1)
"Tracktion Waveform Free - it's an actual DAW (not just an expanded audio editor like Audacity)"
#41
DaVinci Resolve
5.0
(1)
"DaVinci Resolve is free and awesome for video stuff."
#42
Rogue Amoeba
5.0
(1)
"There is no better option than Audio Hijack from Rogue Amoeba. Simple (or complex if you want), customizable, reliable, and efficient."
#43
Pro Tools Ultimate
5.0
(1)
"The best for recording and mixing is Pro Tools Ultimate! It’s the industry standard and used in professional studios worldwide for a reason!"
#44
Ableton Live Lite
5.0
(1)
"Ableton Live Lite is a fantastic beginner DAW that is included for free in a ton of midi instruments/keyboards or recording interfaces like Focusrite Scarlett Solo."
#45
Rekordbox
5.0
(1)
"I actually use Rekordbox to record the USB channels for the master mix."
#46
CapCut
5.0
(1)
"It's powerful and free."
#47
AssistantGG
5.0
(1)
"Try AssistantGG. I’m the developer and I’ll provide you with any support you need."
#48
NVIDIA GeForce Experience
5.0
(1)
"Best for me so far has been Geforce experience lol."
#49
Zoom Recorder
4.0
(1)
"Zoom recorders are pretty good. I really like my Shure MV 88+."
#50
Cleanfeed
4.0
(1)
"I'd love for you to try ours at Cleanfeed."
#51
GeForce NOW
4.0
(1)
"The GFN app is best if you stream under 4K or 240 FPS."
#52
ScreenRec
4.0
(1)
"If you're seeking alternatives, ScreenRec might help."
#53
Blackmagic Media Encoder
4.0
(1)
"I also recommend blackmagic media encoder but you need a blackmagic card."
#54
NVIDIA GeForce
4.0
(1)
"Try geforce nvidia it records good quality and doesn't take time to setup."
#55
Zoom
4.0
(1)
"Zoom. I used it as a first-time GTI last year and it worked great for a mixed modality class."
#56
Apple iPhone
4.0
(1)
"What’s the best app, on IPhone, to record, mix and master music??"
#57
Soniqs
4.0
(1)
"We recently launched Soniqs Web DAW in open beta and it might be worth a try."
#58
Twisted Wave
4.0
(1)
"Have you tried Twisted Wave or Ferrite?"
#59
remotely.fm
4.0
(1)
"We use remotely.fm now."
#60
Panopto
4.0
(1)
"Panopto works great if your uni has it."
#61
MSI
4.0
(1)
"It does audio too and it's free."
#62
Ferrite
4.0
(1)
"Give Ferrite a try. I have used it for podcasting and it works pretty good."
#63
Voice Memos
4.0
(1)
"I highly recommend just using voice memos on the Mac vs audacity."
#64
Action
4.0
(1)
"Action is my primary for ease of use but sometimes I have to use OBS."
#65
Streamlabs
4.0
(1)
"Streamlabs is easier to use and has almost the same layout as obs."
#66
oCam
4.0
(1)
"Way better than OBS in my opinion."
#67
FRAPS
4.0
(1)
"Works fine on XP."
#68
Craigbot
4.0
(1)
"If you’re doing just audio you could use Craigbot with Discord. It is free, and records separate tracks for each person in the room."
#69
Flashback Recorder
4.0
(1)
"If you are not deep into techniques, have a look at Flasback Recorder. Cheap, very, very easy to use."
#70
Camtasia
4.0
(1)
"Check out Camtasia."
#71
Tracktion Waveform
4.0
(1)
"Tracktion Waveform, it have free and paid versions."
#72
Screencastify
4.0
(1)
"I like Screencastify; it's a Chrome extension and super easy to use."
#73
QuickTime
4.0
(1)
"If you want simple recordings, Quicktime is great."
#74
Movavi Video Suite
4.0
(1)
"Use Movavi Video Suite or Movavi Screen Record."
#75
Mirillis Action!
4.0
(1)
"I've been using Mirilis Action! for years too. Obviously much less customizable than OBS but it's easy to use and gets the job done."
#76
AZ Screen Recorder
4.0
(1)
"Usually we recommend AZ or Mobizen."
#77
FFmpeg
4.0
(1)
"Ffmpeg - as fast and lightweight as you can get"
#78
Clipchamp
4.0
(1)
"Clipchamp, it has PWA (acquired by Microsoft but still great)"
#79
Ginger Audio
4.0
(1)
"For Mac, check Ginger Audio Caster mixer software."
#80
Pro Tools Artist
4.0
(1)
"ProTools Artist"
#81
Pro Tools Intro
4.0
(1)
"Pro tools intro is free."
#82
BandLab
4.0
(1)
"My son uses bandlab. also free. very simple to use."
#83
VirtualDub
4.0
(1)
"Virtualdub and a compatible digitizing device like a dazzle dvc100 is all you need."
#84
DU Screen Recorder
4.0
(1)
"Du screen recorder, xrecorder."
#85
NVIDIA
4.0
(1)
"If you have a gpu either amd or nvidia you can use their own software."
#86
ShadowPlay
4.0
(1)
"Shadow play is fine if you set it up to record with good quality."
#87
QuickTime Player
4.0
(1)
"I just use the quick time player that comes default w mac."
#88
TechSmith
4.0
(1)
"I have used Camtasia in the past, and I think that can do it all. It is just expensive."
#89
FBX Game Recorder
3.0
(1)
"I would recommend FBX Game Recorder as a backup for those times OBS doesn't work properly."
#90
Microsoft PowerPoint
3.0
(1)
"PowerPoint. Record timings and narration (and video in new version), then export to any format you want."
#91
Avid Pro Tools
3.0
(1)
"I don’t know if it’s still available, but at one time Avid had a free version of ProTools available that could record up to 4 tracks."
#92
Democreator
3.0
(1)
"Democreator is a solid choice—it records h"
#93
Appleton
3.0
(1)
"Play around on logic Pro or Appleton or studio one or FL studio or anything man"
#94
CamStudio
3.0
(1)
"I used to use Cam Studio on an i7-6700K, you can try that one out if OBS is too difficult."
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