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Can you get Garageband on Windows?

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  • 5 min read

Garageband, Apple’s popular digital audio workstation (DAW), is renowned for its user-friendly interface and powerful music creation capabilities. It is Apple’s free software for creating music and is pre-installed on Mac, iPhone, and iPad. It is a complete music studio, providing access to various lessons and sounds, including percussion, rhythm, and vocals.

However, one significant limitation is that Garageband is exclusive to Apple’s ecosystem, leaving Windows users wondering if there’s a way to enjoy its features on their operating system.

This article discusses Garageband, how you can run Garageband on Windows and the top three alternatives to help you choose the best.

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Garageband for Windows

Unfortunately, there is no direct way to get Garageband on Windows.

GarageBand is officially available only on Apple devices like Macs, iPhones, and iPads. Apple has not released a Windows version of GarageBand.

However, many alternatives are available, like Cakewalk by BandLab, LMMS (Linux MultiMedia Studio), and Ardour, detailed below.

Additionally, a few ways will help you use Garageband on Windows.

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How to run Garageband on Windows?

Here are a few ways that will help you run Garageband on your Windows PC:

Use Emulators

Some Windows users attempt to run GarageBand by using an emulator to create a simulated Mac environment on their Windows PC. Emulators aim to replicate the macOS environment, allowing users to install and run GarageBand within this simulated space. However, this approach can be technically challenging, not provide a seamless user experience, and could raise legal and copyright concerns.


Use Virtual Machines

Another approach is to use a virtual machine, such as VirtualBox or VMware, to set up a virtualised Mac OS environment on a Windows PC. This involves installing a macOS image file onto the virtual machine and attempting to run GarageBand within this simulated macOS environment. While this method is more structured than emulators, it poses technical complexities and may not ensure optimal performance.

Also read: Can you get Procreate on Windows?


Top 3 Garageband alternatives

Here is the list of the top three Garageband alternatives:

FL Studio

Price: One-month free trial. It has four plans: Fruity- $99, Producer-$199, Signature- $299 and All plugin edition- $499.

Key Features:

  • Impressive Looping Features
  • Regular Free Updates
  • Comes with 60 Effects
  • Includes 40 Instruments
  • Includes 1 GB of Bundled Software
  • Mixer View

FL Studio Pro resembles GarageBand’s interface, making it a user-friendly option. As a full-fledged DAW, FL Studio is compatible with Windows, offering a seamless transition for GarageBand users. Numerous YouTube tutorials ease the shift from GarageBand to FL Studio, highlighting its popularity among DAW options. FL Studio supports almost all VSTs, including several free plugins for experimentation. Some of these complimentary plugins are excellent and can be integrated into professional-grade compositions.


Cakewalk by Bandlab

Price: Free to use

Key Features:

  • Supports all VSTs
  • No limits on audio or MIDI tracks
  • Completely free
  • Easy-to-use interface
  • Allows using your computer keyboard as a MIDI controller

Cakewalk by BandLab is the top free alternative to GarageBand, offering a fully functional and professional-grade digital audio workstation (DAW). It surpasses GarageBand’s capabilities and is comparable to premium DAWs like Cubase or Ableton Live. Unlike many free options, Cakewalk doesn’t limit you, providing access to favourite plugins in various formats, excluding AAX and RTAS. A 64-bit sound engine and Windows 10 support ensure compatibility with the latest computers.

Based on Roland’s former $600 software ‘Sonar,’ Cakewalk is now free and owned by BandLab, making it the ideal choice for aspiring musicians and those seeking professional-level music production without cost barriers.


Ableton Live

Price: One-month free trial. It has three plans: Intro- $99, Standard- $439 and Suite- $749.

Key Features:

  • It comes with 55 GB of bundled software
  • Great for live performances
  • Includes a notation tool
  • User-friendly MIDI editing
  • Offers 12 instruments
  • Provides 36 effects
  • Supports unlimited audio tracks
  • Features an easy-to-use interface

Ableton Live is a highly practical choice for those aiming to perform live and seeking an alternative to GarageBand. It operates in a manner quite similar to GarageBand and shares a somewhat familiar user interface. While Ableton Live offers everything you’d need in a digital audio workstation (DAW), it has the added benefit of an abundance of tutorial videos on YouTube. Notably, it features built-in instruments that have contributed to creating remarkable tracks, including songs by twenty-one pilots.

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Akash Singh

Akash Singh

Akash is a law graduate who likes to go for bike rides on the weekends soul-searching for answers to his many existential questions. You can contact him here: singhakash95@pm.me

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