SAMPLEDIs LUNA Really Free? The Free DAWs Worth Downloading on Mac, Windows and iPad
Universal Audio's LUNA now costs nothing on Mac and Windows. Here is what that gets you, plus the other free DAWs worth your time, including Sampledex on iPad, Mac and Windows.
Yes — LUNA is free. Universal Audio made its LUNA DAW free for Mac users in November 2023 and for Windows users in May 2024, and it is still free today (UA) (opens in a new tab). It isn't the only good free option anymore. Below is what each free DAW actually gives you, and who it suits.
A quick note on "free": this list only includes apps you can keep using at no cost. Free trials that stop working after 30 days don't count.
What do you get with LUNA Free?
Universal Audio calls LUNA Free "a full featured DAW, free forever," and the details back that up (UA) (opens in a new tab):
- Unlimited tracks, no watermark and no time limit.
- Works with any audio interface. You don't need UA hardware.
- VST3 and AU plug-in support.
- Oxide Tape on every track, plus eight free UAD plug-ins, including the 1176 and LA-2A compressors.
- Smart tools such as voice control ("Hey LUNA, start recording") and tempo detection.
The September 15, 2026 LUNA 3.0 update added LUNA Play (a quick-record mode like a voice memo app built for music), folder tracks, a new piano roll and an adaptive grid to the free version (UA) (opens in a new tab).
The catch: you need a free UA account, UA Connect and an iLok account to install it. Hardware Inserts, for routing through outboard gear, are only in LUNA Pro.
Best for: people who record guitars, vocals and bands and want a traditional studio-style workflow.
What is Sampledex, and where can you run it?
Sampledex is a free DAW built around sampling, beat-making and sound design. It now comes in three versions:
- iPad (iOS): available as a free download on the App Store. It includes a timeline, piano roll, step sequencer, sampler and an AI Synth that runs on the iPad itself. See our Sampledex for iPad breakdown.
- Mac (beta): free at sampledex.audio (opens in a new tab) for Apple Silicon Macs running macOS 14 or later. The latest release is version 0.19.0, which came out September 27, 2026.
- Windows (beta testing): Sampledex 0.19.0 for Windows is available as a test download for 64-bit Windows. It's still being tested, so read the install instructions first. Project files now open on both Windows and Mac, so the two desktop versions work together.
The iPad and Mac versions are separate apps for now, and projects don't move between them yet. I use the iPad version on the go with a pair of BMANI earbuds.
Best for: beatmakers and producers who work from samples and want the same free app on the go and at home.
Which other free DAWs are worth downloading?
- GarageBand (Mac, iPhone, iPad): free, simple and a great first DAW. Projects open in Logic Pro if you upgrade later.
- Cakewalk (Windows): the long-running free Windows DAW, with unlimited tracks and full mixing tools.
- Tracktion Waveform Free (Mac, Windows, Linux): unlimited tracks and plug-in support with no time limit.
- Pro Tools Intro and Ableton Live Lite: free, limited versions of paid DAWs. They're good for learning the industry-standard apps, but they cap the number of tracks.
Screenshot: Sampledex
Which free DAW should you pick?
| DAW | Platforms | Best for |
|---|---|---|
| LUNA Free | Mac, Windows | Recording bands, vocals, analog-style mixing |
| Sampledex | iPad; Mac (beta); Windows (testing) — Mac and Windows share projects | Sampling, beats, working on the go |
| GarageBand | Mac, iPhone, iPad | Total beginners |
| Cakewalk | Windows | Full-featured mixing on a PC |
| Waveform Free | Mac, Windows, Linux | Linux users, unlimited tracks |
My advice: if you're recording live instruments, start with LUNA. If you build tracks from samples or want to make music on an iPad, start with Sampledex. Both are free, so you can install both and use each where it fits.
For a deeper side-by-side comparison, see our full guide to the best free DAWs in 2026.