Getting started with music production has never been easier — or more affordable. Whether you’re a beginner beatmaker or a seasoned DJ looking to expand your toolkit, there are now countless free and low-cost options to create, edit and mix your own tracks.
From mobile apps to synth plugins, these budget-friendly tools can help you turn ideas into finished productions. Once your music is ready, you can even upload it to Mixcloud via Tracks to share your creations with a global audience.
Here are 10 of the best cheap music production tools to check out in 2025.
Splice
Best for: Royalty-free samples and rent-to-own plugins
Splice is one of the leading platforms for music producers, offering millions of high-quality, royalty-free samples, loops, and presets. Its rent-to-own system lets you try professional synths, DAWs and plugins for free, then pay monthly until you own them outright. If you want to level up your sound design or access unique samples, Splice is an essential resource.
Price: Free trial available, plans from $12.99/month
Reaper
Best for: Full-featured DAW on a budget
Reaper is a powerful digital audio workstation that’s free to download and use on an extended trial basis. It supports multitrack recording, MIDI and plugin integration, making it perfect for both home setups and professional studios.
Price: Free evaluation / $60 discounted license
Audacity
Best for: Free multitrack audio editing
Audacity is a classic open-source audio editor that works on Windows, macOS and Linux. You can record live audio, edit multiple tracks, and export in formats like MP3, WAV and FLAC. Its keyboard shortcuts make it quick to use — ideal for beginners getting started with basic recording and mixing.
Price: Free
Ableton Note
Best for: Beatmaking on your phone or iPad
Ableton Note is a mobile version of the legendary DAW. For just £5.99, you can sketch ideas on your iPhone or iPad using drum kits, synths and sample-based instruments. When inspiration hits, send your projects directly to Ableton Live to keep producing in full studio mode.
Price: £5.99 (iOS)
Vital
Best for: Free wavetable synthesis
Vital is a visual synthesizer that lets you sculpt expressive, animated sounds. The free version includes 75 presets and 25 wavetables — more than enough to start designing your own sounds. You can upgrade later for extra presets and effects, but the free version already competes with premium synths.
Price: Free / $5 subscription / $80 Pro
Kiloheartz Essentials
Best for: Free sound-shaping plugins
Kiloheartz Essentials offers 30 free plugins, including EQs, filters, delay, distortion, and chorus. Each plugin integrates smoothly with your DAW, making it easy to layer textures and effects into your tracks.
Price: Free
Komplete Start
Best for: All-in-one free sound pack
Komplete Start by Native Instruments includes over 2,000 sounds, synths, loops and samples. You can plug in your MIDI keyboard or controller and start experimenting immediately. It’s one of the best free entry points into professional-grade music production.
Price: Free
Serato
Best for: DJ-style beatmaking
Serato is a streamlined DAW made for DJs and beatmakers. The free version includes essential tools and sound packs, while the paid version unlocks professional features and a massive sample library. It’s simple, intuitive, and perfect for creating DJ edits or loops.
Price: Free version available / $9.99 per month
Arturia Lab
Best for: Affordable MIDI keyboard controller
Arturia’s MiniLab is one of the best-value MIDI keyboards available. For around €99, it offers responsive keys, performance pads, and seamless integration with Ableton Live and other DAWs. It’s a great physical addition to any digital setup.
Price: From €99
Valhalla
Best for: Affordable, high-quality reverb and delay
Valhalla creates some of the most respected reverb, echo, and modulation plugins in the industry. Prices range from free to $50, offering lush, spacey effects that instantly upgrade your sound design.
Price: Free–$50
Bonus tip: upload your tracks
Once your tracks are ready, upload them to Mixcloud via Tracks. It’s a simple way to share your productions, connect with DJs and listeners and start building an audience for your music.
Less is sometimes more
You don’t need an expensive studio to make great music. These cheap and free production tools give you everything you need to start producing beats, mixes, and original tracks. Experiment with a few, find your favourites and focus on creativity — not cost.
To find more free music production tools, Dutch-American producer Mucky has you covered.