REAPER: The Best Budget DAW for Audio Production

Here’s everything you should know about REAPER.

If you’re on the hunt for an affordable DAW, you might be considering REAPER. Reaper is a low-cost audio production software that doesn’t require monthly fees, making it one of the most affordable workstations on the market.

This guide explores everything you should know about REAPER’s digital audio workstation — including its prices, features, and limitations — so you can decide if it’s right for you. We also look at five REAPER alternatives if this podcast editing software doesn’t meet your needs.

Let’s dive into the specifics below, starting with a chart of REAPER’s most essential features.

Introduction to REAPER

Here’s what you should know about REAPER at a glance:

Audio Tracks	Sound Effects	Instruments	Mixer compatible	Remote recording	Free plan	Multitrack recording
Unlimited	34	❌ (no virtual instruments or loops)	✔️ (USB only)	✔️ (With workarounds)	❌ (60-day trial only)	✔️ (available for live streaming)

Keep reading to get a more comprehensive breakdown.

Why Choose REAPER for Podcast Editing?

REAPER, which is short for Rapid Environment for Audio Production, Engineering, and Recording, is a digital audio workstation developed by Cockos. Approximately 800,000 people use REAPER today to manage podcast editing and production work on Mac, Windows, or Linux.

You can access basic tools with the REAPER DAW:

Track lanes for recording multiple takes
Razor edits for splitting, copying, or stretching media
ReaPlugins for adjusting the sound or volume of your audio

There are also a few unique features to consider:

A customizable interface, which is helpful for creating custom templates
Limited MIDI support, which can be used for composing MIDI sequences
Video editing, which is rare for most DAW’s

We’ll take a closer look at these features below.

REAPER pricing

This is how much it costs to purchase REAPER.

Unlike DAWs like Hindenburg PRO, the cost of a REAPER license is relatively straightforward.

If you are a personal user, a business owner, or a student/educator, you can purchase a discounted REAPER license for $60 per person.
If you are a commercial user (which means you make $20,000 USD in revenue per year), you may purchase a commercial license for $225 per person.
You’ll also have access to a 60-day free trial, which allows you to test out the platform before making a purchase.

You should know every REAPER license comes with free software upgrades. If you purchase REAPER version 7.18, for example, you’ll receive free updates through version 8.99.

You’ll also get all of REAPER’s features on both types of licenses. You don’t need to pay extra for separate apps or mix-and-match licenses to get the features you need.

The cherry on top is the lack of subscriptions: every REAPER license is a one-time fee—this can save you thousands compared to other editing tools, especially those with ongoing transcription costs or monthly access fees.

REAPER features

Don’t be deceived by its affordable price: REAPER is a professional audio editor that can compete with almost any other DAW.

Here are a few of REAPER’s most popular features:

Basic editing

REAPER comes with everything you’d expect to edit your podcast audio.

It’s easy to:

Insert and record new tracks
Import preexisting audio
Cut and splice audio tracks
Add FX using plugins
Record multitrack audio
Use a control interface (including tools from PreSonus, Mackie, and Behringer)

You can also edit video files, a rarity for DAWs, which may be helpful if you’re upgrading your podcast to video.

Razor edits

With razor editing, you can select audio segments across splits in a track. This is particularly useful for detailed edits, as it allows you to remove filler words and small audio imperfections granularly.

REAPER’s razor edits allow you to:

Select audio across existing cuts
Cut, copy, or duplicate selected razor edits
Shift the timing of audio segments based on the razor edit selections

You can also quickly create multiple razor edits to grab snippets from longer audio pieces.

Download the Podcast Editing Cheat Sheet by The Podcast Consultant.

Track lanes and comping

REAPER makes it easy to record multiple audio takes so you can mix and match your favorite bits—this makes it much simpler to exclude unwanted audio and select the podcast segments you like the best.

Here’s a quick overview of possible use cases with track lanes:

You record multiple takes of a sponsored ad and mix and match them for a great final product.
If you’re interviewing someone and want more robust answers, you can ask questions multiple times and select the highlights from all takes.
You can splice two different audio tracks together to incorporate multiple takes into a single track.

Track lanes and comping are complex features in REAPER, which means they may require some time to learn. However, video tutorials and step-by-step guides are available to help you get started.

Third-party plugins

REAPER is compatible with hundreds of third-party plugins, so you can customize your production process with the latest tools and technology

A few of the most popular plugin formats include:

VST
AU
CLAP
DX
LV2
ARA 2

The SWS/S&M plugin is the most popular extension for REAPER. It unlocks editing tools such as enhanced zoom, normalized loudness, marker actions, and more.

But if you’re unsure which to choose (or don’t want to feel pigeonholed), you can download 1,300+ plugins through the ReaPack Package Manager.

Customization tools

Compared to many other audio platforms on the market, REAPER is truly a customizable DAW.

For example, you can customize:

The interface. If you’re not a fan of the simplistic GUI, you can download user-built themes to adjust colors, tool displays, and more.
The language. REAPER is available in multiple languages. You can also download user-made language packs.
The toolbars. You can have up to 48 custom toolbars in REAPER. For example, you could build a custom toolbar for editing podcast videos. Then, create a separate toolbar for editing podcast audio.

Keep in mind this just scratches the surface — there’s much more you can do with the ReaScript customization tools. You can explore the Reaper Stash to find customization options for keymaps, FX chains, custom actions, and more.

REAPER Audio Production: Pros and Cons

With a REAPER license, you’ll save money, time, and effort.

But that’s not to say there aren’t any drawbacks.

Below are the biggest pros and cons of using REAPER for podcast production:

REAPER pros

Unlike many other audio editing tools, REAPER was designed to be lightweight and agile. When launched, your workstation should load almost immediately. You can even take it with you using a portable USB or a network drive.
Since REAPER doesn’t come with transcription fees or subscription costs, it’s one of the best editing tools for audio production on a budget. For context, the Adobe Creative Cloud costs ~$3,600 for five years. REAPER will cost you $60 in the same time frame.
REAPER is compatible with Mac, Windows, and Linux, meaning you can use this software with the devices you already own and take your workstation on the go.
REAPER allows you to edit both audio and video—this may be a seamless fit if you’re considering video podcast production.
There are dozens of resources available to learn REAPER. In addition to the forums, video guides, and tutorials, you’ll find hours of content available on YouTube.

REAPER cons

Without additional customization, REAPER may not be the best DAW for beginners. Some users complain of an outdated user interface, while others dislike the ‘ugly’ plugins.
Some of REAPER’s key features may fall outside your use case. MIDI compatibility, for example, may not be necessary if you’re only editing podcasts.
REAPER works best with third-party plugins. If you’re unwilling to spend extra on additional tools, it may not be the most effective platform for your needs.

Editing your podcast with REAPER

REAPER has been around since 2006, which means there are dozens of resources available online.

The best and most credible REAPER resources include:

The (unofficial) REAPER Blog. Jon Tidey, a freelance audio engineer, has run reaper.blog since 2011. In addition to his weekly blogs and monthly newsletters, you can also explore his video courses and private REAPER lessons.
YouTube videos. Some of the most popular names in YouTube REAPER tutorials include REAPER Mania, Adam Steel, and ReaperTV.
Reaper Forums. Whether you’re a complete beginner or a seasoned audio engineer, you can ask and or answer questions on the official REAPER forum. You can also visit third-party communities such as r/REAPER or REAPER DAW Users.

If you’re generally unfamiliar with audio editing, you can download our free podcast editing resource below.

Whether you're just starting or are looking to improve your existing show, these tips will help you produce a better podcast.

Setting Up REAPER for Podcast Production

Not sure how to get started with REAPER?

Here are some tips from our audio engineers:

“Reaper is an excellent DAW for a wide range of use cases, including various podcast production tasks. Reaper gives the editor robust processing and editing tools. The biggest highlight for me is the control Reaper gives you over export options and file types, so you can always get the exact output you want.” — Easton, Production Manager | TPC

“One of the easiest ways to speed up your audio production workflow in Reaper is by creating templates for each use case. For example, set up all your audio processing plugins once for pre-production and save it as a template. This way, you can quickly load the setup for future projects.” — Robin, Production Manager | TPC

“Be sure to make use of Reaper’s 3rd party plugin capabilities to utilize all the latest audio tools and technology. You should also take advantage of its customization abilities to streamline your production process.” — Robert, Launch Manager | TPC
“Getting a programmable mouse to work with Reaper has been game-changing for my editing workflow. I bind “delete” and “mute clip” to two side buttons which saves a lot of time, and then I keep all of my other shortcuts within reach of my left hand so I don’t have to move my hands all the much while editing” — Alex, Audio Editor | TPC

Alternatives to REAPER

For many experienced audio engineers, REAPER is a no-brainer for podcast editing.

But if it’s not the right fit for your particular needs, you may want to consider these REAPER alternatives below:

Hindenburg PRO

Hindenburg PRO is an audio recording platform specifically designed for verbal storytelling. It allows you to use almost any mixer to record podcast audio, edit video tracks in the app, and transcribe audio to text.

In contrast to REAPER’s minimal GUI, Hindenburg PRO is often described as ‘simple’ and ‘intuitive.’ Just remember it comes at a price — it has one of the most complex pricing models on this list.

Learn more about the details in our guide to Hindenburg PRO.

Adobe Podcast AI and Enhance

You can start using Adobe Podcast: Enhance for free.

If you prefer a hands-off approach to editing, you may want to consider Adobe Podcast’s suite of tools. All you need to do is upload an audio file, and Adobe Enhance will take care of the rest.

Unfortunately, Adobe’s AI isn’t perfect for every use case, especially if you’re editing phone audio or video recordings. The Adobe Podcast platform is still in beta, so it’s not as complete as proven DAWs like REAPER.

Learn more about what to expect from Adobe Enhance in our guide to Adobe Podcast AI.

Adobe Audition

Adobe Audition is a commonly used (but much more expensive) Adobe tool. It offers many of REAPER’s most essential features — including video editing — in a modern-looking GUI.

Because Adobe Audition is relatively intuitive compared to REAPER, most users get started almost immediately. Of course, Adobe Audition is far more expensive. Prepare to spend $59.99 monthly if you want access through Adobe Cloud.

Learn more about Adobe Audition in our dedicated guide.

Descript Podcast Software

Unlike REAPER, which focuses heavily on traditional audio editing, Descript is more focused on modernized tools. Each plan comes with features like AI speech and transcription edits, multitrack audio editing, and remote recording tools.

Descript does offer a free plan compared to REAPER, but many of its best features require paid tiers. Expect to pay a minimum of $12 per person per month and up to $40 per month if you want business features like audio translations.

Our dedicated guide on Descript offers more information about what to expect.

GarageBand

GarageBand is an Apple-exclusive tool designed for iOS devices (including phones and laptops). It isn’t as powerful as Apple’s premium DAW, Logic ProX, but it’s a free program built into most Macs. It provides all the basic editing features you need, as well as helpful tools like EQ and a variety of included plugins.Like REAPER, you can use GarageBand to compose and record music, but you also have access to virtual instruments and Apple Loops for more complex music production.

Learn more about GarageBand in our dedicated guide.

The bottom line on REAPER

While it may not necessarily look flashy on the surface, REAPER is one of the most comprehensive yet simplest DAWs for podcast editing. It’s easy to customize, affordable for all budgets, and easily scalable to your specific skills and preferences.

The Podcast Consultant is proud to use REAPER to edit high-quality episodes for some of the best podcasts on the market. From basic podcast production to remote recording and social media assets, we curate a world-class tech stack to bring your show to life.

Want to learn more about how TPC can support your podcast? Schedule a 30-minute discovery call so we can discuss your needs.