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Compare Ableton Live and GarageBand

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At a Glance
Ableton Live
Ableton Live
Star Rating
(155)4.7 out of 5
Market Segments
Small-Business (83.7% of reviews)
Information
Entry-Level Pricing
No pricing available
Learn more about Ableton Live
GarageBand
GarageBand
Star Rating
(268)4.3 out of 5
Market Segments
Small-Business (72.5% of reviews)
Information
Entry-Level Pricing
No pricing available
Learn more about GarageBand
AI Generated Summary
AI-generated. Powered by real user reviews.
  • Users report that GarageBand's user-friendly interface makes it easy for beginners to start creating music quickly, while Ableton Live's more complex layout can be overwhelming for new users, despite offering advanced features.
  • Reviewers mention that GarageBand excels in its seamless integration with Apple devices, allowing for a smooth workflow, whereas users on G2 highlight that Ableton Live's compatibility with a wider range of hardware and software makes it a more versatile choice for professional setups.
  • G2 users say that GarageBand's built-in loops and sound library are excellent for quick music production, but reviewers note that Ableton Live's extensive library and customizable options provide a more robust toolkit for serious music producers.
  • Users say that GarageBand's simplicity in recording and editing tracks is a significant advantage for casual users, while reviewers mention that Ableton Live's powerful MIDI capabilities and session view are essential for live performances and complex arrangements.
  • Reviewers mention that GarageBand's support is generally good, but users on G2 report that Ableton Live offers more comprehensive resources and community support, which can be crucial for troubleshooting and learning advanced techniques.
  • Users report that while GarageBand is a great entry-level software, Ableton Live's higher G2 rating reflects its ability to meet the needs of more experienced users looking for depth and flexibility in their music production process.
Pricing
Entry-Level Pricing
Ableton Live
No pricing available
GarageBand
No pricing available
Free Trial
Ableton Live
No trial information available
GarageBand
No trial information available
Ratings
Meets Requirements
9.2
139
8.6
236
Ease of Use
8.2
140
8.6
237
Ease of Setup
8.2
17
8.3
27
Ease of Admin
8.7
15
8.9
22
Quality of Support
8.6
117
8.4
164
Has the product been a good partner in doing business?
9.0
14
9.1
18
Product Direction (% positive)
9.0
134
8.4
231
Categories
Categories
Shared Categories
Ableton Live
Ableton Live
GarageBand
GarageBand
Ableton Live and GarageBand are categorized as Audio Editing
Unique Categories
Ableton Live
Ableton Live has no unique categories
GarageBand
GarageBand has no unique categories
Reviews
Reviewers' Company Size
Ableton Live
Ableton Live
Small-Business(50 or fewer emp.)
83.7%
Mid-Market(51-1000 emp.)
10.5%
Enterprise(> 1000 emp.)
5.9%
GarageBand
GarageBand
Small-Business(50 or fewer emp.)
72.5%
Mid-Market(51-1000 emp.)
18.1%
Enterprise(> 1000 emp.)
9.4%
Reviewers' Industry
Ableton Live
Ableton Live
Music
39.9%
Entertainment
7.2%
Media Production
5.2%
Religious Institutions
4.6%
Internet
3.9%
Other
39.2%
GarageBand
GarageBand
Music
18.9%
Entertainment
11.3%
Marketing and Advertising
6.4%
Religious Institutions
4.2%
Broadcast Media
4.2%
Other
55.1%
Most Helpful Reviews
Ableton Live
Ableton Live
Most Helpful Favorable Review
CA
Candelaria A.
Verified User in Graphic Design

It is a complete system for mixing, production, and post-production. Although it is popularized for electronic music, its possibilities are infinite and open to all styles and genres. The most interesting aspect is precisely the ease with which we can...

Most Helpful Critical Review
Verified User
G
Verified User in Music

hard to learn! This one took me quite a while to get good at, and I found the interface relatively unintuitive.

GarageBand
GarageBand
Most Helpful Favorable Review
Verified User
G
Verified User in Fund-Raising

What I like best is that you don't need to be a professional in the music industry or anything in order to know how to easily use Garageband. I only needed it for a small video project where I had to do a voiceover for a video and it was very simple for me...

Most Helpful Critical Review
Ed N.
EN
Ed N.
Verified User in Music

It's just difficult to learn for me. I don't feel it's very user friendly.

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GarageBand
GarageBand Alternatives
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Discussions
Ableton Live
Ableton Live Discussions
Maybe I am missing it now, but is it there any ways I can get more skins for Ableton?
1 comment
Cherubs S.
CS
Ableton live themesRead more
Monty the Mongoose crying
Ableton Live has no more discussions with answers
GarageBand
GarageBand Discussions
what happened to the loops?
2 comments
Ted C.
TC
I am unable to assist with that request.Read more
What kind of software is GarageBand?
2 comments
Nydia Stephany R.
NR
It's an all-in-one Music Editing software, with capabilities to connect to high-definition mics, and any instrument with MIDI capabilities. It's easy to use...Read more
Which version of Garageband is best for podcasters?
1 comment
Eddy S.
ES
10.3.5 but don't upgrade beyond Catalina OS . If all you need to do is use a Microphone you could use any new version on new operating Systems but if you...Read more