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Compare Avid Pro Tools and GarageBand

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At a Glance
Avid Pro Tools
Avid Pro Tools
Star Rating
(119)4.3 out of 5
Market Segments
Small-Business (81.4% of reviews)
Information
Entry-Level Pricing
$599
Browse all 3 pricing plans
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 excels in ease of use, with a user-friendly interface that allows beginners to quickly create music without a steep learning curve, while Avid Pro Tools is often seen as more complex, requiring a longer time to master.
  • Reviewers mention that GarageBand's built-in loops and virtual instruments provide a rich starting point for music creation, making it ideal for small businesses and hobbyists, whereas Avid Pro Tools is praised for its advanced audio editing capabilities and professional-grade features, which are better suited for larger studios.
  • G2 users highlight that GarageBand's seamless integration with Apple devices enhances the user experience, allowing for easy sharing and collaboration, while users on G2 note that Avid Pro Tools offers superior collaboration tools for professional environments, including cloud storage options.
  • Users say that GarageBand's affordability, being free for Mac users, makes it an attractive option for those just starting out, while Avid Pro Tools' entry-level price of $599 is a significant investment that reflects its advanced features and capabilities.
  • Reviewers mention that GarageBand's quality of support is rated higher, with users appreciating the extensive online resources and community forums, while Avid Pro Tools users report that support can be slower and less responsive, particularly for troubleshooting complex issues.
  • Users report that while GarageBand meets the basic requirements for music production effectively, Avid Pro Tools is recognized for its robust feature set, including advanced mixing and mastering tools, which are essential for professional audio production.
Pricing
Entry-Level Pricing
Avid Pro Tools
Buy
$599
Browse all 3 pricing plans
GarageBand
No pricing available
Free Trial
Avid Pro Tools
No trial information available
GarageBand
No trial information available
Ratings
Meets Requirements
9.1
113
8.6
236
Ease of Use
7.5
111
8.6
237
Ease of Setup
7.0
11
8.3
27
Ease of Admin
7.6
11
8.9
22
Quality of Support
7.7
98
8.4
164
Has the product been a good partner in doing business?
7.6
7
9.1
18
Product Direction (% positive)
7.2
111
8.4
231
Categories
Categories
Shared Categories
Avid Pro Tools
Avid Pro Tools
GarageBand
GarageBand
Avid Pro Tools and GarageBand are categorized as Audio Editing
Unique Categories
Avid Pro Tools
Avid Pro Tools has no unique categories
GarageBand
GarageBand has no unique categories
Reviews
Reviewers' Company Size
Avid Pro Tools
Avid Pro Tools
Small-Business(50 or fewer emp.)
81.4%
Mid-Market(51-1000 emp.)
9.3%
Enterprise(> 1000 emp.)
9.3%
GarageBand
GarageBand
Small-Business(50 or fewer emp.)
72.5%
Mid-Market(51-1000 emp.)
18.1%
Enterprise(> 1000 emp.)
9.4%
Reviewers' Industry
Avid Pro Tools
Avid Pro Tools
Music
36.4%
Entertainment
16.1%
Media Production
11.0%
Broadcast Media
11.0%
Motion Pictures and Film
4.2%
Other
21.2%
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
Avid Pro Tools
Avid Pro Tools
Most Helpful Favorable Review
Verified User in Entertainment
GE
Verified User in Entertainment

Pro Tools contains all functionalities required for producing a proper Soundtrack for film, as well as the tools required for music production. It also includes capabilities that are not offered in other DAW's (or at least not at the same standards) that...

Most Helpful Critical Review
Ian N.
IN
Ian N.
Verified User in Music

Too proprietary at times for my projects and plug-ins that I prefer to utilize.

GarageBand
GarageBand
Most Helpful Favorable Review
Verified User
G
Verified User in Music

Garage band is amazing for capturing the exact moment. With implementation of virtual instruments aswell, this is one of the best.

Most Helpful Critical Review
Verified User in Broadcast Media
GB
Verified User in Broadcast Media

Loss of support for podcast mixing features or at least making content that isn't a song. They've taken away the ability to create 'enhanced' podcasts that have effects, markers, artwork, vocal ducking and some export settings used by podcasters have been...

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Avid Pro Tools
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GarageBand
GarageBand Alternatives
Audacity
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Discussions
Avid Pro Tools
Avid Pro Tools Discussions
What would be the best way to transfer these audio files to Sony programs?
1 comment
Elijah N.
EN
Export the individual tracks and mono or stereo .wav files that all have the same start and end time so that they can be imported and stay aligned. You can...Read more
Monty the Mongoose crying
Avid Pro Tools 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