Ardour

Name: Ardour
Price: 1 USD
Author: Ardour

Free plan LinuxMacWindows

What Ardour is

Ardour is an open-source workstation for recording, editing, mixing, and mastering audio and MIDI projects on Linux, macOS, and Windows. It supports any number of tracks and busses, with unlimited undo and redo. Signal connections can route one-to-many, many-to-one, or many-to-many. Supported plugin formats include AudioUnit, LV2, VST2/VST3, and LADSPA; plugins support sample-accurate automation and MIDI Learn. For MIDI synchronization, Ardour supports MIDI timecode, MIDI Machine Control, MIDI clock, and JACK transport sync. It can import one video, display a thumbnail timeline, synchronize audio, and export video. Users can search and import audio or MIDI from Freesound. The GNU GPL v2 license allows users to copy, share, and modify Ardour without paying. Subscriptions support development and provide unlimited updates while active. Monthly subscription options are $1 a month, $4 a month, $10 a month, and $50 a month. An annual subscription is $120 a year.

Who it suits

Ardour suits audio and MIDI creators who need multitrack recording and editing across Linux, macOS, or Windows. It also fits users who value open-source software and optional subscriptions for supporting development.

What it does well

Works on Linux, macOS, and Windows.
Supports unlimited tracks and busses.
Unlimited undo and redo are available.
Supports AudioUnit, LV2, VST2/VST3, and LADSPA plugins.
Users may copy, share, and modify it without payment.

What to know first

Video import is limited to one video.
Monthly subscriptions range from $1 a month to $50 a month.
Annual subscription costs $120 a year.

Limits

Video work supports importing one video. Subscribers receive unlimited updates while subscribed; the listed subscription choices range from $1 a month to $50 a month, with an annual option at $120 a year.

Plans

Plan	Billed and limits	Price
Developing World	billed monthly · Supports Ardour development · Unlimited updates while subscribed	$1 a month
Low Cost	billed monthly · Supports Ardour development · Unlimited updates while subscribed	$4 a month
Standard	billed monthly · Supports Ardour development · Unlimited updates while subscribed	$10 a month
Institutional	billed monthly · Supports Ardour development · Unlimited updates while subscribed	$50 a month
Annual subscription	billed annually at US$120	$120 a year

As ardour.org lists them, read 27 Sept 2026. The maker's own page has the final word.

Getting started

Visit https://ardour.org/.
Choose Linux, macOS, or Windows.
Use Ardour under its free-use terms, or select a subscription plan.
If subscribing, manage the subscription through PayPal.

Verdict

Ardour covers audio and MIDI production, plugin automation, routing, and limited video synchronization in an open-source package. Users can work without paying, or choose a subscription to support development and receive updates while subscribed.

Questions

Is Ardour free?

Yes. Users are not obligated to pay, and may copy, share, and modify Ardour under GNU GPL v2.

What does a subscription cost?

Monthly plans are $1 a month, $4 a month, $10 a month, and $50 a month. The annual subscription is $120 a year.

Which platforms does Ardour support?

Ardour runs on Linux, macOS, and Windows.

What plugin formats does it support?

Supported formats include AudioUnit, LV2, VST2/VST3, and LADSPA.

Who makes Ardour?

The maker is Ardour, headquartered in Galisteo, New Mexico, United States.

Facts from Ardour's own pages

Audio MIDI Workflows: Ardour supports recording, editing, mixing, and mastering audio and MIDI projects. · ardour.org, 27 Sept 2026
Plugin Automation: Plugins support full sample-accurate automation and MIDI Learn control. · ardour.org, 27 Sept 2026
Development Funding: Subscriptions fund feature development, bug fixes, documentation, equipment, and developer meetings. · community.ardour.org, 27 Sept 2026
Free plan: Yes · community.ardour.org, 21 Sept 2026
Freesound Access: Users can import audio or MIDI from the Freesound database and search it within Ardour. · ardour.org, 27 Sept 2026
Free Use: Users are not obligated to pay and may copy, share, and modify Ardour. · community.ardour.org, 27 Sept 2026
Headquarters: Galisteo, New Mexico, United States · ardour.org, 28 Sept 2026
MIDI sequencing: Yes · community.ardour.org, 21 Sept 2026
MIDI Synchronization: Ardour supports MIDI timecode, MIDI Machine Control, MIDI clock, and JACK transport sync. · ardour.org, 27 Sept 2026
Multitrack editing: Yes · community.ardour.org, 21 Sept 2026
Open Source: Ardour is an open-source collaborative project licensed under the GNU Public License v2. · ardour.org, 27 Sept 2026
Plugin Formats: Supported plugin formats include AudioUnit, LV2, VST2/VST3, and LADSPA. · ardour.org, 27 Sept 2026
Signal Routing: Connections can be one-to-many, many-to-one, or many-to-many. · ardour.org, 27 Sept 2026
Paid from: 1 · community.ardour.org, 21 Sept 2026
Payment Billing: Subscriptions are managed through PayPal, with one retry if a monthly payment fails. · community.ardour.org, 27 Sept 2026
Subscriber Updates: Subscribers receive unlimited updates while they remain subscribers. · community.ardour.org, 27 Sept 2026
Support Channels: Support includes documentation, tutorials, bug tracking, email, forums, IRC, Matrix, and social channels. · ardour.org, 27 Sept 2026
Supported Platforms: Ardour runs on Linux, macOS, and Windows. · ardour.org, 27 Sept 2026
Third-party plugins: Yes · community.ardour.org, 21 Sept 2026
Tracks And Busses: Ardour supports any number of tracks and busses. · ardour.org, 27 Sept 2026
Undo Redo: The editor provides unlimited undo and redo. · ardour.org, 27 Sept 2026
Video Synchronization: Audio regions can be locked to video and moved at video-frame granularity. · ardour.org, 27 Sept 2026
Video Timeline: Ardour can import one video, display a thumbnail timeline, sync audio, and export video. · ardour.org, 27 Sept 2026