Max

Name: Max
Price: 120 USD

Free trial MacWindows

What Max is

Max is an interactive visual patching environment for musicians, artists, and people prototyping software. It runs on macOS and Windows as a standalone app and supports sample import plus Audio Unit, VST, VST3, and AMXD plugin formats. Users can build synthesizers, manipulate samples, and create layered multichannel sound with MC objects. Jitter adds expandable video and graphics tools for real-time audiovisual work; Max can also connect to development boards and use their sensors, knobs, and switches. Gen creates audio, matrix, or texture processes and can output source code. The Package Manager offers over 50 add-ons, including support for Novation, Monome, and ROLI controllers, and users can extend Max with C++, NodeJS, Java, or JavaScript. There is no free plan, but the 30-day trial permits unrestricted opening, editing, saving, and creation. A subscription costs $12.99 a month; a permanent Max 9 license costs 399.00 USD one-time.

Who it suits

Max suits musicians and artists building audio or audiovisual work, and people prototyping software or hardware interactions. It is relevant to users comfortable with visual patching or extending an environment with code.

What it does well

Build synthesizers and manipulate samples.
Jitter provides real-time video and graphics tools.
Connects to development boards and their controls.
Package Manager offers over 50 add-ons.
30-day trial unlocks all features.

What to know first

No free plan.
Subscription authorizes three computers, but only one runs Max at a time.
Major upgrades to the permanent license are sold separately.

Limits

The trial lasts 30 days. A Max Subscription authorizes up to three computers but permits Max or RNBO to run on only one at a time; Max 9 Permanent License includes free 9.x.x updates, while major upgrades are sold separately.

Plans

Plan	Billed and limits	Price
Max Subscription	Annually; automatically renews unless canceled · Max access; upgrades included; authorizes up to 3 computers, with one running Max at a time	$120 a year
Max Subscription	Monthly; automatically renews unless canceled · Max access; upgrades included; authorizes up to 3 computers, with one running Max at a time	$12.99 a month
Max 9 Permanent License	One-time payment · Max 9 and free 9.x.x updates; major version upgrades sold separately	$399, paid once

As cycling74.com lists them, read 3 Oct 2026. The maker's own page has the final word.

Getting started

Visit the Max product website.
Install the standalone app on macOS or Windows.
Start the 30-day trial or choose a subscription or permanent license.
Use the Package Manager to explore add-ons and supported controllers.
Connect development boards to access their sensors, knobs, and switches.

Verdict

Max brings audio, audiovisual, hardware-prototyping, and code-generation tools into a visual patching environment. The trial offers full feature access, while ongoing use requires a subscription or permanent license.

Questions

Is Max free?

There is no free plan. A 30-day trial is available and unlocks Max's features during the trial.

How much does Max cost?

The Max Subscription is $12.99 a month, billed monthly and automatically renewing unless canceled. The Max 9 Permanent License is $399.00 USD once.

Which platforms does Max support?

Max runs on macOS and Windows.

What plugin formats are supported?

The listed formats are Audio Unit, VST, VST3, and AMXD.

Can a subscription be used on multiple computers?

An individual subscription can authorize up to three computers, but only one computer may run Max or RNBO at a time.

Does the permanent license include upgrades?

It includes Max 9 and free 9.x.x updates. Major version upgrades are sold separately.

Facts from Max's own pages

Ableton: Cycling '74 develops Max for Live with Ableton, and Max 9 adds sound-processing objects based on Ableton's audio library. · cycling74.com, 3 Oct 2026
Audio: Max supports building synthesizers, manipulating samples, and creating layered multichannel sound with MC objects. · cycling74.com, 3 Oct 2026
Code generation: Gen lets users create audio, matrix, or texture processes and output source code for use elsewhere. · cycling74.com, 3 Oct 2026
Extensibility: Users can extend Max using C++, NodeJS, Java, or JavaScript. · cycling74.com, 3 Oct 2026
Founded: 1997 · cycling74.com, 28 Sept 2026
Hardware: Max can connect to development boards and access their sensors, knobs, and switches for prototyping interactions. · cycling74.com, 3 Oct 2026
Institution licensing: Institutional licenses support activation codes, machine-specific key files, third-party KeyServer, and iLok authorization. · cycling74.com, 3 Oct 2026
Integrations: Max's Package Manager offers over 50 add-ons, including support for Novation, Monome, and ROLI hardware controllers. · cycling74.com, 3 Oct 2026
Offline use: After initial online authorization, a monthly subscription can remain authorized offline for up to 30 days and an annual subscription for up to 180 days. · support.cycling74.com, 3 Oct 2026
Platforms: The download page lists macOS 11.0 or later on Intel and Apple Silicon, and Windows 10 version 22H2 or Windows 11 version 22H2 or later. · cycling74.com, 3 Oct 2026
Purpose: Max is an interactive visual patching environment for musicians, artists, and people prototyping their own software. · cycling74.com, 3 Oct 2026
Subscription limit: An individual subscription can authorize up to three computers, but only one computer may run Max or RNBO at a time. · support.cycling74.com, 3 Oct 2026
Support: Cycling '74's support team is listed as online Monday through Friday, 9am to 5pm Eastern Time. · support.cycling74.com, 3 Oct 2026
Trial: The 30-day trial unlocks Max's features, allowing users to open, edit, save, and create without restriction. · cycling74.com, 3 Oct 2026
Visuals: Max includes Jitter, a set of expandable video and graphics tools optimized for realtime audiovisual work. · cycling74.com, 3 Oct 2026

Where Max stands on Freedom251

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