Freedom251 › Audio Editing Software
openDAW
What openDAW is
openDAW is a free, browser-based digital audio workstation for creating music without a required login. It records audio and MIDI from multiple devices and provides note editing, track arrangement, multitrack work, and MIDI sequencing. The mixer includes effects, sends, separate outputs, volume, and panning, and projects can be exported as stems in a ZIP file. Built-in instruments include synthesizers, samplers, and a drum machine, alongside audio and MIDI effects. Werkstatt and Spielwerk let users write audio effects and MIDI processors in JavaScript. Multiple people can work in one project simultaneously for feedback, group composition, or peer learning. The project is open source under AGPL-3. Schools can connect it to their own Nextcloud server to store and synchronize student projects under institutional control. Its Shadertoy visualizer exports MP4 visuals at resolutions up to 4K. openDAW is presented for students, teachers, and schools combining music production with audio-coding lessons.
Who it suits
openDAW suits students, teachers, schools, and browser users who want collaborative music production with optional JavaScript audio programming.
What it does well
- Free browser use with no required login
- Records audio and MIDI from multiple devices
- Built-in synthesizers, samplers, and drum machine
- Collaborative editing in shared projects
- AGPL-3 open-source project
What to know first
- Runs through a web browser rather than a listed desktop app
- School Nextcloud storage requires connecting your own server
- No free trial is offered because the product is free
Plans
| Plan | Billed and limits | Price |
|---|---|---|
| openDAW | Free and runs in browser; no required login | Free |
As opendaw.org lists them, read 11 Oct 2026. The maker's own page has the final word.
Verdict
openDAW provides a broad browser music-production set with collaboration, coding tools, and institution-controlled storage options. Its free, open-source model is especially relevant for education and group projects.
Facts from openDAW's own pages
- Audio and MIDI
- It can record audio and MIDI from multiple devices and includes tools for editing notes and arranging tracks. · opendaw.org, 11 Oct 2026
- Cloud collaboration
- Yes · opendaw.org, 20 Sept 2026
- Collaboration
- Multiple people can work in the same project at once for feedback, group composition and peer learning. · opendaw.org, 11 Oct 2026
- Export visuals
- The Shadertoy visualizer can export visuals as MP4 files at resolutions up to 4K. · opendaw.org, 11 Oct 2026
- Free plan
- Yes · opendaw.org, 20 Sept 2026
- Instruments and effects
- The product page lists built-in instruments including synthesizers, samplers and a drum machine, along with audio and MIDI effects. · opendaw.org, 11 Oct 2026
- Integration
- Schools can connect openDAW to their own Nextcloud server to store and sync student projects on institution-controlled infrastructure. · opendaw.org, 11 Oct 2026
- Intended users
- The maker presents openDAW for students, teachers and schools, including hands-on music production and learning to code audio. · opendaw.org, 11 Oct 2026
- MIDI sequencing
- Yes · opendaw.org, 20 Sept 2026
- Mixer and export
- The mixer supports effects, send effects, different outputs, volume and panning, and can export stems as a ZIP file. · opendaw.org, 11 Oct 2026
- Multitrack editing
- Yes · opendaw.org, 20 Sept 2026
- Noise reduction
- Yes · opendaw.org, 20 Sept 2026
- Open source
- The project is released under the AGPL-3 license. · opendaw.org, 11 Oct 2026
- Privacy
- The education page says openDAW requires no account and that schools can keep student work within their own institution's control. · opendaw.org, 11 Oct 2026
- Product
- openDAW is a web-based digital audio workstation for creating music in a browser. · opendaw.org, 11 Oct 2026
- Scripting
- Werkstatt and Spielwerk let users write audio effects and MIDI processors in JavaScript inside openDAW. · opendaw.org, 11 Oct 2026
- Support
- The maker invites users to discuss features and updates on Discord and offers personal tours by appointment. · opendaw.org, 11 Oct 2026
- Supported platforms
- Web browser · opendaw.org, 20 Sept 2026
Where openDAW stands on Freedom251
- Audio Editing Software#38 of 131