Ardour
An open-source DAW that runs on Linux, Mac, and Windows, and it's the closest thing to a serious free multitrack editor for people who don't mind a Pay What You Want model.
PodStack editorial · Product research. How we review tools
Ardour is one of the only genuinely capable open-source DAWs, and it's the rare piece of Linux-native audio software that doesn't feel like a toy. It handles multitrack recording, editing, and mixing with real automation and plugin support across VST, LV2, and AU formats.
For a podcaster on Linux, there aren't many alternatives with this much depth, and it also runs fine on Mac and Windows if you just prefer open-source tools on principle.
The pricing model is pay-what-you-want, which is generous, but it means the polished installer builds ask for a minimum donation, and some people expect a hard free download and get confused.
It's not designed for beginners. There's no guided onboarding, and you'll be reading forum threads and the manual more than you would with Descript or Riverside.
Sources for this review
- Official product website · Checked 2026-08-27
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