9.0Essential
REAPER by Cockos is a complete digital audio workstation for recording, editing, mixing, and mastering, with a $60 discounted license and full free evaluation.
Plugin comparison
REAPER vs Reason Free
Specs, price and the Dubspot Score, side by side — with our verdict on which daw to buy.
Independent score / workflow fit / buying signal
Contenders
The side-by-side
8.6Great
Reason Free is a free version of the Reason Rack with 15 instruments, effects and utilities that run as a plugin in any DAW, plus a 16-track standalone DAW.
Score verdict
Which should you buy?
On the Dubspot Score, REAPER comes out ahead (9.0). That said, the right pick depends on your workflow and budget — read both reviews before deciding.
Technical matrix
Specs compared
| Signal | REAPER | Reason Free |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $60 / $225 | Free |
| Dubspot Score | 9.0 | 8.6 |
| Formats | VST, VST3, AU, CLAP, LV2, standalone, macOS, Windows, Linux | VST3, AU, AAX, standalone, macOS, Windows |
| Type | Full multitrack DAW (audio, MIDI, video) | — |
| Current version | 7.x (e.g. 7.77 as of July 2026) | — |
| License | $60 discounted / $225 commercial; DRM-free | — |
| Evaluation | 60-day full-featured evaluation | — |
| Updates | New v7 license includes free updates through 8.99 | — |
| Plugin formats | VST, VST3, LV2, AU, CLAP, DX, JS | — |
| Platforms | Windows, macOS, Linux | — |
| Notable v7 features | Track lanes, swipe comping, FX containers, up to 128 track channels | — |
| Product type | — | Free Reason Rack plugin plus a limited standalone DAW |
| Developer | — | Reason Studios |
| Price | — | Free forever, no trial or watermark |
| Devices | — | 15 (4 instruments, 5 effects, 6 utilities) |
| Formats | — | VST3, AU, AAX, standalone, macOS, Windows |
| Standalone limit | — | 16 audio and instrument tracks |
| Released | — | August 27, 2026 |
See the full plugin database for more comparisons.