DAW / Ableton
Ableton Live 12
9.2Essential
Ableton Live 12 is a digital audio workstation (DAW) for music creation, performance, recording, mixing, and production, available in Intro, Standard, and Suite editions.
Plugin comparison
Ableton Live 12 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, Ableton Live 12 comes out ahead (9.2). That said, the right pick depends on your workflow and budget — read both reviews before deciding.
Technical matrix
Specs compared
| Signal | Ableton Live 12 | Reason Free |
|---|---|---|
| Price | — | Free |
| Dubspot Score | 9.2 | 8.6 |
| Formats | VST2, VST3, Audio Unit v2 (AU), Audio Unit v3 (AUv3) | VST3, AU, AAX, standalone, macOS, Windows |
| Editions | Three: Intro, Standard, Suite | — |
| Plugin format support | VST2, VST3, and Audio Unit v2 and v3 | — |
| Audio & MIDI tracks | Intro: 16; Standard & Suite: Unlimited | — |
| Scenes | Intro: 16; Standard & Suite: Unlimited | — |
| Software instruments | Intro: 8; Standard: 12; Suite: 21 | — |
| Audio effects | Intro: 27; Standard: 36; Suite: 59 | — |
| Sound library size | Intro: 5+ GB; Standard: 38+ GB; Suite: 71+ GB | — |
| Max for Live | Included in Suite edition only | — |
| 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.