Best Music Making Apps for Desktop, iOS & Android in 2024

Are you a musician looking to explore something new beyond playing your instrument? Or maybe you are just interested in creating music on the go?  Whether you're a newbie or an experienced music enthusiast keen on creating music on your smart devices or PC, this article will guide you through the exciting world of music-making apps.

In this article, we will explore apps that not only allow you to express your creativity but also make it easy to unlock your musical potential wherever you go. Here are some of the best apps for making music that fit different skill levels and genres.

FL Studio Mobile

As the creators of FL Studio say themselves, “The fastest way from your brain to your speakers!” FL Studio is a well-known name in the music production industry, and its mobile version doesn't disappoint. Available on both iOS and Android, FL Studio Mobile offers a comprehensive set of features, including a multi-track editor, synthesizers, and drum kits.

The app's intuitive interface and real-time recording capabilities make it a favorite among electronic music producers and beatmakers. It is well-suited for on-the-go music creation, offering a selection of virtual instruments, effects, and basic recording capabilities. The app is available for smartphones, tablets, and for PC as well.

However, the mobile version is optimized mostly for touch interfaces. The next part is about a PC version of the app, which has a broader feature set and is tailored for a classical computer interface.

"I got FL studio first, never used it, and then got FL studio mobile. It’s a lot simpler to use and it inspired me to finally get started on the desktop version, once I found out how much more it could do. If you already feel motivated to use the full version it might be a waste, but for me it was totally worth it," a user on Reddit shares.

FL Studio (Windows/macOS)

Designed for Windows and macOS operating systems, FL Studio on the desktop offers a comprehensive and feature-rich environment for music creation. This professional-grade software has been a staple in the music production industry. Whether you're an electronic music enthusiast or a beatmaker, FL Studio's intuitive interface and real-time recording capabilities make it a top choice.

FL Studio offers a vast array of virtual instruments, synths, and drum kits, catering to diverse musical genres. Whether you're into electronic, hip-hop, or classical music, FL Studio provides the tools and sounds needed to bring your creative vision to life. It also supports a wide range of third-party plugins and virtual instruments, which adds a layer of flexibility, enabling you to expand the sonic palette.

GarageBand (iOS/macOS)

If you are an Apple platform user, this app is one of the top choices for sure! GarageBand is a powerful and user-friendly music-making app exclusively available for iOS devices. With a wide range of virtual instruments, including guitars, drums, and keyboards, GarageBand allows users to create professional-sounding tracks with ease.

The app also features a built-in audio recorder and supports third-party plugins, making it a great choice for musicians of all levels. GarageBand has the "Smart Instruments" function that helps users with little or no musical background to create music easily. These instruments assist in playing chords, melodies, and rhythms in a user-friendly manner.

One of the main drawbacks of this app is that it is unfortunately not available for Android and Windows users. Are you one of these people? We have an alternative for you!

Soundtrap (Android/iOS)

A marvelous project by Spotify! Soundtrap is a user-friendly and cloud-based digital audio workstation that operates directly from your web browser or from your smartphone. Designed for ease of use and collaboration, Soundtrap offers a variety of features suitable for musicians, podcasters, and creators across different skill levels. Soundtrap operates entirely in the cloud, eliminating the need for extensive downloads or installations. You can access the projects basically from any device with an internet connection.

The app also provides a selection of virtual instruments, including drums, keyboards, and synthesizers (one more alternative to GarageBand!). Users can play and record these instruments using a MIDI controller or the app’s virtual keyboard.

Moreover, Soundtrap provides a range of built-in audio effects for enhancing the sound of recorded tracks. You can also automate parameters like volume and pan to add dynamic changes to compositions. Beyond music production, Soundtrap includes features tailored for podcast creation.

Users can record and edit spoken-word content, add background music, and collaborate with others in real time.

Walk Band (Android)

Walk Band is a music-making app designed for Android users, offering a variety of features and functions that cater to musicians of different skill levels and is very similar to GarageBand. Walk Band provides a range of virtual instruments, including piano, guitar, bass, drum kit, and more. Additionally, you can record multiple tracks in the app, layer different instrument parts and create complex compositions. This feature is essential for musicians who want to produce fully arranged and polished tracks.

The app also offers an auto-accompaniment feature that generates background music based on the chords played. This is particularly useful for users who want to quickly create accompaniments for their melodies. And one more nice bonus: the app includes a built-in tuner for instruments and a metronome to assist you in keeping a consistent tempo while playing or recording.

Groovepad (Android/iOS)

Groovepad is a user-friendly music-making app that stands out as a perfect example of simplicity and intuitive design that can open doors to creative expression without the barriers of complexity. Groovepad ensures that users can dive into music creation without being overwhelmed by a complex setup. Another  Groovepad's standout feature is its extensive library of ready-made sound packs.

These packs cover various electronic music genres, from EDM to hip-hop, providing users with a diverse range of high-quality sounds at their fingertips. With a simple tap, you can explore different musical elements and start crafting their beats instantly.

Despite its simplicity, Groovepad doesn't compromise on creativity. The app includes built-in effects and filters that users can apply to their tracks, adding depth and nuance to their creations. For users who want to take their creations beyond the app, Groovepad offers easy export and recording features. Finished tracks can be exported in various formats, giving you the flexibility to use your music in other projects or share it with friends and fellow music lovers.

Ardour (Windows/macOS)

Ardour is a professional-grade digital audio workstation (DAW) that offers a comprehensive set of features for music production, recording, and mixing on both Windows and macOS. The DAW features a wide range of audio editing tools, including cut, copy, paste, fade, and time-stretching.

Additionally, the program supports a variety of audio processing plugins for effects and signal manipulation. It also allows you to record and edit multiple tracks simultaneously, providing the flexibility needed for complex music arrangements and full-band recordings. With a non-linear editing approach, Ardour allows you to arrange, edit, and manipulate audio and MIDI data with precision.

This flexibility is crucial for detailed and polished music production. In sum, Ardour’s rich feature set, open-source nature, and cross-platform availability make it an appealing choice for musicians, audio engineers, and producers looking for a robust and customizable music production environment.

Waveform (Windows/macOS)

Waveform's strength lies in its streamlined and intuitive interface, providing users with a clear and user-friendly workspace. The design is focused on simplicity without sacrificing the depth of functionality, ensuring that users can navigate the platform effortlessly. One of Waveform's standout features is its drag-and-drop functionality. Users can easily import audio files, virtual instruments, and plugins by simply dragging them into the workspace.

This intuitive approach minimizes the learning curve, allowing users to focus more on their creative process and less on technicalities. It also provides you with a modular mixing console, allowing to customize your workspace to suit the preferences.

This modular approach ensures that the mixing process remains intuitive and user-friendly while providing the necessary depth for those who want to dive into advanced audio processing. In addition, the platform allows for easy manipulation of MIDI data, including note placement, duration adjustments, and velocity control.

Audacity (Windows/macOS)

Audacity is an open-source and fully cross-platform application that offers an impressive array of tools and effects tailored for both audio editing and recording tasks. No music production setup is truly comprehensive without an audio editor, and Audacity stands out as the premier choice for free audio editing software and remains lightweight, stable, and remarkably intuitive.

Audacity has stood the test of time, earning a reputation for stability and reliability. The software's robust performance ensures a smooth editing experience even when working with large or complex audio projects. The software comes with a variety of built-in effects and supports additional plugins.

This extensive library allows you to experiment with different sounds, apply creative effects, and enhance the overall quality of your audio projects. And one more awesome thing: Audacity's popularity has led to a wealth of educational resources, tutorials, and community forums. Whether you're a novice seeking guidance or an experienced user looking to expand your skills, Audacity's community support fosters continuous learning.

Best Music Making Apps: Wrapping Up

This diverse array of music-making apps caters to different platforms and skill levels. Whether you're creating beats on your smartphone or producing intricate compositions on your desktop, these apps offer the tools to unlock your musical potential. Whether you're an aspiring beatmaker, an electronic music enthusiast, or a seasoned producer, these will provide a canvas for your musical expressions. Embrace the diversity, experiment with sounds, and let these apps be your companions on the melodious journey ahead.