MultiTrack DAW vs GarageBand
Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.
MultiTrack DAW
Record, edit, and mix multi-track audio projects with professional-grade features. Supports numerous audio formats and input methods, offering flexible creative control for musicians and audio producers on the go.
- Up to 32 audio tracks
- Non-linear, non-destructive editing
- Inter-App Audio / AudioUnits v3 support
- Built-in EQ, Compressor, Reverb, and Delay
- Multiple import/export options
- Adjustable metronome and time signatures
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The power of a digital audio workstation in the palm of your hand. Release your creativity with up to 32 high quality audio tracks. Record multiple takes, harmonies, solos, and experiments. No more worrying about bouncing - each instrument can have its own track. More cowbell? No problem! Build new songs like a recording studio, with the monitoring and overdubbing capabilities of MultiTrack DAW. Move and trim audio until it's perfect, and mix the sound until it's just right. Export your work with a multitude of sharing options. INPUT MultiTrack has a wide range of input capabilities, including the built-in mic, headset mics, and USB interfaces and mics. AudioUnits (AUv3) and IAA (Inter-App Audio) are also supported as inputs and as effects. AUDIO FILES File types for import include mp3, ogg, wav, aac, m4a, aif, and m4a. MultiTrack now offers 8 ways to get audio files in and out: iTunes/Finder File Sharing, Wi-Fi, Drag&Drop, Copy/Paste, 'Open in...', Airdrop, the Files app, and importing from the Music Library. Whole projects can be archived in-app and shared, and sent directly to other devices using AirDrop, Wi-Fi, or any other iOS sharing method. FEATURES 2 stereo audio tracks, upgradable to 32, for simultaneous playback. 16 inputs simultaneously (USB interface required). 16, 24, or 32 bit floating point at 44.1, 48, 88.2 or 96 kHz, professional quality lossless audio for each track. Inter-App Audio / AudioUnits v3 - Generators, Instruments, and Effects supported. Up to 4 AU/IAA plugins on each track, the 2 effects busses, and the master out. Sidechain capable, use the 'SC' button to pick a source track pre/post FX. Audiobus 3 - Can be used as a sender for any track or master out. Supports saving and restoring state. Non-linear, non-destructive editing using Regions and Bins. Built-in track Compressor and EQ (2 bands parametric, 2 bands shelving). Built-in Sweet Reverb and Stereo Delay available as bus effects. Grid View with Snap to easily align regions. Freeze tracks for improved performance. Metronome adjustable from 40 to 240 BPM. Various musical Time Signatures. Ruler showing bars/beats/divisions/ticks or timecode. Volume faders have +12db of gain boost. Per-Region volume and fade in and out, with realtime audio monitoring while editing. Ability to monitor the input signal with effects, while recording the raw input. Looping with the Loop Markers. Hotbox popup control (Long-touch over track) with context sensitive buttons. Audio Browser allows preview of audio files in the song. Snap, Punch, Input Monitor, Auto Input, Undo and Redo, and many more features. Smart Snap displays red vertical lines with exact snapping placement, snaps to any other region or ruler line. MORE FEATURES Beautifully rendered waveforms at multiple zoom levels. Low latency VU meters for each track. 64 bit audio processing. Latency compensation with selectable buffer sizes. Zip compression of song projects for backup/restore. Wav, mp3, ogg, ALAC, FLAC, and m4a compression for mixdown with selectable bitrates. Free 'Sound Copy' app extension allows copying audio to the General Pasteboard from outside MultiTrack. Many, many more features. For more information visit harmonicdog.com * USB Audio requires Lightning to USB Camera Adapter.
GarageBand
Transform your device into a portable recording studio. Create music with virtual instruments, record vocals and guitars, and mix multi-track songs. Explore a vast library of sounds and effects to produce professional-sounding tracks anywhere.
- Virtual instruments (keyboard, guitar, drums)
- Multi-track recording (up to 32 tracks)
- Live Loops for DJ-style creation
- Sound Library for free instruments and loops
- Virtual amps and stompbox effects
- Smart Instruments for easy playing
- Multi-Take Recording
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GarageBand turns your iPad, and iPhone into a collection of Touch Instruments and a full-featured recording studio — so you can make music anywhere you go. And with Live Loops, it makes it easy for anyone to have fun creating music like a DJ. Use Multi-Touch gestures to play keyboards, guitars, and create beats that make you sound like a pro — even if you’ve never played a note before. Plug in a guitar or bass and play through classic amps and stompbox effects. Use a Touch Instrument, microphone, or a guitar to instantly record a performance, with support for up to 32 tracks. Use the Sound Library to download additional free instruments, loops, and sound packs created by some of the biggest producers in the world. And then share your song with friends and family. Live Loops. Make music like a DJ • Use Multi-Touch to tap and trigger a Live Loop cell or group of cells • Get started with templates or build your own grid from scratch with Apple Loops • Create custom loops by recording directly into a cell using any Touch Instrument • Use Remix FX to perform DJ-style effects • Tap record to capture your performance Play your iPad, and iPhone, like a musical instrument • Play a variety of musical instruments on the innovative Multi-Touch keyboard • Play and record using the Alchemy Touch Instrument • Build grooves inspired by classic electronic drum machines with the Beat Sequencer • Download free instruments, loops, and sound packs for GarageBand with the Sound Library • Capture any sound and apply studio-class effects • Recreate legendary guitar or bass rigs using virtual amps and stompboxes • Record performances from third-party music apps directly into GarageBand using Audio Unit Extensions* Drummer • Add virtual session drummers to your song, who take direction and play realistic grooves • Choose from acoustic, electronic drummers and percussionists** • Each character provides their own sound and the ability to create over a million realistic grooves and fills Sound like a virtuoso with Smart Instruments • Play an entire string orchestra using Smart Strings • Perform with Chord Strips and autoplay using any keyboard instrument • Groove with a variety of Smart Basses using upright, electric, and synth sounds • Strum chords or trigger autoplay patterns on an acoustic and electric Smart Guitar Create a song anywhere you go • Record, arrange, and mix your song with up to 32 tracks using Touch Instruments, audio recordings, and loops*** • Record multiple times over any song section and choose your favorite using Multi-Take Recording • Use professional mixing effects, including Visual EQ, Bitcrusher, and Overdrive • Recording, mixing and exporting a song can be done at 24-bit audio resolution • Trim and place musical regions exactly where you want them to play • Automate the volume and record the movement of controls on Touch Instruments • Add comments or lyric ideas to your song with an integrated notepad Share your songs • Keep your songs up to date across all devices using iCloud Drive • Create custom ringtones and alerts for your iPad, or iPhone • Share your songs using email or to social media sites like SoundCloud**** • Remotely add new tracks to your Logic Pro project from your iPhone, or iPad via iCloud * Requires compatible third-party Audio Unit Extensions apps from the App Store. ** Requires free download from GarageBand Sound Library. *** Multitrack recording requires a compatible third-party audio interface. **** Sharing to some social media sites may require apps like iMovie, Clips or other third-party apps
Screenshots
Verdict
The clearest difference is price: GarageBand at Free against MultiTrack DAW's $4.99. GarageBand also leads on in-app purchases (none vs 3) and ratings volume (117K vs 217). MultiTrack DAW's advantage is update cadence (fortnightly vs every 4 months) and rating (4.4 vs 4.1). On ads and device support there is nothing between them.
Scored on Price · Rating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings · Update frequency · Ads · In-app purchases · Monetization · Best chart rank · Devices · Requires iOS
GarageBand is free to download; MultiTrack DAW costs $4.99 up front. MultiTrack DAW sells 3 one-off in-app purchases. GarageBand asks for nothing beyond the download.
MultiTrack DAW holds the better App Store score, 4.4 against 4.1. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: GarageBand has 117K ratings behind it against 217, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews point the same way: 77% of MultiTrack DAW's written reviews are positive against 63% of GarageBand's.
MultiTrack DAW ships an update fortnightly, GarageBand every 4 months. The most recent releases landed on September 25, 2026 and September 27, 2026 respectively.
| Parameter | MultiTrack DAW | GarageBand |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $4.99 | Free — better |
| Rating | 4.4 (217 ratings) — better | 4.1 (117K ratings) |
| Positive reviews | 76.6% of reviews — better | 62.9% of reviews |
| Number of ratings | 217 | 117K — better |
| Update frequency | Fortnightly — better | Every 4 months |
| Ads | No | No |
| In-app purchases | Yes | No — better |
| Monetization | Free with in-app purchases | Free — better |
| Best chart rank | #128 — better | — |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad, iPod — better | iPhone, iPad |
| Requires iOS | 11.0 — better | 26.0 |
| Further details — not scored | ||
| Size | 17 MB | 1.7 GB |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | Harmonicdog | Apple |
Customer experience
MultiTrack DAW
GarageBand
Bugs and requests
MultiTrack DAW
Not enough reviews yet to summarise bugs or requests.
GarageBand
Reported bugs
5 issues- Sustain pedal issues causing incorrect playback
- Recorded audio not saving or getting corrupted
- Compatibility problems with iOS 11 and newer
- Inconsistent behavior when editing and duplicating tracks
- Delays and lags when using external audio apps
Requested features
5 requests- Add more guitar, wind, and percussion instruments
- Improve MIDI support and automation capabilities
- Implement better mixing and mastering tools
- Allow custom time signatures and tempo changes
- Add a built-in tuner and metronome
In-app purchases
MultiTrack DAW
- Add 8 Stereo Tracks$4.99
- Add more tracks$4.99
- Add 16 Stereo Tracks$9.99
GarageBand
No in-app purchases








