We Tested the Top Beat Making Software of 2025—Here's What's Actually Worth Using If You Want to Get Paid

DAWs vs. Loop apps

When looking for the right beat making software, it’s important to understand the differences. When choosing a DAW, you’re going for a digital audio workstation that comes with everything you need to produce beats and use plugins, effects, virtual instruments, presets, samplers, MIDI, and mixing. All to go from scratch to a ready-for-mastering song. Regarding digital audio workstations, there are also different functionalities and considerations between free DAWs and more extensive, paid options like Ableton Live, Propellerhead's Reason, or Logic Pro X. If you’re wondering what the best DAW is for beginners, then read this guide to get started.

Then there are mobile apps and desktop apps with an integrated beatmaker to play around with loops, samples, and effects, to “create beats” with one important sidenote: these are typically focused on generating new ideas and sparking inspiration. Examples include mobile apps by Splice and Tracklib, or beat app software such as Koala Sampler. The app is much-praised as some of the best music software for iPhone. There’s also hardware available with similar use, such as Teenage Engineering’s pocket-sized Pocket Operator samplers and synthesizers.

Real producers vs. hobbyists

The best beat making software and pro music making tools, as outlined above, all serve a different purpose. It essentially comes down to your level of proficiency and what you want to achieve with beat making software. Are you looking for a solution on the go to play around with loops and samples? Or do you want to officially release music and follow what real producers use? However, don’t get mistaken: this doesn’t mean that DAWs are for real producers and that loop apps are exclusively for hobbyists. Established producers also use mobile apps and desktop apps to shape new ideas.

Benefits like DAW syncing and integrations help producers to keep creating wherever they are, even when they’re not in the studio or sitting behind their trusted DAW. Workflow advantages like these are crucial for the modern-day music producer. The right app even helps producers to find and discover licensed music samples—that's where Tracklib comes in.

Sampling-powered beat software: Loop-based and sample-based production

Downloadable beat making software like Ableton Live, MPC Studio, and FL Studio come with standard sounds, virtual instruments, and sample packs. Online beatmaker tools like Soundtrap also offer a wide range of royalty-free sounds to use for free. But what do real producers use? Seasoned producers know that there’s a whole world of sampling behind this, that goes far beyond presets and standard soundpacks. Looking for beat software that also provides music for sampling can be a huge benefit. That also shows in comparisons such as Bandlab vs Soundtrap vs Garageband by WeAreTheMusicMakers: producers value a variety of instruments and samples.

Tracklib's approach: Sampling that fits in with how a producer thinks

As the home of sampling, Tracklib is dedicated to enhancing the music production process. A wide variety of samples and royalty-free sounds allow producers to enrich their productions with no limitation. The best part: no need for licensing music samples! Tracklib has got you covered. On top of that, Tracklib’s mobile app and desktop app function as an efficient workflow to sync, import, and drag samples straight into your DAW. That means you can find samples in the Beatmaker section of the app, and get to work straight away in your beat software of choice. This is a prime example of how an inspiration-fueled loop-based app goes hand in hand with a full DAW, as outlined above.

FL Studio Mobile

Best for: Mobile-first producers and beat makers on the go.
Overview: FL Studio Mobile offers a full DAW experience on Android and iOS, packed with multi-track recording, step sequencers, piano roll editing, and built-in effects. Its intuitive design makes it ideal for quick beat sketches or mobile sessions that can later be exported to the full desktop version. While not as sample-focused as Koala or Splice, it supports WAV import and offers robust tools for layering sounds.

BandLab

Best for: Browser-based workflows and instant online collaboration.
Overview: BandLab is a free online DAW built for collaboration. It supports MIDI, audio tracks, and samples, with unlimited projects stored in the cloud. While it’s lighter on deep sampling tools, it integrates with royalty-free loops and real-time co-creation. With zero setup required and a social network baked in, it’s perfect for collaborative drafts, remix contests, or songwriting demos.

Soundtrap by Spotify

Best for: Education, remote learning, and Google-integrated workflows.
Overview: Soundtrap is a cloud-based DAW with real-time collaboration, loop libraries, and Google Classroom integration for Soundtrap for Education. Designed with students and educators in mind, it supports multiple export formats, MIDI editing, and external mic compatibility. While more structured than BandLab, it offers a strong suite of tools for podcasting and education alongside beat creation.

Koala Sampler

Best for: Sampling-heavy, tactile beat production on mobile.
Overview: Koala Sampler turns your phone into an MPC-style sample slicer. You can record anything via mic or import audio, then chop, loop, and sequence tracks using a pad-based interface. Its effects section (including vinyl warp and stutter FX) makes it a favorite for lo-fi, boom bap, and experimental beat styles.

GarageBand

Best for: Apple users sketching musical ideas or learning DAW basics.
Overview: GarageBand is Apple’s entry-level DAW that comes preinstalled on iPhones, iPads, and Macs. It features dozens of virtual instruments, loops, and a straightforward drag-and-drop interface. While limited in sampling power, it excels at fast idea capture, vocal demos, and MIDI arrangement, making it a perfect beginner's platform with an intuitive design.

Splice Beat Maker

Best for: Loop-based creation and pre-licensing test runs.
Overview: Splice Beat Maker lets you build beats directly from the Splice loop library—royalty-free, pre-cleared, and export-ready. It’s perfect for producers wanting to test loop packs before downloading or using them in a full DAW. The UI is grid-based and browser-native, with auto-quantization and intuitive drag-and-drop features.

Workflow efficiency

Stop wasting time and streamline your workflow. Find the right music making tools that are a seamless fit with your production process. Less work, more flow.

Sampling integration

What’s the point of getting inspired by samples in a mobile app if you can't finish the track professionally? That’s why it’s important to look for apps that offer syncing and DAW integrations.

Export quality

Quality is key. Make sure that the audio samples you use come in the right formats, and that the beatmaking software you work with allows for high-quality exports.

Licensing/usage rights

When using samples, make sure that the usage rights and licensing are in order so you can officially release the music. This also allows you to chase commercial opportunities such as sync deals or other ways of making money with beats.

Conclusion: What's best for you?

Loop apps and mobile apps are a great way to get new inspiration and ideas, and for beginners to build confidence working with samples. But if you actually want to finish a track in full, it’s recommended to explore DAWs: either free music production DAWs or paid beat software to get everything you need bundled in one download. But above all, finding the right combination of tools is when the real workflow magic happens…