There are so many music production apps out there that it can seem overwhelming. There’s nothing worse than investing time, effort, and money into an app that doesn’t do what you need it to do, or worse, is so complicated that you’ll never use it.
Luckily for you, we’ve compiled a list of the best music production apps available on the market today. These apps have been tried and tested by experienced professionals and can help take your music to the next level.

Table of Contents
Best Apps For Music Production
The Wire Realm is supported by our readers. We may earn an affiliate commission if you buy using links on our website! Read more.
The Top 10 Best Music Making and Production Apps
Last Updated: February 7, 2022 By Sean
We review the 10 best music production apps today
As technology continues to grow, music making becomes a lot more broad in terms of how we can actually create it. As opposed to needing a four track recorder, microphone and a few instruments back in the day, now we can simply download some software onto our computers, phones or tablets and get going immediately with merely our fingertips. It was tough compiling this guide today because there are so many out there, but we managed to fine tune ten of them. Here are the 10 best music production apps we were able to research in the market today.
How to Choose Your Music Making App
iOS or Android? The type of device you have is the first step down the app ladder. We made sure to choose a few from both categories as well as apps that are compatible with both. Unfortunately, the popular operating systems for phones aren’t on the same page and continue to offer their own spin to things.
What type of app? Nowadays, there are a ton of not only music making apps, but different types in terms of what it actually allows you to do. We have straight up DAWs (full on apps to create songs with) with more features than we can count, while others provide simple solutions such as synths, beat machines, effects processors and more. We made sure to choose a few of each of the best to give you some options.
Your budget – We’re talking apps here, so you’re pretty much good to go in terms of not breaking your wallet. However, some higher-end apps cost almost $20, while some are free — so keep that in mind. We tried to include both paid and free in here to give you some options.
The 10 Best Music Making\Production Apps
Here are the top 10 best apps for music creation. Let us know in the comments if you have questions, comments or suggestions for edits! Also be sure to check out our 10 best music production software or even free music software if you’re also looking for a DAW for your PC\Mac. We also like MusicRadar’s music making apps article since they divide theirs into three types and have almost 100+ of them. We kept ours simple at 10 for convenience.
Apple GarageBand
One of the best apps out there for music making
Buy App
If you haven’t heard of Apple Garageband, it’s one of the most popular digital audio workstations for Mac in the world at the moment. When it came to choosing #1 for the article, we were having a difficult time going with a DAW, synth or FX type, so we went with what we think is the best all-around music production app. With this thing, you can make full on songs, virtual piano and drums, record your voice with the mic and apply sound effects, use amps\stompbox effects, sampler, and a nice feature we like called “smart keyboard” which helps you create grooves. There are way too many features to name in one paragraph, so check it out for yourself.
If you wanted a quick answer for best music making app that gives you basically all of it, here’s the one. It’s also super cheap. The only downfall is it’s an iOS only (works with both iPhone and iPad), so we’re sorry droid or other smart device users! Check out the video below for a pretty thorough demo of GarageBand.
Steinberg Cubasis
A solid DAW for iPhones
Buy for iPhone | Buy for iPad | Video Demo
Steinberg’s Cubase is a very popular digital audio workstation among music producers. Here’s their version(s) of Cubase in the form of an app. For Cubasis, it’s another super app that gives you countless features. You have unlimited audio\MIDI tracks, 24 assignable ins and outs, high-quality resolution up to 24-bit / 96 kHz, mixer with FX, MIDI and audio loops built-in, a sample and key editor, and more.
The list goes on honestly, and although it’s a bit more powerful than GarageBand, we had to put it second because of the price — it’s one of the most expensive apps out there when it comes to music making, but you have to realize why. It’s well worth the money in our opinion so we wouldn’t second guess grabbing it if don’t mind spending $30 on an app.
Image-Line FL Studio Mobile HD
One of the most popular DAW apps in the market
Buy for iOS | Android | Video Demo
Yet another popular DAW in the form of an app, but this one is definitely legendary! It’s a little cheaper than Cubasis, Here’s some highlight features you’ll be getting: a MiniSynth with 70 presets, 133 instruments (kits and loops), step sequencer (up to 99 tracks), 10 effects, pitch blending, sampling, wave editor (customize individual tracks), and so much more. Once you’re done with your tracks, you upload quickly to Dropbox or SoundCloud, or quickly export it via e-mail to show all of your friends.
We highly recommend this one for beginners as well as intermediate music makers. It’s super fun to use and the possibilities are pretty much endless. This is the last full on DAW we will list in here, since this top 3 are the only ones to look at in our opinion.
Native Instruments iMaschine 2
A solid music making app
Buy App
Now we’re delving into the less-DAW types of apps that really pinpoint a certain approach to music production. I’m sure you’ve all heard of Native Instruments as they’re one of the biggest names in the music equipment world, and their iMaschine is their mobile version of their beloved piece of gear we’ve all come to love. This gives you a handheld drum machine. You have 16 buttons for real-time beat production. There’s a library built-in that gives you around 400 sample sounds (25 kits, 10 projects) so when it comes to assortment, you’re pretty good to go.
You can record some vocals and put it into your track (we’d recommend an external mic instead of your phone or tablet), use a keyboard mode if you’re in the mood, and the live-mode sequencer helps you detect a loop length\complete it quickly. Check this thing out — it’s super affordable, too.
Akai iMPC Pro
A solid drum machine application
Buy for iOS | Similar Android Version | Video Demo
Finally, we get to talk about one of our favorite brands of all time! We’ve all heard of the Akai MPC drum machines, right? Well, here’s your app version. Let’s see what we have here: 64-track capability, built-in sampling, huge sound library (1,400+), 3-D performance mode, precision knobs\faders, chop up samples, note repeat, live sequencing, and 3-band EQ. I’m not sure if Akai forgot any feature that’s possible to transfer into an app.
Moog Filtatron
A cool spin to a music production app
Buy for iOS
We’ve all heard of the legendary Moog, right? Well if you haven’t, they’re synth pioneers. This app gives you the ability to run a sound through a virtual version of their beloved Moog filter we all love. You can use modulation, delay, and overdrive to really warp your sound. You input sound using a line/mic input, sampler or even their built-in oscillator. Even if you aren’t too serious and just want to mess around, this app is super fun to play with.
You can basically change your voice to sound like something completely unrelated if you get the FX right. The audio quality is OK at 16-bit, 44.1 kHz and you can record samples up to 10MB. It’s relatively cheap as well so if even if you want to grab it just to have, it won’t disappoint.
Propellerhead Figure
A great music making app
Buy for iOS | | Video Demo
Propellerhead is responsible for a very popular DAW out there called Reason that many people swear by. This app here is free so that’s a huge plus as we can grab it to merely try it out. It’s geared towards “making music on the fly” because of the super easy interface and ability to quickly create. You can tweak some sounds (comes with a bunch of them in-app) and play around with putting them into a rhythm.
Mess around with their levels, play in different keys\modes, add some drums (comes with some) and there’s synth in there as well. Some of my best music has come from something I barely worked at and it just clicked, so you never know if you have a hit on your hands!
Arturia iMini
A sweet synth app
Buy App
When it comes to synths, you can never go wrong with something made by Arturia. We’re infatuated with some of their products. Their Mini Brute is one of our favorites as well as their collection of VST’s that are extremely prestige. The iMini is unfortunately for iPad only, however the quality is outstanding. You’re getting one of the best synth apps out there at the moment, and that’s literally what it is: a synthesizer in your smart device.
The picture shows you the interface; you get 3 oscillators, octave filters, XY pads (assignable), chorus and delay FX, polyphonic mode and more. If you’ve ever used an analog synth before, you’ll see what they were going for — they were able to basically emulate most features, too. It’s not too expensive so if you want to add this to your collection of music making apps, you won’t be disappointed. Check out the video below to see it in action.
Korg iElectribe
A sweet music app by Korg
Buy App | Video Demo
Ah, good ol’ Korg here with their own version of a sweet synth app! It’s a bit more expensive than the previously mentioned iMini; however, this thing is more than just a synth. It comes with a 16-step sequencer so you can do more than just play some keys — creates grooves, mess with the tempo and pattern, 8 FX (delay – short and BPM sync, grain shifter, reverb, chorus\flanger, filter and more).
It’s pretty close to a DAW but is more a synth plus sequencer lacking a few features of the bigger apps mentioned before. However, it’s one definitely worth looking at if you’re into the Korg sounds and want to make some simple rhythms. Apparently Damon Albarn of the Gorillaz used this and only this for an album he released a few years ago.
Casio Chordana Composer
An easy piano app
Buy App | Android | Video Demo
This app was the piano interface you saw in one of Apple’s iPhone commercials. It’s relatively simple and straightforward: a virtual keyboard. Simply mess around with some keys to get some melodies going or you can even learn piano if you haven’t yet. It has this automatic composition feature that allows you to choose a “genre” or “concept” as well as the range\level of the tension and it makes a tune — pretty fun to play around with if you’re bored.
We recommend this for those who want something to play to kill time or aren’t serious, otherwise grab one of the previously mentioned apps if you are looking to make full on songs.
Best free music making apps for android
As music-making on the go becomes more and more popular, mobile music software and apps are becoming increasingly advanced.
We’re now starting to see intelligent beat making music apps which mean, aside from a desk, speakers and monitor, you can make music on your android phone without having to give up anything.
THE PRODUCER HIVE PODCAST
Sorry, the video player failed to load.(Error Code: 101102)
Here we take you through 10 of the best music-making apps for Android.
- FL STUDIO MOBILE
FOR MUSIC MAKERS WHO ALREADY HAVE A DESKTOP DAW AND EXISTING FL STUDIO USERS LOOKING TO CREATE ON THE GO.
FL Studio is a long established DAW for music makers and the mobile version allows you to record, sequence, edit, mix and render complete songs on the go through its familiar interface and layout.
FL Studio Mobile comes with integrated synthesizers, drum loops, and sampler and can even link up to a midi device for extra control whilst mixing and arranging.
FL Studio Mobile is currently available for $16.69 on Google Play.
- GROOVEPAD – MUSIC & BEAT MAKER
FOR BEGINNER AND INTERMEDIATE BEAT-MAKERS, OR ANYONE LOOKING FOR EASY INTRODUCTION TO BEAT MAKING.
Groovepad is a beat-making app that combines a user-friendly interface and high-quality samples. It is one of the more addictive apps on this list.
Open up the app and you’ll have access to a huge range of soundtracks enabling you to create almost any genre from dubstep to EDM to hip hip.
Groovepad is currently available for free on Google Play.
- KORG KAOSSILATOR FOR ANDROID
THE GREAT THING ABOUT THE KAOSSILATOR APP IS IT’S EASY TO USE EVEN FOR NON-MUSICIANS.
If you’ve ever got your hands on a physical Kaoss Pad you’ll know how fun they are!
Kaoss Pads work by using your finger placement on a touchpad to generate a sound or effect, and the mobile version is no different. Swipe up, down, left, right and horizontal and cycle through beats, synths and pads.
With over 150 sounds included and a built in key/scale feature which eliminates any wrong notes, the time from opening the app to creating an impressive loop is literally seconds.
Download the Kaossilator for Android on Google Play priced at $22.25.
- SONGMEMO
SUITED FOR SONGWRITERS, GUITARISTS, SINGERS – ANYONE CREATING THEIR OWN MUSIC WHO WANTS A QUICK AND SIMPLE WAY TO TRACK THEIR DEMOS.
What’s worse than writing the perfect riff, chord progression or solo, then finding an hour later you’ve forgotten it? Literally nothing.
SongMemo is a free to use multitrack recorder style app that offers 4 independent tracks for you to record your demos on (before you forget them).
Each track enables you to do a basic mix of your ideas, with a customisable name, level and pan on each channel. Whilst you won’t be recording your new EP on the app, it will certainly save a lot of time and frustration when you forget your song ideas.
SongMemo is available free of charge on Google Play.
- ADD MUSIC TO VOICE
PERFECT FOR VOCALISTS LOOKING TO CREATE A STARTING POINT FOR A TRACK, SINGERS WHO DON’T PLAY AN INSTRUMENT OR HAVE A BACKING BAND.
This app literally ‘does what it says on the tin’. Record your voice and the app will allow you to add backing music to the recording.
Simply record your vocals (or import a recording you’ve already done), select the backing track you wish to use and select smart filtering to add a smooth mix of the two.
Add Music To Voice is available on Google Play for free.
- SUN VOX
A SMALL AND FAST CROSS-PLATFORM MODULAR SYNTHESIZER WITH A PATTERN-BASED SEQUENCER.
Sun Vox is a creative modular synthesis music creation app with a pattern-based sequencer.
Midi import and export functions are available and the app also utilizes USB in/out (Android 6+ users). Once you’ve created your track you’ll be able to export individual tracks as WAV files should you want to use them in a DAW.
The modular interface may not be for everyone but Sun Vox is definitely a powerful tool for music-making on the go.
Sun Vox is currently priced at $5.99 on Google Play.
- BANDLAB
PERFECT FOR CREATORS AND SONGWRITERS LOOKING TO CREATE ON THE GO, BUT ALSO NETWORK AND GET FEEDBACK FROM OTHER MUSICIANS IN THE COMMUNITY.
BandLab is a unique music app that combines elements of both music creation and social media.
With an easy to use interface, BandLab will let others listen to your finished tracks and you’ll be able to do the same to theirs.
See Also
14 TOP MUSIC MAKING APPS FOR IPHONE/IPAD OF ALL TIME
The app includes great-sounding effects and a multitrack editor so you can be sure your music will be up to scratch when you’re ready to share.
Get feedback, tips and collaboration opportunities through the app, all without a subscription over on Google Play.
- ROLAND ZENBEATS
BEST SUITED FOR INTERMEDIATE TO ADVANCED MUSIC MAKERS LOOKING FOR MODERN AND CLASSIC SYNTH SOUNDS.
Roland’s ethos with Zenbeats is that ‘music should be fun’ and this shows in the slick interface which makes music creation almost effortless.
You’ll have access to modern and classic sounds such as Roland’s TR-808, TR-909, and TR-707 synths.
The touch screen integrates on-screen controllers, instruments, and effects to enable you to modulate and pitch bend with the touch of a finger.
Roland Zenbeats is available free of charge on Google Play.
- RD4 GROOVEBOX
PERFECT FOR BEGINNERS THROUGH TO ADVANCED MUSIC MAKERS AND SYNTH FANS.
RD4 Groovebox is the latest in the Groovebox series that incorporates virtual analogue synthesizers, beats and effects.
Rather than try to cram a desktop-style DAW into a small smartphone screen the makers of Groovebox have kept user friendliness in mind with the design of the app.
Like many DAWS, recordings can be done live with a piano roll for editing after the recording process. You’ll also have access to classic bassline synth tones and drum sounds.
Groovebox is available for download on Google Play at $5.99.
- HIP-HOP PRODUCER PADS
SUITED FOR HIP-HOP PRODUCERS OR THOSE WANTING TO CREATE BEATS WITH FRIENDS.
Hip-Hop producer pads is a really fun and unique virtual sampler and drum machine.
You can use one-shots, loops and melodies to create music on the go whilst an inbuilt metronome keeps you in time.
This one is a lot of fun to play with friends and will no doubt keep you occupied for a while at the party!
Hip-Hop Producer Pads is available free of charge on Google Play.
KIERAN WHITEHOUSE
BIZ DEV EXECUTIVE
Kieran is a producer based in Manchester. He has written, produced and recorded for BBC Radio, mixed tracks from Kendall Calling Festival and worked on broadcast sessions for national TV. Kieran is also a guitarist and has performed across the UK.
4 RESPONSES
Azrael
July 28, 2020 at 8:27 pm
Woah… that’s a lot of information. I appreciate you on your effort taken to find out the best beat makers. I also have a suggestion. I have been using an app for a while named BeatDrops. It’s really helped me to learn beat making. I’m a beginner, so some apps are really hard to understand and to learn. This app features beats like drums, chords, guitar, and more. It also has a lot of samples for free. This app is really helpful for beginner like me.
REPLY
Sean Fitzjohn
July 28, 2020 at 10:58 pm
Thanks for the suggestion! We’ll look into it and consider doing a review/or adding it to this list! Is it for Android or iOS or both?
REPLY
Ayushi Patel
April 29, 2021 at 2:22 pm
What an amazing guide you have shared about the best android music-making apps. I appreciate your effort in writing this post. Thanks for the great share. I will be sharing it with developers.
REPLY
Gino
May 4, 2021 at 1:21 am
Caustic 3 is fun and deep. It has a similar flow like Reason. It is $9.99 for the key so you can save. Available on iOS and Android.
Conclusion
Let us know your thoughts in the comment section below.
Check out other publications to gain access to more digital resources if you are just starting out with Flux Resource.
Also contact us today to optimize your business(s)/Brand(s) for Search Engines