Alternatives to Qtractor
An open-source audio and MIDI multitrack sequencer for Linux built on Qt, JACK and ALSA. The listings below can replace it for an important use case. Each note says what changes if you switch.
The original
Qtractor
An open-source audio and MIDI multitrack sequencer for Linux built on Qt, JACK and ALSA.
Replacements
Listings that take over the same core job as Qtractor.
Ardour
A full digital audio workstation for recording, editing and mixing, with no subscription and no dongle.
Ardour is a fuller open-source DAW that also runs on Windows and macOS, with a flexible mixer and control surface support, though official binaries are paid.
REAPER
Full digital audio workstation for multitrack recording, editing, mixing and MIDI.
REAPER is a paid, small and fast DAW for Linux, Windows and macOS, customisable through themes, scripts and extensions, with an unlimited evaluation period.
Bitwig Studio
A commercial digital audio workstation with a clip launcher, timeline and modular sound design tools.
Bitwig Studio is a paid commercial DAW with a native Linux build, clip launcher, modular Grid and sandboxed plug-ins.
Zrythm
An open-source digital audio workstation with extensive automation, chord tools and broad plugin support.
Zrythm is an open-source DAW for Linux, Windows and macOS with extensive automation, chord tools and broad plugin format support, though version 2 is still alpha.
Tracktion Waveform Free
Free full-featured DAW with no track limit for music production.
Tracktion Waveform Free is a closed-source but free DAW with no track limit and native Linux support alongside Windows and macOS.
Rosegarden
A Linux MIDI sequencer and music notation editor with basic digital audio support.
Rosegarden is a Linux MIDI sequencer with strong music notation support, suited to composition, but its audio support is basic compared with Qtractor's multitrack recording.
LMMS
A free digital audio workstation with a piano roll, beat sequencer and a pile of built-in synths.
LMMS is a free open-source workstation with piano roll and built-in synths, but it cannot record audio, so live instruments need another program.
Similar software
Related functionality, not a direct replacement.
JACK Audio Connection Kit
Connect audio and MIDI applications through an audio server.
Carla
A modular audio plugin host that loads LV2, VST2, VST3, AU, LADSPA and DSSI plugins.
Hydrogen
Program drum patterns with a desktop sequencer and drum machine.
qpwgraph
A graphical patchbay for PipeWire that routes audio and MIDI between applications and devices on Linux.
Surge XT
An open-source hybrid synthesizer available as a plugin and a standalone app.
