LMMS
FreeA free, open source music production studio for Windows, macOS and Linux with a piano roll, beat editor and built-in synths.
About LMMS
LMMS is a free, cross-platform digital audio workstation that positions itself as an open alternative to commercial programs such as FL Studio. It covers the usual path from idea to finished track: writing melodies in a piano roll, programming beats, synthesising sounds, arranging samples and mixing everything together.
The interface is built around a song editor, a beat and bassline editor, a piano roll and an automation editor, with a mixer and a set of bundled instruments and effects. It can take input from a MIDI keyboard, import MIDI files and host VST plugins, which makes it easy to extend with sounds you already own.
It suits hobbyists, students and producers who want a no-cost tool for electronic music, chiptune or beat making without a licence or subscription. The project is community developed and released under the GPL, so there is nothing to pay and no account to create. Be aware that it is a pattern-based, loop-oriented tool, so it is less suited to recording multitrack live audio than a traditional recording DAW.
The Windows package listed in winget is version 1.2.2 from 2020, so check the official download page for the most recent build. It works best for loop-based electronic music rather than live audio recording.
Version history
1 release tracked- Windows: Fixes for a rare export crash, MIDI import note positions and VST crashes
- Stops filtering valid characters from exported file names
Frequently asked
Is LMMS free?
Yes. It is free and open source software with no paid tier.
Does LMMS need an account?
No. You download it and use it without signing up.
Which platforms does it run on?
Windows, macOS and Linux are all supported.
Where does the download link go?
Directly to lmms.io or the official app store for your platform. PlanetSofts never rehosts installers or adds wrappers, and these links were last verified Oct 6, 2026.