This type of app constantly monitors the temperature not only for your CPU, but for your GPU, hard disk/SSD, motherboard, etc. by checking their sensors, including temperature, voltage, and fan speed, and it delivers instant information in regard to the overall health of the system.

A CPU temp monitor is extremely important if you’re not lucky enough to own a high-tech water cooling case, so if you’re into gaming, you’d better make sure that your system doesn’t suffer from excessive heat. And CPU temp monitors are the only way to achieve that; moreover, the best CPU temp monitor will give you options to solve at least some of your system’s critical “heat-related” problems by allowing you to modify various parameters, such as the speed of your CPU/GPU fan, so you mitigate the overheating issue as quickly as possible.

Moreover, if you’re into overclocking, knowing how to choose a good tool to monitor your system’s temperature is a crucial detail provided you want to be in this racket for a long time. By the way, check out this article if you want to make sure your present cooling solution will not disappoint you during this summer’s hottest days, you’ll thank us later.

To make it real easy for our users, the best CPU temp monitor will allow you to set your CPU speed, it will show the CPU’s current internal voltage, it will monitor the temperature on all cores, will display the GPU temp, will allow you to customize the CPU’s min/max speed, will allow you to automatically shut down the system in case of overheating, and, finally, will offer a portable solution just in case.

Now let’s take an honest look at some of the best CPU temp monitors on the market today, right after a short commercial break.

Best CPU Temp Monitors

HWMonitor

The Best Windows-Only CPU Temp Monitor

We’ll start with HWMonitor, which makes for classic hardware monitor software that’s capable of reading not only your CPU temperature but the PC’s main health sensors, i.e. GPU temp, voltages and fans. In this regard, HWMonitor is relatively advanced, and the latest update is capable of handling the vast majority of sensor chips, including ITE® IT87 series, most Winbond® ICs, and more.

The same goes for on-die thermal sensors on modern CPUs, HDD/SSD temperatures via SMART, and obviously, GPU temperatures. There are two versions of the software to choose from: the freebie and the extended PRO version, yet both are well designed and easy to use, with an emphasis on simplicity and minimalism.

Since HWMonitor can record (and keep logs) of all your hardware metrics in real-time, you’ll end up with an educated estimation on the overall health of your machine, which comes handy in a multitude of scenarios, ranging from day-to-day maintenance to diagnostics, etc. The main difference between the free version and the Pro is that the latter allows remote monitoring for up to 20 connections, has an improved user interface, and adds graph generation. The remote monitoring thing means that you can supervise multiple machines in a list view, and next to each PC you can see the Value, Min, and Max temps of the main hardware components.

However, if you require more advanced features, like temp warning alarm or fan speed control, you’ll have to look somewhere else.

Open Hardware Monitor

The Best CPU and GPU Temp Monitor For Linux OS

Looking for an extremely simple and lightweight temperature monitoring solution? Well, you’ve just found it. Enter Open Hardware Monitor, an open-source and absolutely free software designed by a bunch of nice folks to monitor everything there is to monitor in your computer: fan speeds, temp sensors, CPU load, CPU voltages, and clock speeds.

Be advised: just like the HWMonitor presented above, Open Hardware is just a “silent partner” of sorts, or, to put it bluntly, it’s a “look but don’t touch” kind of a deal. So yeah, it’s free and cool and everything, but you can’t do much more other than “monitor the situation”, as in you can’t adjust fan speed or modify voltages, you know, advanced stuff.

But hey, at least it’s free, right? Open Hardware supports all major software, and it’s compatible with most Intel and AMD based SoCs, as well as ATI and Nvidia graphic cards. Hard disk drives and SSDS are read via SMART, obviously, and the good news is that you can run Open Hardware on both Linux and Windows running machines, which is great.

By the way, no installation is required, and despite its simplicity, Open Hardware will deliver a very detailed report upon “system check” completion.

AIDA64 Extreme

The Best Temp Monitor for Advanced Users

Finally, after all those freebies and basic CPU temp software, it’s time for the big boys to step in and reclaim their territory. Enter AIDA64 Extreme, which is actually a program designed for so-called “power users”, or, to put it differently, geeks whose only job is to monitor what’s going on with their expensive rig.

All jokes aside, if you’re into overclocking, heavy gaming, and serious stuff like that, AIDA64 Extreme is going to become your best friend, as its premium features and hardware detection engine are pretty much the gold standard in the industry.

AIDA64 Extreme will not only provide you with accurate and detailed information about your hardware and software, but it will also offer support for overclocking and diagnostic functions. On top of that, you’ll get real-time monitoring for all your computer’s sensors, including temperature, voltage, and fan speed readings, while the diagnostic thing will detect and mitigate possible hardware issues.

If you want to benchmark a particular component of your rig, AIDA64 Extreme can run stress tests on the whole system or individual components. The bad news is that AIDA 64 Extreme only works on Windows machines and costs money.

Speccy

The Best Temp Monitor for Windows 10

Speccy, also known as corporate freeware, is a very basic CPU temp monitor, and yeah, it’s absolutely free of charge, with a “premium” (as in paid) version available. Being part of Piriform’s software bundle, together with CCleaner and other cool stuff, Speccy does a really good job with monitoring the loads and temps of your GPU/CPU, operating frequency included, as well as other stuff.

For example, you’ll get a thorough analysis of your hardware, i.e. the exact make and model of your CPU, its performance, various data related to the RAM, motherboard, optical drives, graphic card, OS, storage disks and more, including the temperature for essential components. Portable support and a simple and clean design are some of its main attributes, and as far as basic system information tools go, Speccy runs with the best.

NZXT’s CAM

The Best CPU Temp Monitor for Overclocking

Moving on to the more esoteric part of the show, we have NZXT CAM. If this is your “first time”, you should give NZXT’s CAM a chance, especially since the release of the 4.0 version.

The latest edition basically redesigned the software from the ground up and comes with more features, an improved user interface, and user experience, plus new sections like resource per process tabs and bandwidth, so you can see what’s eating your resources. So, yeah, NZXT CAM is a free and relatively comprehensive monitoring solution for PC/laptops/whatever device you’re using, provided it runs on Windows.

Here are the best parts of NZXT CAM: in-game monitoring, because after all, that’s where performance matters the most, right? You can use NZXT CAM to track your temperatures (GPU, CPU, what have you), FPS, internet bandwidth, time played, GPU/CPU load, and more. In this regard, the NZXT CAM is pretty cool.

Since we’re talking gaming, NZXT CAM can also control fan speeds, case lights, and even PSU voltages via its well-designed UI, but here’s the best part: you can even overclock your GPU to squeeze the latest drop of performance!

HWiNFO

A Very Detailed CPU Temp Monitor

HWiNFO is something akin to an old friend for hardware enthusiasts, due to its comprehensive monitoring and analysis capabilities. Moreover, this free software tool for Windows and DOS is capable of delivering quick overviews as well as saving full/custom reports on a portable device, besides monitoring different hardware components in real-time.

Unlike other system information tools, HWiNFO is created with an emphasis on focusing on hardware, and it categorizes the information gathered into 10 sections, including the CPU, RAM memory, motherboard, GPU, drives, monitor, etc.

Even if it’s totally free, there’s much to like about HWiNFO, things like detailed results, its ease of use, the one-page summary view, the portable version available, and the regular updates. As a CPU temp monitor, HWiNFO works very much like Speccy, but gives you more details despite its novice-oriented user interface.

Core Temp

The Best PC Temp Monitor for Older Machines

If you’re looking for a simple and compact CPU temperature monitor, Core Temp would fit the bill. Small footprint, compact and no fuss, these are the main attributes of Core Temp, a small yet powerful temp-monitor that can display the temperature of each individual core of the CPU, i.e. you can “admire” temp-fluctuations in real-time.

Core Temp is also motherboard-agnostic, i.e. it will work on virtually any build and any type of CPU. The software is easy to use, has an intuitive user interface, and offers a high level of expandability and customization, as it uses data taken from the DTS of each processing core.

Another cool thing about Core Temp is that it works with various add-ons so you can get additional features, such as monitoring devices by remote via an Android app.

Real Temp

The Best CPU Temp Monitor for Intel processors

Finally, we have Real Temp, and as far as product names go, Real Temp runs with the best. But, what’s in a name after all right? So, here’s the deal: just like Core Temp, Real Temp “sucks” data from DTS, being a temp monitoring software specifically designed for Intel processors.

So, if you’re an AMD-Ryzen boy or girl, this is not the droid you’re looking for.

But, if you’re into big boys’ club, i.e. you’re an Intel owner, you can individually calibrate the software for each core. Real temp also logs the min/max CPU temps, has a shutdown feature and high-temp alert, uses test sensors and, to make a long story short, it makes for one of the simplest and most efficient CPU temp monitors out there. We almost forgot this baby is absolutely free of charge!

How did this happen, you asked? Well, that’s due to technological innovation which leads to cheap hardware/software that allowed for the “power” to be transferred to “the people” so to speak, i.e. you won’t have to spend hundreds or even thousands of dollars on renting studios or equipment, as it was the case back in the day with first-time DJs and rap artists. Today, nothing can stop you from exercising your right to creativity, provided you use the best DJ software or whatever you’re into.

To make it real simple for our readers, since digital audio recording stations and mixing equipment are now readily available and affordable, you can start your DJ career on your own, and whether you’re into electronic dance music, hip hop or classical music, beat making software will definitely do the job for you.

Here’s what you can do with the best beat making software money can buy: you can play around with your own sounds, whether we’re talking about digital media or instruments, and listen to audio tracks, upgrade your recording capabilities, capture the highest/lowest notes and create commercial sounds to lure producers, plus you can achieve pro-level skills to help you elevate your sound more fluidly.

Before we proceed with our best beat making software list, here’s the lesson to be taken home: first, establish a strong foundation, as in start your learning curve with the basics (simple kick-and-snare patterns), then decorate (add toms, hi-hats, cymbals, what have you) to alter/improve your sound, don’t overpopulate (the beat is not everything in a song), then, finally, don’t forget the most important lesson: practice makes perfect. Don’t expect your first beat to make it to the charts unless you’re a genius in the making; experiment, then slowly develop your craft and learn from your elders, as in try to mimic your favorite artist’s beats, i.e. learn from the gods themselves.

Finally, don’t worry, as imitation is the best form of flattery, especially in the beat making racket. All jokes aside, here come our top-seven picks for today in no particular order.

Best Beat Making Software Solutions

FL Studio

The Best Beat Making Software Out There

FL Studio is now in its 20th iteration and it makes for the beat making software of choice for the world’s most creative artists. FL Studio is actually a fully-fledged DAW or Digital Audio Workstation, and one of the worlds’ most popular software music production environments, being continually developed and improved over its 20 years of existence. Formerly known as Fruity Loops, FL Studio 20 is currently used by heavyweights like Metro Boomin or 9th Wonder, and it can help you do virtually anything, offering a streamlined workflow, that if you master the mouse and keyboard as beat making tools.

There are four versions available ranging from $99 to $899 for Mac and PC, plus a limited trial version. The latest version offers fully integrated hardware controller options, and it’s designed for multi touch devices, featuring powerful MIDI learn and live performance features, plus free lifetime updates on all editions.

FL Studio 20 allows you to insert/send up to 125 tracks, and comes with a fully-featured mixer with 10 FX slots on each channel, plus VST support and included plugins/synths. You can export songs and beats to virtually all audio formats, and certain versions offer audio recording functionality and up to 103 audio inputs/outputs. Moreover, you can load FL Studio 20 as a VST plugin or standalone software in another DAW, hence if you’re into EDM, trap, hip hop, or basically any electronic-based music, this is the beat making software to beat (pun intended, of course).

If you’re a beginner, you’ll definitely appreciate the native VSTs and plugins available and the well-designed interface, which is very intuitive visually. If you don’t want to buy hardware, FL Studio 20 is the way to go, as it offers a ton of features at your fingertips, so you can start creating your own beats using just your PC.

Ableton Live

The Best Hip Hop Beat Making Software

Ableton Live is yet another legendary beat making software, now available in its 10th generation and specially designed to be a complete solution for music creators. Just like FL Studio, Ableton Live is Mac- and PC-compatible and it’s great for using it on your laptop, i.e. it’s not resource-hungry like others, and that’s good news if you’re not ready to spend extra money on a dedicated music rig. Another advantage of Ableton Live is that its interface fits perfectly on a small laptop display, and that’s why this is the software of choice for musicians who travel a lot.

The latest version comes with amazing updates, including an impressive synth, various workflow enhancements, plus the excellent Echo. You can choose between the Standard and Suite edition, with the latter being the most expensive of the bunch, and the main difference between the two is that the Standard offers 10 GB of bundled sounds, while the Suite comes with a whopping 70 GB. The number of devices included also varies, 47 vs 69 respectively, and the new graphical interface is absolutely amazing.

Just to give you a taste, here are the main features of Ableton Live 10: a completely revamped Live pack content, plus handling directly from the web browser, a good looking/great sounding wavetable synthesizer, especially if you use it in full-screen mode, you can capture and/or recall the last MIDI phrase played, there’s Push 2 integration and the MIDI notes can be viewed on the Push display, Max for Live is now fully integrated, so there’s no need to install it separately (improves performance), you get groups within groups and multiple clip editing, and, finally, there’s a new melodic step sequencer in Push.

The audio effects were updated, there’s a new synthesizer instrument, deeper Push integration, and, most importantly, serious workflow improvements, due to a clean and ergonomic interface refresh. Bottom line, if you can afford it, Ableton Live is a hugely versatile DAW, especially if you’re looking for the best beat making software out there, and pretty hard to beat considering the “bang for the buck” metric.

Logic Pro X

The Best Beat Making Software for Mac

Logic Pro X is built around the concept “ridiculously powerful, seriously creative”, or something along these lines, and it makes for a no-nonsense digital audio workstation that allows you to create and improvise in a big way via its Live Loops, to control music-making sessions with Logic Remote from your iPhone or iPad, to literally transform sounds into instruments with the Quick Sampler, or to build drum beats and melodic patterns using Logix Pro X’s Step Sequencer.

Okay, there’s more, obviously, but we’re just giving you a taste. It’s worth mentioning that Logic Pro X is Apple’s professional music production software, and its latest update supports 1000 stereo tracks, 1000 software instruments, and 1000 aux channels, plus 1000 external MIDI tracks, plus 12 sends per channel strip.

Moreover, if you’re on the latest Mac Pro, you can now run up to 5 times more real-time plugins compared to older generations. Also, the new Logic Pro X comes with tons of new tweaks for improved performance and speed.

In good Apple tradition, the software is still incredibly easy to use and has an intuitive interface, despite its immense power, and the main view in the latest version is pretty much unchanged. As usual, you can record 24-bit, 192kHz resolution, and to make a long story short, if you’re looking to throw together songs and beats quickly, for using them in product demos, music beds for commercials or what have you, the Logic Pro X would make for a fine choice.

Studio One Artist

The Best Rap Beat Making Software

Studio One Artist is now in its 4th iteration, and it can be best described as a fully professional feature-packed production system, aimed at both vocal and instrumental music creation, and, to a lesser extent, electronic music. The most important new feature in the Studio One Artist 4 is Harmonic Editing of polyphonic and monophonic MIDI and audio tracks. Using this feature you can enable a song to be shifted automatically to a user-defined key and chord progression.

As far as beat making software goes, Studio One Artist 4 has 2 new MIDI programming systems: Drum Editor and Patterns. The former is basically an alternative to the piano roll, while the latter is essentially an extension of the regular step sequencing. However, what’s really great in Studio One Artist 4 is the workflow, as the software makes it incredibly easy to record audio and lay down beats.

In this regard, Studio One Artist 4 is one of the best out there, so if you’re looking for a solid DAW and you’re not a fan of Avid’s subscription model, this would make for an inspired audio editing choice. The Artist version costs $99 and offers a lot of features compared to the Prime (free) version. You’ll get extra editing tools, including event-based effects and track folders, plus multi-touch support on Windows 10 PCs, the popular Mai Tai analog modeling synth, plus the Fat Channel plug-in, which offers a plethora of mixing tools in an intuitively designed single-interface.

Magix Music Maker

The Best Beat Making Software for Beginners

Magix Music Maker is a small yet powerful beat making software that allows you to create music from scratch, even if you’re not an expert in this field. Basically, this is a DAW for beginners, you can use it as an interface of sorts to create beats or what not via samples and plug-ins. Magix Music Maker has an extensive library of loops as well as a comprehensive drag and drop system, which makes it easy to use, to give you a head-start in the world of musical creation.

There are three versions of the software: the “freebie”, the Plus and the Premium, but even the free one comes with 425 free sounds and loops, 4 additional sound pools, 3 instruments, and 8 effects, 8 tracks and multicore support for modern machines, everything free of charge obviously. Each of the respective sounds and loops can be modified by turning up or down the volume, adding an effect, or whatever you want to do with a beat editor.

There’s also an integrated store, so if you’re looking to expand the effects library or purchase new sounds, they got it covered. Depending on the version, you’ll benefit from a virtual gallery of instruments, up to 24 of them, and with these instruments, you can buy more sounds from the catalog and combine them with the instruments as you see fit.

The drag and drop feature allows you to drag&drop (doh) loops, effects, instrument sounds, what have you, and we must emphasize how gentle the learning curve is in Magix Music Maker, even if you’re on your first DAW. Our recommendation is that you should give Maxig Music Maker a try especially if you’re a hobbyist or a beginner looking to jump the “music-making wagon” as quickly as possible, as its streamlined workflow is ideal for starters, not to mention that the Free version is pretty good in terms of advanced functionality and ease of use.

Serato Studio

An Excellent DJ Tool

Serato Studio is the end result of Serato DJ and Serato Sample mixed together into one formidable DAW, or beat making software if you like. By the way, Serato has been with us since 1999, and their latest Studio 1.4 has been developed as the perfect tool for DJs looking to enter the music production business. The work environment is user friendly, especially for new producers, and if you want to get your ideas out really quick, this would be the perfect tool for you.

One of the most important features of the latest version is the Master Key thing, which is especially useful for people not familiarized with music theory, as it allows for every sample, instrument or drum that you play to be automatically in key once you set the key for the respective project. Also, the Note Sequencers and the Drum features make the workflow very enjoyable and easy, while the Scene and Songs View feature lets you organize your samples, drums and instruments as you see fit with zero fuss.

Moreover, the new Audio Track feature allows you to create custom DJ remixes and effects faster than ever before, not to mention the new slicer mode that also speeds up the DJ edit process considerably. These are just a few new features worth mentioning, but there are more to be enjoyed, obviously, things like Master Key and BPM, high-quality FX, Serato Colored Waveforms, DJ hardware compatibility, etc.

If you’re tired of technicalities, this is the tl;dr version: Serato Studio is a great tool for DJs, hence if you’re serious about beat making software, this is the way to go for quick remixes, edits, and ideas.

GarageBand

The Best Free Beat Making Software for Mac

Finally, we have the famous GarageBand from Apple, and if you’re wondering why it’s so famous for “noob-tier” beat making software, well, it’s because it comes free with every Mac. However, even if it’s freeware at its best and aimed mostly at novices, GarageBand is still great if you want to learn guitar or piano on your computer, free of charge.

As far as beat making software goes, GarageBand offers an easy to use, simple and intuitive interface which is perfectly capable of getting your songs recorded even if you don’t know much about music theory or anything else by that matter. The latest version of GarageBand comes with impressive features, such as Drummer, which plays along intuitively with your compositions, thus eliminating the need for careful MIDI programming. There’s also an Amp simulator and tons of loops, but the main quality of this simple beat making software is ease of use.

The elegant layout doesn’t have too many (confusing) options, so if you’re not experienced with working in digital environments, this is the beat making software to go for. Still, you can record at 24 bits with a microphone, record and mix up to 255 tracks, or record multiple takes and compile them, drag and drop Voice Memo recordings on the fly right into the software, or perform basic editing with ease.

Advanced features like Groove Matching and Flex Time are also available, yet you won’t get a proper mixing board, and by that we mean to say that GarageBand is not a professional level DAW, yet it gets the job done if you’re not too picky.

To begin with the basics, if you’re looking to become a DJ or a musician, recording software is the first step in the world of music creation, and even more so if you’re looking to make the transition between a Portastudio setup, you know, old-school knobs and sliders, into the 21st century, without skipping a beat. Since we live in the “current year” and most of us have all the time in the world these days to play around and experiment, knowing how to choose the best recording software can really make the difference between failure and success.

How to Choose the Best Recording Software

Ok, Dr.Dre, if this is your first step into the music production racket, here’s the deal: today’s recording environment is very different from the “early days” of analog recorded music, i.e. you’ll require less money if you want to work on your “demo tape” today than, let’s say, in the nineties. Unlike back in the day, when a wannabe musician or DJ had to spend thousands of dollars on recording studios and equipment, in 2020 almost everyone has access to a personal computer/laptop; or, if that’s overkill for you, even a high-end smartphone or tablet would do the trick gear-wise.

However, even if the equipment is pretty much a non-issue nowadays, you’ll still have to use the correct software. First, precisely identify your learning goals, then look at your budget and estimate the costs involved (the software itself plus extra gear to use in the long-run, such as a high-quality standalone microphone), then try before you buy (look for free trial versions), don’t be afraid to ask people for recommendations (forums, Facebook groups, etc.), look for built-in filters and special effects, and remember: free is not always better, especially if you’re serious about this endeavor.

With all these in mind, let’s take a look at the best recording software out there, right after a short commercial break (and don’t forget to wash your hands, just kidding).

Best Recording Software Solutions

WavePad

The Best Voice Recording Software

We’ll start with WavePad, which is smartly marketed as audio editing software for everyone; what’s nice about WavePad is that it’s actually an audio and music editor, two for the price of one so to speak, and it works on both Mac and Windows machines, which is absolutely great. So, if you’re looking for a full-featured professional-grade audio and music editor, WavePad should rank high on your shopping list, as it allows you to do lots of things.

For example, you can edit/record music, voice, and other recordings; moreover, when in editing-audio mode, you can copy, paste and/or cut segments of recordings and then add your favorite effects, such as amplification, echo, and noise reduction. WavePad supports all major file formats, including gsm, vox, real audio, wma, aif, au, ogg, flac and many more, as well as batch processing (you can edit multiple files at once), audio restoration via noise reduction and clicks pop removal, and advanced tools such as FFT, spectral analysis and TFFT.

To make a long story short, WavePad is a very interesting audio editing suite that is easy to learn and use, offering the complete package, especially excellent editing capabilities as well as file format compatibility, plus cross-platform support.

Adobe Audition

The Best Audio Recording Software

Adobe is a big name in the software industry, and the same goes for Adobe Audition, which may be described as the crowned king of recording software. If you can live with monthly payments to the tune of $21, Adobe Audition makes for an excellent audio editor for podcasts, video post-production, or audio restoration. We know, $21 each and every month is pretty expensive, especially for what you get (there is similar software absolutely free of charge, but more on that down below), but Audition is targeted on previous Adobe customers, and it makes perfect sense as part of an existing subscription or a supplement to a video editor.

As far as recording software goes, Adobe Audition runs with the best, as it’s very powerful and offers cross-platform compatibility, plus specialized tools for restoring and/or cleaning up audio files, and precision editing (non-destructive, mind you) for commercial and corporate video, or even podcasts. Post-production is one of Adobe Audition’s strongest features and you can use it in 2 main modes: the Waveform and Multitrack view, the former for stereo editing, and the latter for mixing tracks on a timeline.

The user interface is well designed and intuitive, and according to Adobe, Audition is “designed to accelerate video production workflows and audio finishing”, which is actually its focus-market. Basically, if you’re a professional video editor or podcaster and you’re accustomed to high-end Adobe software, the likes of Photoshop or Premiere, Audition will fit you like a glove.

Sound Forge

The Best Recording Software For PC

Sound Forge is next on our list, and to make it really easy for our readers, as far as professional audio editing goes, it doesn’t get much better than this; the point being, Sound Forge is the “weapon of choice” for numerous producers worldwide, including Ted Perlman, a legendary Grammy award-winner audio editor. Sound Forge comes loaded with all the technological bells and whistles available in 2020, i.e. lightning-fast processing, powerful editing tools, and a highly innovative workflow.

With Sound Forge, you’ll be able to record, edit and restore audio material via 64-bit support and crystal-clear audio quality, i.e. productivity will see an immediate boost due to the software’s next-level performance in terms of audio editing with precise technology, and we’re not mincing words here, as Sound Forge is the “golden standard” for producers, artists and mastering engineers. There are 4 versions of the software: Sound Forge Pro 14, the Pro 14 Suite, Sound Forge Pro for Mac, and Sound Forge Audio Cleaning Lab 2.

Regardless of your option, you’ll benefit from comprehensive features and tools for virtually any kind of audio editing, i.e. Sound Forge is the ultimate virtual studio for both amateurs and pros alike, and it allows you to edit, record and restore audio files and master songs with professional effects, including converting old cassettes or even vinyls to digital, or, why not, to record professional quality podcasts, produce soundtracks for movies and videos, create CDs, everything available via an intuitive and easy to use interface.

Audacity

The Best Free Music Recording Software

If you’re looking for free and open-source recording software, Audacity comes to mind; however, even if Audacity is absolutely free of charge, it has a lot to offer, including cross-platform compatibility, an intuitive and easy to use interface, and even regular updates.

Now, considering that you’re not Bono, i.e. a pro-musician looking for all the cutting edge bells and whistles, Audacity will fit you like a glove, as it comes with all the essential tools you’ll ever need, including a multi-track audio editor and recorder, and the best thing is that it is developed by a group of volunteers and it’s open-source, i.e. there’s absolutely nothing fishy/behind-a-paywall about it.

Audacity’s main “selling point” (pun intended), besides the fact that it’s freeware at its best, is that it can handle any kind of sound file on any OS, including any version of Windows, Mac OS X, and GNU/Linux, and truth be told, it can go toe to toe with many premium programs, as it’s relatively feature-rich for what it is, and amazingly powerful, not to mention that it’s surprisingly simple to use. All you have to do is to download it, no strings attached, and take it for a test drive. With Audacity, you can remove noise, make your own recordings, combine and cut clips, and even apply special effects.

Provided you have enough experience, Audacity allows you to achieve truly professional results, and that’s quite amazing for a freebie.

Moreover, you can expand it via plugins for adding new effects or integrate Audacity with other apps, and there are literally no limits with regard to the length/size of your audio projects. This baby is a fantastic tool if you’re into making podcasts, music, audiobooks or whatever kind of project as Audacity can record from both your PC’s playback or via an external microphone with sample rates as high as 192,000 Hz with 24-bit depth recording. Finally, you can use Audacity with Gsnap, a third-party plug-in, if you want to add autotune effects to your stuff; seriously now, what more can you ask for zero money?

Avid Pro Tools First

The Best Free Audio Recording Software

Avid Pro Tools is viewed by many as the “classic” cross-platform software solution for professional audio editing, whether we’re talking about film, music, broadcast or games. Hence, it comes as no surprise that the full-featured $600 software bundle (yes, we know, it’s pretty expensive) feels like home for recording engineers, musicians and producers, as it’s one of the best audio editing/recording software for professionals/larger organizations.

There are three versions of Avid Pro Tools, and the Pro Tools First is the “weapon of choice” for many beginners, because it’s absolutely free of charge, but there’s a caveat to the freebie thing: you won’t get all the features, obviously! However, the 2019 update brings 16 audio and 16 MIDI tracks, and you can record up to 4 at once using your own inputs, plus you’ll get 3 genuine project saves, but you’ll have to save them in the cloud using your Avid account if you want to share them with your friends or whomever. However, after the latest update, you can save your projects on your local computer, and adjust track settings or plug-in settings during playback.

You are still restricted to 16 audio tracks, but if you need more, you can bounce a few tracks together. You also get two high-end virtual instruments, plus 23 effects and plug-ins, and 3 GB of samples and loops, professionally produced, and the same interface that the Pros use.

MixPad Multitrack Recording

Recording Software for Everyone

As per its name, MixPad makes for multitrack recording software for everyone, boasting a friendly and intuitive user interface mixed with ease of use at an attractive price point. Be aware: even if the download is free, the program per se is not free (it costs $99 if you want all the essential features unblocked).

However, for almost one hundred bucks, you’ll get a lot of features for professional recording and music production. Using MixPad you’ll be able to produce/mix your own music tracks faster and easier than ever, as the software was built “for the masses” and comes with a huge list of features and tools.

MixPad offers EQ, audio effects, reverb, support for 3rd party plug-ins, a comprehensive range of effects that can be easily applied to virtually any track, a huge library of music (royalty free), and allows you to record single/several tracks at once, or to have an unlimited number of tracks in your mix. Moreover, you can use MixPad for basically any task, whether you’re a pro or a semi-pro, as it supports sample rates from 6KHz to 96KHz and is compatible with ASIO for sample-accurate/low latency recording.

Plus, you can export up to 32-bit audio tracks, and you get support for virtually all audio file formats, including mp3 and wav.

Apple GarageBand

The Best Free Audio Recording Software for Mac

Apple Garage Band is one of the most famous recording software out there, especially if you’re a Mac owner, because it’s kind of built-into the system, i.e. it arrives with every Apple computer and it’s also free of charge. Well, sort of, because you pay a lot of dough for an Apple machine in the first place. Anyway, as far as freeware goes, Apple Garage Band is pretty cool, as it’s basically a clone of sorts of the high-end Logic Pro X DAW.

Even if you won’t get Logic Pro X’s amazing flexibility and its huge range of instruments, mastering features, and mixing capabilities, Apple Garage Band comes pretty close, with its minimalist interface layout which is incredibly user-friendly and comprehensive multitrack recording capabilities. One cool thing about Apple Garage Band is that it allows you to use a microphone to record at 24 bits, and also to record/mix-up 255 tracks, multiple takes and compile them easily, or to drop on-the-fly Voice Memo recordings into the software.

Basic editing tasks are pretty straight forward and simple, and there’s also a reverb effect available, not to mention a relatively basic mastering track that boosts your levels and helps you get a finished sound, though it’s not as good as professional-level recording software, yet it’s pretty close.

Smart Controls is another great feature in Apple Garage Band, which allows you to tweak various parameters for a given sound, and lets you shape and evolve sounds on-the-fly. The sound library is solid and on top of that, you get more than 40 free basic guitar and piano lessons from within the app.

Ardour

Open Source Recording Software at Its Best

We’re almost there with Ardour, which is an impossibly named recording software, but what’s in a name, right? To make a long story short, Ardour is a very interesting choice for open source enthusiasts and features cross-platform compatibility (Linux, Mac, Windows) free of charge. Even if it’s free (with minimal limitations, there’s also a paid-for version by the way), Ardour boasts 32/64 bit processing, has a linear/crystal clear interface, and the free version allows you to explore all of its features (time-limited though at ten minutes of project length), unlike other software.

The Pro inline mixing console allows you to view/edit plugins from the console’s mixing channels, and there’s also multi-display support, LV2 plugins support, LADSPA plugins support, powerful routing via JACK support, and obviously, you can record, import audio/MIDI, edit (cut, paste, move, copy, etc.), mix and create a master tape like a pro, then export your work.

Audio Hijack

Hijack Your Audio Experience

Last but not least, we have Audio Hijack, or, as the company brands itself, if you can hear it you can record it! So, to sum it up nicely, Audio Hijack allows you to literally hijack sound, as in any audio, on your machine, easily and quickly, from basically any source (mixers, microphone, Skype, web-streams, you name it), to an AIFF file. The respective file can be played on your favorite audio player, or burned to a CD or whatever.

Audio Hijack can also be used to record internet streams like Windows Media, Real or iTunes, or sound bites off DVDs, game sounds and even to rip Flash audio and more.

First, the advantages of remote desktop software include cost reduction, speed in the resolution of issues, comfort, as in your tech-support staff or even yourself can take care of problems without leaving the office or home, and, last but not least, an increase in customer satisfaction. Since the Covid-19 pandemic is affecting travel and businesses from all around the world, remote desktop software, as well as screen-sharing software, are essential tools for those of you who are capable of working from home, so yeah, health issues also play a role in choosing the gear you buy.

How to choose the Best Remote Desktop Software

First and foremost, there’s the usability issue, since not all people are tech-geeks, hence your remote desktop software must be intuitive, easy to use and understand, and have a user-friendly interface; simplicity is golden is this regard.

Next, there’s security and data protection, so look for software that doesn’t have a history of being compromised or hacked. Compliance is also important, as well as customer support quality. The ideal vendor should offer 24/7 customer support via live chat, email, Twitter, phone, what have you.

If you’re looking for remote desktop software for an enterprise/business environment, pay extra attention to upgrade fees and license sharing options. And here are the most important features to look after unattended access, multisession handling, multi-window control, built-in chat, file, and clipboard transfer, auto reboot and reconnect, restart in safe mode, log on/off and switch user, 2-way desktop sharing, multi-monitor navigation, remote screen scaling, session usage reporting, video session recording, and, finally, branding and customization.

Basically, everything revolves around ease of use, the security of the connection, compliance and compatibility, customer support, plus the features required for a specific client or group of clients. With all these in mind, let’s take a look at the best remote desktop software in no particular order:

Best Remote Desktop Software Solutions

TeamViewer

The Best Remote Access Software

TeamViewer is the granddaddy of remote desktop software, and that’s why we picked it first. To describe it in a few words, TeamViewer stands true to its name, as it makes for a comprehensive all in one solution for secure remote access, management and support, being available in both free and paid versions, and featuring cross-platform compatibility, which means it works anywhere, anytime (Windows, Mac, Linux, Chrome OS, iOS, Android you name it), on network machines, regular PCs and mobile devices.

If you’re looking to download TeamViewer for personal use, there’s no license fee required, and the fully-featured business version also comes with a 14-day free trial, with no credit card required, so yeah, as far as freebies go, TeamViewer is as good as it gets. However, the free version offers minimal remote access features, but it’s more than enough to help you connect via the “interwebz” with your family and/or friends. If you’re looking to gain remote access for business/work purposes though, you’ll have to go for a single/multi-user/team plan.

Besides the cross-platform compatibility, TeamViewer comes with all the important features we told you about in the preamble of the article: integration, which means you can integrate TeamViewer’s features into your help-desk, ticket or CRM systems (only the paid version can do that obviously), wake/restart/install provided you have pre-approved admin-access/permissions for device-access, file transfer via the software’s dual-window interface or by drag-and-drop from one machine to another, instant chat, session recording which is great for training/presentation purposes, grouping, monitor control exchange and even personalized branding.

To make a long story short, TeamViewer is the complete solution and the king of remote desktop software, and yes, it can do anything and everything you might require from such a beast. However, there are many IT geeks who would be more than happy with something cheaper than TeamViewer; unfortunately, the “business” version is quite expensive.

RemotePC

The Best Remote Desktop Software for Mac

RemotePC was basically a “freebie” up until January 2020, and it’s currently available for Mac and Windows machines in its paid-version only. RemotePC does exactly as it says, i.e. it provides remote access on both desktop and mobile devices, offering comprehensive features such as chat, multiple monitor support, and file transfer, among others.

What’s nice about RemotePC software is that it offers you the opportunity to control multiple machines at once from the comfort of your own home/desk, at a reasonable price and relatively hassle-free. Security is important when it comes to business environments, hence RemotePC encrypts your connection using TLS v 1.2/AES-256 encryption, and, on top of that, each machine requires a Personal Key, which is basically a user-defined password that gives you access to the respective computer or device.

The software can be downloaded for either Mac or PC, and after the connection with the remote computer is established, you can easily communicate with the remote user via chat, or open programs, move files around with ease, control settings, write documents, etc. Strangely enough, voice-chat is not available, but there’s a whiteboard feature if you want to draw stuff on the screen. RemotePC also allows you to record your sessions, and to control a PC from a smartphone/tablet running on iOS or Android.

Even if you don’t have access to your smartphone or computer, you can still access a remote machine via RemotePC’s website by logging in and choosing the computer you require access to; the site will launch the RemotePC Viewer Lite, the web version obviously, and thus you’ll be able to access (in a limited fashion as per its name) your PC, which is as cool as it gets.

GoToMyPC

The Best Software for Remote Desktop

Next in line, we have GoToMyPC, i.e. remote access software which is designed to work efficiently even for “boomer-tech” level customers, as it is very reliable and has easy-to-use features. However, even if GoToMyPC is designed with simplicity in mind, there’s a caveat for our “freebie” aficionados: just like TeamViewer’s business version, this one is expensive to license. If you can live with paying top-dollar for your remote access software, GoToMyPC’s simplistic approach and elegant functionality make it a solid contender if you’re looking to control/access multiple remote systems.

It’s worth mentioning that this is one of the oldest remote access software on the market, as it was first launched more than 20 years ago, back in 1998. And surprisingly enough, after all this time, GoToMyPC still doesn’t offer support for Linux machines.

If you can live with that, the interface is very intuitive and simple to use, file transfer works via “drag and drop” from the controlling computer to the remote system or the other way around, and if you want to transfer many folders/files and once, there’s a transfer tool available. Chat is possible too, but the chat window is kind of rudimentary, and unfortunately, you won’t get an audio-feed option via VoiP.

Security-wise, you’ll have to set a unique password for every remote system, that’s required with each access, and you can also use an SMS-based two-factor authentication option. There’s no free version available, i.e. you must choose between Personal, Pro, and Corporate, and each of them is quite pricey, to say the least.

The Personal (and the cheapest) option will give you unlimited remote access, end to end encryption, file transfer and sync capabilities, remote printing, mobile apps and free customer support 24/7 for one user. If you want more, you know the drill: you’ll have to pay the premium.

AnyDesk

The Best Remote Access Software for Small Business

The company’s “jingle” is very inspired and it goes like this: anywhere, anytime, AnyDesk. And yeah, that’s pretty smart for remote desktop software, especially for one that offers freebies for personal use, i.e. you’ll only have to pay the “premium” for the business version. Besides being free for home use, AnyDesk also works on virtually any platform, ranging from Windows and macOS to mobile stuff like Android, iOS, plus “niche” operating systems like Linux, Raspberry PI, and FreeBSD.

Obviously, since it’s the “current year”, performance comes into play, and here AnyDesk really stands out from the crowd, as it boasts low latency, high frame rate (60 FPS), very efficient use of bandwidth, quick launch, real-time collaboration and features a fail-safe system plus state of the art encryption technology (RSA 2048 asymmetric encryption). In terms of flexibility, AnyDesk allows you to work anywhere, especially due to its cross-platform compatibility multi-platform support and minimalist design/light-weightiness (the client has only 3 MB).

Moreover, even the “premium” version is quite affordable, which is very important to small businesses. For home users, AnyDesk offers built-in file transfer, record sessions, sessions reporting, remote reboot and all the important “goodies” to make it a strong competitor for TeamViewer and more. So, if you’re looking for a minimalist and affordable remote desktop software that gets the job done with zero drama, AnyDesk should rank high on your “bucket-list”.

Zoho Assist

The Best Cloud-Based Remote Desktop Software

Zoho Assist is a little bit different from its competitors, as it makes for cloud-based remote support and remote access software. To keep your data safe, Zoho Assist uses SSL 256-bit AES encryption and supports file transfer, on-demand remote support, unattended remote access, voice/video chat, reboot and reconnect, multiple monitors, screen sharing, integrations and more. It’s important to mention that Zoho Assist is optimized for small/mid-sized business, and it’s an excellent tool for employees looking to access the company’s computers while working remotely, or for specialized IT departments looking to troubleshoot multiple machines.

Another cool thing about Zoho Assist is that it offers a free forever plan, a basic plan that is, absolutely free of charge, which can be used by both private persons or businesses. The freebie provides you with access for 1 remote support technician and 5 unattended machines, plus the option for 1 concurrent session, as well as basic access features like instant messaging and clipboard sharing. If you want more, you must go for the (paid) standard/professional/enterprise plans.

Among the most important features of Zoho Assist, we must mention cross-platform compatibility, (Linux, Windows, Mac, iOS, Chrome, Android), integration (G Suite, Spiceworks, and Zendesk support), file transfer (up to 2 GB), session scheduling and recording, monitor control exchange, grouping, personalized branding, scalability, and instant chat. Even if Zoho Assist doesn’t have all the exotic features of other products, it’s very reliable, safe, easy to use and inexpensive, making for a great tool for both personal use and IT departments and/or technical outsourcing businesses.

ConnectWise Control

A Secure Choice for Home and Business

Formerly known as ScreenConnect, ConnectWise Control is an excellent tool if you’re looking for cross-platform remote desktop software, as it works great on both Macs, PCs, and tablets, and, most importantly, it’s fast and cost/hardware efficient. Speaking of costs, ConnectWise Control is absolutely free for personal use, but be advised: the freebie only has basic remote access features, yet it’s more than enough to help you connect with your family and friends. If you want to use it for business purposes, you must go for a paid option, ranging from One plan to a Premium plan and Unattended Access plan.

If you’re not sure what to choose, you will benefit from a 14-day free trial regardless of the option. Feature-wise, ConnectWise Control offers cross-platform access including Ubuntu, OpenSUSE, Fedora, Red Hat Enterprise, CentOS and Solaris, Android and iOS, integration via add-on functions, file transfer, grouping, monitor control exchange, personalized branding, automated responses, instant chat, multiple languages support, and scalability; keep in mind that this remote desktop software is highly customizable and it’s aimed at tech-savvy users, but rest assured, as tech support is pretty good.

If you’re obsessed with data security, ConnectWise doesn’t disappoint, as it offers various layers of protection for your data, including end-to-end 256-bit SSL encryption, plus screen recording, audit logs for each session, 2-factor authentication, limiting access/restricting IP addresses to certain sessions, and session timeouts, which is significantly above what can be described as the “industry standard” in this particular niche.

Remote Utilities

The Best Remote Desktop Software for Windows

Remote Utilities is another interesting remote desktop software for Windows, and that’s due to two main reasons: firstly, it’s free of charge, and secondly, the “freebie” allows you to connect to up to 10 machines from an app installed on the “master-computer” or from a mobile device. Another cool thing about Remote Utilities is that it offers 15 tools to connect to a remote machine, which makes it one of the best of the bunch.

Remember that Remote Utilities only works on Windows OS, which incidentally is the world’s most-used operating system, but the good news is that it’s compatible with virtually all Windows versions: 32/64 bit versions of Windows XP, Windows Vista, Windows 7, Windows 8, Windows 10 (like, doh), plus full support for Windows Server 2012, 2008 and even Windows Server 2003. As far as Windows goes, these guys have it covered! By the way, the Host and Viewer apps can be easily launched from a flash drive/USB drive, i.e. you won’t have to install third-party software if you’re the paranoid type.

Remote Utilities also allows you to check out a remote screen in View Only mode and works great behind routers. Since the Host app doesn’t require installation either, this means you can offer support instantaneously, and remote tools can be executed without displaying annoying prompts or messages on the remote machine. All things considered, Remote Utilities comes with tons of features (Power control, Task manager, Voice and video chat, remote Execute, and Screen recorder) for zero costs for both private use and businesses, and that’s why it ranks very high on our “best remote desktop software” list.

Splashtop

Amazing Value for the Money

Splashtop is a relatively new remote access app, making for a low priced (and worthy) alternative to established remote desktop software like TeamViewer, offering a strong feature set and an elegant user interface for a very affordable price. Besides affordability, Splashtop features industry-leading 256-bit encrypted sessions, plus the usual file transfer, chat window, local printing of remote files, a shared clipboard, plus access via mobile devices.

But don’t worry, as advanced features are also available, including the capability of restarting the remote computer in safe mode, which comes handy when you’re troubleshooting another person’s PC; it’s worth mentioning that Splashtop only allows you to access Mac OS and Windows systems, by you can do that from virtually any OS, including Android, iOS, Kindle Fire and basically anything that allows the Chrome browser. The user interface is well designed (some may even say elegant), and you have the option to log in through a web browser into your account and connect to remote PCs, set options or view logs.

Finally, security is pretty good, as Splashtop will ask you to use a unique security code sent by email or a Windows login when connecting to a remote machine.

LogMeIn

A Solid Choice for Professionals

If you’re looking for solid and straight-forward remote desktop software, which also works great for file sharing, LogMeIn comes to mind. The thing about LogMeIn is that it makes for a professional-tier smooth running remote access software that works great on both macOS and Windows, and comes with flexible file sharing features, the most important being cloud storage, which is kind of rare in this niche.

There are three versions of LogMeIn, with the most basic being the Pro plan, which can be used on 2 machines; if you want more, well, you’ll have to scale up, including in terms of costs. The Pro plan offers remote access to an unlimited number of users, but only on 2 computers. Basically, if you have a small business or you work from home, the Pro plan is enough.

The user interface is kind of dated, but feature-wise, LogMeIn is pretty good, allowing you, for example, to play remote audio through the client, i.e. to stream sound while connected to another machine, or remote printing from a client to a server. Security-wise, you’ll receive an email each time somebody tries to log in to one of your PCs using an invalid password, and speaking of Cloud-based, you’ll get 1TB of storage for files for the LogMeIn Pro version.

Remote Desktop Manager

The Best Free Remote Desktop Software

Remote Desktop Manager is the Swiss army knife of remote desktop software, or so they claim. All jokes aside, RDM is designed to centralize all your remote connections on a secure single platform, which is then shared between all the users in your team, i.e. this is an enterprise-grade remote desktop software which supports multiple VPNs and protocols, as well as hundreds of integrated technologies, together with state-of-the-art password management tools.

RDM works great for servers, workstations, network devices, websites, cloud resources, virtual infrastructures, and it comes with an impressive set of features, of which we must mention remote connection management, password management, secure access, auditing and reporting and easy management with templates. Also, Remote Desktop Manager is compatible with many modern tools and technologies, including Citrix, Apple Remote Desktop, FTP, Dameware, LogMeIn (yes, we reviewed this one previously), Hyper-V, Radmin, Terminal Services, Telnet, Virtual Network Computing, VMware, SCP (secure copy protocol), X Windows, Wayk Now and more.

RDM comes in two flavors: a fully-featured Enterprise edition and a Free edition. However, the latter only offers remote connection management and password management, including importing passwords; if you want more, you’ll have to go for the Enterprise version.

Chrome Remote Desktop

Free Stuff for Chrome Users

If you think Google, world’s biggest search engine (and more), Chrome browser comes to mind, and here’s the punch-line: Chrome Remote Desktop is here to provide you with free remote access to any PC/device capable of running Chrome browser, without having to install third-party software and hassle-free. Just like any other Google product, Chrome Remote Desktop is absolutely free of charge, which means you’re the merchandise; seriously now, you won’t have to spend a dime on commercial remote desktop software if you can live under the benevolent eye of Google and its Chrome Remote Desktop product, which is very easy to set up, i.e. all you need is the Chrome Browser, and yes, that about sums it up folks.

However, even if this remote desktop software is free and nothing more than an extension on your Chrome browser, it does come with its own limitations, which are actually to be expected from such a minimalist design. To begin with the good stuff, Chrome Remote Desktop works on Linux, Mac, and Windows, as well as Android/iOS devices and offers spontaneous support and unattended access, plus clipboard syncing, key mapping, and uploading/downloading files between a remote computer and yours. On the downside, there’s no built-in chat, it only works with the Chrome browser, there’s no drag/drop file transfer, no multi-monitor support, no multi-session handling and you cannot reboot the remote machine and automatically reconnect.

If you want all the fancy features, forget about Chrome Remote Desktop, but if you’re happy with a free, quick and hassle-free remote desktop software, this is the droid you were looking for all your life.

Microsoft Remote Desktop

The Best Things in Life are Free

Last but not least, we have Microsoft’s own take on remote desktop software, and since Microsoft is the “big daddy” of operating systems i.e. the most popular OS in the known universe, one would expect from their native remote desktop software to be the best thing ever invented since Windows 7.

Truth be told, as far proprietary services go, Microsoft’s Remote Desktop does a decent job, but it’s not the best out there (not even close actually). However, since MRD is totally free, there are obvious advantages to using it for managing a couple of remote PCs on the same network.

Firstly, this is freeware at its best, and incredibly simple to set up and to use, even if we’re talking boomer-tech levels of savviness; however, if you’re looking for accessing your business PCs remotely or for local administration, look elsewhere.

All jokes aside, whether you work for customer support or you’re in a business meeting and need to share or record a screen, there’s no better way to make your point than screen-sharing technology. Regardless of what you’re going to do with it, today we’ll provide you with some of the best screen-sharing software available on the market, so stay tuned.

How to Choose the Best Screen-sharing software

Since there are literally dozens of options to choose from, it’s important to know the basics before going on a shopping spree, though some of the best screen-sharing software out there come with a free/trial option. Just like with any other remote access software, screen-sharing software must secure ease of access for participants, and that includes cross-device compatibility (should work on desktops, smartphones and tablets), no-install web-access, annotation features, collaboration features (joint annotation, presenter switching, collaborative doc-editing, co-browsing etc.), support features and integrations (things like scheduling sessions).

With all these in mind, let’s see the top contenders in no particular order, right after a short commercial break.

Best Screen-Sharing Software Solutions

Screenleap

Make It Simple

We’ll start with Screenleap, an interesting screen-sharing software that works literally instantly with any browser or device. Screenleap is designed around ergonomics first and foremost, i.e. it is aimed at lazy users who are not necessarily tech-savvy, for quick and easy screen-sharing at a “flick of a switch” so to speak. Even the installation process is incredibly easy and intuitive: all you have to do is to push a “virtual” button on the company’s website and you’ll be all set and ready to go in no time.

Screenleap is built for cross-platform compatibility, as it works great on everything, including iOS, Mac, Android, Windows, what have you (I guess that’s about all there is actually), and can be used directly from your web browser, which means you don’t have to install/download third party software, which is great for some privacy-concerned users. You can also add the screen sharing option to your website, using Screenleap’s API or a premium account.

The software has three pricing plans: the free one, which allows you 40 minutes of “freebies” per day for up to 8 viewers, and three paid-for options, ranging from Basic to Company. Screenleap is also very stripped-down to essentials, as in you won’t get fancy and probably unnecessary features to make your life hell. Everything is stripped down to basics, which may be a benefit or a weakness, depending on your personal preference.

However, if all you require is screen sharing and audio conferencing, Screenleap comes highly recommended, though for the latter option you’ll have to make a (paid) upgrade from the Basic plan.

TeamViewer

Old School

Our second pick is TeamViewer, and that’s because this screen-sharing software has been with us since like, forever. What’s great about TeamViewer since its inception back in 2005 by a German company is that it makes for a freeware at its best, and comes with tons of features that are not normally found in a free remote access program. Also, TeamViewer is ergonomically designed to be as user-friendly as possible and works on basically any device and platform: Android, Windows Phone, iOS, Linux, Mac, Windows 7, 10 etc.

Another cool thing about TeamViewer is that it’s one of the few screen-sharing software that allows you to remotely view the screen of an iPad or iPhone. Some people describe it as the Rolls Royce of screen-sharing software, but they are mostly referring to its commercial version, which is kind of expensive to say the least. However, personal licenses are absolutely free of charge, and the remote access tools are feature-rich and comprehensive, as TeamViewer allows you to share your screen, annotate it, chat with remote users, invite other people to the session, record video, audio, take screenshots, run remote scripts, use a VPN, transfer files and more.

It’s also worth mentioning that TeamViewer has arguably the best multi-monitor support out there, which allows you to see each monitor as a super desktop, or individually, and moving between these sessions is very easy. If we’re talking about enterprise environments, TeamViewer can schedule a meeting for you, or a phone/video call, or create a presentation.

If you’re worried about security, you must learn that TeamViewer uses strong encryption, i.e. 2048-bit RSA private/public key exchanged between the sessions and the master-server, which means all your data is protected by the same algorithm used by banks and the military. There’s also a 2-factor authentication system and Trusted devices, if you want to go full-secure-mode.

Join.me

No-Nonsense Screen-Sharing Software

As far as inspired brand names go, Join.me plays with the best, making for a simple and ergonomically designed screen-sharing software with an emphasis on conferencing. The thing is, if you’re big on conferencing services, Join.me will fit you like a glove, as it’s specially designed to support conferences with up to 250 participants, and that is kind of awesome, to say the least. Obviously, the number of participants depends on the plan you select, but what’s really important is that you have that option, right?

Besides that, Join.me works great as regular screen-sharing software, offering features like audio/video recording, 1-click scheduling and webinar rebranding, and on top of that, it’s not expensive either. However, Join.me also comes with a free option, which includes a strong list of features, including screen sharing, the most important in our book, but also 3 video streams, meeting participants (up to three at one time), chat, internet calling, file transfer and ten whiteboards.

If you want to go further, there’s the Lite, Pro and Business plan, with prices between $10 per host per month for the Lite, and $30 per host per month for Business, with a 14-day free trial for each of the respective options, to help you sort things out. Join.me is also fully integrated with all major products, the likes of Google Calendar, Microsoft Outlook, Microsoft Office and Salesforce, and the company’s open API guarantees full integration with whatever in-house developed app one may think of.

Bottom line, if you’re looking for simplicity and ease of use, Join.me would make for the sensible option, especially if you’re a first-time screen-sharing software user learning to use the platform. The user interface is well designed and intuitive, and the learning curve is practically non-existent.

Zoom

Free Yet Powerful

Next in line we have Zoom, an enterprise-grade screen-sharing software, which truth be told, is more of a video-conference tool, but that doesn’t matter in the big scheme of things. Zoom is built with an emphasis on big-businesses/enterprise environments, and it’s great tool to have for online meetings, training and tech support, video webinar, conference rooms, and even as the next –gen enterprise phone system. Zoom also provides cross platform messaging and file sharing services, and their priced options (for businesses) start at $14.99 per month.

However, the good news is that any private user can use Zoom for free, the core product respectively, which has it all: high-quality high-definition video conferencing, and crisp/enterprise-grade sound quality. Zoom is that good that it’s used by blue-chip corporations like Pandora, Box, GoDaddy, Slack and Uber, and it offers top-notch security, Secure Socket Layer (SSL) encryption as well as AES 256 bits encryption, to keep you on the safe side.

The Zoom Basic option is the “freebie” of the bunch, and what’s great about it is that it comes with all the essential bells and whistles that paid users get: video-conferences with up to 100 people, for up to 40 minutes on group meetings, 1-on-1 meetings, HD video/voice quality, secure encryption, the video-recording capability of the meetings and local-storage as MP4 files, and more. The Pro level tier plans ($14.99 per month) and Zoom for Business ($20 per month) allow for more conference participants and additional goodies, such as unlimited meeting duration, dedicated phone support, cloud recording transcripts, custom emails, a vanity URL, ROI tracking and more.

Mikogo

The Best Screen-Sharing Software for Windows

If you’re looking for a freeware at its best, Mikogo is the answer to your prayers, as it offers a free account for both business and personal use, which is kind of rare nowadays. So, what is it? To make it really easy for our readers, Mikogo is dedicated and easy to use screen-sharing software, an app of sorts that offers a secure and fast solution to all of your online meetings, presentation and conferencing needs.

Mikogo’s main “selling point” (pun intended) is its high-speed capabilities in terms of desktop sharing features, including docs and apps, and live over the “interwebz” with meeting participants.

Obviously, if you want more features, there’s a business account option, but both the free and the premium Mikogo account benefit from AES encryption, i.e. all of your data will be safe. After you download the software, you’ll be able to share your screen with everyone in the world, but check this out: Mikogo comes with an HTML viewer, which means it’s 100 percent browser-based for participants, as in there are no downloads, no Flash, no nothing, as your “guests” will connect via a web browser.

In terms of features, Mikogo has a lot to offer: screen sharing with multiple guests, app selection, copy/paste/email session info, file transfer, clipboard transfer, a comprehensive meeting scheduler, chat, multi-monitor support, remote keyboard/mouse control, profile manager, session login on your website as well as usage reports, switch presenter and more. The free plan offers single user/1 participant per session and all the standard features, while the Pro plan costs $16 per month, and offers 25 participants per session, plus a number of premium features.

Skype

Screen Sharing and More

Skype is one of the most popular VoIP software in the world, and it’s currently offering chat, global calls and texting via apps or via the web-browser. Owned by Microsoft, Skype delivers instant messaging, video talk, cluster video conferencing, group chat and various collaboration functionalities, including article and image sharing, but since today’s article is about screen-sharing software, yes, you got that right: you can also share your screen using Skype. I bet you did not know that.

The screen-sharing feature allows you to do a multitude of things, ranging from recording a call for meetings, or use the “record my screen” feature to remember conversations, to screen-share a presentation and whatnot. Skype’s integrated screen-sharing feature also allows you to drag and drop files into your conversation-window, thus giving access to the respective file to everyone on the call.

The last feature is also great if you want to share photos/files via in group screen sharing, sans extra cost. Both the “record my screen” and call recording are cloud-based and totally secure on Skype’s servers, and the data is available for 30 days.

And yes, the screen sharing feature is also available on mobile, on both Android and iOS.

Adobe Connect

Enterprise-Grade Screen-Sharing Software

Last but not least, we have Adobe Connect, the “ultimate” screen-sharing software, which also excels at delivering flexible and powerful video conferencing services, as well as an abundance of features and options. Since we’re talking about Adobe software, it comes as no surprise that the learning curve to harness all the features and options can be frustrating to some, and the same goes for the monthly fee (no, this is not a freebee), which starts at $50.

However, you’ll get a lot of bang for the buck asked, as Adobe Connect really shines in respect to its video chat, document and desktop sharing, not to mention its ability to work with custom apps, provided you know how to use Adobe Flash. It’s important to mention that Adobe Connect actually consists of three distinct products: Adobe Connect Meetings, Adobe Connect Webinars and Adobe Connect Learning.

The cheapest of the lot is Connect Meetings, starting at $50 per month, but don’t worry: there’s a 30-day free trial available, to help you make up your mind. As far as screen-sharing goes, Adobe Connect Meetings allows for up to 25 participants simultaneously, and as usual for enterprise-grade software, everything is highly secure in terms of encryption.

But truth be told, DJ software is king nowadays, as it comes with all the options one would require as a DJ or a DJ wannabe. The best thing about modern DJ software is that you don’t even need a keyboard and a mouse to control it. You can just use a pair of good headphones, DVS to “spin” your virtual turntables, and the best DJ software, which is also compatible with CDJs; and before you ask, CDJ incidentally makes for the industrial club standard.

On top of that, you have DJ controllers, also known as MIDI controllers that work with DJ software. This is actually the biggest advantage of using DJ software: versatility, as in it’s compatible with virtually any setup.

Whether we’re talking about CDJs, a sophisticated controller at a club or turntables, you can use your music library from your laptop anytime, anywhere, and, best of all, DJ software is not expensive. If you’re wondering about what specific DJ software to pick, you’ve landed in the right place, as we’ve already done the research, so you won’t have to. Also, remember that the “best DJ software” thing is relative, as in you’ll have to choose the one that works best for you in terms of a general concept, layout etc. so don’t sweat it too much with “pick and choose”.

How to Choose the Best DJ Software

Basically, you’ll have to make your choice based on just a few things: First, there’s the price, as always, but you can always go for the “lite version” (free) of the software and work your way up from there. Then there’s the features issue, i.e. what kind of sound effects you want, or cool stuff like RGB waveform readouts, or how many tracks can you play at once, but keep in mind that sometimes less is more.

Finally, keep your eyes peeled on software quality and stability, another important thing to look after, and by that we mean to stay away from programs that crash a lot (read user reviews, for example, or this article thoroughly).

Best DJ Software Solutions

TRAKTOR PRO

The Best DJ Software for Advanced Users

Traktor Pro by Native Instruments is arguably one of the best DJ software out there, and it’s now available in its 3rd generation. Being a heavy hitter in the “mixing” market, Traktor Pro is hugely popular with both amateurs and professionals alike, and the latest-gen comes with a plethora of fresh new features, as well as a new interface.

The first generation was launched almost 20 years ago, in 2001, and the third edition comes with 4 virtual decks instead of 2. The more, the merrier, we know, but the problem with 4 virtual decks it that they clutter the Traktor window in a big way.

Moreover, you can’t even fit a browser and 4 open decks on a regular laptop screen, i.e. the interface, though revamped, is now a bit cramped. The filter section is awesome and what’s new is that you can finally add various methods of creative processing to each channel. Another improvement worth noticing is that you will get an emulation of sorts of the classic Allen & Heath Xone:92 club mixer instead of the original mixer.

Mouse functionality is now better than ever, and if you’re looking for hands-on control, Traktor Pro 3 is arguably the best choice if you’re working with Stanton´s Final Scratch 2 hardware. Bottom line, the Traktor Pro 3 DJ software has been a refined product for almost 2 decades, and it offers incredible versatility and tons of new features, and what’s really great is that it’s basically a paid upgrade if you already own the Pro 2 version, i.e. you won’t have to pay the full price for the new edition.

Serato DJ Pro

The Best DJ Software for Mac

Formerly known as Serato DJ, the Pro is the latest update of one of the most popular DJ software in the world. The new platform is now available in 2 fragrances: Lite, which is free of charge, and Pro. The latter is obviously the best option if you’re seriously into DJing, and the biggest improvement is arguably the brand-new Practice mode, which allows mixing 2 tracks together without requiring any type of hardware connected.

Basically, using the Practice mode you can test your sets without a controller connected, which is kind of cool. Moreover, the Serato DJ Pro boasts 64-bit software architecture and virtually limitless library size, but that depends on your storage capacity, obviously.

There’s also a new Performance pad view, which shows your cue points in the familiar layout (if you’re already a Serato DJ aficionado). Moreover, the new Pro version is optimized for UDS/Retina displays, i.e. high-res/ultra-high res screens.

The help section has also been improved with shortcut keys, tooltips, tutorials and a search-engine of the knowledge base, plus an option to contact tech support, all from within the app.

Rekordbox

The Underdog

Here we have another popular option for DJ software, Rekordbox respectively, now at its 6th iteration. Since everything is digital and cloud based nowadays, Rekordbox is also cloud connected and makes for a professional DJ platform that offers a seamless experience across multiple cloud connected devices.

Aside from being cloud-based, Rekordbox offers a comprehensive solution for professional DJs, as it allows you to manage your music and perform hassle-free. It’s worth mentioning that Rekordbox works on all Pioneer DJ software, i.e. it has a bias towards this manufacturer.

There are three versions of the software: Free, Core and Creative. One of the big advantages of Rekordbox is that you can use your music files from various devices, synchronize them in the cloud and hook them up from any smartphone to CDJs to perform. Basically, Rekordbox offers you liberty of movement and versatility, as the company adopted live streaming like never before.

It’s true that if you want cloud syncing of your musical libraries you’ll have to go for a paid subscription, but the good news is that the most expensive subscription which comes with all the features costs just $15 per month, i.e. 3 cups of coffee, give or take.

Ableton Live

More than a DJ Software

Ableton Live is an interesting beast, as it’s more like a jack-of-all-trades rather than dedicated DJ software. More precisely, Ableton Live is a digital audio workstation or DAW (read our previous article on that) that basically does it all, including DJing. What makes Ableton Live a good choice for our readers is that it performs exceptionally well at track-based recordingrecording and, first and foremost, at audio wrapping.

If you’re wondering what audio wrapping is, think along the lines of manipulating the tempo, rhythm and pitch, which means you can use Ableton Live not only as a DAW but also for DJing at your local night club. Ableton Live is incredibly feature-rich compared to dedicated DJ software, and supports plug-ins and VST instruments. MIDI editing is also great, and the effects/sounds and built-in instruments are awesome.

However, be advised: Ableton Live is not DJ software per se, as in it’s not designed specifically for DJ use. Ableton Live’s interface is very different compared to Traktor and Serato’s 2-decks layout, as in it’s definitely Spartan, lacking the two decks and a mixer in the middle, or the waveforms of the tracks alongside EQ, looping, effects, etc.

Ableton Live is great for live performance, and its biggest advantage for using it as a DJ is its awesome warping engine and its song-tempo management. Unlike other DJ software, Ableton Live allows you to set a master tempo and the software plays all the tracks at the respective tempo, so you won’t require to beatmatch while performing.

The warping engine can also be used to fix issues in the original track, as well as slowing up and down track playback.

VirtualDJ

The Best DJ Software for Beginners

VirtualDJ by Atomix Productions is an excellent tool for aspiring DJs and pros alike, being not only great for mixing and mashing beats via an old-school looking 2-deck console, but also as an audio central for your system. The latest version of VirtualDJ looks really professional, with a brand new and mature interface, much better compared to earlier versions.

One of the biggest updates in VirtualDJ 2020 is the advanced harmonic mixing feature that lets you automatically sync the musical key of two or more songs, and the event scheduler feature, which is something cool for mobile and pro DJs who do events that are heavy on background music, voiceovers, and DJ idents and stingers.

Streaming is another big feature in VirtualDJ 2020, which by the way works great on both Mac and PC. This thing can click on online music, and you’ve got access to all of these streaming services.

There’s DJPool, VJ’Pro for video, Digitrax for karaoke, Deezer, and you can also connect Deezer if you want to play music from streaming. We must mention Mirrored Rhythm, a feature that lets you overlay the full waveform on top of each other, for your spinning with two decks, and there’s also Full Spectrum, which is what we had earlier, i.e. the default.

The user interface looks pretty much like Traktor, i.e. it’s easy to get in and navigate, and, most importantly, everything works flawlessly, as it should.

Mixxx

The Best Free DJ Software

If you’re looking for the best free DJ software, Mixxx is the droid you were looking for, as it’s absolutely free of charge and open source. However, even if Mixxx will not put a dent into your bank account, it still offers all the essential tools a DJ requires to engage in creative live mixes with digital music files. And on top of being free and open-source, Mixxx features cross-platform compatibility, i.e. it works equally well on Mac OS, Windows and Linux.

Another advantage of Mixxx is that it features a well-designed and intuitive user interface, which means you will enjoy it as an experienced turntablist or as a “noob” DJ with just a pair of cans and a crappy laptop. And speaking of the latter, Mixxx is not a resource hog, and it will work well on older laptops, which is a big plus for beginners on tight budgets.

Feature-wise, this freeware offers all the necessary tools for mixing tracks, including effect chain grouping, time-stretching, and beat syncing, as well as pre-bundled timecode vinyl control software, which is great as it provides improved tactile control via a CDJ or turntable.

Ease of use is another advantage of Mixxx, and you’ll definitely appreciate the old-school 2-deck system, which looks very familiar; on top of that, you get full support for the vast majority of DJ controllers from all major manufacturers, and that’s awesome in our book. Another bonus is that you’ll be able to customize Mixxx as much or as little as you want, including tweaking the type of EQ, or even write custom Javascript to make Mixxx your own, provided you have the inclination for that.

By the way, the latest update brought resizable waveforms, post-fader effects, new high-resolution skins, tempo-synced effects, and brand-new controller mappings, so yeah, tech-support is great for grass-roots DJ software.

djay Pro

The Best DJ Mixing Software for Windows

Last but not least, we have djay Pro, or, as it’s being marketed, the best DJ software for Windows. If you’re a Windows 10 aficionado, you should know that djay Pro was specifically crafted for this particular OS, and it seamlessly integrates with your music library, which means you’ll be granted instant access to virtually all the tracks in the known universe.

Besides that, djay Pro offers pro-tier sound quality and a multitude of features, including 4 decks, high-def waveforms, hardware integration and lots of audio effects. The visual interface is arguably one of the main reasons to choose djay Pro, as it provides a powerful music library alongside flexible layers of functionality, and it allows you to intuitively switch between two-deck, four-deck, sampler and expanded library layouts. Most importantly, since djay Pro is built to be a native Windows 10 app via UWP (universal Windows platform), it’s incredibly easy to install from the Windows Store.

All you have to do is to make a single click, no additional setup required, and you’re ready to go. The deep integration with Windows 10 translates into low latency audio plug and play hardware support and smooth graphics, everything contributing to an immersive experience. Since we’re dealing with Windows 10, it goes without saying that djay Pro combines desktop and touch input methods, i.e. it makes for the best of both worlds, being easily controlled via mouse, keyboard, touch, MIDI controllers, pen, and even the latest Surface Dial;

On top of that, you get plus full Surface Dial Support, i.e. you can use the new Microsoft Surface input-device to browse your music library, or, why not, to scrub, scratch, adjust knobs, loop and so on and so forth.

Hence, today’s article is about the best music production software money can buy. By the way, before diving into today’s article, check out this piece about recording softwarerecording software, it may help a bit.

Before you ask, the DAW acronym stands for Digital Audio Workstation, and, to use the aforementioned metaphor, a DAW is for music production what a canvas is for painters, i.e. it’s a computer program which helps you get the most of your audio files: recording, editing, mixing, mastering and what have you. It’s also worth mentioning that not only total “noobs” with home studios are using DAWs; most semi-pros and professional musicians are totally dependent on music production software nowadays, when everything is digital.

With all this in mind, put your headphones on, play your favorite rap song or whatever helps you stay focused and check out a few things to consider before choosing the best DAW.

How to Choose the Best Music Production Software

Budget

If you’re serious about music production, you should consider the DAW as one of your instruments and regard it as a long-term investment. There’s always free stuff out there, but long-term speaking, you’ll have to spit out a few hundred bucks if you’re serious about making music. Free stuff will only get you so far.

Level of Experience

Consider your experience level: if this is your first encounter with music production software, don’t go spending hundreds of dollars on pro tools right away, but start with something easy to understand (read freeware) and build your music-making skills from the ground-up. However, if you have the money and want to start big from the beginning, be our guest.

Mac or PC?

There’s the never-ending debate regarding music production: Mac or PC? If you already own a dedicated rig for making music, that’s awesome. If you don’t, you’ll have to invest in a computer that’s powerful enough to support your DAW of choice.

The Mac vs PC thing is very subjective anyway, as both platforms can be used for music production. Some software are only available for Mac, yet most work on both Mac and PC.

Think About the Future

If you’re a beginner yet serious about music, think about the future, i.e. your first DAW should not be the most basic/entry level one, because after you reach a certain skill threshold, you’ll have to switch to better software and start the learning curve from the beginning. Our advice would be to start with a middle-tier DAW, that will provide you with advanced features when required (when you’re ready to use them).

Live Performance

If you perform live, look for DAW that provides easy integration with VST instruments and MIDI controllers, as well as control surfaces and basically any other gear/features specific for live performance. However, most DAWs are fine for performing live, it’s just some of them are more focused on live performances than others.

In the End

Finally, stick with what you’ve chosen, learn all there is to learn about it, don’t pay attention to what others use, remember that testing beats reading, relax, take a deep breath and check out our picks for the best music production software in 2020:

Best Music Production Software Solutions

Acid Pro

The Best DAW for Beginners

Acid Pro, also known as the “creative” DAW, is now at its 10th iteration. Like, yeah, it’s that magic moment again, so what’s new? The first version of the award-winning loop based mixing software saw “action” more than 20 years ago, and since then it was used by sound designers, DJs, composers and various other professional categories, due to its comprehensive music features.

While we’re at it, we must mention Theo Green and the movie Blade Runner 2049. Because yes, this guy composed an awesome soundtrack using Acid Pro. What are YOU waiting for? Now, here’s the deal: with Acid Pro 10, cutting and layering audio clips, as well as creating MIDI, is a more simplified and faster workflow compared to basically any other DAW on the market, whether we’re talking sound designing or composing.

Also, the quality of the mixdowns is less colored and clearer than other DAWs. Obviously, the 10th gen arrives with new features compared to the previous version, things like STEM MAKER 2, the second version of the Zynaptiq’s AI-powered STEM MAKER Audio Source Separation technology, which delivers higher processing speed and improved separation, plus better overall sound quality.

Finally, we must mention the MIDI Playable Chopper, which gets a new transient detection feature, and allows you to play ACIDized loops, extracted samples or your own stuff recorded via MIDI keyboard, and one of the best soft synth plugins, Xfer’s Serum, which comes free if you buy the Acid Pro 10 Suite.

Adobe Audition

The Best DAW Software

Adobe is a big name in the software industry and its Audition suite is arguably one of the best DAWs for Windows. Adobe Audition is a professional-grade audio workstation which allows you to create, mix and design sound effects like David Guetta, and we’re not joking either. And since we’re talking about David Guetta, keep in mind that in our view, Adobe Audition is the best DJ software out there, period.

The software tools available in Adobe Audition include multitrack, waveform, and spectral display for creating, mixing, editing, and restoring audio content, but you can also use Adobe’s DAW to accelerate audio finishing or video production workflows, ending up with a polished mix boasting pristine sound. Adobe Audition meets and exceeds the industry standards in regard to audio restoration, clean up and precision editing for podcasting, video and sound effect design. The software comes with a step-by-step tutorial that guides you through all the cool features, so you can record, edit and integrate music clips like a pro.

Moreover, Adobe Audition is seamlessly integrated with other apps, including Adobe’s famous Premiere Pro and After Effects. To make a long story short, if you’re looking for a comprehensive, professional grade audio editor for podcasts, video post-production and audio restoration, this baby checks all the boxes. However, keep in mind that Adobe Audition is not free, quite the contrary: this is an expensive piece of DAW that requires a monthly subscription, yet it makes for a very special cross-platform audio editing software which, truth be told, plays in a league of its own.

Logic Pro X

Test DAW for Mac

If you’re a Mac owner looking for the ideal audio workstation, Logic Pro X has your name on it. Being a Mac-only kind of a deal, Logic Pro X is designed for medium-expert users and one of its main selling points is the very advanced interface, that helps with the “creative” process (read: music-making) via its instrument layering, track consolidation, a very intuitive and easy to use mixer for plug-in control, and even a score editor which comes with 9 MIDI plug-ins and allows you to create your personal MIDI.

On top of that, you’ll be able to create tracks by using just your mouse, and take a load of this: Logic Pro X offers a virtual drummer option that’s basically an interactive drum-set which helps with the visual implementation of drums, plus a programable arpeggiator.

It’s worth mentioning that Logic Pro X is not free, yet it comes packed to the brim with synths, features, plug-ins and, most importantly, an awesome interface that drastically reduces your learning curve. Even if it’s not free, this DAW is by no means hard on your wallet, at least compared to others, but then again: it only works on Macs.

Cubase

The Best Music Production Software

Cubase is one of the most popular DAWs in the world, provided you’re a semi-pro or a pro musician. Its 10th iteration is a huge step forward, due to a new smart visual design and excellent features, including MixConsole Snapshots, an updated (and better) VariAudio 3 and significant improvements in regard to workflow and overall capability.

The new Cubase 10.5 boasts a fresh Spectral Comparison Equalizer mode in the Channel EQ, as well as a new video export feature that allows you to export audio and video directly from within the DAW. You can export footage within the locator range or the whole video to your collaborators and clients with H.264 video compression and 16-bit stereo audio in 44.1 kHz and 48 kHz.

There’s also a new MultiTap Delay feature, especially for musicians, plus an improved granular synthesizer Padshop 2 and colorized mixer channels for an easy and fast workflow. Moreover, the new version tracks your MIDI input, even if you’re not recording, and captures your performance on multiple tracks, being perfectly capable of bringing back your melodies and chords with just a click. There are three versions of Cubase to choose from: the full app i.e. the Pro thing, a cheaper Artist version, which comes with fewer plug-ins and instruments, and the basic version, Elements, which is the cheapest of the bunch, yet surprisingly good.

Bottom line, if you’re looking for a professional DAW for MIDI and virtual instrument composers, this is it.

CakeWalk

The Best Free DAW

CakeWalk has over 3 decades of experience in the music-making niche, and the company was initially owned by Roland, followed by Gibson (sacred names in the music industry). In 2017, Gibson sold Cakewalk to BandLab, who continued to develop the software suite, while, amazingly enough, refusing to charge users for their product. Prior to that, CakeWalk (the studio version) was retailing for something like $400, but after 2017, this award-winning pro-recording software was available free of charge.

So yeah, if we’re talking about pro-grade DAW for peanuts money, nothing beats CakeWalk. All you need is an internet connection and Windows 7 OS (or above), and there you have it: world-leading features are at your fingertips courtesy of Cakewalk by BandLab. Here’s what you can do with CakeWalk: compose ease complete songs and performances with incredible using the software’s tools and instruments, record your music with unlimited audio and pristine quality, including MIDI tracks, edit music (fix/arrange parts, manipulate time, pitch etc.), master your finished music tracks to perfection using CakeWalk’s excellent mastering tools, mix like a pro via advanced mixing tools, and share your work (export/publish) directly to social media, YouTube, SoundCloud and more.

Basically, if you’re looking for a world of professional features for literally zero money, you can’t beat CakeWalk.

FL Studio

The Best DAW For EDM

FL Studio is a serious DAW that’s formerly known as Fruity Loops (no kidding) and until recently, it was a Windows-only deal. Since 2018, FL Studio is also available for Mac and it makes for one of the most famous and popular DAWs out there, being used by some of the most creative artists in the world. Truth be told, FL Studio is not the ideal tool if you’re looking for an all-around digital audio workstation, but it’s awesome if you’re shopping for the best DAW for EDM.

Allow us to elaborate further: to make it real simple for our readers, FL Studio has been developed for over 20 years now, as it started way back in 1998, and since its inception, it was (and still is) geared towards electronic music production. Using FL Studio, you’ll be able to create or record literally any type of audio project one can think of, i.e. you can compose, arrange, record, edit, mix and master professional quality music. And if you doubt that, you have Camo and Krooked, Deadmau5 and Afrojack, or Martin Garrix and Tim Berg (Avicii) vouching for its quality.

FL Studio 20 marks the company’s 20th anniversary and it comes with a revamped vector user interface, plus new bells and whistles and buttons, that on top of landmark Mac compatibility. Without boring you with a list of special effects and things of that nature, you must learn that FL Studio 20 would make for the perfect companion even if you’re a beginner, and that’s due to its intuitive and well-designed interface. On top of that, since the DAW has been around since like, forever, you’ll find tons of YouTube video-tutorials for virtually any feature you need explained.

Avid Pro Tools First

Good Option for Both Professionals and Amateurs

As the name suggests, Avid Pro Tools is a DAW aimed at expert/professional users and the good news is that it works on both Mac and Windows machines. If we were to describe Pro Tools by Avid in a few words, we’d say that if you’re shopping for the industry standard in regard to mixing and mastering, you’ve just met your match, i.e. this is the software to buy. And truth be told, there are entire school programs dedicated to Avid Pro Tools, and here’s why (the TL;DR version):

This professional grade DAW gives you the ability to record, compose, edit, mix, master and more, but what’s very special about Avid’s baby is its proprietary/in-house made Audio Engine, i.e. you’ll get a super-fast sound processor that never lags/freezes due to its 64-bit memory capacity, plus it comes with a built-in latency input buffer that eliminates delay, plus built-in metering. Moreover, there’s a cool feature dubbed Elastic Pitch which allows you to change the tempo with time-stretch of any track; this thing works similarly to autotune, as it helps with correcting harmonies.

Avid Pro Tools also comes with no less than seventy plug-ins and effects, including compressors, reverb, channel stripping, EQs, you know, the whole nine yards. It’s worth mentioning that Pro Tools works a little bit better with Mac, since it was initially designed for Apple devices. Finally, if you become an expert in Pro Tools, you’re set for life, i.e. you’ll never require another DAW, yet be advised: the learning curve is pretty steep.

REAPER

The Best Open-Source DAW

Here comes the Reaper, another digital audio workstation designed for semi-pros and up and boasting cross-platform compatibility, i.e. it works on both PC and Mac. To make it real simple for our readers, Reaper’s main strength is that it offers unparalleled mixing and mastering flexibility. Moreover, after you download the software, you have sixty days of free trial, and that’s great as the free trial comes with all the bells and whistles of the full version.

Another unique feature of the Reaper is that it’s coded by a small group of nerds who focus on delivering the mere essentials of a pro-grade digital audio workstation, and that means you’ll get all the “good stuff” and less of the “fluff” you’ll never use anyway. Reaper allows you to drag and drop your FX and VSTs, or to seamlessly map your MIDI controllers, paste/cut/split/edit individual tracks, and offers plug-in support for the vast majority of music creators.

Basically, Reaper is an open-source no-nonsense software that supports a wide range of plug-ins, audio interfaces and effects, and then again, just download it and use it for 60 days for free, this is a win/win situation.

Ableton Live

The Best DAW For Windows

Ableton Live is the stuff legends are made of, and it’s been around since forever, or more precisely, since 1999. Needless to say, Ableton Live is a hugely popular DAW, and there are plenty of reasons for that. Moreover, this baby works on both Mac and PC, and we would recommend it as the best DAW period (for most of our readers). And here’s why: first, you’ll get the now-obligatory multi-track recording that features limitless MIDI/audio tracks for songs, and that’s awesome in our book; then, you get the standard cut, paste and slice thing, but what makes Ableton Live stand out from the crowd is the seamless MIDI sequencing software and hardware.

On top of that, Ableton Live comes with included sound packages, more precisely up to 70 GB of sounds spread between 23 sound libraries, a feature that’s awesome for starters, as it allows you to make music right away. Another cool thing about Ableton Live is that it’s absolutely fantastic for live performers, and, to make a long story short, you can’t go wrong with Ableton Live, regardless of your “niche”.

PreSonus Studio One

The Best DAW For Hip Hop

Next in line we have a very stable DAW coming from a reputable brand, PreSonus respectively, a company that is also known for its Studio One DAW and AudioBox iTwo audio interface. Studio One is a standalone DAW that offers unlimited tracks, drag and drop functionality, VST, MIDI, FX channels and buses, not to mention mastering integration, cool reverb features, and a Melodyne interface, among other things.

Compared to other DAWs on the market, PreSonus Studio One is easier to work with in terms of workflow, however, the downside is that its user-interface kind of lacks in “bling”, yet we’d take workflow over aesthetics any day of the week, and so should you. Even if the interface is not impressive as per 2020 standards, it looks pretty nice and gets the job done without drama.

This DAW boasts the obligatory 64-bit sound engine and that translates into studio-quality recordings, and comes loaded with all the essential features required from a digital workstation. The mastering tools will take a bit to learn properly, but the good news is that Studio One works great both on PC and Mac, so there you have it, just go for the free version and see if it fits.

Audacity

A Small but Powerful DAW

Speaking of DAWs and cross-platform compatibility, Audacity comes to mind almost instantly. Basically, if you’re looking for audio software that’s open-source, free and works on PC, Mac and Linux, Audacity is the answer to your prayers. This basic DAW is incredibly easy to use and makes for a no-nonsense multi-track audio editor that can record live audio through a microphone or a mixer, digitize recordings from other media, import, edit, export and combine sound files, export recordings in various file-formats (multiple files at once even) and many more.

Audacity is not a professional-grade DAW though, yet you’ll get comprehensive plugin support: LADSPA, LV2, Nyquist, VST and Audio Unit. Basically, if you’re on a tight budget and trying to get started in recording music or podcasting, Audacity would make for the sensible option, being an open-source/free yet powerful audio editor.

Waveform Free

The Best Free DAW

The best things in life are free, or so we’re told; enter WaveForm Free, the best free DAW out there and all that jazz. Seriously now, the Waveform Free is absolutely awesome if you’re making your first steps in the music production software business. Despite its “affordability”, Waveform is fully featured and completely unlimited, which makes it perfect for young music creators.

So, here’s the short story: even if Waveform is not meant to be used in professional environments, unlike other so-called free DAWs this one features unlimited track count, and there are zero restrictions, plus you’ll benefit from a very capable feature set and a number of popular plugins. All in all, it’s very probable that you’ll get more features and capabilities than you’ll ever need as a music enthusiast, and you can take that to the bank.

Moreover, this amazing free DAW runs on anything: Linux, Mac OS, Windows and even Raspberry Pi, supports MPE as well as the latest gen of software instruments, comes with cool features like a MIDI pattern generator to allow you to sync chord progressions, melodies, basslines, what have you, plus the highly popular 40SC Virtual Synthesizer and Micro Drum Sampler.

You can load as many plugins as you like and if you get confused along the way, you can find a ton of good tutorials and song starting templates, for tasks like band recording and mixing, EDM production and more. Bottom line, if you’re not making top dollar from music just yet, the Waveform Free would make for the sensible choice. And if you want more, you can always go for the paid-for Pro version anytime.

Apple GarageBand

Apple-Grade Interface

Finally, we close today’s article with one of the most popular (and oldest) DAWs out there, and yes, we’re talking about the iconic Apple GarageBand. The thing about GarageBand is that it already received legendary status among beginners and for good reason: like all Apple products, GarageBand is extremely easy to use even for first-timers, and it’s excellent for those who are in the starting stages of their music career.

Hence, if you’re a young “future musician” looking to lay down your first tracks and mix some cool tunes for your buddies, the ease of use for recording and its simplicity make GarageBand a safe bet. The user interface is very friendly and designed to help you visualize what you’re creating (synths, keyboard, percussion). This DAW also offers great presets for guitar and vocal recording, plus a couple of good amps and effects for the mic or guitar.

There’s also a built-in lesson for piano and guitar lovers, i.e. you can use GarageBand as a substitute teacher of sorts, that if you’re looking to learn to play real instruments. This baby also maps out the chords and teaches you what they are, so you’ll end up with solid music-theory knowledge. Bottom line, Apple GarageBand is a no-nonsense and solid DAW for beginners, and on top of that, it’s free.

If you’re already familiarized with this kind of thing, benchmark software works pretty much in the same way as overclocking software, as it pushes the performance of, let’s say, your GPU, to the limit and then assesses its performance in a given scenario.

To make it real simple, the best GPU benchmark software will permit you to both stress test your hardware components, and to evaluate/troubleshoot issues, while allowing you to make hardware changes through software. And yes, that’s why we mentioned the overclocking thing earlier in the article.

Now, if you want to build your dream machine to run a specific game, you must learn all there is to it about the tech details of your future rig thoroughly, with an emphasis on the CPU/GPU combo, and that’s why we combed through the “interwebz” and selected the best benchmark software for your CPU, GPU, gaming and what have you.

So, keep on reading, because you’re in for a real treat today:

Best Benchmark Software

FutureMark 3DMark

The One Benchmark for All your Hardware Needs

If you’re looking for a “Jack of all trades” bench-marking tool, 3DMark is a dream come true, as it allows you to find the optimal test for your machine. 3DMark is the weapon of choice for gamers and overclockers alike, as it automatically scans your hardware and then tells you what’s the ideal benchmark to run on your system.

3DMark provides detailed charts of GPU/CPU temperatures, showing how clock speeds and frame rates change during the tests. If you own a high-end PC or laptop, 3DMark offers the Fire Strike Ultra benchmark which is capable of rendering at UHD/4K resolution. If you’re on a tight budget, you can use the free version of the software, the Basic stuff, but there are also Advanced and Professional editions, which may cost you an arm and a leg (just kidding).

Finally, 3DMark offers cross-platform compatibility, as it works on Windows, Android and iOS devices, i.e. PC, notebook, tablet and smartphone.

UserBenchmark

The Best PC Benchmark Software

UserBenchmark is a very popular benchmark software, and it brags with over 20 million downloads so far and almost 30 million PCs tested. What’s really cool about UserBenchmark is that it’s completely free to use, and, check this out: this is not a commercial enterprise, like others, but a bunch of geeks joining forces to deliver the best benchmark software for private users worldwide.

So, there’s zero marketing in this enterprise; all UserBenchmark does is help you choose the best hardware possible, and that’s it. Everything is user-based and focused on real-world performance.

The software is very tiny in size and it makes for the ideal tool to evaluate the performance of your PCs major components: the CPU, GPU, SSD, Hard Drive, USB drives etc. You can also compare the GPU results, the effective 3D speed respectively, with other graphics cards, so you can build your perfect rig hassle-free.

Cinebench

The Best CPU Benchmark Software

If you’re looking for a comprehensive (as in cross-platform/real-world) test suite, Cinebench has your name on it. Cinebench is free benchmark software by any metrics, and one of the most trusted and thorough of the bunch, being able to render an image and compare it with various real-world tasks, in order to evaluate your rig’s “real-world” performance. The picture-rendering thing is due to the respective task being largely undertaken by the CPU, i.e. this is as real-world as it gets.

However, Cinebench will also test the GPU performance, and, even more, all available processor cores of your CPU, up to 16 cores respectively, which is kind of impressive.

Keep in mind that Cinebench is a CPU-centric benchmark software, and in this regard, it’s probably the best out there. Using it is really easy, as Cinebench will only run 3 tests on your machine: LuxMark rendering, Handbrake h.264 video compression, and GIMP Image Editing. The test results can be uploaded on the official website so you can compare them with various other hardware designs.

Geekbench

The Best Gaming Benchmark Software

As per its name, Geekbench is any geek’s dream, and, not surprisingly, it makes for one of the best benchmarking suites for Windows OS. To make it really easy for our readers, if you want to determine quickly and easily how strong your Windows system really is, Geekbench is the way to go.

This benchmark software is designed to use something akin to a real-world application or task to push your system to the limit, by throwing at it complex tasks, such as straightforward memory access patterns. After Geekbench finishes all the testing, the results displayed can be easily interpreted to find out the efficiency of one’s system. If that sounds occult to our readers, all you need to know is that Geekbench will assess the performance of your machine at the “flick of the switch”, i.e. all you have to do is to press a button to test both your CPU and your GPU.

CPU-Z

A Great System Information Software Tool

If you’re a tech aficionado, CPU-Z is a familiar name, as it makes for one of the most popular CPU monitoring applications for Windows and Android OS. CPU-Z is basically freeware at its best, and once you run it on your machine, you’ll get very detailed info on your CPU name and number, process, codename, cache levels, mainboard and chipset type, memory size, type, timing, including SPD (module specs) and real-time measurement of each core’s memory frequency and internal frequency.

CPU-Z is also pretty good at providing information about the GPU, and helps with identifying your PCs components; moreover, since the software monitors your systems’ main health sensors, like temps, voltages and fan speed, it would make for a good addition to any rig.

HWMonitor

A Comprehensive Monitoring Software

The HWMonitor is basically a sub-section of the previously reviewed CPU-Z, and it works by monitoring the hardware parameters (the vital stats basically) of your machine by accessing the main health sensors: fan speed, temps and voltages. On top of that, the latest versions of the software can read modern CPUs on-die core thermal sensors, plus GPU temps and HDD temps via SMART technology.

While the freeware HWMonitor is the most popular, there’s also an extended Pro version which allows for up to 20 remote connections and 2 years of unlimited updates. Using HWMonitor is the best way to make sure your PC is not overheating due to mechanical failure, and things of this nature.

NovaBench

The Best GPU Benchmark Software

If you want to test your CPU/GPU combo, as well as your hard-drive/SSD and RAM, well, NovaBench is a one-stop software which is designed to provide you with detailed specs, and it’s capable of assessing both processing and graphic abilities; moreover, this software will even assign you a “personal” score. Obviously, what good is a score if you can’t use it to brag to your friends, hence you’ll have the opportunity to compare it online with others (yes, you’ll have to register an account for that) and “mix and match”.

NovaBench is very quick, i.e. the tests will be done in a couple of minutes tops, and the software offers Direct3D 11/Metal graphics with OpenCL compute test, plus write speed and memory transfer speed with the disk for optimum results.

SiSoftware Sandra Lite

The Best Free Benchmark Software

SiSoftware Sandra Lite is another legendary freeware, which is arguably the most renowned and oldest of the bunch. With each new-gen, SiSoftware Sandra Lite gets better and better, and as far as benchmarking software utilities go, this one runs with the best, as it’s capable of assessing both the hardware components and the software environment.

Sandra Lite will check out the performance potential of your CPU, GPU, the speed of the USB ports and of your network, and more. Besides benchmarking, you can also conduct surveys across the network with this baby, or even remotely access smartphones, computers, tablets and anything in between. The installation process will require some configuration, while the UI is intuitive and clean, with everything clearly listed: tools, benchmarks, hardware and software.

MSI Afterburner

A Must-Have Software for Pro Gamers

If you’re a pro gamer looking to overclock your GPU, the MSI Afterburner has your name on it. Using this interesting piece of software from one of world’s biggest computer parts manufacturer will allow you to overclock your GPU to the Moon and back, because that’s what MSI Afterburner is: a cool GPU overclocking utility that allows you to fully control your graphics card.

The Afterburner not only delivers full details of your hardware, but it also allows you to customize fan profiles and benchmark your “precious”. And before you ask, yes, even if it comes from MSI, the Afterburner works with all GPUs, regardless of the brand, and it’s absolutely free. Just to give you an idea, Afterburner was described as the golden standard of overclocking utilities, hence if you’re looking to push the pedal to the metal and make your GPU scary-quick, it doesn’t get any better than this one.

Speccy

Freeware at Its Best

Speccy is the brainchild of Piriform and it’s basically a free system information tool with a smart UI and portable support. Speccy will deliver a detailed list of both software and hardware components in a comprehensible fashion, which makes it a great system information utility.

To enumerate just a few features, using Speccy you’ll obtain key details of your machine’s functions and elements, things like CPU cache, core details, threads, clock speeds, temperatures and more. There’s also a quick overview available regarding CPU, RAM, Storage, Motherboard, Graphics card, Audio, Operating System and many, many more.

PassMark PerformanceTest

The Best Benchmark Software

Finally, we have the PassMark PerformanceTest, i.e. an easy to use and fast benchmark software, which is great if you want to compare your, let’s say, gaming rig, to other computers. The PMPT can benchmark your machine via various speed tests, and it comes in two flavors: the fully featured paid version and a free trial version. PMPT will test the CPU, 2D/3D graphics, Memory, Storage and CD drive by employing 28 standard benchmark tests available in 6 test suites, and there’s even custom benchmarking available for OCD users.

To make a long story short, if you’re looking for a comprehensive benchmarking software solution, PMPT is as good as it gets, especially if you want to know how your gaming rig performs/compares to others, and yes, it’s even available to mobile devices in its latest version.

However, if you’re not well trained/specialized in the fine art of PC building, our advice would be to reach out and touch (pun intended) a company that’s specialized in producing custom machines, as per their customers’ request.

Basically, these folks are capable of delivering specialized rigs to meet anyone’s needs, ranging from machine learning to gaming. Or maybe you want a water-cooled PC with a dual GPU thing? Have no worries, because regardless of what you need, these guys are ready to go.

How to Choose the Best Custom PC Builder

Budget

Obviously, we’re not all rich and driving Ferraris, hence one’s budget comes into play even in the custom PC racket. Depending on what type of components you require in your gaming rig, including cool extras like water cooling systems to keep your hardcore gaming CPU at arctic temperatures, get ready to pay the premium if you want the best of the best. As always, there’s a building mark-up, because these guys have to pay rent and all that, so prepare to pay a little bit extra on a custom-built PC.

Warranty Issues

Since we’re talking about expensive gear and exotic components, pay extra attention to the warranty conditions; unfortunately, people tend to get distracted about this issue due to mysterious reasons. The point being, look for extended warranty offers and, provided there are warranty extension packages available, just go for it, as it will be worth the extra money in the long run if something unexpected happens, for example – you spill your beer inside your $3000 rig.

Customization Options

Even if this may sound redundant, customizability is important, as in how much liberty you have in terms of customizing your PC. Some companies are limited to components, while others offer the whole 9 yards: you can customize everything, ranging from the paint on the chassis to hardware components.

Customer Service

Yes, room service is important, and the same goes for customer service. If something goes terribly wrong, you don’t want to spend two hours on the phone or chatting with a clueless drone, hence we’ll only recommend companies with a “clean bill of health” in this regard.

Now, if you want to go DIY without involving 3rd parties, here’s a free tip i.e. some websites to help you build your PC:

• PC Part Picker
• Pangoly
• Logical Increments

With all these in mind, let’s take a closer look at the best custom PC builders right after a short commercial break:

Best Custom PC Builders

iBuyPower

Fantastic Services

iBuyPower is one of the most affordable custom PC builders out there, and the company is currently trying to win the hearts and minds of CyberPowerPC customers, which makes for its main competitor in the “best bang for the buck” niche, but we’ll tell you more about the latter in a jiffy. iBuyPower was founded back in 1999 and the company’s headquarters are located in sunny California. These guys are specialized in gaming-media custom PCs and they deliver in the USA and Canada only for the time being.

In terms of warranty offered, iBuyPower plays it safe, with 1-year warranty for parts and 3 for labor, yet they offer 4 and 5 years extended warranty for parts. However, they’ll charge you extra for that option and you’ll have to contact them if you want to buy the extended warranty. The company doesn’t handle the shipping and handling expenses, yet they offer a thirty-day money-back guarantee.

Compared to some of its competitors, iBuyPower’s website is focused on advanced computer users, and that gives them an edge in a crowded market. However, you’ll find an Easy Builder Tool on the company’s official website which is excellent for “noobs” looking to build the gaming rig of their dreams. The online configurator is easy to use and helps a lot with choosing the best machine given one’s particular budget, or to meet (and exceed) the customer’s particular demands.

Other than offering a variety of gaming-oriented desktop PC’s and laptops, iBuyPower also owns several brands of gaming gear which are famous in the eSports world.

CyberPowerPC

The Power of Dreams

As we already told in the previous review, CyberPowerPC is our next pick for the best custom PC builder. CyberPowerPC was founded in 1998, one year before iBuyPower, hence they have “the higher ground”, so to speak. The company is actually one of the oldest in the industry and it’s based in California, in the “City of Industry” respectively, being known for producing cutting edge top-notch gaming PC’s.

If you take a look at their website, it becomes obvious why CyberPowerPC is one of the most trusted and most popular PC builders in the world, as they offer a wide array of machines to suit every budget. It’s important to mention that CyberPowerPC doesn’t cut corners with warranty issues, which is crucial. For example, most of their PCs come with a three-year labor warranty and one-year warranty on parts, while the company also offers lifetime tech support, which is rather unique in this niche.

CyberPowerPC’s custom builds are designed with hardcore gamers in mind, and the customization options include high-end water-cooling solutions, basic/advanced overclocking, proper cable management and even high-quality custom paint jobs. The configurator on the company’s official website is user-friendly for both “experts” and “total n00bs”.

OriginPC

Custom Computers for Everybody

OriginPC is a relatively novel brand compared to the previous two, as it’s been founded in 2009 by three former Alienware employees who left after Dell took over their company. The point being, Alienware was initially a stand-alone and highly popular custom PC builder, and Origin PC is its proud successor; Origin has nothing to do with EA’s Origin platform, and it’s based in Miami, Florida, far away from Silicon Valley.

Origin sells high quality/premium gaming laptops and PC’s, both pre-made and custom gear, but what’s really important is that you can get an affordable “base gaming”, which can be further customized as per the customer’s personal preference. The “base gear” consists of Chronos, Neuron, Millenium, and Genesis, which use Mini ITX, Micro ATX, ATX, and eATX chassis.

You can heavily customize both interior and exterior design with different patterns, colors, and lighting, as well as the components, in-house-made cooling solutions and accessories included. However, when it comes to customized services and paints, these are not refundable, so pay extra attention when you place your order.

Falcon Northwest

The Best Custom Gaming PC Builder

Falcon Northwest is marketed as the company that created the gaming PC, and that’s kind of true, considering the fact that Falcon Northwest has been around since 1992, building high-end machines for gamers and power users. Due to their seniority in the PC-building business, Falcon Northwest has a long term and a rather unique perspective over the industry, and that’s why the company is focused on building high-performance computers, with a price range between $2k and $12k.

If you take a look at the price, you’ll understand that Falcon Northwest is more expensive than its direct competitors, but the quality of materials and workmanship is probably worth the stretch. A PC custom built by Falcon Northwest will definitely stand out from the crowd, as the company provides its customers a standard array of unique cases, and also emphasizes the “optics” of your gaming rig, as they employ high-quality paint used by the automotive industry, as well as stunning prints and designs for the computer cases.

The “optics” thing goes so far that you can even order custom artwork done, though you’ll have to pay the price for the extravaganza, and it’s not cheap. There’s also a tech support feature available to Falcon Northwest customers, seven days a week from 9 AM to 6 PM Pacific Time (lifetime that is).

NZXT BLD

The Best Custom PC Builder Website

Compared to other sacred-monsters in the custom PC building industry, BLD can be described as the new kid on the block, as the company was founded yesterday, i.e. in 2017, and, obviously, it has its roots in California, the land of silicon and crazy ideas (read Elon Musk). All jokes aside, BLD is no push-around, as it’s actually a subsidiary of an older company, NZXT respectively. NZXT was founded 15 years ago, in 2004, and it’s well known for its cooling solutions and custom computer cases; in recent years, the company diversified its portfolio, and with the acquisition of BLD, it looks like they are trying to conquer the world.

Speaking of the latter, BLD is a hardware expert that offers approximate FPS estimates for various games and guarantees that you’ll not be disappointed by their gear, regardless of your IT knowledge or lack thereof. All BLD custom built PC’s require a $99 flat-fee (that’s basically their cut) and they’re shipped quickly, in maximum 2 working days of the order being placed. Interestingly enough, BLD offers 2-year parts and 3-year labor warranty.

Unlike other PC builders, these guys will guide you through a step by step process to help you identify the best gear for your specific needs: basically, you’ll have to tell them what the main games you’re going to play are, as well as your budget and your Intel/AMD preference, and they’ll give you a “platform”, a basic recommendation of sorts, from where you can go up (upgrade) as much as you like or you can afford. You’ll be able to configure literally everything hardware-wise, as BLD doesn’t offer preconfigured builds like other custom PC builders, so you can choose the CPU, GPU, the RAM quantity, storage stuff, PSU and so on, cooling, RGB lighting, and even color schemes.

Maingear

Great Support, Quality and Performance

Maingear has been around building custom PCs since 2002 and they offer a pretty good selection of gaming computers and laptops, as well as workstations for their customers, i.e. they’re catering both the gaming community and professionals alike. Needless to say that all their systems are highly customizable/configurable, and the customer can choose basically everything, ranging from the CPU/GPU to adding multiple HDDs/SSDs in RAID config, RGB lights, upgraded warranties (a nice feature to have in an expensive rig), custom paint jobs, etc.

Another nice thing about Maingear is that they are selling their machines on Amazon, preconfigured rigs, hence a lot of them are Prime eligible, which means they can be shipped relatively quickly. Also, Maingear has a number of affordable systems, with their base gaming PC, the Vybe, starting at $825.

All custom machines are covered by the industry-standard 1-year warranty for parts and 3-year warranty for labor. A high-end warranty for a gaming PC can go as high as $400, but you’ll get remote diagnostic software, phone support and so on and so forth.

Xidax

The New Kid on the Block

Speaking of popular custom PC builders, Xidax hardly comes to mind, compared to established companies like Maingear, OriginPC, iBuyPower or CyberPowerPO; however, if you’re looking for a relatively affordable highly customizable machine, you may end up better with a Xidax PC. The thing is, being a new kid on the block comes with certain advantages: for example, the cheapest Xidax custom-built rig can be bought for under $600.

Obviously, Xidax also offers high-end PC’s, laptops and workstations for professional use and/or gaming, and all of them are highly customizable, including professional GPU/CPU overclocking, RGB lighting, case engraving (!), CPU delidding, faster shipping (for Christmas!) and so on and so forth. On top of that, if you’re on a tight budget, you can get your custom Xidax rig via monthly payments, as the company offers financing options through Affirm.

But what really makes Xidax stand out from the “custom” crowd is their lifetime warranty on parts and labor for their desktop systems. Keep in mind that AMD GPUs are excluded from this deal, as they only come with 2-year warranty, and the same stands for liquid cooling systems, which are covered by 1-year warranty only. If something goes wrong, your defective parts are usually replaced by new, refurbished, used or comparable components, depending on the scenario.

AVADirect

A Great Choice for Beginners

If you’re looking for quality services and a wide range of custom PCs, AVADirect comes to mind; the company was founded back in 2000, almost 20 years ago, and they currently offer custom-built rigs for prices ranging from $800 to $8000, everything covered by 1 to 3 years of warranty. Speaking of customization services, AVADirect offers interesting options like out-of-the-factory overclocking for gaming enthusiasts for both CPUs and GPUs, premium chassis featuring custom paint and custom water-cooling systems.

Depending on the system, you can get up to 3 years of warranty, not to mention high-quality tech support, which is excellent especially for the not-so-tech-savvy people. The product catalog is robust, and the company also sells individual components for upgrades and the like, i.e.you can buy custom-made systems or hard drives/SSDs, mice, keyboards and everything in between. The custom-built desktops start at ~$900, laptops start at~$1099, and yes, financing is available.

Alienware

The Sacred Monster

Alienware by Dell computers is a sacred monster in the gaming world, and maybe the most popular brand on this list. Dell corporation, which also owns Alienware, is a big sponsor of the gaming industry and they trade internationally and, besides the now-iconic alien inspired design of their gear, they have much to offer: other than looking awesome, “Alienware” gear is packed to the brim with high-end components.

However, quality comes at a price, i.e. Alienware is not the cheapest of the bunch, but at least you can sleep at night, even if the warranty offered is not on-par with other brands. Most of the Alienware-made machines come with the industry-standard 1-year warranty, but the good news is that you can remedy the “issue” by paying extra for an extended warranty. Speaking of pricing, well, they vary greatly from new to custom setups, but the main point we’re trying to make here is that you’ll get high-quality service regardless of what type of support you pay for.

Digital Storm

You Can’t Go Wrong with These Guys

Founded back in 2002 in sunny California (Fremont) and gloriously named Digital Storm, the company specializes in gaming PCs, laptops and workstations with a price range between $700 and $3000+, everything backed by a 1-year warranty for parts and a 3-year warranty for labor. However, Digital Storm offers an extended warranty pack which consists of a 4-year warranty for parts and 6 years for labor. On top of that, you’ll get lifetime tech support if you’re a customer, Monday through Friday from 9:00 am to 5:00 pm.

Some of the cheapest models are available for purchase via Amazon, and yes, there’s a financing option available if you’re not ready to pay the full price upfront. Speaking of custom PCs, there are 6 base configurations to choose from, which can be further customized to a greater degree depending on one’s budget; the cheaper models have limited customization options, while for the high-end versions, well, the sky is the limit.

Puget Systems

Almost Magic

Puget Systems is one of the smaller custom PC builders, a niche company if you like, and they’re located in Auburn, Washington. Puget Systems is specialized in building custom gaming rigs, as well as workstations, multi-media, engineering, and scientific systems, and their rigs vary in price between $1500 and $15,000. The focus of the company is to provide its customers with top-notch builds, ranging from relatively cheap ones for “basic use” to high-end gaming gear and servers.

Reliability and know-how are what defines Puget Systems, as they’re known for performing intensive tests to make sure that their products are built to last, and they’re also experts at using software and hardware to determine accurately the heat maps, thus determining the ideal cooling solution for their rigs. Basically, if you’re a total “noob” looking for a silent yet powerful machine, Puget Systems is the way to go.

Velocity Micro

High Performance When You Need It

Finally, we have Velocity Micro, another relatively small company specialized in custom-building gaming PCs and laptops, as well as professional workstations. With a price range between $1000 and $15,000, Velocity Micro has something for basically anyone looking for 4K, VR ready, Overclocking, Water cooling, Deep learning, AI and so on and so forth. One of the main selling points of Velocity Micro’s systems is their lightning-quick shipping policy (under 3 days on all products), plus the fact that all their rigs are built by hand in the US.

Testing is another forte of the company, as Velocity Micro’s stress test includes a 200-point checklist on top of 60 cycles of testing, which means all of their products are built to perfection. Another cool thing about these guys is that they offer lifetime in-house tech support, which means they’re pretty confident in their workmanship.

Now, let’s see about that webcam software we’ve already told you about in the preamble: most internet users are simply hooking up their webcam to their PC or laptop and start using Windows’ default software/drivers for video chatting on Google Hangouts, Skype or whatever internet chat is trending today. But here’s the deal: even if Windows’ software is perfectly adequate for a quick call on Skype, if you want to get the most out of your expensive gear, you must take the red pill, i.e. learn that there are many other apps for Windows that will definitely do a better job than Bill Gates’ finest.

Most of the software presented below is completely free of charge, or at least there are “freebies”/free versions available, but some of them also offer premium versions, for professional users. Basically, we got all the bases covered, so keep reading because you’re in for a real treat.

Best Webcam Software

Logitech Capture

The Best Free Webcam Recording Software

Let’s begin with Logitech Capture, and no, we’re not fan-boys of this legendary brand, but because Logitech is the granddaddy of computer peripherals, and their webcams can be found in all corners of the known universe. As per its name, Logitech Capture is designed to make webcam related content fast, easy and intuitive. Keep in mind that Logitech Capture only works with a Logitech webcam, and as soon as you download and install the .exe file you’ll be able to start recording video content in high quality.

The software will allow you to adjust your webcam settings as you see fit, and also to customize your recording and, why not, to shoot vertical video in 16:9 format, everything from an intuitive user interface. Since we’re talking about “current year” software from Logitech, Capture allows you to record from 2 webcams simultaneously, and also performs as a virtual video camera, thus helping you stream your content directly to YouTube.

The good news is that Logitech Capture doesn’t require a complex encoder for live-streaming on YouTube, and, best of all, it’s absolutely free of charge.

Cyberlink YouCam

The Best Webcam Software for Windows 10

Next in line we have Cyberlink’s YouCam, now in its latest 9 Deluxe iteration. To begin with the basics, YouCam is professional-tier webcam software for Windows (yes, it only works on Windows from 7 to 10), and it’s specifically designed for enthusiast live-streamers, whether we’re talking home or business users. And yes, there are two versions of the software to choose from: a free download, which obviously comes with limited features, and the full package, that offers the whole nine yards so to speak.

Now, if you want to use some sort of “skeleton key” to seamlessly integrate all your video call services with YouCam, i.e. to turn your video camera into a live studio, and to be able to stream content on YouTube, Facebook, Skype, Twitch, or Zoom & U Meeting by using just one piece of software, well, here’s what YouCam 9 is all about. The software allows you to apply real-time makeup and skin enhancements, to help you look your best, and provides more than two hundred augmented reality effects, plus customized images and titles.

It’s also important to note that YouCam 9 is fully compatible with most broadcasting, video recording and live streaming services, including XSplit, OBS Studio and Wirecast, as well as CyberLink U Meeting, and Google Hangouts for “business users”. What’s very cool about this software is that it helps you “cheat reality” via its Live Makeup feature that uses AR technology and applies “virtual makeup” on your face (if one so inclined) which looks incredibly natural, in real-time. On top of that, YouCam features Live Skin Smoothing, which reduces wrinkles and blemishes on your face, plus True Theater technology, a cool trick that automatically adjusts sharpness and lighting.

Windows Camera

Just Works

We know, Windows Camera is the official webcam app for Windows 10, but that doesn’t necessarily mean it sucks. The point being, if all you have in this digital world is a generic video camera and your expectations aren’t very high, the Windows Camera app would suffice for basic video streaming purposes, such as Facebook Live or Skype calling (also owned by Microsoft by the way). So, here’s what it does and why you should use it:

First, since it comes “by default” with Windows 10, the Windows Camera app is absolutely free of charge and there’s no installment procedure required, i.e. this is the perfect tool for total n00bs. Joke aside, the app is minimalistically designed and ridiculously easy to use, i.e. everything’s a plug-and-play job.

Windows Camera allows you to take photos and record videos with your webcam in an incredibly user-friendly fashion; moreover, if you use the Photos app, also available for free in Windows 10, you’ll be able to edit/crop/add filters to your snapshots. That’s about it, cut and dried, and if you want something more complicated/more feature-rich, well, just start with the basics and go from there.

Debut Video Capture and Screen Recorder Software

The Best Free Webcam Software

We all know that saying about free stuff being the best and here we have Debut Video Capture and Screen Recorder Software, which kind of reminds us why we have proverbs. The main “selling point” (pun intended) of Debut Video Capture is that, well, it’s absolutely free, yet it does an amazing job, being a very competent screen recorder and much more. We know, there are tons of free webcam software available, but many (if not most) of them are plagued by watermarks, restrictions, limited export options, bloatware and what have you.

This is not the case with Debut Video Capture, which is totally free for home use and comes with all the features required for capturing footage from your webcam or from your screen, not to mention other connected gear, things like security cameras. All these features are usually reserved for premium (as in paid for) software, and that’s why Debut Video Capture plays in a league of its own. The only thing to remember is that DVC is not meant to record games, but everything else it’s “fair game” so to speak, and, most importantly, highly customizable. Oh, and we almost forgot: this baby works on both Windows and Mac OS machines.

ManyCam

Professional Grade Webcam Software

Next in line we have ManyCam, which is described by many as the ideal choice for professional video streamers. ManyCam’s “punch line” is “live video made better”, and that translates into webcam software specially designed to be used in video conferences, live-streams and online classes, with everything being focused on reliability, stability and, most importantly, ease of use.

With ManyCam, you can use multiple programs at the same time; think along the lines of MSN, Skype, Ustream etc., not to mention the fact that you can add cool effects and graphics to your photos and videos. ManyCam allows you to capture video from multiple virtual/real cameras (video chat/video streaming apps), as well as full customization for broadcasting and live streaming. The software also provides cross-platform compatibility, i.e. it works just as well on Mac, Windows, Android and iOS.

Speaking of cool features, ManyCam offers tons of beautification effects, the likes of face masks, transitions, backgrounds and emoticons which allow you to stream or record “artsy” videos, as well as a Picture in Picture (PiP) mode, full YouTube integration and green screen. The software permits you to record video in 240p, 480p, HD, Full HD and more, with frame rates ranging from 5 to 50 FPS in all important formats (MKV, MP4, FLV etc.).

But the best thing about ManyCam is that it comes in two versions: freeware and paid (the PRO version). Even the free version allows you to live-stream simultaneously on YouTube and Facebook, world’s greatest platforms, and the company boasts its over 80 million users from all around the world as a statement to its product quality.

Webcam Toy

Selfie King

If you’re not into downloading third-party software, i.e. if you want to skip all the hassle and just go for a quick selfie, Webcam Toy is the answer. Basically, Webcam Toy is the best solution for “on the go” internet fiends looking to add some cool distortion effects and filters on their selfies (the bane of the modern world if you ask boomers), or to take a quick pic without using dedicated software. The main “selling point” of Webcam Toy is its simplicity and ease of use.

And speaking of the latter, all you have to do is to go to the official website, check that big purple box which reads “Ready? Smile!”, then click the “Use my Camera” button; that’s all folks. There are 5 presets to choose from: square, mirror, flash, countdown and full screen, then you must pick something from the plethora of effects using the side scroll buttons. That’s it, cut and dried, and yes, it doesn’t get easier than this; oh, we almost forgot: you can also post your best selfie directly to Twitter or Facebook (obviously) from the website, or save it locally in JPG format.

YawCam

The Best Free Webcam Software for Windows 10

Speaking of inspired brand-names, YawCam literally means Yet Another WebCAM software, and, self-deprecating humor aside, YawCam makes for great webcam software, built and designed around the concept of being as easy to use as humanly possible. The clean user interface makes up for YawCam’s lack of flashy effects, yet this webcam software is not as barebones as Webcam Toy, not by a long shot.

While the latter can only be used to take photos and selfies, YawCam comes with essential video-features, such as text/image overlay, image to movie converter and even a nice motion detection feature, which can transform one’s boring webcam into a surveillance tool. Video streaming is handled by MJPEG and JavaSCript, while captured images can be saved in GIF, JPG and PNG formats.

Bandicam

The Best Webcam Software for Youtube

Last but not least, we have Bandicam, which is arguably the best webcam recorder software for YouTube. To make it real easy, Bandicam is freeware at its best (though with some restrictions), featuring an intuitive user interface, and allowing you to record basically any type of external video device, whether we’re talking about a regular webcam, or even a smartphone, PlayStation, Xbox, IPTV and more, audio included obviously.

The recorded videos can be easily uploaded to YouTube, and the software can be set-up to stop recording automatically by file size or recording time. The saved files can be stored in various formats, including AVI, MP4 and WAV, while the software supports hardware acceleration, whether we’re talking about NVIDIA’s CUDA/NVENC or AMD’s VCE, and even Intel’s Quick Sync video, i.e. your videos will be recorded lightning fast with excellent quality and a high compression ratio.

Basically, you can record your webcam video on PC, as well as Playstation/Xbox gameplay with a capture card and an HDMI cable, or your smartphone via an MHL cable, and even Apple TV, IPTV or HDTV screens.

All jokes aside, backup software on one’s rig is just as important as, let’s say defrag software. Yes, we know, Windows and Linux have their own defrag-tools built into their systems. However, as we’ve already told you (multiple times), dedicated/third party software is orders of magnitude better and more feature-rich compared to OEM stuff, and that stands true for backup software, partition software and especially with cloning software. With all these in mind, let’s take a look at the basics of choosing the best backup software for your computer and then we’ll check out what the free market has to offer.

How to Choose Backup Software

Backup solutions are like prepping, as they’re a clear sign that you’re getting ready to deal with the worst-case scenario, i.e. a hard drive crash, whether we’re talking about “civilians” or business users. Since losing important data is, let’s say unpleasant, backup software was invented, and yes, we’re aware of the existence of cloud backup solutions, like One Drive or Google Drive; however, to put it simple, it’s not ideal to keep sensitive data on someone else’s servers.

As a relatively safe alternative, you could keep an encrypted archive in the cloud, and another one on your own personal hard-drive locked in a bank vault in Switzerland. Because yes, redundancy is the name of the game in backup-software-world, and since external hard drives are dirt cheap nowadays, let’s focus on that for a moment. Here’s what to look for in backup software:

There are basically two types of backup software: file-based and imaging-based. If you want to be able to restore a computer’s system from scratch, with the OS, apps and everything all installed, up and running, you’ll require an imaging-based software or an imaging tool. A file-based backup software targets files. Imaging tools will basically photograph the contents of your HDD, hence you’ll require an internal/external HDD or a NAS to store your data.

On the other hand, file-backup software requires less extra storage. The best of both worlds is hybrid backup software, a beast that offers both file backups and imaging features; the cherry on top is an automatic back-up on cloud, i.e. every time you add files on your device, they’re automatically uploaded into the cloud, again, for redundancy reasons. Encryption options are also important if we’re talking sensitive stuff, but after all’s said and done, it’s up to you to decide what software has better functionality, not to mention affordability issues.

Here comes the meat and potatoes of today’s article, stay tuned:

Best Backup Software

Acronis True Image

Setting the Standard

Acronis True Image is the backup software to beat if you’re into this racket; to put it another way, think Apple’s Time Machine meets Windows Recovery and they have a blue-eyed baby named Acronis. We’re only kidding, but this is the grandfather of backup software, and that’s obvious if you’re researching the internet a little bit. Incidentally, that’s why we chose to review it first, as True Image is a complete cyber protection solution for both home and enterprise users, which combines cutting edge backup technology with anti-malware solutions to safeguard your precious data, systems, apps and whatever from basically any catastrophic scenario Alex Jones could concoct.

Acronis True Image has a lot to offer, including comprehensive mirror-imaging, all in one recovery drives and even disk cloning, and you can retrieve your data from any device/from anywhere in the world, as it also offers cloud backup integration. That means you can securely sync and share your stash without fear of internet pirates, as True Image comes with AI software that is able to stop cryptojacking and ransomware in real-time.

AOMEI Backupper

The Best Free Backup Software

Speaking of having a backup solution for everything important in your life, I am writing this using my smartphone’s mobile internet, and this time we’re reviewing AOMEI Backupper, which is quite famous in geek world. AOMEI is a big name in the industry, just like Acronis, and their Backupper only works on Windows machines, which means something like 90% of PCs and laptops worldwide. Okay, we are making that number up, but the point is, if you’re not a Windows user, scroll down to our next choice.

Now, even if the Backupper is a Windows-only deal, it still offers a lot of bang for the buck, and yes, there’s freeware available, don’t worry. If you want to get the fully-featured bundle, you’ll have to upgrade to Pro/Workstation versions, which obviously are paid-for deals. However, the free edition is more than enough for the average Joe Digital, as it makes for a comprehensive all in one data protection/disaster recovery solution. AOMEI is more than a data backupper/restorer software though, as it also allows you to take a snapshot of a given image on your HDD and to clone it later to another SSD/HDD or whatever device.

Basically, AOMEI Backuper is a comprehensive software bundle which allows both backing up your Windows system or just your essential files.

EaseUS Todo Backup Free

Intuitive Freeware for Your PC

Speaking of best backup software, EaseUS Todo Backup Free comes to mind almost instantly, that if you know a thing or two about the niche. So, what is it? Well, to make it real simple, EaseUS Todo Backup is a popular freeware tool which helps users to protect their precious data via automatic backups. Sounds pretty cool, huh? Free and automatic, this is absolutely awesome. Here’s how it works: with just a few clicks, as everything is focused at keeping it simple, you can achieve full data protection by either recovering a backup of your OS or restoring it on a new HDD/SSD (whatever hardware you have).

The best thing about EaseUS Todo Backup is that it doesn’t require tech knowledge to exploit it at its full potential, and that’s kind of rare nowadays. Basically, this well-designed freeware comes with comprehensive backup tools in its free edition, i.e. it’s perfect for protecting partitions, files, or disks/the entire system if that’s your cup of tea. Moreover, EaseUS Todo Backup can clone your drive if you’re looking to upgrade, or clone your classical HDD to a lightning-fast SSD for better performance. There’s also a recovery tool which comes handy if you’re plagued with ransomware, or if your system crashes unexpectedly.

PARAGON Backup & Recovery Free

Free and Well Designed

As the name suggests, this is a standalone and completely free backup software which gets the job done without drama. So, here’s what it can do, since you asked: first, it can create backups of your entire Windows OS, if one so inclined, or of partitions and/or individual files. If so required, data will be restored in a jiffy in WinPE, hence common disasters like hard disk failure or the familiar BSODs are going to become a thing of the past, that if you’ll choose Paragon as your digital guardian angel.

Keep in mind that all these features are completely free of charge in an easy to use and intuitive piece of software which has over 6 million users (no kidding either).

Ashampoo Backup Pro 14

Excellent Backup Solution for Windows

Speaking of fast and painless backup software for Windows, Ashampoo Backup Pro 14 comes to mind. The latest version retails for $50 per PC (if not on sale) and it makes for an excellent imaging solution for people who are not ready to spend a fortune on backup software.

Basically, Ashampoo does 90 percent of what Acronis does, which means the company has taken the middle path in regard to imaging solutions, i.e. this is a compromise of sorts for people low on budget looking to solve their problems at a palatable price.

To give you a hint about the new features in Ashampoo Backup Pro 14, we must tell you about cloud storage capabilities, which means that your data will be stored remotely, and even if disaster strikes, you’ll be just fine, or at least your data will if not you. Tech support is top notch, and that’s a strong incentive to buy data imaging software instead of relying on freebies.

Moreover, the backup engine was completely overhauled, as in now it’s better than ever, and there’s a new automatic verification of backups for extra safety. Ashampoo Pro 14 comes with powerful scheduling options, it’s easy to use, reliable, and can perform disk, partition or full system image backups, as well as incremental file and image backups, thus saving space and time.

Genie Backup Manager Home

Light yet Powerful

When everything else fails, just go rub some old lamp in your attic and if you’re lucky, Genie Backup Manager will show up to save the day. Seriously speaking, this backup software suite is pretty interesting, as it ticks all the important boxes in our list; first, it’s very flexible, as it offers 3 backup types: full, incremental and mirror. Then, there’s an automated backup scheduler, and, very important, you can backup your precious data to literally any type of media.

And we mean that seriously, as Genie Backup Manager works flawlessly with external/local/FTP/FTPS, network, DVD, CD or Blu-ray storage. If you’re not impressed yet, there’s also a Disaster Recovery module which protects your whole system, and you’ll even benefit from state of the art 128, 192 and 256-AES encryption for your documents, pictures, videos or whatever. ZIP password protection is also supported, and this Genie is so smart that it can backup encrypted HDDs/SSDs.

NovaBACKUP PC

Excellent Tool for Windows

With a price tag of approximately fifty bucks, NovaBACKUP for PC is marketed as the number one backup software for Windows. So, to begin with the obvious, this backup software comes in a “paid-only” version aka an annual subscription model, but don’t worry, there’s a 15 day free trial available on their website if you want to take it for a test-drive.

Now, if you can put a price on the integrity of your data and that price is more than 10 cups of coffee, NovaBACKUP for PC makes for an interesting solution for security concerned people, as it will help you with virtually all backup issues, as it’s perfectly capable of creating full disk images or even network drive copies. On top of that, you’ll get state of the art internet-security and limitless customization options, at a decent price we might add. One of NovaBACKUP for PC’s fortes is security, as the default option is to never upload files to a remote server and doesn’t even connect to the internet, i.e. it’s built as fully local backup software.

If you want to make sure your data is safe from privy eyes, NovaBackup provides AES-256 encryption, yet, curiously enough, there’s no ransomware scanner in the picture. However, as far as backup software goes, you get all the important things: data backup, disk imaging features, powerful restoration features, anti-virus and, last but not least, a clean and intuitive interface.

Cobian Backup

Great Freeware

Even if Cobian Backup is an underdog compared to our previous picks, if you’re looking for freeware with strong encryption to back up your precious data, well, this is it. At first glance, Cobian doesn’t have an eye-candy interface and looks simplistic, but even if it lacks in aesthetics, it makes up in terms of features and solid options. To begin with, Cobian allows you to engage in multiple backup jobs, and each of those can have different settings, such as different encryption, different location, different security settings etc.

Moreover, each of the respective jobs can be run automatically at its own schedule. Cobian also supports network backups and FTP, and considering that you get all these cool features for free, well…just go for it and thank us later.

O&O DiskImage

Nice and Easy

Speaking of data backup for Windows only, here comes O&O DiskImage, now at its 14th generation. This backup software allows you to back up an entire machine, or single files if so required, but the nice thing is that you can use your PC during the process, which means that O&O DiskImage is relatively light on resources. Nothing to write home about, really, but it’s nice to know.

The rest of the deal is also an open and shut case: you’ll get drive imaging, file/folder backup, restoration, drive cloning, i.e. you get all your basis covered. What’s new in the 14th generation is the DiskImage To Go feature, which shields you from almost any disaster imaginable by creating a rescue boot medium with an image included, as well as support for VHDX (Virtual Hard Disk Format).

FBackup

Simplicity Redefined

Here comes another freeware for Windows users, Fbackup respectively. If you’ve never heard of this one, don’t worry, it’s normal, but this little-known gem is excellent if you’re looking for highly functional freebies. There are two versions of Fbackup actually, the free one and the premium (paid for) Backup4all Professional, which means if you’re not happy with the “peasant” variety, you can cough up a few greens and you’ll become a made-man (or girl).

The free version though is more appealing, and it boasts over 4 million downloads; that’s most probably due to Fbackup’s clean and simple user interface, which takes you through the backup process smoothly and effectively, due to a friendly wizard-like creature who asks you where do you want to store the data (backup), what exactly do you want to backup, how to run it, when to run it and so on and so forth. Fbackup protects entire disks or files/folders via automated backup tasks, and includes password protection and compression, to help you save space.

Backblaze

The Best Backup Software for Mac

Finally, last but not least, we present you with the future of backup solutions: Backblaze. We’re only kidding, but what makes Backblaze rather unique in this niche is that it makes for a B2 Cloud Storage solution, i.e. this is a data storage provider that offers 2 products: an Amazon like (S3) kind of deal, cloud storage that is, as well as computer backup via an online tool that works with both Mac and Windows, which is kind of cool.

All your data will be saved offsite at Backblaze’s data centers, as the service is pretty much focused on businesses and high-end users. Backblaze offers unlimited file sizes and unlimited storage space, with industry leading AES encryption, data compression, bandwidth optimization and all the high-end stuff expected from a premium service.

There’s some truth in the sarcastic rant above, but DVDs are not as bad as you may think. The main advantage of storing data on a DVD instead of using a magnetic medium such as a hard disk drive/SSD or a thumb drive is that DVDs are much safer in regard to data integrity, as in data stored on a DVD has a much longer shelf life compared to the alternative. Basically, you can write an archive of sorts (encrypted, of course) on a DVD, put the respective DVD in a closet and forget about it until 2050.

After thirty years (and change) have come to pass (yes, big LOTR fan here), provided you don’t have rats or dogs, it’s very probable that your precious data will still be available, that if the world doesn’t end by 2050, and you’re able to find anything in your closet. On the other hand, SSDs, HDDs and other magnetic storage solutions suffer from what’s called data perishability; that’s why SSDs and HDDs cannot be used (and are not used) for archival purposes. The data on a DVD or CD is laser printed (think paper archives and ancient libraries) on a tiny sheet of metal, i.e. the information could last for hundreds of years if stored properly.

Now, if you’re already sold on storing your cat pictures on DVDs for posterity, here comes the meat of the article, i.e. the best DVD burning software money can buy. Don’t worry, most of today’s article is about freeware, so wipe the dust off your DVD player and let’s begin our journey.

Best DVD Burning Software

BurnAware

The Best DVD Burning Software for Windows 10

As its name suggest, BurnAware is a fully-featured disc burning software for fashion-conscious DVD lovers. Joke aside, BurnAware is pretty cool in our book, as it comes with tons of options and, best of all, it’s absolutely free. Don’t worry though: if you’re the demanding type, this piece of DVD burning software comes in three versions or editions, including a commercial one that features extra-tools.

To make a long story short, BurnAware is excellent for both home users and “professionals” alike, provided burning DVDs for profit is still a thing, and it will help you in any type of endeavor that involves DVDs and CDs, ranging from burning tasks such as image creation, backup, basic disc burning, erasing, copying and audio track extraction to data recovery. Basically, you’ll get all your basis covered with this baby, and, on top of that, if you’re also using video editing software for YouTube, you’ll find BurnAware to be pretty awesome due to its audio track extraction feature.

Nero Burning ROM

Old School

Nero Burning ROM is the granddaddy of disc burning software, as it’s been around since like, forever. Needless to say, Nero is arguably the world’s most popular and also number-one burning software, and if you don’t believe us, just go ask your dad. Joke aside, as far as DVD burning software goes, Nero is probably one of the best (at least best known, just kidding) and despite its old age, there’s some life left in its latest version, i.e. it’s still kicking.

However, there’s a small caveat to this success story: Nero isn’t free and that’s most probably due to its amazingly advanced features. Despite lacking a free version, Nero is pretty good especially for not-so-savvy-tech-users, as it comes with an intuitive interface and supports a wide range of disc types, if not all of them. Moreover, Nero offers tons of options, like a myriad of settings to control all aspects of the burning process. Also, you can burn as many compilations as you want in the same time, while file selection is performed via drag-and-drop.

Speaking of ease of use and intuitive interface, Nero is still king. For security freaks, Nero offers a SecureDisk feature, password/digital signature protected, and also works with 3rd party software for boosting security even more (Check Point Endpoint Security Media Encryption). Finally, Nero has a special DiscSpan feature, which allows for spreading oversized file content onto more than 1 disc.

WinX DVD Author

No Nonsense DVD Authoring Software

Next in line we have WinX DVD Author, which is one of the best DVD authoring software for Windows, as it allows you to burn MP4, MKV, AVI, VOB, FLV, MOV, ISO formats on DVD discs with ease, offering tons of practical features which transform your video files into professional-looking DVDs. We know, that sounds wonderful, and the best thing about WinX DVD Author is that it’s free.

To make a long and boring story short and sweet, WinX DVD Author is the perfect solution for home users looking for an easy fix to their DVD burning problems, and even if it comes with a number of quirks (it’s not a bug, but a feature of freeware), it makes for more than decent free DVD creation software, provided you’re not the demanding type.

Ashampoo Burning Studio Free

Great Freeware

We can’t be sure why the developers named their software Ashampoo, but truth be told, as far as freeware goes, this one is a piece of work, and we mean that in the good sense of the word. Ashampoo (what’s in a name, right?) Burning Studio will allow you to burn, copy, rip and pillage literally anything you can lay your hands on, making for a hassle-free and pretty fast DVD burning software if it ever was one.

Even if we’re talking freeware, Ashampoo really has it where it counts, i.e. it’s dependable, feature-rich and easy to use, being designed to make burning/backing up data a child’s play. Everything’s possible with Ashampoo: ripping music discs, burning existing videos/movies on DVDs, creating audio discs, burning MP4s and photos to Blu-rays, copying/burning movies and so on and so forth, the sky is the limit.

CDBurnerXP

Jack of All Trades

The best things in life are free, and the same philosophy applies to CDBurnerXP. If you’re looking for a no-nonsense application to burn DVDs and CDs, look no further, as you’ve just met your match. Since we’re in “the current year”, it’s pretty obvious that CDBurnerXP works just as well with Blu-ray discs and HD-DVDs, and, on top of that, it allows you to burn and create ISOs.

And yes, everything is absolutely free of charge, even for commercial use, not to mention the fact that you won’t require a PhD in IT to use it. It’s true that CDBurnerXP is not as feature-rich as other software bundles, but after all’s said and done, we’re talking about freeware. However, this baby comes with all the bells and whistles you’ll ever need to create DVDs/all types of discs for all kinds of uses, so stop complaining, alright?

Wondershare DVD Creator

The Best DVD Burning Software for Mac

Our next contender for the best free DVD burning software is Wondershare DVD Creator, which makes for a powerful and easy to use DVD toolbox, aimed at helping you mitigate all your DVD related issues. Interestingly enough, you can use Wondershare DVD Creator for free, as there’s a free-download version available on the official website, or as a paid-for kind of deal. Another interesting feature for Apple users is that you can order your special DVD toolbox for Mac, which is kind of cool.

So, what’s up with Wondershare? The most important feature of this DvD creator is that it supports a huge list of formats, and by huge we mean over 150 formats. The huge selection of available formats allows you to do all sorts of things, like DVD, DVD folder, Blu-ray DVD folder, ISO, Blu-ray disc, as well as MP4 to DVD, MKV to DVD, AVI to DVD and many, many more. DVD types supported include DVD-9, DVD-5, DVD-R/RW, and on top of that, you get BD-R, BD-RE, BD-25, BD-25, BD-50, and BD-100.

The user interface is intuitive and well designed, and you can burn a DVD with just one click. There’s also a built-in video editor, and you can even create photo slideshows and make DVD menus, if one so inclined.

DVD MovieFactory Pro

Another Software Aimed for Professionals

Now at its seventh generation, Corel’s DVD MovieFactory Pro is as serious as it sounds. Corel is a big name in the software industry, and their latest-gen MovieFactory Pro makes for professional-grade (read not free) all-in-one HD disc authoring and DVD burning software. And no, it doesn’t come cheap either, though you’ll get a lot of bang for the proverbial buck, provided you can afford it and put it to good use.

And speaking of that, DVD MovieFactory Pro is the ideal tool for transforming your home videos and photos into professional-quality DVDs, Blu-Ray discs or AVCHD. Since we’re talking professional-grade software, you’ll be able to design amazing Hollywood style motion menus and cutting-edge effects courtesy of Corel’s professionally designed templates. We know, it sounds complicated and expensive, because it is, but if you’re looking for the ultimate DVD burning software and then some, well, it’s not getting much better than this baby.

Oh, by the way, there’s a free trial available, but if you’re serious about making professional DVDs, just go for the paid option and thank us later.

AnyBurn

The Best Free DVD Burning Software

Speaking of inspired branding/marketing, AnyBurn comes to mind, and as its name suggests, AnyBurn makes for a lightweight free-solution for DVD/CD/Blu-ray burning and imaging. Despite being light on resources and absolutely free to use, AnyBurn has a lot to offer, including some professional features which are hard to find in freeware.

What can you do with AnyBurn? The short answer is: anything you need, i.e. you can burn files and folders to any kind of disc, burn image files on discs, burn Audio CDs from digital sources like MP3, APE, FLAC, WAV or WMA, or create image file from disc, clean a rewritable disc, copy a disc, create image file from folders/files, convert image files, or view disc/drive information with a single click.

DVDStyler

For Linux Lovers

DVDStyler is another interesting DVD burning software toolbox, which can be defined as a cross-platform DVD authoring app; the best thing about DVDStyler is that is completely free to use and it’s aimed at video enthusiasts looking to make their own professional-looking DVDs for their movie collection or whatever.

On top of being free, DVDStyler is also open-source, as it’s distributed under the GNU General Public License, i.e. if you’re worried about privacy and security issues, DVDStyler is one of the best solutions out there.

ImgBurn

Burn Baby Burn

Speaking of simplicity, ImgBurn comes to mind, and that’s because its beauty is its simplicity, like a Swiss watch of sorts. Since this is the last (but not least) DVD burning software on our list, it comes as no surprise that ImgBurn is one of the simplest to use, and it allows you to perform virtually any basic burning task you can think of without drama and lightning-quick.

ImgBurn works on virtually all Windows versions and supports almost any image format known to man, including BIN, CCD, CDI, CUE, DI, DVD, GI, IMG, ISO, MDS, NRG and PDI. Audio support is also stellar, as you can burn audio CDs from virtually any source: AAC, APE, FLAC, M4A, MP3, MP4, MPC, OGG, PCM, WAV, WMA and WV. Obviously, Blu-ray discs and HD DVDs are also supported, as you can use them to build your custom made DVD. Basically, ImgBurn has all your bases covered, and don’t forget: it’s 100 percent free.