Cockos REAPER
REAPER is a complete digital audio production application for Windows, macOS, and Linux, offering full multitrack audio and MIDI recording, editing, processing, mixing, and mastering tools for professional results.
Guitar Pro
Guitar Pro is a comprehensive sheet music editor designed for guitarists and musicians to create, play, and share tablature or standard notation for various stringed instruments and ensembles.
Quick Comparison
| Feature | Cockos REAPER | Guitar Pro |
|---|---|---|
| Website | cockos.com | guitar-pro.com |
| Pricing Model | One_time | One_time |
| Starting Price | $??/month | $99/month |
| FREE Trial | ✓ 60 days free trial | ✓ 7 days free trial |
| Free Plan | ✘ No free plan | ✘ No free plan |
| Product Demo | ✘ No product demo | ✓ Request demo here |
| Deployment | ||
| Integrations | ||
| Target Users | ||
| Target Industries | ||
| Customer Count | 0 | 0 |
| Founded Year | 2004 | 1997 |
| Headquarters | San Francisco, USA | Lille, France |
Overview
Cockos REAPER
REAPER gives you a complete digital audio workstation environment where you can record, edit, mix, and master audio and MIDI projects. You can import any audio or MIDI file, synthesize, sample, compose, and arrange your tracks with a fast-loading, highly efficient engine. Whether you are recording a solo podcast or mixing a complex orchestral arrangement, the software handles high track counts and heavy processing without slowing down your creative flow.
You can customize every part of your workspace, from the visual theme to the keyboard shortcuts and menus. It supports a vast range of hardware and plug-in formats, allowing you to use your favorite VST, AU, or DX effects. Because the entire application is less than 150MB, you can run it from a USB drive and take your entire studio setup with you to any computer.
Guitar Pro
Guitar Pro is a specialized notation and composition tool that helps you write and read musical scores for guitar, bass, and other fretted instruments. You can create your own arrangements or download thousands of existing tabs to learn your favorite songs. The software features a powerful integrated engine that reproduces instrument sounds with high fidelity, allowing you to hear exactly how your compositions should sound in a real-world setting.
Beyond simple notation, you can use a suite of practice tools like the chord engine, scale library, and a dedicated tuner to improve your playing. It serves everyone from hobbyist guitarists learning their first chords to professional composers scoring complex arrangements for entire bands. You can easily export your work as PDF, MIDI, or audio files to share with bandmates or students.
Overview
Cockos REAPER Features
- Multitrack Recording Record multiple audio or MIDI inputs simultaneously to separate tracks for professional-grade studio sessions and live performances.
- Non-Destructive Editing Drag and drop your media to trim, loop, or fade clips without ever permanently altering your original source files.
- Extensive Plugin Support Run thousands of third-party VST, VST3, AU, and JSFX effects to shape your sound exactly how you want.
- Customizable Interface Change the entire look and feel of your workspace with user-made themes and custom toolbars that match your workflow.
- Real-time FX Processing Apply effects to tracks or individual clips in real-time and hear the results instantly without waiting for long renders.
- Automation and Routing Create complex signal chains and automate any parameter with a flexible routing matrix that handles any audio challenge.
Guitar Pro Features
- Tablature and Score Editor. Compose music quickly using standard notation or tablature for guitar, bass, and other stringed instruments with intuitive keyboard shortcuts.
- Realistic Sound Engine. Listen to your scores with over 200 high-quality instrument banks and effect chains that mimic real amplifiers and pedals.
- Audio Note-Taking. Import audio files into your project to sync them with your score, making it easier to transcribe songs by ear.
- Virtual Instrument View. Visualize notes on a virtual fretboard or keyboard to understand fingerings and chord structures more effectively while you practice.
- Performance Practice Tools. Master difficult passages by using the built-in metronome, progressive loop features, and the integrated digital guitar tuner.
- Multi-Track Mixing. Create full band arrangements by adding tracks for drums, piano, and vocals, then balance them using the integrated mixing console.
Pricing Comparison
Cockos REAPER Pricing
- Full software functionality
- For personal or non-profit use
- For businesses earning <$20k/year
- Includes free updates through v7.99
- One-time purchase price of $60
- Full software functionality
- For professional/commercial use
- Required if earning >$20k/year
- Includes free updates through v7.99
- One-time purchase price of $225
Guitar Pro Pricing
- One-time perpetual license
- Full notation and tab editing
- Access to 200+ sound banks
- Audio time-stretching tools
- PDF and MIDI export
- Install on up to 5 computers
- Discounted rate for existing users
- Everything in Full License
- Latest version features
- Compatible with older files
- Priority technical support
- Access to new sound presets
Pros & Cons
Cockos REAPER
Pros
- Extremely lightweight and fast performance on older hardware
- Unmatched customization of menus and keyboard shortcuts
- Very affordable one-time pricing compared to competitors
- Generous 60-day trial with no feature limitations
Cons
- Steep learning curve for beginners due to complexity
- Stock plugins have very basic visual interfaces
- Does not include a large built-in virtual instrument library
Guitar Pro
Pros
- Industry standard format for sharing guitar tablature
- High-quality realistic sound engine for playback
- One-time purchase avoids annoying monthly subscription costs
- Excellent transcription tools for syncing audio files
- Clean and highly customizable user interface
Cons
- Mobile app version requires a separate purchase
- Steep learning curve for advanced notation features
- Limited functionality for non-stringed instrument notation