FL Studio
FL Studio is a complete software music production environment providing everything you need to compose, arrange, record, edit, mix, and master professional quality music on your computer.
Riverside
Riverside is a high-quality remote recording software that captures studio-grade video and audio locally from each participant to ensure professional results regardless of your internet connection strength.
Quick Comparison
| Feature | FL Studio | Riverside |
|---|---|---|
| Website | image-line.com | riverside.fm |
| Pricing Model | One_time | Freemium |
| Starting Price | $??/month | Free |
| FREE Trial | ✓ 0 days free trial | ✘ No free trial |
| Free Plan | ✘ No free plan | ✓ Has free plan |
| Product Demo | ✓ Request demo here | ✓ Request demo here |
| Deployment | ||
| Integrations | ||
| Target Users | ||
| Target Industries | ||
| Customer Count | 0 | 0 |
| Founded Year | 1994 | 2019 |
| Headquarters | Ghent, Belgium | Tel Aviv, Israel |
Overview
FL Studio
FL Studio gives you a complete creative environment where you can turn your musical ideas into professional tracks. You can manage your entire production workflow within a single interface, from initial sequencing and MIDI programming to complex multi-track recording and final mastering. The software is famous for its pattern-based workflow and the iconic Step Sequencer, which lets you build drum loops and melodies in seconds.
You can take advantage of a massive library of native plugins, including synthesizers, samplers, and high-quality audio effects. One of the most significant benefits is the lifetime free updates policy, meaning you buy the software once and receive every future version at no extra cost. Whether you are a bedroom producer or a professional engineer, you can scale your setup with various editions tailored to your specific creative needs.
Riverside
Riverside provides you with a virtual studio to record high-quality podcasts and video interviews from anywhere in the world. Instead of relying on your internet stability, the platform records each participant locally on their own device. This means you get crystal-clear 4K video and uncompressed 48kHz WAV audio for every guest, even if their connection drops or lags during the live session.
You can manage the entire production process within one browser-based dashboard, from inviting guests to downloading separate tracks for easy editing. The platform also includes AI-powered tools to help you generate transcripts and create short-form social media clips instantly. Whether you are a solo creator or part of a large media production team, you can produce professional-grade content without expensive studio hardware.
Overview
FL Studio Features
- The Playlist Arrange all your project elements—audio, automation, and pattern clips—in any order to build your final song structure.
- Step Sequencer Create drum loops and melodic patterns instantly using the intuitive grid-based interface that defined the FL Studio workflow.
- Advanced Mixing Mix your tracks to professional standards with complex routing, sidechaining, and automated plugin control on every channel.
- Piano Roll Send notes and automation data to plugin instruments with the industry-recognized tool for complex MIDI editing and manipulation.
- Native Plugins Access a wide range of built-in synthesizers and effects processors to shape your sound without needing third-party software.
- Audio Recording Capture live performances and vocals directly into the playlist with multi-track recording and non-destructive editing capabilities.
Riverside Features
- Local Recording. Record high-quality audio and video locally on each participant's device to bypass internet connection issues and lag.
- Separate Tracks. Download individual audio and video tracks for every guest so you have total control during the post-production process.
- AI Transcriptions. Generate highly accurate transcripts in seconds to speed up your editing workflow and improve content accessibility.
- Magic Clips. Use AI to identify the most engaging moments of your recording and turn them into vertical social media videos.
- Text-Based Editor. Edit your video by simply deleting text in the transcript, making complex video cuts as easy as editing a document.
- Producer Mode. Join the call to monitor and control the recording behind the scenes without appearing on the final video track.
- Live Streaming. Broadcast your recording sessions live to platforms like YouTube, Facebook, and LinkedIn to engage with your audience in real-time.
- Mobile App. Record studio-quality interviews on the go using native iOS and Android apps that sync directly with your online studio.
Pricing Comparison
FL Studio Pricing
- Lifetime free updates
- Piano roll & sequencing
- Automation features
- 83 instruments & effects
- MIDI support only
- No audio clips/recording
- Everything in Fruity, plus:
- Full audio recording
- Audio clips in playlist
- 90 instruments & effects
- Sytrus synthesizer
- Slicex for loop editing
Riverside Pricing
- Unlimited recording
- Individual audio/video tracks
- Up to 720p video quality
- 44.1 kHz audio quality
- 2 hours of separate tracks
- Watermark on exported files
- Everything in Free, plus:
- No watermarks on exports
- 5 hours of separate tracks/month
- Up to 4K video quality
- 48 kHz audio quality
- Live streaming to social media
Pros & Cons
FL Studio
Pros
- Lifetime free updates save you significant money
- Fastest workflow for electronic music and beat-making
- Highly customizable interface fits your personal style
- Massive community support and endless online tutorials
- Excellent stock plugins included with the license
Cons
- Recording workflow is less intuitive than competitors
- Interface can feel cluttered with many windows
- Steep learning curve for the mixer routing
Riverside
Pros
- Superior audio and video quality compared to standard calling apps
- Separate tracks make professional post-production much easier
- AI clip generator saves hours of manual social media editing
- Simple browser-based interface requires no guest software installation
Cons
- Requires significant upload bandwidth for high-resolution files
- Occasional browser compatibility issues with older versions
- Mobile app features are more limited than the desktop version