Since the early 90s, Pro Tools has been the essential tool of successful recording studios, revolutionizing how artists make music and opening the door to a new era, where iconic instruments and effects are just a click away.
But competition is tougher than ever. Most modern DAWs were inspired by Pro Tools, yet they’ve become unique, powerful tools in their own right – often aimed at users who don’t need everything Pro Tools offers.
In this review, I’ll take a look at this iconic DAW, its features, pros and cons, and how it compares to some strong alternatives. While it’s up to you whether Pro Tools is the right fit, by the end of this piece, you’ll have a clear picture of what it brings to the table.
Final verdict
There’s a reason why Avid Pro Tools is the DAW you’ll find in most professional studios, and this is something that hasn’t changed despite the tougher competition. It offers endless solutions to recording artists and mix engineers, and it’s particularly suited for large projects. As such, it’s a DAW that can follow you all the way to stardom.
However, it’s not for everyone. Pro Tools was never an intuitive DAW, so first-timers should look for more user-friendly alternatives, like Logic (for Mac users), Ableton, FL Studio, Reaper or Studio One. The same goes for beat-makers, bedroom producers, or anyone else who doesn’t record real instruments much: you’ll probably get everything you need from a much cheaper and simpler DAW.
Their recent change to a subscription model made most producers unhappy: the annual subscription is expensive, and it feels like you never actually own your workstation, which I find nonsensical. You can still get perpetual licenses from some resellers, though how long for is anyone’s guess.
That said, if you’re a sound engineer, soundtrack composer, or work in a large recording studio, Pro Tools is still the best DAW for professional use, and will likely be for years to come. The stability and sound customization options it offers, especially on large projects, are unmatched by modern competition.
What I like
- Handles large and complex projects easily.
- Ideal for post-production and film work.
- Perfectly stable and high-performing.
What I don’t like
- Expensive subscription model.
- Steep learning curve.
- Non-intuitive interface.
Why you should trust this review
As a music producer and record label owner, I’ve tried as many DAWs as I could get my hands on, from Ableton to Studio One, FL Studio, Audacity, Reaper, and now Pro Tools.
I’ve always looked for DAWs that could offer a high level of flexibility and stability, as my work involves mixing and mastering other artists’ music, as well as creating my own compositions for publication or movie soundtracks.
Contents
Use these jump links to navigate to the desired section of the review.
You can also check the Comparison section, where I put Pro Tools against other competing DAWs.
UI and layout 4.0
The first thing you see when you open Pro Tools is its dual view: Edit and Mix. You can switch between the two by going to Windows and clicking on either Mix or Edit.
If you’re looking for a flashy and intuitive layout, you won’t find it here. Pro Tools offers a clean interface that prioritizes clarity over flashiness.
If you’re coming from more visual or loop-oriented DAWs like Ableton or GarageBand, you’ll probably find this interface disappointing. That said, this DAW is not supposed to be fun, but rather a companion for professional projects, big and small, and for that, this is the perfect layout.
Workflow 4.0
Working with Pro Tools has been a bit of a rollercoaster for me, but I’ll try to be as objective as possible. I come from Studio One, which has a rather different workflow, and perhaps my initial studio setup was not the right one to enhance the power of this DAW.
At first, using Pro Tools felt clunky, but once I got into a proper studio setup with a full-sized keyboard and shortcut stickers, everything started making sense. The editing process became much more fluid and efficient, especially in post-production.
That said, there are definitely things I missed from Studio One. The Undo function feels unforgiving, plugin management and application confused me a lot, and the overall navigation process felt overwhelming, especially when using my small-screen laptop. Plus, the iLok system and Avid Link, required to install the DAW, drove me insane.
But Pro Tools is designed to handle big projects, and that’s when its ecosystem truly shines. When you’re working on large-scale post-production where multiple systems need to sync, you have endless automation, and you’re using tools for cueing, ADR, and EDL management, it’s hard to imagine finding a DAW that can handle it better than Pro Tools.
All in all, when it comes to workflow, Pro Tools is far from being perfect. But when used correctly and for the right projects, it’s incredibly efficient at what it does.
Performance 5.0
I tested Pro Tools with a Windows computer (Intel Core i7, 32 GB of RAM) and had absolutely no issues with it, despite many people claiming the DAW doesn’t run efficiently on Windows. Make sure you check out system requirements before downloading the software.
My recommendation is to keep an eye on your CPU, especially if you’re using low buffer sizes, high sample rates, or plugin-heavy sessions.
Avid officially recommends 8 GB of RAM, but I’m not sure what you can actually do with so little RAM. Maybe if you’re working just with sample-based virtual instruments? I’m not sure.
That said, I had no issues bouncing a sample-heavy song with a dozen plugins (both native and third-party), but I can easily imagine running into issues as the projects grow larger.
For this kind of session, 16 GB might be just about enough, but once you start layering third-party plugins or using orchestral libraries or virtual drums, you’ll probably feel the need for more RAM.
I’d recommend you play it safe. If you’re working in Pro Tools and want stability and performance, go for at least 32 GB of RAM and SSD storage.
Value for money 4.0
Let’s take a look at the current subscriptions offered by Avid Pro Tools: Artist, Studio, and Ultimate.
| Features | Artist | Studio | Ultimate |
|---|---|---|---|
| Audio tracks | 32 | 512 | 2048 |
| Aux tracks | 32 | 128 | 512 |
| Instrument tracks | 32 | 512 | 512 |
| MIDI tracks | 256 | 1024 | 1024 |
| VCA tracks | – | 128 | 128 |
| Video tracks | 1 | 64 | Unlimited |
| Simultaneous inputs (I/O) | 16 | 64 | 256 |
| Surround sound support | – | – | Up to Dolby Atmos 7.1.2 |
| Advanced automation | Basic | Standard | Advanced |
| Track Freeze/Commit | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Clip effects | No | Yes | Yes |
| Field Recorder Workflows | No | No | Yes |
| Networked collaboration (Avid Cloud) | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Included plugins/instruments | 100+ | 120+ | 120+ (plus advanced post tools) |
| Price (annual subscription) | $99/year | $299/year | $599/year |
| Perpetual license available | No | Yes | Yes |
It seems pretty clear to me that the Studio and Ultimate subscriptions are what make Pro Tools stand out. Hundreds or even thousands of audio tracks, 64 to unlimited video tracks, up to 256 simultaneous inputs – these are numbers designed to attract professional studios and engineers, who won’t be able to find these features anywhere else. In these numbers, you see proof that Pro Tools is still the industry standard for a reason.
Just a reminder that you can also get a perpetual license, so long as there’s a licensed reseller in your country.
Choose your subscription plan at: SweetwaterCompared to other DAWs
Let’s take a look at how Pro Tools compares to other top-rated DAW software when placed toe to toe. Modern workstations have many common traits, but they still provide workflows that can vary enormously, so I’ll focus on each DAW’s forte, and see how it compares to Pro Tools.
Pro Tools vs Ableton Live
These two DAWs couldn’t be more different! Ableton Live is intuitive and works well for making music with loops and live shows, while Pro Tools offers a more straightforward editing style, ideal for recording and mixing in a studio. All in all, Ableton offers more ways to enhance creativity and experimentation, while Pro Tools focuses on detailed editing.
Pro Tools vs Studio One
Studio One is a great (albeit not well-known) DAW with a friendly interface and excellent workflow. Compared to Pro Tools, Studio One is easier to learn, has a nicer-looking interface, and is less CPU-demanding. Unless you work with very big projects (40+ tracks): if that’s the case, Pro Tools is still a safer choice.
Pro Tools vs Logic Pro
Logic Pro is a great DAW that offers a complete set of virtual instruments, effects, and MIDI tools at a great price. Just like Ableton (and unlike Pro Tools), it comes with a Live Loop feature.
However, Logic Pro is exclusive to macOS, whereas Pro Tools works on Windows too. But if you’re a Mac user, Logic Pro is a fantastic option at a fraction of the cost of Pro Tools.
Pro Tools vs FL Studio
Beloved by EDM and hip-hop producers, FL Studio offers pattern-based sequencing, great native plugins, and lifetime free updates, which will end up saving you thousands of dollars in the long run.
The workflow in FL Studio is nonlinear, therefore completely different from the traditional timeline used in Pro Tools. I think these two DAWs are designed for two totally different types of music-makers: FL Studio for bedroom producers and artists relying on virtual instruments, and Pro Tools for big projects and recording real instruments.
Pro Tools vs Reaper
Reaper is for those who want a workflow similar to Pro Tools but at a fraction of the cost. It has a steep learning curve, but this affordable DAW offers as much as more blazoned workstations, at an unbeatable price.
Reaper’s interface is even less intuitive than Pro Tools’ if you can believe it! Jokes aside, although it takes some time getting used to Reapers interface, this DAW’s potential is huge, and if you consider how affordable it is, it’s definitely worth checking it out.
Read the full Cockos Reaper review
What and who is Pro Tools best suited for?
Avid’s Pro Tools is the best choice for professional environments.
When working on big projects you have the feeling of having everything under control at a glance, and it offers endless possibilities to customize your mix and layout. It’s great throughout the production process, from audio editing to mixing and mastering, and if you work in film, TV, or video games, it’s probably the best DAW you can get.
That said, bedroom producers, live performers, or musicians who use virtual instruments and sample-based music should look elsewhere. The complex interface and high subscription price can be detrimental if your workflow doesn’t require so many options.
All in all, I wouldn’t say I enjoyed using it, but it’s easy to see how powerful this DAW can be once fully mastered. Its practical, no-nonsense layout is designed to get work done, no matter how complex the project. If you’re looking for a software that can handle anything, Pro Tools is definitely the right DAW for you.
