LMMS is a free, open-source digital audio workstation (DAW) run as a community project. You can sequence, compose, mix and automate songs in one window. Its site lists a Piano Roll editor for notes and chords, a Beat+Bassline editor for patterns, track-based automation, MIDI and Hydrogen project import, 16 built-in synthesizers (including emulations of classic chips such as the Commodore 64 SID and the Nintendo NES and Game Boy sound), an embedded ZynAddSubFX synthesizer, and 64-bit VST instrument support with a 32-bit VST bridge on 64-bit Windows.
It suits beginners making electronic music and hobbyists who want a full DAW without buying a licence.
How to get the official version
Use lmms.io/download and pick your operating system. The download buttons point to the project’s GitHub releases.
- Windows: 64-bit and 32-bit installers.
- macOS: two DMGs. The site warns that the macOS 10.13 build is buggy on 10.14 (Mojave) or newer, so use the 10.14 build on any recent Mac.
- Linux: a 64-bit AppImage.
Stable 1.2.2 or the 1.3 alpha?
The stable release is still 1.2.2, dated 25 June 2020 in the release notes on lmms.io. The same page also offers 1.3.0-alpha.2 builds, including Windows ARM64 and native Apple Silicon builds, plus nightly builds. Alpha builds are for testing and may change how projects are saved, so keep backups if you try them.
Price and account
LMMS is free and open source under the GPL. There are no ads, accounts or paid features. Sample packs and projects shared on the LMMS sharing platform are optional.
System requirements
lmms.io does not publish hardware minimums. The builds cover 64-bit and 32-bit Windows, macOS 10.13 and 10.14 or newer, and 64-bit Linux.
Safety notes
Because the stable release is several years old, some sites advertise “LMMS 2” or “LMMS Pro” downloads. There is no paid LMMS edition. Take builds only from lmms.io or the LMMS GitHub releases, and compare the SHA-256 values below.
Questions
Can I use VST plugins?
Yes. The site lists 64-bit VST instrument support, with a bridge for 32-bit VSTs on 64-bit Windows.
Which Mac download should I pick?
The build for macOS 10.14 or newer. The project says the 10.13 build is buggy on newer systems.
Is LMMS still developed?
Yes. The download page lists 1.3.0 alpha releases and recent nightly builds alongside the stable 1.2.2.
