Our verdict: REAPER is a complete recording and mixing studio in a 17 MB installer, and it runs well on modest PCs. The 60-day trial is fully functional and the $60 discounted license covers personal use and small businesses. It ships with few instruments and sounds, so beat makers usually add their own plugins.
About REAPER
REAPER is developed by Cockos, a small US company. One license covers every feature; the price depends on use: $60 for individuals, small businesses under $20,000 yearly revenue and non-profits, $225 for larger commercial users. A license includes free updates through version 8.99.
The evaluation is the full program with no time-limited features and no registration. After 60 days REAPER keeps working but shows a reminder screen at startup asking you to buy a license, which is the honor-system approach Cockos has used for years.
What it does well
- Multitrack recording. Records audio and MIDI on any number of tracks, with flexible routing between them.
- Plugin support. Loads VST, VST3, CLAP and other plugins, plus its own ReaPlugs effects.
- Non-destructive editing. Cuts, fades, crossfades and time-stretches items without changing the source files.
- Customization. Themes, custom actions, toolbars and ReaScript (Lua, EEL, Python) let you reshape the workflow.
- Small footprint. The installer is about 17 MB and the program starts quickly even on older hardware.
Who it is for
Good fit
Home studio musicians, podcasters and engineers who want a full DAW at a low one-time price.
Look elsewhere
Beginners who want a large bundled library of instruments, loops and presets out of the box.
Pros and cons
Pros
- Fully functional 60-day trial
- Low price for personal use
- Very small and fast
- Deep customization and scripting
Cons
- Few bundled instruments and sounds
- Default interface feels technical
- Startup reminder after the trial until you buy
How to install REAPER
The button downloads the 64-bit Windows installer directly from reaper.fm. No account or registration is needed; the trial starts on first launch. A portable install option is offered in the setup wizard.
Questions about REAPER
Is REAPER free?
No. REAPER offers a 60-day evaluation with every feature and no account or card. After that it still runs but shows a purchase reminder; a discounted license costs $60, a commercial one $225.
Which REAPER license do I need?
The $60 discounted license covers personal use, businesses earning under $20,000 a year and non-profits. Others need the $225 commercial license.
Does REAPER support VST plugins?
Yes. It loads VST2, VST3 and CLAP plugins on Windows and includes its own ReaPlugs effects.
