Not permanently. Reaper gives you a free, fully functional 60 day evaluation, and Cockos, the company behind it, asks you to licence it after that. There's no separate free plan, but there's also only one version of Reaper, so the evaluation is the full program.
That's what makes Reaper easy to try: nothing is held back during the 60 days. Cockos describes the evaluation as having no strings attached. Here's what the evaluation and the licence cover, plus the free Reaper plugins anyone can use.
What the Reaper evaluation includes
- The full version: Cockos says there's only one version of Reaper, and the evaluation has full functionality.
- 60 days with no obligation, according to Reaper's download and about pages.
- Windows, Mac and Linux: the about page says you can record, edit, mix and master on any of the three.
- A portable install: Reaper says you can run it from a USB key or other removable media.
Reaper also says its User Guide and user forum are free and always available, which helps a lot during the evaluation.
The two Reaper licence types
When the evaluation ends, Reaper's licence page lists two licences. The difference is how you use Reaper, not what it can do, because there's only one version.
| Licence | Who it's for |
|---|---|
| Personal and small business licence | Individuals using Reaper for personal use, small businesses under Cockos's size limit, and educational or non-profit organisations |
| Commercial licence | Businesses using Reaper commercially above that limit |
Either licence includes free upgrades through Reaper version 8.99, according to the licence page. Cockos also offers classroom licences, and upgrades from the personal licence to the commercial one, by email.
The multi-computer rule
This is a handy detail from Reaper's fine print. If you own several computers, you can install the same licence key on all of them, as long as you only use Reaper on one computer at a time. So a studio desktop and a laptop for gigs can share one licence.
Free Reaper plugins you can use anywhere
Cockos offers ReaPlugs, a free package of many of the effects that come with Reaper, for use in other music software on Windows. Its ReaPlugs page says they're freely usable, have no copy protection and can be run portably. If you're on another program and curious about Reaper's sound, ReaPlugs is a free way in.
How to start the Reaper evaluation
- Download Reaper from reaper.fm for Windows, Mac or Linux.
- Install it, or copy it to a USB stick for a portable setup.
- Use the free User Guide on Reaper's site to set up your audio device.
- Try a full project during the 60 days, from recording to mastering.
- Decide which licence fits how you use it once the evaluation ends.
What Reaper can do during the evaluation
Reaper's about page lists a lot, and all of it's in the evaluation because there's only one version. A few highlights:
- Record and overdub audio and MIDI, with the number of inputs limited only by your hardware.
- Record multiple takes, punch in and out, or record in a loop.
- Mix audio, MIDI, video and still images on any track.
- Group editing, routing and bussing through nested folders.
- Built-in effects and instruments, including ReaSynth and a basic drum synthesiser.
Reaper says that with an audio interface and a microphone, it gives you everything you need to record anything from a soloist to an orchestra, which is why it's popular with podcasters as well as musicians.
Reaper's evaluation vs a free plan
It helps to be clear about the difference. A free plan, like the ones some music apps offer, lets you keep using a cut-down version for as long as you like. Reaper does it the other way round: you get the full program for 60 days, with nothing removed, and then Cockos asks you to licence it. If you want something free for good, look at a dedicated free editor instead, but if you want to test a full program on real projects first, the evaluation is generous.
Is Reaper a good choice?
Reaper suits people who want a full recording and editing program with one version for everyone, and the evaluation lets you test it on real projects. If you're comparing it with other audio software, my guide to the best audio editing software covers the main options, and my roundup of Audacity alternatives is useful if you're moving up from a simpler editor.
Reaper's portability is worth trying during the evaluation too. Its about page says you can run Reaper from a USB key or other removable media, and record to several disks at once for redundancy, which suits anyone recording on location.
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My verdict: Reaper isn't free for good, but its 60 day evaluation is the full program with nothing locked. Use the time to run a real project, and if you keep it, check which of the two licences fits how you work.
Frequently asked questions
Is Reaper free forever?
No. Cockos offers a free, fully functional 60 day evaluation and asks you to licence Reaper after that.
Is the Reaper evaluation the full version?
Yes. Cockos says there's only one version of Reaper, and the evaluation has full functionality with no strings attached.
Can I use one Reaper licence on two computers?
Yes. Reaper's fine print says you can install the same licence key on all your computers, as long as you only use Reaper on one at a time.
Does a Reaper licence include upgrades?
Yes. Reaper's licence page says a new licence includes free upgrades through version 8.99.
What are ReaPlugs?
ReaPlugs is a free package of many of Reaper's effects for use in other music software on Windows, with no copy protection.
Is Reaper good for podcasting?
It can be. Reaper says that with an audio interface and a microphone it can record anything from a soloist to an orchestra, and it records and edits multiple tracks.
Does Reaper run on Linux?
Yes. Reaper's about page says you can use it on a PC, Mac or Linux computer.
Can I run Reaper from a USB stick?
Yes. Reaper's about page says you can run it from a USB key or other removable media.
Is the Reaper user guide free?
Yes. Reaper says its User Guide and user forum are free and always available.
