If you’re looking for a digital audio workstation (DAW) for your home studio, you’ve likely come across all sorts of options. Every one of them looks in some ways the same and in other ways vastly different. And these programs are so complex and multifaceted, it’s hard to get a great big-picture view of the differences between them.
Pro Tools is the industry standard: its predecessor was literally the first DAW ever released, and so the brand has a pretty hefty head start on the competition. But there are all sorts of newer DAWs out there, each with its own unique flavor and focus.
In previous posts, we’ve already compared Pro Tools vs Logic Pro X, as well as Pro Tools vs Ableton Live. Today, we’re on to a slightly smaller name that still has quite the following: FL Studio.
Read on to get the lowdown of Pro Tools vs FL Studio. We'll cover what they offer, how easy they are to use, their prices, and help you figure out which one might just be the right choice for your music production needs.
Pro Tools vs FL Studio: Detailed Review
The biggest picture observation about FL Studio vs Pro Tools is this: while they’re both DAWs and offer much of the same functionality, these programs are very, very different. Most people who spend their days in FL Studio aren’t trying to accomplish the same stuff as those who spend their time in Pro Tools—despite a similar feature set.
Pro Tools is the undisputed champion of microphone recording, mixing and editing. Its recording and editing capabilities are beyond robust, with a dizzying array of plugins and tools (both included in the package and available from third parties).
FL Studio, on the other hand, is a respected powerhouse among electronic musicians who are doing music production using MIDI, samples, loops, drum pads and more.
If you want to create music directly in your DAW, FL Studio is your likely choice. If you want to use your DAW to record via microphones and edit those waveforms, you’ll likely choose Pro Tools.
Can you do MIDI work in Pro Tools? Of course. But it’s not going to be as easy or as fun (and it might not be as good, either). And on the other side of the coin, can you record vocals in FL Studio? Technically, yes (well, as long as you don’t buy the cheapest version—more on that later). But again, it’s going to be clunky and your editing tools will be slim.
Similarities
Both DAWs offer you pretty much everything you need to produce and record music. Both allow you to work with MIDI tracks, add samples and loops, and record from microphones. And both are professional-grade tools, used by pro studios, musicians and producers.
No matter which DAW you choose, you’ll have access to all kinds of plugins, instruments, sample packs and so forth. You’ll also have a lot to learn: both programs are complex and will take some time to master.
There isn’t much more to say about similarities here. While they do similar things and have similar features, the two DAWs are really quite different.
Main Differences
When two DAWs are this different, it can be a little tricky to narrow down the top differences. But never fear: we’ll give it a shot.
As we mentioned earlier, the biggest difference is reflected in who tends to use which DAW. Each program has a decidedly different focus. Pro Tools focuses on traditional recording workflows like you’ll find in big commercial studios: the producer on one side of the glass, the band on the other, singing and playing into high-end microphones.
FL Studio doesn’t even attempt to win that battle, but focuses instead on the features and functions important to DJs, producers and electronic musicians.
As a result of those differing focuses, the interfaces of these two audio suites are quite different. Pro Tools goes track-first, with a heavy emphasis on waveforms. The MIDI roll is hidden away and must be expanded before you can do work there. FL Studio, on the other hand, puts MIDI, samples and loops front and center.
Plugin availability is a big difference here. Pro Tools uses RTAS or AAX format plugins, while FL Studio uses VST and AU plugins. The two programs can’t read each other’s plugins (at least not without some technical wizardry that may or may not work reliably).
There are differences in feel and output between similar plugins in either program, and which ones are better is predictable. Pro Tools wins on the vocal/waveform-centric plugins, while FL Studio wins out on some key electronic-focused plugins.
It’s also worth noting that there are plenty of third-party plugins for both.
One other significant difference for each: FL Studio offers a graphic generation tool for VJs, while Pro Tools includes tools for importing and syncing video so you can track to film cues or create a perfectly timed soundtrack. Both these features are unique to their respective DAW.
Pro Tools and FL Studio Pricing
These are both serious pieces of software with limited user bases, and the prices are high to reflect these realities. We’ll start with Pro Tools.
Pro Tools
Avid is pushing users hard toward subscription models for all paid versions of Pro Tools, but at this time you can still buy a perpetual license outright.
In addition to the free (and quite limited) Pro Tools First, Avid offers Pro Tools and Pro Tools Ultimate
Pro Tools: $34.99 monthly, $29.99 per month (year commitment), or $299 per year
Pro Tools Perpetual: $599 with 1 year of software updates
Pro Tools Ultimate: $89.99 monthly, $79.99 per month (year commitment), or $799 per year
Pro Tools Ultimate Perpetual: $2599 with 1 year of software updates
There’s also an entirely separate and much lower pricing matrix for education customers (both students and teachers). For Pro Tools, you’ll pay $9.99 per month with a year commitment or $99 per year. The perpetual license costs just $299.
If you’re wondering which version you need, you almost certainly do not need Pro Tools Ultimate unless you are, well, a pro. Here’s a quick breakdown of the differences, but suffice it to say: if you don’t need more than 32 I/O ore more than one video track, you’ll be fine with the standard version.
FL Studio
FL Studio comes in four flavors, each sold as a one-time purchase:
- Fruity (entry level): $99
- Producer (full song creation and mic recording): $199
- Signature (More advanced plugins): $299
- All Plugins Edition: $499
FL Studio comes as a one-time purchase with lifetime free updates, which is a considerable value. If Image Line releases new plugins after you purchase, you’ll still be on the hook for those.
Compatibility
Both Pro Tools and FL Studio are compatible with current versions of Windows and MacOS, so compatibility isn’t much of a concern.
Both DAWs require decent hardware to run well, and both can be more processor-intensive than some other DAWs (like Ableton). But as long as you have an appropriately-specced machine and a quality audio interface, you’ll be able to run either program.
Pros and Cons
Pro Tools: Pros
Industry standard: Pro Tools is what nearly any commercial studio uses for microphone recording and audio editing. If your project might end up in a pro producer’s hands (and it isn’t purely electronic), consider Pro Tools.
Best for editing waveform audio: Pro Tools is built for editing vocal and instrumental tracks, with all sorts of powerful tools for editing and processing audio tracks. You’ll work faster and get stronger results doing this kind of editing in Pro Tools.
Best for video: Scoring to video is easier thanks to the ability to run video footage within the Pro Tools session.
Free tier: While you’ll surely outgrow it, the free tier is quite respectable and can let you see if Pro Tools will be a good fit.
Pro Tools: Cons
Not as strong for producing: Pro Tools lags behind in its treatment of MIDI, samples and loops.
Extra complexity: If you just want to start creating, you’ll be frustrated with the time it takes to get Pro Tools set up and operating well.
Cost: Pro Tools is way more expensive, and you’ll have to shell out for more plugins, too.
FL Studio: Pros
Better for creators: If you want to create electronic music within a pro-grade DAW, FL Studio is a good choice.
Updates for life: Buy once, get updates forever is a very attractive model.
Strong first-party bundle: FL Studio is all about the included plug-ins, samples and loops (which are all copyright-cleared). Depending on what you want to do, the Producer or Signature packages may be all you ever need.
FL Studio: Cons
Resource-intensive interface: compared to similar DAWs, FL Studio eats up more resources thanks to its graphically rich interface. Some users might find the interface distracting, too.
Less robust for live performance: Many musicians use a DAW in live performance (think Ableton Live), but FL studio lags behind in this area.
Weak at microphone recording: Microphone recording just isn’t a focus. Performance and editing tools are both weak.
FL Studio vs Pro Tools: Which is Better?
So, in the end, which is better, Protools or FL Studio? It all depends on what you want to do. In general, Pro Tools is better for recording microphone and line inputs, while FL Studio is better at editing electronic material. Which one is better for you, then, likely comes down to what kind of studio work you’re doing.
The DAW that’s best for you is the one that best supports your workflow. And that could be Pro Tools OR FL Studio — or maybe even both.