---
title: Reason
canonical: https://saasranked.com/software/reason/
category: Digital Audio Workstations
points: 54
rank: 7 of 8
facts_checked: 2026-10-09
---

# Reason

DAW built around a rack of instruments and effects, sold once at $299 or as a subscription from $169 a year.

54 points out of 100. #7 of 8 digital audio workstations. Vendor: Reason Studios. Website: https://www.reasonstudios.com/

- Reason 14 is a one-time purchase at $299; the DAW also comes with a Reason+ subscription at $19.99 a month or $169 a year [1].
- The Reason 14 manual says audio recording can be enabled on an unlimited number of tracks, limited only by the computer [6].
- Reason 14 includes point updates; upgrading from an earlier version to Reason 14 costs $99 [1].
- It loads 64-bit VST3 and VST2 plug-ins on Windows and Mac, and converts monophonic audio clips to MIDI notes [7][8].
- Reason Free is limited to 16 audio or instrument tracks, and the only free trial is 7 days, for Reason+ [1][4].

Verdict: Reason suits producers who want a bought-once DAW whose manual states no limit on record-enabled audio tracks or mixer channels, with a built-in comping editor and VST3 hosting [6][7][8][9]. The one-time price is $299, and Reason+ starts at $169 a year [1]. The catch: a new major version is a paid upgrade [1]. Best for: Producers who like building sounds on a device rack and want a buy-once option.

## Points

| Criterion | Line | Value | Points | Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Recording and editing | 100 or more tracks | Yes | 10/10 | Manual: recording can be enabled on an unlimited number of audio tracks [6]; the mixer allows an unlimited number of channels [9]. |
| Recording and editing | Take comping | Yes | 5/5 | Manual describes recording several takes and compiling the best segments in the Comp Editor [7]. |
| Recording and editing | Built-in time-stretch | Yes | 5/5 | Manual describes stretching audio clips to song tempo and selectable Stretch and Transpose Types [7]. |
| Recording and editing | Audio to MIDI | Yes | 4/4 | Manual section 'Bouncing audio to MIDI notes' converts single-take audio clips to note clips, best for monophonic audio [7]. |
| Recording and editing | Video track | Not published | 0/4 | Not published in the vendor's manual chapters on the sequencer and mixer [7][9]. |
| Mixing and control | Surround mixing | Not published | 0/5 | Not published in the vendor's manual chapter on the main mixer [9]. |
| Mixing and control | MPE support | Not published | 0/4 | Not published in the vendor's manual chapters on VST plug-ins and the sequencer [7][8]. |
| Mixing and control | Scripting or extension API | Not published | 0/4 | Not published on the vendor's pages [1]. |
| Plugins | VST3 plugins | Yes | 8/8 | Manual: Reason 12.5 and later supports 64-bit VST3 and VST2 plug-ins, Windows and Mac [8]. |
| Plugins | CLAP plugins | Not published | 0/3 | Not published in the vendor's manual chapter on VST plug-ins [8]. |
| Systems | Other desktop systems | macOS | 3/6 | System requirements list macOS 11 or later and Windows 10 or later; no Linux build is listed [2]. |
| Licence and updates | Buy once, keep forever | Yes | 6/6 | Reason 14 is listed as 'paid once' at $299, in addition to the subscription [1]. |
| Licence and updates | Update policy | period | 3/6 | Reason 14 includes point updates; moving to a new major version is sold as a paid upgrade [1][3]. |
| Licence and updates | Open source | Not published | 0/4 | Not published on the vendor's Get Reason page [1]. |
| Licence and updates | Works offline after activation | Yes | 3/3 | Manual: runs offline for a month, renewed when online; up to three computers can be authorised offline for a year [5]. |
| Licence and updates | Free trial of a paid edition | No | 0/3 | The only trial is 7 days for new Reason+ subscribers; Demo Mode cannot export audio and opens only demo songs [1][5]. |
| Price | Free edition | Not published | 0/8 | Not published on the vendor's Reason Free page, which does not say whether songs can be saved [4]. |
| Price | Cheapest edition with no track limit | $169/yr | 7/12 | Reason+ annual, $169 regular price, includes the DAW with no stated track limit [1][4]; Reason 14 one-time is $299 [1]. |

## Plans

| Plan | Price | Per month (USD) |
|---|---|---|
| Reason Free | Free [4] | $0 |
| Reason+ monthly | $19.99/month [1] | $19.99 |
| Reason+ annual | $169/year [1] | $14.08 |
| Reason 14 | $299 [1][2] | - |

US prices are those shown on the Get Reason page; the shop page shows euros (Reason 14 at 239 euros) [1][3].

## Strengths

- One-time purchase at $299, with point updates included [1].
- Audio comping, time-stretching and audio-to-MIDI conversion are described in the manual [7].
- Hosts 64-bit VST3 and VST2 plug-ins on Windows [8].
- A free version exists for up to 16 tracks, with no trial period or expiry date [4].

## Limits

- Moving to a new major version is a paid upgrade; the Reason 14 upgrade is $99 [1].
- Reason Free is capped at 16 audio or instrument tracks [4].
- The only free trial is 7 days, for new Reason+ subscribers [1].
- Reason runs offline for a limited time and must be re-authorised online [5].

## Vendor claims (not scored)

- Reason Studios says Reason Free has no trial period, no expiry date and no watermarks [4].

## Sources

1. [Get Reason](https://www.reasonstudios.com/get-reason), Reason Studios, accessed 2026-10-09
2. [Reason 14 product page](https://www.reasonstudios.com/shop/product/reason-14/), Reason Studios, accessed 2026-10-09
3. [Reason Studios shop](https://www.reasonstudios.com/shop/), Reason Studios, accessed 2026-10-09
4. [Reason Free](https://www.reasonstudios.com/reason-free), Reason Studios, accessed 2026-10-09
5. [Introduction, Reason 14 manual](https://docs.reasonstudios.com/reason14/introduction), Reason Studios, accessed 2026-10-09
6. [Recording in the Sequencer, Reason 14 manual](https://docs.reasonstudios.com/reason14/recording-in-the-sequencer), Reason Studios, accessed 2026-10-09
7. [Audio Editing in the Sequencer, Reason 14 manual](https://docs.reasonstudios.com/reason14/audio-editing-in-the-sequencer), Reason Studios, accessed 2026-10-09
8. [Working with VST Plugins, Reason 14 manual](https://docs.reasonstudios.com/reason14/working-with-vst-plugins), Reason Studios, accessed 2026-10-09
9. [The Main Mixer, Reason 14 manual](https://docs.reasonstudios.com/reason14/the-main-mixer), Reason Studios, accessed 2026-10-09