Which Version of FL Studio Should You Buy (2023)

Which Version of FL Studio Should You Buy (1)

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Mentioned Resources:

I recommend the FL Studio Signature Edition. Learn more by watching the video below!

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So, you’ve found out about FL Studio, and now you’re wondering what is the best version of FL Studio to buy, or what edition of FL Studio you should get.

Well, the good news is their pricing model is super easy to understand.

If you don’t like reading, I personally use and recommend the Signature Edition of FL Studio.

If you’re asking yourself, “Is FL Studio worth it?”… the answer is YES, YES, and YES! It offers LIFETIME FREE UPDATES, and the workflow for making high-quality professional radio-ready beats is phenomenal!

FL Studio
Producer Edition

See Price

(Video) WHICH VERSION OF FL STUDIO SHOULD YOU BUY!? (FL Studio Beginner Tutorial)

  • Full Version of FL Studio

  • Perfect for Making ALL Music.

  • Not as many plugins..

View Pricing

Awesome

I will receive a commission if you purchase through my link. Thank-you!

What are the Differences Between FL Studio Versions:

So FL Studio actually has FOUR EDITIONS:

  • Fruity
  • Producer
  • Signature
  • All Plugins Bundle

But.. there’s actually only TWO VERSIONS of FL Studio!

The Fruity and Producer version.

So this means once you reach the Producer Edition you actually have the FULL VERSION of FL Studio. Going to Signature or All Plugins Bundle just offers you more “plugins”, which I explain below.

Fun Fact: The free FL Studio trial version is actually the Producer version of FL Studio WITH the All Plugins Bundle edition! This means the Producer Edition is the full version of FL Studio, then any higher edition you go from their comparison table just includes extra plugins.

5 Keys to a Successful Beat

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(Video) Which Version of FL Studio Should I Get?

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The Trial Version of FL Studio (Free Version of FL Studio.)

FL Studio offers you the ability to try FL Studio for free with its Trial Version!

Download the Trial Version of FL Studio Here

The trial version of FL Studio is actually the Producer Version of FL Studio (Full Version), with all the plugins available to try out! The only restriction is you cannot open saved projects!

So if you made that awesome beat, you can save it, but not open it to work on it later. (It’s nice knowing that because you can keep your projects, and look back on them in a couple years and see how you’ve progressed!)

Fruity Edition of FL Studio

Image-Line, the makers of FL Studio, tell us this about the Fruity Edition:

(Fruity) Has limited FL Studio features. Is aimed at those people who need Piano roll for sequencing functions but does not have Audio Recording, Slicex, or Edison. For a list of all features included in this edition, see the feature comparison page here.

View Their Comparison Table [Affiliate Link]

So in other words, the Fruity Edition allows you to make beats.. but not record audio.

This is why I say to choose either the Producer or Signature edition.

So now what’s the difference between the Producer edition (which is the full version of FL Studio) to the Signature edition?

Producer Edition of FL Studio

The producer edition is the FULL VERSION of FL Studio.

This is PERFECT for someone wanting all FL Studio has to offer. It allows you to make beats, receive your LIFETIME FREE UPDATES, and has TONS of essential tools you need as a producer.

If you’re looking for how to download the fl studio producer edition, simply download the free FL Studio trial version to get started! Also, if you’re wondering how big is fl studio producer edition, it’s about 1 GB in size.. you can see on their download page!

You can compare the two editions just below.

(Video) Which Version of FL Studio is BEST? (Fruity vs Producer vs Signature!)

FL Studio
Producer Edition

See Price

  • Full Version of FL Studio

  • Perfect for Making ALL Music.

  • Not as many plugins..

View Pricing

Awesome

FL Studio
Signature Edition

See Price

  • Full Version of FL Studio

  • Perfect for Making ALL Music

  • Very Useful EXTRA Plugins

View Pricing

What I Use

I will receive a commission if you purchase through my link. Thank-you!

Now.. this brings up an interesting discussion because the question is, do you NEED the plugins FL Studio includes? Should you upgrade and buy third-party tools which are usually better made than stock stuff?

This is why I suggest the Signature Edition of FL Studio. (And it’s what I purchased when I started with FL Studio almost 10 years ago!)

Signature Edition vs. All Plugins Bundle Edition of FL Studio

Spoiler alert, the FL Studio Signature edition is the perfect balance between base-model FULL VERSION of FL Studio (Producer Version) and the All Plugins Bundle Edition.

I just want to state some important points:

FL Studio is the best DAW for making beats in my opinion because they give you LIFETIME FREE UPDATES. I think I started on version 8 or 9! (Most other DAWs make you pay an upgrade fee!)

You can use FL Studio on multiple computers with no additional fee, provided YOU ARE THE ONLY ONE USING that license. (Respect that, they give you lifetime free updates!!!)

Now it all comes down to, well okay then.. “Do I get the Signature Edition, or the All Plugins Bundle Edition” that they have on their comparison table page.

The first thing for you to understand about music production, especially if you’re new, is what plugins are!

  • READ: How to Select Good VST Plugins for FL Studio

Plugins are add-ons to a program that allow you to do different things.

Sometimes.. these plugins can be our instruments, or they can be effects. They make things much easier, or allow for advanced features.

  • READ: What is a VST
  • READ: Difference Between Effects and Virtual Instruments (Generators)

In any industry, the stock plugins are usually bare bones. They’re good, they’ll get the job done well, but the third-party tools out there are usually better in terms of features, and ease of use.

But the plugins which you upgrade to in the Signature Edition of FL Studio, I feel, is definitely worth the money.

(Video) Reasons Why I Use FL Studio | Permanent Price Cut!

In terms of upgrading to the All Plugins Bundle.. I personally do not recommend this to my audience.

So Why Not the All Plugins Bundle

Being 100% transparent with you guys.

In your early years, the FL Studio stock tools will be PERFECT for at least your first 2-3 years. Then when you look at the other tools out there, you’ll see that, yeah.. maybe it is a little easier to accomplish that task, or.. it gives you a little bit more control, or saves you a bit more time.

But.. as you start to progress, I feel that many of the tools are a bit dated, or sometimes a bit cumbersome compared to a third-party alternative. (If you’ve used a plugin like FabFilter, you’ll understand what I’m talking about.)

What Version of FL Studio to Buy?

So my suggestion is to get the FL Studio Signature Edition, which is definitely worth the upgrade.

Once you start progressing as a producer, and if you still want to take this seriously, THEN upgrade to some third-party plugins which will really help you achieve a better workflow.

That’s what I did – those FabFilter plugins I linked to above are what I’ve used since around 2014.. and it’s really hard going back to a stock EQ plugin!!

Remember, there are only two versions of FL Studio – Fruity and Producer – once you get to the Producer, you’re already at the full version of FL Studio. Now if you choose the Signature edition, you are just adding more plugins onto that producer edition. Make sense?

See the current pricing of FL Studio Signature Edition.

Click Here to View FL Studio Prices

Thanks so much for reaching and visiting my blog! I hope this image line fl studio 20 producer edition review and overview helped you decide what version of FL Studio to buy!

Before You Launch Your Music Career

5 Tips I Wish I Knew.. Before Using FL Studio

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Want to Learn FL Studio?

Which Version of FL Studio Should You Buy (4)

By the way, I’m a Recognized FL Studio Trainer!

My name is Riley Weller (GratuiTous).. I’ve been teaching FL Studio for over 10 years!

My website offers:

  • FL Studio Courses
  • FL Studio Books
  • FL Studio Lessons (Private Beatmaking Lessons)

I also have a free FL Studio Podcast.. you can view my own music, or contact me directly if you have questions.

FAQs

Should I Get FL Studio Fruity Edition or producer edition? ›

FL Studio Fruity Edition - Is aimed at those people who need Piano roll and Pattern Clips in the Playlist for sequencing, but don't need Audio Clips, Audio Recording, Slicex or Edison. FL Studio Producer Edition - Provides the highest level of functions in FL Studio.

Is FL Studio Producer edition enough? ›

For most people, the FL Studio Producer Edition is a great version to start with. One which provides ample tools to record, produce, edit, mix and master your track. It comes with 87 virtual instruments and effects and 2 audio editors.

What the difference between FL Studio trial and full? ›

The main difference between the demo version and paid versions of FL Studio is that the demo prevents saving your project file. You are able to evaluate the software features but if you want to be able to save your work you need to purchase a license.

Is it worth buying FL Studio 20? ›

Is FL Studio worth buying? Yes! The FL Studio music production software is one of the easiest Digital Audio Interfaces to learn compared to Ableton, Reason or Pro Tools. It's also a much affordable solution for the up and coming music producer.

Do professionals use FL? ›

FL Studio is used by many professionals in the music industry, and it is one of the most popular choices for music production. If you are looking for a high-quality and versatile digital audio recording system, then FL Studio is an excellent option.

Do big producers use FL Studio? ›

Artists such as Tyler, The Creator, Skrillex, and the late Avicii have all stated FL Studio as crucial during the beginning stages of their production journeys. For many, FL Studio is not just a stepping stone into production, it is a way of life.

Is 8GB RAM enough to run FL Studio? ›

If your audio interface does not have a native ASIO driver, use FL Studio ASIO. RAM: 8 GB is probably enough. 16 GB is likely more than you need. 32 GB is only needed if you use lots of sample-based instruments, each running Multi-GB orchestral libraries & ROMpler style plugins.

Is FL easier than logic? ›

While creating loops with FL Studio is definitely easier than with Logic Pro, if you play instruments proficiently, then you probably need a DAW that can handle recording real instruments effortlessly.

Is FL Studio free forever? ›

FL STUDIO updates are free for life! Buy the latest FL Studio Edition you want, then all future updates are FREE. Nothing to pay ever again ... It's typical in the music software industry to be charged between $150-250 for an update.

Does FL Studio trial expired? ›

Our trial installers don't have a time limitation. Use them for as long as you like. We don't require you to register or create an account to download and test our software. All our trial installers are also the full-version installer.

Is FL Studio a once off payment? ›

All packages are one-time purchases and come with lifetime free updates. You can find the FL Studio editions listed here. The Fruity edition is for beginners that haven't used a DAW before. It's an incredibly basic music production software that lacks audio editing tools and audio recording capabilities.

Is FL Studio worth it for beginners? ›

FL Studio is a best-in-class DAW, with full-featured, professional-grade native plugins. The sum of the functionality, pricing and user interface results in a really great DAW for beginners and pros alike, delivering everything that every other DAW brings but with its own unique workflow.

How much RAM do I need for FL Studio 20? ›

From FL Studio 20 you'd at least need 4 GBs of RAM. However it is recommended to pack a bit more RAM into your system. As the increase of RAM will increase the power you have within the DAW. The more RAM you have the more/heavier effects and virtual instrument you are able to run at the same time.

Is 4 GB RAM enough for FL Studio? ›

At the moment having 4GB RAM is enough for FL Studio. However it's best to have bit more. Having more RAM will allow you to run bigger/heavier projects. If you only have 4 GBs of RAM you might run into performance issues within FL Studio.

Is it okay to pirate FL Studio? ›

Help us protect your investment. Image-Line has zero tolerance to piracy and freeloading - including the use, distribution or sale of any illegal version of our software (inc. cracks, patches, keygens or licenses/regkeys).

Is Ableton or fl easier? ›

It's the beauty of having flexibility – you can adapt it to your workflow. Even though Ableton might be easier to understand from the get-go, FL may suit your needs better in the long-term, just with a little extra effort to figure things out.

Is Ableton or fl better? ›

Working with audio in Ableton is much better in my opinion, due to a few key factors. For example, recording into the software is less of a headache, seeing that it's pretty easy to set up. It honestly just works more fluidly than when trying to record in FL Studio.

Is Pro Tools or fl better? ›

FL Studio is aimed towards electronic music producers, most of which don't sample much live audio. Pro Tools, on the other hand, excels at capturing live performances and live recordings of all kinds. This is why you'll see Pro Tools most commonly used in professional recording studios.

What DAW does Kanye use? ›

Today in the 21st Century it's just more convenient to also use digital tools and not only analog hardware to produce music. So after Kanye West creates his beats with his analog gear he is using the Digital Audio Workstation called Pro Tools for the processing.

Can I sell music made with FL Studio? ›

You can sell songs made in FL Studio. FL Studio is a professional DAW which is capable of creating professional sounding music. Creating professional music does require a lot of skill, so in order to achieve this professional level of music, study and practice are needed.

Is FL Studio harder than logic? ›

Logic's depth results in a steeper learning curve in contrast to FL Studio's easy UI. Before you read further, though, you should know that these are aimed at budding professional producers in mind who want to start a track from scratch and mix, master and render it as a finished product.

How many songs will 8GB hold? ›

A: 1 GB yields about 250 songs at approximately 4 minutes each. So 4gb = 1000 songs and 8gb = 2000.

What makes FL Studio run faster? ›

Smart Disable - Enable Smart disable on the Audio Settings and then run the Tools Menu > Macros Switch smart disable for all plugins. This will disable effects & instruments when they are not making any sound and can decrease CPU usage significantly.

Which is better 8GB or 16GB RAM? ›

8GB of RAM is the sweet spot for the majority of users, providing enough RAM for virtually all productivity tasks and less demanding games. If you're running demanding applications like video editing and CAD, or you're a hardcore gamer, then we recommend that you start at 16GB and go up from there.

What music software is easiest? ›

  • DAWs for beginners Q&A.
  • Best DAWs for Beginners. Apple GarageBand. Bandlab. Roland Zenbeats. PreSonus Studio One Artist. Bitwig Studio. Steinberg Cubase Elements. Reason Studio.
1 Sept 2022

How long does FL Studio take to learn? ›

Getting the basics down depends on how frequently you'll be using it, how much you practice, and if you are completing a course in the software. But a very rough estimation is that it could take between five weeks and over five years to learn FL Studio.

Which DAW is better than FL Studio? ›

Cubase – Best Paid Alternative Overall. Ableton Live – Best Alternative To FL Studio For Live Performance. Reaper – Best Budget Alternative. LMMS – Best Free Alternative.

Is FL Studio difficult to learn? ›

To start off with FL Studio isn't hard. To get some of the basics down of any DAW is actually pretty easy. However if you want to compose music on a professional level, learning FL Studio can become hard. There are so many options and things to take into account.

How much is full FL Studio? ›

FL Studio Pricing
NamePrice
Full song creation & mic recording$199
Full song creation & extra plugins$299
Basic melody & loops creation$99
Complete access all unlocked$737

Do I have to buy FL Studio again if I get a new computer? ›

Can I install FL Studio on more than one PC (if I own a License)? If you continue to own and control the original computer, it is not necessary to uninstall or deregister our software until you dispose of the device.

How do I unlock FL Studio without buying it? ›

Go Help -> About to unlock FL Studio Trial Version. From here, you'll have to enter your Image-Line account details. Enter your Image-Line account details, and agree to the terms. This is the new way to unlock FL Studio (compared to the old registry key we used to use).

How many times can you use your FL Studio license? ›

So yes, multiple installations are OK, where you are the only user. This option is not applicable to companies, organizations or schools, they need to purchase a multiple license version.

Can FL Studio run offline? ›

This is mainly for the initial download of the software, the download of VST's and additional samples. However having an internet connection is not necessary, since you can actually buy a physical copy of FL Studio. 28 things about FL Studio as producer you need to know!

Does FL Studio expire? ›

Does FL Studio expire? If it expires, FL Studio will run in Demo Mode until you update with a new FREE license downloaded from your Image-Line Account.

Is it cheaper to upgrade FL Studio? ›

Upgrades to FL Studio All Plugins Edition includes a discount for any standalone Image Line plugins you purchased separately. The discount will be less than the outright price you paid for these plugin/s as that also includes the VST/AU version.

Is FL Studio trial time limit? ›

The FLkey range of devices come with a free 6 month trial of FL Studio Producer Edition for users that are yet to buy the FL Studio DAW. To claim this trial, you will first need to register the FLkey to your novationmusic.com account.

What are the disadvantages of FL Studio? ›

FL Studio has a confusing routing, for example to use return tracks for reverbs, you will have to click numerous buttons to get that done. FL Studio has a somewhat steep learning curve, which can demotivate beginners. FL Studio's auto-saving feature is a bit late, which can ruin your project if you rely on it.

Is Reaper better than FL Studio? ›

Why: Thanks to REAPER's robust set of tools and unlimited workspace customizations, it stands out above FL Studio when it comes to general sound editing functionality. It also supports an unlimited number of editing tracks, which is a huge win for anyone who makes complex, multi-layer mixes.

Is 1tb enough for music production? ›

We recommend having at least a 500 GB SSD installed with the operating system and recording software to have quick access to everything and a 1 TB or 2 TB hard drive to store the audio files and mixdowns.

Can my laptop run FL Studio? ›

FL Studio is available for both Windows and macOS.

Yes FL Studio is available as a native macOS / OS X application running on x86 compatible processors. For information on devices using Apple Silicon CPUs see here.

How many GB is good for music production? ›

8 GB is plenty for the majority of music production processing. 16 or 32 GB can help if you plan to work with the large sample libraries that are needed to emulate acoustic instruments realistically. But think twice before you pay steep prices to max out your computer's RAM.

Is 128gb RAM overkill? ›

The amount of RAM you need will ultimately depend on your workload. Unless you're editing 8K resolution videos or planning to work with multiple RAM-demanding programs simultaneously, 128 GB is overkill for most users as well.

Is 64GB RAM overkill? ›

For gamers, 64GB is certainly overkill: 16GB will be fine for new title releases in the near future. It's what else is on your PC hoovering up the memory that might require it. Browsers can eat up several gigs, particularly if you have a bunch of tabs open and extensions loaded.

Is 32 GB RAM overkill? ›

No, 32GB RAM should not cause any problems with your computer or game performance. In fact, it should actually improve your gaming experience by providing you with more memory to work with.

Is 2gb RAM enough for FL Studio? ›

You are able to run FL Studio 20 with as little as 2 GB of RAM.

Are FL Studio Loops copyrighted? ›

You can not license, copyright, sell or distribute in any way the individual samples and sounds, or make sample packs from the sounds that install with FL Studio. You are allowed to use these in your own compositions (see here).

Is FL Producer Edition enough? ›

For most people, the FL Studio Producer Edition is a great version to start with. One which provides ample tools to record, produce, edit, mix and master your track. It comes with 87 virtual instruments and effects and 2 audio editors.

What is FL Studio Fruity Edition? ›

FL Studio Fruity Edition includes a vast array of instrument and effects covers a wealth of automation, sample playback/manipulation, synthesisers, compression, delay, EQ, filtering, flanging, phasing, reverb, chorus, distortion, and bit-crushing tools so you can be ready to compose any music you want in any genre/ ...

What can you do with FL Studio Fruity Edition? ›

Free your workflow and your mind! Plugins included - FL Studio Producer Edition includes instrument and effect plugins covering automation, sample playback/manipulation, synthesis, compression, delay, equalization filtering, flanging, phasing, chorus, reverb, distortion, bit-crushing and more.

Is FL Studio Producer Edition lifetime? ›

You will get your edition of FL Studio, and the plugins included at the time of purchase, updated free for the life of the product/s.

Can you record in FL Studio Fruity Edition? ›

Description. FL Studio Fruity Edition. FL Studio is a complete software music production environment and DAW representing more than 14 years of innovative developments. Everything you need in one package to compose, arrange, record, edit, mix and master professional quality music.

Is logic or fl better? ›

FL Studio is Better for Creating Electronic Music

While FL Studio DAW might be the best DAW option for pure beat making, the Logic Pro library offers formidable tools and an entire library to create amazing music.

Do professionals use FL Studio? ›

Yes, many professional musicians and producers use FL Studio to produce their music. From Hip Hop legends to EDM DJs, Classical composers, and everything in-between. The software has been used to produce songs/tracks from artists such as Katy Perry, Rihanna, David Guetta, Tiesto, and many more!

Is FL Studio a lifetime purchase? ›

All packages are one-time purchases and come with lifetime free updates. You can find the FL Studio editions listed here. The Fruity edition is for beginners that haven't used a DAW before. It's an incredibly basic music production software that lacks audio editing tools and audio recording capabilities.

Do FL Studio licenses expire? ›

If it expires, FL Studio will run in Demo Mode until you update with a new FREE license downloaded from your Image-Line Account.

How do I get 30% off FL Studio? ›

Image Line FL Studio is now available in full version and upgrade forms from Image Line website at discounts reaching 30% off. All you have to do is enter the coupon code “SUPERBOOTH21” at checkout.

Is FL Studio copyright free? ›

You can not license, copyright, sell or distribute in any way the individual samples and sounds, or make sample packs from the sounds that install with FL Studio. You are allowed to use these in your own compositions (see here).

Is FL good for recording vocals? ›

If you get a decent one, you can record pretty much anything and get fairly good results. You can use it to record vocals, acoustic guitar, electric guitar, percussion, and just about anything you can put in front of it that will make a sound. And when you are starting out, you need that kind of versatility.

What limitations does FL Studio have? ›

The trial limitations are as follows:
  • You can SAVE FL STUDIO projects.
  • REOPENING saved projects is NOT possible.
  • Some functions that use save/load capability don't work in the trial. ...
  • You can EXPORT to WAV and MP3.
  • The TRIAL allows you to test all features and plugins we create.
28 Feb 2020

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