Best Linux alternatives to Cakewalk

What is Cakewalk?

Cakewalk (formerly SONAR) is a full‑featured digital audio workstation used by musicians, producers and hobbyists to record, edit and mix both MIDI and multitrack audio. It targets anyone from home studio owners to semi‑professional studios who need a comprehensive set of tools for arranging, mixing and mastering.

BandLab now distributes Cakewalk for free, so the Windows version is available at no cost to users, though it remains proprietary software with a license tied to Windows.

Linux users often need a comparable DAW because they run their production workstations on Linux, want to avoid Windows licensing, or prefer open‑source tools that integrate with the rest of their Linux audio stack.

What a replacement for Cakewalk must do

• Multitrack audio recording and playback
• MIDI sequencing and editing
• Plugin support (VST, AU equivalents)
• Mixing console with automation
• Audio export in common formats (WAV, MP3, FLAC)
• Project file compatibility or import/export

Can you run Cakewalk on Linux?

There is no native Linux version of Cakewalk. It can be run under Wine, and some users report mixed results; performance and stability vary, and advanced features like ASIO may not work reliably. No official web or Proton version exists.

Which alternative should you choose?

For users looking for a native Linux DAW, Rosegarden is the closest match on our list. It offers MIDI sequencing, basic audio recording, and integrates well with the Linux audio ecosystem, making it suitable for hobbyists and semi‑professional users.

Moving your Cakewalk files and habits

Cakewalk projects are saved in .cwp files, which are not directly readable by Rosegarden. Export individual tracks as WAV or MIDI files from Cakewalk, then import those into Rosegarden. Keep a backup of the original project files in case you need to reference settings later.