Pro Tools vs Reaper:Which is more popular?
In September 2026, Pro Tools had more branded searches than Reaper among audio post production software worldwide. Pro Tools had about 301,000 branded searches, while Reaper had 105,000. Pro Tools made up 54.9% of all audio post production software searches we track, and Reaper accounted for 19.1%. When we asked ChatGPT and Google AI Overviews about audio post production software, Pro Tools appeared in all five answers and Reaper in three. Pro Tools was mentioned before Reaper in every answer.
Who do people search for more?
Pro Tools, about 3 searches for every 1 for Reaper
Who does AI mention more?
Pro Tools, mentioned in every answer we collected
Who does AI recommend more?
Pro Tools, named ahead of Reaper in every answer
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Top audio post production software in ChatGPT and Google AI Overviews
In three ChatGPT questions and two Google AI Overviews, Pro Tools appeared in all five answers. Reaper was mentioned in three out of five: in all three ChatGPT answers, but not in either of the two Google AI Overviews. Pro Tools was listed before Reaper in every answer.
Most recommended by AI
Brands get a higher ranking if they are mentioned earlier in the answers.
- Pro Tools1st
Adobe Audition2nd
Fairlight3rd
Nuendo3rd
iZotope RX5th
Reaper6th
Mentioned by AI
Each dot is one answer, filled in when that answer mentions the brand.
- Pro Tools5 of 5Named in 3 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 2 of 2 Google answers
- Adobe Audition5 of 5Named in 3 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 2 of 2 Google answers
- Reaper3 of 5Named in 3 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 0 of 2 Google answers
- iZotope RX3 of 5Named in 3 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 0 of 2 Google answers
- Fairlight2 of 5Named in 2 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 0 of 2 Google answers
- Nuendo2 of 5Named in 2 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 0 of 2 Google answers
See every answer about audio post production software
5 answers
Asked ChatGPT
“Which audio post production software should I use?”
Asked ChatGPT
“What are the best audio post production software options?”
Asked ChatGPT
“What's the best audio post production software for a finished audio track?”
Searched Google, AI Overview
“audio editing software”
Searched Google, AI Overview
“audio mixing software”
Brands are shown in the order each answer named them. The survey took place in the United States on October 20, 2026.
Is Pro Tools or Reaper more popular in search?
This chart shows how often people search Google for Pro Tools and Reaper by name. Each line represents a brand's share of searches for all six audio post production software we track, month by month, from English-language searches worldwide.
Share of searches by month for Pro Tools, Reaper. The figures are in the table below the chart.
View monthly share of searches table
| Month | Pro Tools | Reaper | Adobe Audition | Fairlight | iZotope RX | Nuendo |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Oct 2025 | 33.9% | 21.6% | 27.8% | 6.8% | 6.8% | 3% |
| Nov 2025 | 34.4% | 26.4% | 22.9% | 6.9% | 6.9% | 2.5% |
| Dec 2025 | 31.5% | 29.6% | 21.1% | 7.7% | 7.7% | 2.3% |
| Jan 2026 | 34.3% | 26.6% | 22.8% | 6.9% | 6.9% | 2.5% |
| Feb 2026 | 27.3% | 31.5% | 22.4% | 8.2% | 8.2% | 2.5% |
| Mar 2026 | 31.3% | 29.5% | 21% | 7.7% | 7.7% | 2.8% |
| Apr 2026 | 26.8% | 30.9% | 22% | 9.9% | 8.1% | 2.4% |
| May 2026 | 26.8% | 30.9% | 22% | 9.9% | 8.1% | 2.4% |
| Jun 2026 | 34.8% | 27% | 19.1% | 8.5% | 8.5% | 2.1% |
| Jul 2026 | 26.3% | 30.5% | 21.5% | 9.6% | 9.6% | 2.4% |
| Aug 2026 | 30.8% | 29.3% | 20.7% | 9.3% | 7.6% | 2.3% |
| Sep 2026 | 54.9% | 19.1% | 13.5% | 6% | 4.9% | 1.5% |
How has the Pro Tools and Reaper comparison changed over the last 12 months?
3 findings
- The lead changed hands 6 times in the 12 months ending September 2026: Reaper took it in February 2026, Pro Tools took it in March 2026, Reaper took it in April 2026, Pro Tools took it in June 2026, Reaper took it in July 2026, Pro Tools took it in August 2026.
- Across the 12 months ending September 2026, Pro Tools’ share of searches among audio post production software worldwide moved from 33.9% to 54.9%, and its estimated monthly branded searches moved from 165K to 301K.
- Across the 12 months ending September 2026, Reaper’s share of searches among audio post production software worldwide moved from 21.6% to 19.1%, and its estimated monthly branded searches held steady at 105K.
How did search popularity change for audio post production software worldwide in September 2026?
2 changes
In September 2026, Pro Tools gained share of searches among audio post production software worldwide, from 30.8% to 54.9%.
In September 2026, Reaper lost share of searches among audio post production software worldwide, from 29.3% to 19.1%.
How are branded searches counted?
6 search terms
Brandwave collects information about searches that people make online using Pro Tools’ and Reaper’s names. When viewed over time, estimated search volumes for these branded terms can be used to understand whether interest in the brands is growing, holding steady, or fading.
Other head-to-heads among audio post production software
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