GarageBand vs Reaper:Which is more popular in New Zealand?
In October 2026, GarageBand had more branded searches than Reaper among digital audio workstations in New Zealand. GarageBand had about 2,490 branded searches, while Reaper had 260. GarageBand made up 7.8% of all digital audio workstation searches we track, and Reaper accounted for 0.81%. When we asked ChatGPT and Google AI Overviews about digital audio workstations, GarageBand appeared in all five answers and Reaper in four. Reaper was mentioned before GarageBand in three out of five answers.
Who do people search for more?
GarageBand, about 10 searches for every 1 for Reaper
Who does AI mention more?
GarageBand, mentioned in every answer we collected
Who does AI recommend more?
Reaper, named ahead of GarageBand in 3 of 5 answers
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Top digital audio workstations in ChatGPT and Google AI Overviews
In three ChatGPT questions and two Google AI Overviews, GarageBand appeared in all five answers. Reaper was mentioned in four out of five: in all three ChatGPT answers and in one of the two Google AI Overviews. Reaper was listed before GarageBand in three out of five answers.
Most recommended by AI
Brands get a higher ranking if they are mentioned earlier in the answers.
Ableton Live1st- Logic Pro2nd
FL Studio3rd- Reaper4th
Pro Tools5th- GarageBand6th
Cubase7th
BandLab8th
Mentioned by AI
Each dot is one answer, filled in when that answer mentions the brand.
- FL Studio5 of 5Named in 3 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 2 of 2 Google answers
- GarageBand5 of 5Named in 3 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 2 of 2 Google answers
- Ableton Live5 of 5Named in 3 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 2 of 2 Google answers
- Logic Pro5 of 5Named in 3 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 2 of 2 Google answers
- Reaper4 of 5Named in 3 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 1 of 2 Google answers
- Pro Tools3 of 5Named in 1 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 2 of 2 Google answers
- BandLab2 of 5Named in 0 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 2 of 2 Google answers
- Cubase2 of 5Named in 2 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 0 of 2 Google answers
See every answer about digital audio workstations
5 answers
Asked ChatGPT
“Which digital audio workstation should I use in New Zealand?”
Asked ChatGPT
“What are the best digital audio workstations in New Zealand?”
Asked ChatGPT
“What's the best digital audio workstation in New Zealand for music production?”
Searched Google, AI Overview
“digital audio workstation”
Searched Google, AI Overview
“music production software”
Brands are shown in the order each answer named them. The survey took place in New Zealand on October 21, 2026.
Is GarageBand or Reaper more popular in search?
This chart shows how often people search Google for GarageBand and Reaper by name. Each line represents a brand's share of searches for all eight digital audio workstation brands we track, month by month, from searches in New Zealand.
Share of searches by month for GarageBand, Reaper. The figures are in the table below the chart.
View monthly share of searches table
| Month | BandLab | FL Studio | GarageBand | Ableton Live | Logic Pro | Pro Tools | Reaper | Cubase |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nov 2025 | 61.4% | 16.2% | 7.3% | 8.6% | 3.3% | 1.4% | 0.93% | 0.93% |
| Dec 2025 | 48.9% | 21.4% | 9.1% | 11.8% | 4.5% | 1.7% | 1.4% | 1.2% |
| Jan 2026 | 42.9% | 23.8% | 7% | 14.3% | 6.4% | 2.3% | 1.9% | 1.3% |
| Feb 2026 | 58.2% | 16.8% | 7.1% | 10.1% | 4.1% | 1.7% | 1.1% | 0.74% |
| Mar 2026 | 59.3% | 17.9% | 7.1% | 8.9% | 3.7% | 1.6% | 0.9% | 0.73% |
| Apr 2026 | 57.2% | 18.8% | 6.9% | 9.6% | 4% | 1.5% | 1.1% | 0.89% |
| May 2026 | 66.3% | 13.4% | 6.5% | 7.6% | 3.2% | 1.4% | 0.82% | 0.82% |
| Jun 2026 | 68% | 12.8% | 6.5% | 7% | 3% | 1.3% | 0.79% | 0.64% |
| Jul 2026 | 59.6% | 16.8% | 7.3% | 8.4% | 4% | 2% | 1.1% | 0.89% |
| Aug 2026 | 67.4% | 12.5% | 6.8% | 7.2% | 3.2% | 1.4% | 1% | 0.54% |
| Sep 2026 | 66.5% | 12.5% | 7.8% | 6.9% | 2.9% | 1.2% | 0.98% | 1.2% |
| Oct 2026 | 67.7% | 12.8% | 7.8% | 5.9% | 2.8% | 1.6% | 0.81% | 0.65% |
How has branded search for GarageBand and Reaper changed in New Zealand over the last 12 months?
3 findings
- GarageBand was ahead of Reaper in every measured month of the 12 months ending October 2026.
- Across the 12 months ending October 2026, GarageBand’s share of searches among digital audio workstations in New Zealand moved from 7.3% to 7.8%, and its estimated monthly branded searches held steady at 2.5K.
- Across the 12 months ending October 2026, Reaper’s share of searches among digital audio workstations in New Zealand moved from 0.93% to 0.81%, and its estimated monthly branded searches moved from 320 to 260.
How did search popularity change for New Zealand digital audio workstations in October 2026?
1 change
In October 2026, Reaper rose from 8th to 7th among digital audio workstations in New Zealand.
How are GarageBand’s and Reaper’s branded searches counted?
7 search terms
Brandwave collects information about searches that people make online using GarageBand’s 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.
GarageBand
6 branded search terms
- garageband
- garageband android
- garageband beats
- garageband daw
- garageband mac
- garageband music production
Reaper
1 branded search term
- reaper daw
Other head-to-heads among digital audio workstations
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