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Best Productivity ResourcesBy Shushant LakhyaniVerified creator

Desktop App

Sonic Pi

A free, open-source way to make music by writing code.

Visit Sonic Pi4.5

  • Rating

    4.5 / 5

  • Pricing

    Free

  • Difficulty

    Beginner

  • Works on

    Web, Windows, macOS

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What is Sonic Pi?

Sonic Pi is a free instrument you play by writing code. It is used to compose, perform and learn programming, with live loops, synths, samples and effects. The site calls it free and open-source software supported by community donations. It runs in a web browser, and there are desktop apps for Windows, macOS and Linux. The desktop app works offline and supports MIDI and low-latency audio.

Pros: what Sonic Pi does well

  • Free and open source
  • Works in the browser or as a desktop app
  • Learn coding while making music

Cons: where it falls short

  • Web version lacks low-latency audio and OSC
  • Not a conventional music studio

Who Sonic Pi is for

Learners and musicians curious about live coding.

Who can skip it

People who want a traditional music-production app.

Sonic Pi alternatives

Not sold on Sonic Pi? These do a similar job, and each card says what it has in common.

All Learning resources

Processing

Focus: creative coding and generative art. Shares coding for beginners and open source with Sonic Pi. Same 4.5 rating.

Desktop AppFreeWindows, macOS
4.5Visit

BeepBox

Focus: chiptune and composition. Shares music and open source with Sonic Pi. A web app, not a desktop app. Adds Offline. Rated 4.6 (Sonic Pi: 4.5).

Web AppFreeWeb, Offline
4.6Visit

Rnote

Focus: handwritten notes, pdf annotation and infinite canvas. Shares open source with Sonic Pi. Rated 4.6 (Sonic Pi: 4.5).

Desktop AppFreeLinux, Windows
4.6Visit

Chrome Music Lab

Focus: education, experiments and kids. Shares music with Sonic Pi. A website, not a desktop app. Rated 4.7 (Sonic Pi: 4.5).

WebsiteFreeWeb
4.7Visit

p5.js

Focus: creative coding, javascript and generative art. Shares open source with Sonic Pi. A framework, not a desktop app. Rated 4.6 (Sonic Pi: 4.5).

FrameworkFreeWeb
4.6Visit

Markmap

Focus: mind map, markdown and visual notes. Shares open source with Sonic Pi. A web app, not a desktop app. Same 4.5 rating.

Web AppFreeWeb, Cross-Platform
4.5Visit

Free alternatives to Sonic Pi

Want to spend nothing? These free picks cover similar ground.

Mixxx

Focus: dj, audio and mixing. Shares music and open source with Sonic Pi. Rated 4.4 (Sonic Pi: 4.5).

Desktop AppFreemacOS, Windows
4.4Visit

navi

Focus: terminal, cli and cheatsheet. Shares open source with Sonic Pi. Rated 4.8 (Sonic Pi: 4.5).

Desktop AppFreemacOS, Windows
4.8Visit

Scratch

Focus: coding for kids, games and animation. Also in Learning and Brainstorming, like Sonic Pi. A web app, not a desktop app. Adds Android. Rated 4.8 (Sonic Pi: 4.5).

Web AppFreeWeb, Windows
4.8Visit

Algorithmic Art Skill

Focus: claude, claude skills and generative art. Also in Brainstorming and Learning, like Sonic Pi. An AI tool, not a desktop app. Rated 4.7 (Sonic Pi: 4.5).

AI ToolFreeWeb
4.7Visit

mpv

Focus: video player, media and subtitles. Shares open source with Sonic Pi. Adds Offline. Rated 4.7 (Sonic Pi: 4.5).

Desktop AppFreemacOS, Windows
4.7Visit

MuseScore Studio

Focus: music notation, sheet music and composition. Shares open source with Sonic Pi. Rated 4.7 (Sonic Pi: 4.5).

Desktop AppFreemacOS, Windows
4.7Visit
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