Logic Pro X and Pro Tools 12 are two of the most widely used audio production apps in the music industry. Each will give you professional-level capabilities that you can use to create world-class music or other audio possibilities.
The biggest difference between Logic Pro X and Pro Tools 12 is that one is only compatible with Mac while the other can run on Windows and Mac systems. If you want high-end tools and features at your disposal, these are the production apps to use.
I’m Donovan, a lifelong musician passionate about writing, recording, and producing music. I spend as much time in the studio as possible and have experience working with Logic Pro X and Pro Tools 12.
This post will compare Logic Pro X with Pro Tools 12 to give you an idea of how the two DAWs stack up next to one another. I’ll provide you with key insights to keep in mind as you choose which app to feature in your home studio.
Let’s get after it.
Contents
Quick Comparison
| Logic Pro X | Pro Tools 12 | |
| Professional Capabilities | Professional-level capabilities favored by musicians and creatives | Professional-level capabilities and an industry-standard program for recording |
| Ease of Use | Pretty intuitive interface to get started, can get more complex with advanced projects | Not as intuitive to get started but still relatively easy to figure out. More experience needed for complex tasks |
| Features/Functions | Many features and functions to create world-class music and other audio projects | Full of features and functions that professional musicians, producers, and engineers expect |
| Limitations | Only compatible on Mac | Not many – One of the most extensive DAWs around |
| Workflow | Tons of workflow considerations with many custom options available | Many various workflow considerations with customizable options designed for active users |
| Pricing | $199.99 one-time purchase | Monthly subscription options of $9.99/$31.99/$99.99 a month |
Detailed Comparison
This section will take a more detailed look at Logic Pro X versus Pro Tools 12 to give you a thorough understanding of how these DAWs compare to on another.
1. Professional Capabilities
If you are looking for professional capabilities out of a DAW, both Logic Pro X and Pro Tools 12 have a lot to offer. These are the two most common DAWs used in professional settings, and there are many good reasons why that is the case.
Logic Pro X is more than capable of helping you create release-ready music that you can be sure stands up against other world-class tracks. It has all the features and functions you’d expect and is used in many professional studios.
Logic is often the DAW of choice for musicians and others who are more creative in the music-making process. This is because the app is relatively easy to use even if you don’t have a lot of training, and you can still make amazing music with it.
Pro Tools 12 is an industry-standard DAW that is commonly used in many professional recording studios and recording settings all over the world. It’s widely respected for its amazing capabilities and functionality.
Pro Tools is typically the preferred choice for producers and engineers on the technical side of things. This is because the DAW comes with all the high-end tools and features you need to stay on your game in the studio.
If you want to be a professional musician, producer, or engineer, you need to become versed in one of these DAWs. They will give you the skills and capabilities to tackle just about any project so you can work to the best of your ability.
Winner: Tie
2. Ease of Use
If you have any experience working with DAWs or other audio production apps, you should be able to pick up the basics of using Logic Pro X or Pro Tools 12. They both have a lot to offer, but setting up an initial recording project is relatively straightforward.
I think that Logic is a bit more intuitive with its familiar interface and hands-on Quick Help feature. If you have experience working with other Apple apps, Logic is even easier, and you’ll recognize many similar tools and commands.
When you want to get into more complex audio projects or functions, things within Logic Pro X aren’t as straightforward. It can take a while to get the hang of these, and you’ll need to spend the time learning and perfecting your skills.
Pro Tools 12 is also relatively easy when setting up a basic project, but I don’t think it’s quite as intuitive. If you have used a DAW before, things should feel pretty familiar. But if you haven’t, you might be stuck scratching your head.
Pro Tools 12 doesn’t quite have the same easy help and assistance as Logic. You can still get help if you need it, but it’s not as beginner-friendly. This is somewhat by design because the DAW is intended for professionals, but it’s still good to know.
And Pro Tools can also get pretty complex in a hurry when you want to go into more depth or during the mixing and mastering features. This is good for dialing in your recordings, but it can make learning harder.
Winner: Logic Pro X
3. Features/Functions
The many features and functions of Pro Tools 12 and Logic Pro X make both DAWs so popular and common in professional recording circles. They have everything you need to record and produce complete high-quality tracks.
Logic Pro X has a ton of plugins and settings that you can use to help create and shape your audio projects. Logic has everything from basic EQs and Reverbs to more complex effects that can add a lot to a project.
Logic also has excellent functionality that makes setting up your sessions super easy and effective. This is great news with workflow considerations in mind, and I’ll explore that in more depth in another section below.
Pro Tools 12 is also packed with features and functions and probably has more in the full version than Logic. But you’ll need to pay extra and get the highest subscription to unlock all of those features.
But if you do, Pro Tools 12 will more than deliver everything you want. You can use all of these features to create release-ready tracks that have the chance to define your career in the music industry.
From a technical perspective, both Logic Pro X and Pro Tools 12 are absolutely packed full of features. I think these are both the cream of the crop with that in mind, but the full version of Pro Tools holds a slight edge.
Winner: Pro Tools 12
4. Limitations
There are not many limitations to what you can do with these two amazing DAWs, and they both give you more power and possibility than drawbacks. But there are some issues with compatibility you need to know about.
Logic Pro X is only available for Mac. There is no windows version of the DAW, so you’ll need a Mac computer if you want to use Logic. That’s how Logic has always been, and this doesn’t look likely to change any time soon.
Logic also doesn’t have a mobile version. This isn’t a huge deal for people who have a home studio setup and tend to work predominantly from there, but it can be an issue if you are trying to record music on the road.
Pro Tools 12 is available for both Mac and Windows systems, so it has the benefit of being more widely compatible. This is another one of the reasons why it’s such a favorite DAW of professional producers and engineers.
There are some issues that arise with compatibility when a new macOS is released, and the early versions often cause problems with Pro Tools 12. Be sure to check the official Pro Tools site for any of these compatibility issues.
Other than those compatibility issues, there really aren’t many more limitations to either of these DAWs. You obviously need to develop the skills to work with either at a professional level, but if you do, you’ll be ready for anything.
Winner: Pro Tools 12
5. Workflow
Workflow considerations are another critical factor when deciding which DAW to use in your home or professional setup. And the good news is that both Logic Pro X and Pro Tools 12 have many workflow possibilities.
If you are used to working with Macs or other Apple products, you will probably like the workflow possibilities within Logic Pro X. It will be easier to dial these in because the interface will be familiar and user-friendly.
Logic features a bunch of shortcuts and key commands that can help you establish a solid workflow. And there are also numerous windows you can use to help you with the editing or mixing process.
Pro Tools 12 also has a ton of workflow considerations built in, and you can customize things as you see fit. Once you get the hang of it, Pro Tools can really foster a productive workflow to enable you to work effectively and efficiently on any recording project.
There are many different ways to customize workflow in Pro Tools 12, and it can be a bit overwhelming to focus on all of them when you are just getting started with the DAW. But knowing these exist is good because you can refine things until you find perfection.
Winner: Tie
6. Pricing
Price is always a concern when you make purchases for a home or professional recording setup, and there are definitely some key differences in the prices of Logic Pro X and Pro Tools 12.
Logic Pro X is available for a one-time purchase of $199.99. This allows you to use the full app on several computers and includes every future update, so you can keep the app running smoothly for years to come.
Pro Tools 12 is now only available on a monthly subscription, so no matter how you look at it, it ends up being more expensive if you use it for years.
Pro Tools 12 is available for either $9.99/month for the basic version, which doesn’t give you anywhere near all the features. But you can pay $31.99/month for Pro Tools Studio and $99.99/month for the full suite of tools and features.
Winner: Logic Pro X
Final Verdict
Logic Pro X and Pro Tools 12 are powerful DAWs that can give you professional-level audio production capabilities at your fingertips. These are the two most widely used options in the industry, and both are recommended.
Which option is best for you really comes down to your preferences and needs in the studio. The information above can help you navigate through all of that to make the most educated choice.
Have you used both Logic Pro X and Pro Tools 12? Which one do you like more and why? Let me know in the comments below.
