Ableton Live stands out from other DAWs for a few reasons. It is widely used by musicians, producers and DJs because it has unique features to play live clips, is easy to use, and well equipped with advanced audio time and pitch algorithms. All DAWs can handle any audio sample nowadays, but Ableton is generally seen as the easiest to manipulate audio samples, as opposed to just MIDI information.
That's why we researched the cheapest way to buy Ableton Live 12. So if you don't want to download an illegal crack and want to buy Ableton Live instead, this musicmanta guide can help you get the best deal.
Do you want to know how to get Ableton for free for 90 days?
The great news is that the Ableton Live trial version has very few limitations. You can even save your brilliant musical meanderings. If you haven't tried Ableton Live yet, jump straight to our free Ableton Live trialsection to find out what all the fuss is about.
Are you a student, teacher, or parent of a student?
Then use the Ableton educational offer to save 40% on Ableton Live. We explain the limitations and how to check if you are eligible - not just students, but also teachers, and students' parents.
Ableton Black Friday 2024 is live from 29 November to 3 December 2024. The company improved their 20% offer from 2023, with 5 days of 25% discount. That restores the discount level Ableton offered until Black Friday 2021.
Having said that, you can save even more. Thomann, one the biggest European retailers that sells world-wide, substantially undercuts the Ableton offer, offering up to 59% off. So we recommend you buy Ableton from Thomann instead*
Then our extensive research showed that you can get up to a 55% discount on Ableton Live 12, compared to the full price charged directly by Ableton. This only included Ableton authorised retailers. Check out our section to find out how to buy Ableton cheaper.
Before any potential purchase of expensive software, such as Ableton Live 12 Suite, we always recommend you try the DAW first. Ableton offers a generous free 90 day trial. There are few limitations during the trial period. You can even save and open your projects, export them, and try the full Ableton Live Suite version, with all its plugins and sounds. Thank you, Ableton. That is truly musician-friendly.
Furthermore, with any new major update, Ableton resets trials. I was able to obtain another trial by installing Ableton 12, after I used the Ableton 11 trial version. So if you have only ever tried Ableton Live 12 or below, you should be able to start another trial now.
Tell me how to get Ableton for free
Just head to the Ableton download page and install it. You won't need the latest computer or operating system. The system requirements are:
macOS: macOS 10.13 (High Sierra) or higher, supports Apple Silicon (under Rosetta), Intel Core i5 and 8GB RAM minimum
Windows: Windows 10, Intel Core i5 or AMD multi-core, 8GB RAM
2. Ableton Live Student/Education Version - up to 72% off
You can buy Ableton Live in Education versions directly from Ableton. Or you can save even more by buying from an authorised retailer.
We compared the biggest music retailer's websites based on Google Search, who are authorised Ableton retailers, and offer the Education versions. The list included:
The cheapest Ableton Live prices I found were Thomann* and BAX Shop*. Both sold Ableton Live Education at the same lower prices than Ableton and all other retailers I checked. However, Ableton was not in stock at BAX Shop, so my clear recommendation from the research is Thomann.
Thomann - save up to 72% (depending on where you live)
(Prices last checked on 7 July 2024)
🇺🇸 USA - save up to 72% when you buy Ableton Live Education at Thomann
Do you fancy owning high class Output plugins for up to 69% off? How about trying Output Arcade for free for 100 days? Then read our brand new guide on cheapest ways to buy Output.
Ableton - save 60% directly buying from Ableton
If you want to spend more money than necessary, I can't stop you 😁.
In all seriousness, Ableton prices can change, of course. So it's always worth checking before you spend your hard earned money.
That's a sound saving, but who can buy the Education version?
We pulled out all the details for you, to explain who can buy Ableton Live in the Education version. The small print is boring, but it matters. Did you know that teachers and parents of students can also buy Ableton Live Education?
Eligibility
Students: Currently enrolled in educational studies with at least 20 hours per week, in any area of study.
Parents: They are eligible to buy licenses for their child.
Teachers: Currently employed at a school or university in any field, working at least 20 hours per week.
Limitations
There are no limitations on features.
Educational licenses for Ableton Live can be upgraded at regular discounted pricing offered to users - no further educational discounts on upgrades.
You can only sell an educational license to others who qualify for the educational discount.
Our Ultimate Guide to Student Discounts lists top brands offering up to 66% discounts, including AVID Protools, Ableton Live, Native Instruments Reaktor, Output, Antares Auto-Tune and many more
Ableton provides plenty of reasons to buy. Just use our guide to find the lowest Ableton Live 12 price.
3. Buy Ableton Live "used", and transfer the license, to save 30 to 50%
Ableton permits license transfers, thereby enabling the selling and buying of "used" or second-hand Ableton Live DAW software or Push hardware. How do you transfer Ableton Live licenses?
Fill out the recipient's registered email address with ableton.com, choose the license to transfer.
An email confirmation will then be sent to the owner's email address to approve the transfer on the Ableton website.
A final email will then be sent to both parties to confirm once the license has been transferred.
What are the limitations of Ableton license transfers?
The request must be submitted via the seller's registered email address, and cannot be completed via our Telephone Support.
Any license included in the second-hand Push sale should be privately agreed between the two parties. If a Live license is transferred, in addition to the Push serial number, it needs to be explicitly requested when the seller contacts Support.
The warranty time frame for Push is determined by the original proof of purchase only. To transfer the warranty along with Push, the seller must also give the buyer the original receipt that shows the purchase date.
Only entire Live licenses can be transferred: all corresponding serial numbers in a license will be acquired by the buyer (including any upgraded serials).
Educational licenses can only be transferred to eligible students/teachers. The buyer will be asked for verification to activate the license in their account once the transfer is completed.
NFR (Not for Resale) licenses cannot be transferred.
In rare cases, sellers purchased their copy of Live with a fraudulent credit card. If Ableton becomes aware of a fraudulently purchased license, they must disable it - even if it has already been resold to an unsuspecting secondhand buyer.
There are occasions when Support verifies a license as legitimate, and afterwards is discovered to be fraudulently purchased. In these scenarios, Ableton will disable fraudulently purchased licenses, even if they have already been transferred.
Where do I find used licenses offered for sale?
First of all, check the seller's credentials before you part with your money, and ensure the buyer pays for the license transfer fee, which is essential for the legitimate transfer via their Ableton account, as described above.
Forums
You can find offers to sell and transfer Ableton licenses on forums such as KVR, VI Control, or Sound on Sound. Asking prices by sellers typically offers at around 50% discount.
Examples of offers for I found at the time of writing (December 2021) included:
eBay obviously is a vast market place to buy pretty much anything. This includes used music software. You should find Ableton Live licenses on auction, including license transfers from the existing owner.
Here are some recent completed sale of Ableton Live licenses we have discovered:
Ableton Live 11 Suite: sold between $255 and $350.
You need to take some precautions, such as checking out the listing detailed description, the buyer's feedback, confirming with the seller they own the full version (not an update version or not-for-resale version), and that the seller follows the official Ableton license transfer to your account.
You could also try out knobcloud, a website that facilitates the buying and selling of plugin and DAW licenses. It is a marketplace where sellers can list their licenses for sale, and buyers can purchase them using PayPal. knobcloud does not charge a fee for the service, but the seller is still accountable for the accurate description and smooth transfer of licenses. That means the vigilance I advised above still applies.
I have not used knobcloud myself but it looks like an interesting concept, saving some effort to trawl through forums. Reviews on KVR generally report a positive experience from both buyers and sellers, but prices seem a bit more expensive than less what sellers ask for on forums.
I found the following offers for Ableton Live at the time of writing (December 2021):
Ableton Live 11 Suite: offered between $450 and $500.
Ableton Live 11 Standard: offered between $250 and $300.
Ableton Live 11 Intro: offered for $29.
Ableton Live 11 Lite: offered for $12.
4. Ableton Live Sale: up to 59% off Ableton Live 12 during Black Friday 2024
Ableton Black Friday 2024 - 25% off Ableton Live and Push from 29 November to 3 December 2024
From 2019 to 2021, Ableton has consistently offered 25% off for 5 days, from the day before Black Friday to Cyber Monday.
In 2022, however, Ableton changed tack. The company increased the duration to about 8 weeks (from 15 November 2022 to 11 January 2023) but disappointingly reduced the discount from 25% to 20%. In 2023, Ableton continued the lower 20% discount, as we predicted.
To our surprise, Ableton increased their Black Friday to 25%, back to pre 2022 levels. Products include hardware such as:
Ableton Black Friday 2023: 20% discount off Ableton Live, from 14 November 2023 to 10 November 2024.
Ableton Black Friday 2022: 20% discount off Ableton Live, from 15 November 2022 to 11 January 2023.
Ableton Black Friday 2021: 25% discount off Ableton Live, from 25th November 2021 to 29th November 2021.
Ableton Black Friday 2020: 25% discount off Ableton Live, from 26th November 2020 to 30th November 2020.
Ableton Black Friday 2019: 25% discount off Ableton Live, from 28th November 2019 to 1st December 2019.
Ableton Spring Sale 2024 - 25% off predicted from 20 to 26 March 2025
In recent years, Ableton ran three annual sale events. A Summer sale, a Spring sale, and a Black Friday sale. We think Ableton will continue with that tradition, and are likely to increase their 2023 discount from 20% to 25%, in line with Black Friday 2024.
Don't want to miss the next Ableton Live sale? Then subscribe to the musicmanta newsletter, and we will send you an email when the next Ableton sale starts.
5. Buy at the cheapest Ableton retailer: save up to 43%
We compared the biggest music retailer's websites, based on Google Search, who are authorised Ableton retailers. The list included
Here are the latest live prices from Thomann for Ableton products.
The piano roll editor gives you easy access to Ableton Live 11.
6. Ableton Live Lite or Intro or Standard or Suite? Buy the cheapest version for you
Ableton offers a range of versions, starting from $79 for Ableton Live 12 Intro, and up to $599 for the fully-fledged Ableton Live 12 Suite.
Most people interested in Abelton Live 12 start with the mid-range Standard edition. You can always upgrade later to Suite. We recommend you compare the features carefully during a free trial, and first buy the cheapest edition you can live with. When upgrading, you save even more when you upgrade in a sale for 25% off.
Just make sure you compare all versions and choose which option provides the best value for the Ableton cost.
What is the difference of Ableton 12 Standard vs Suite vs Intro vs Lite?
When is the next Ableton sale? How can I get an Ableton discount? Do you have an Ableton coupon?
We predict the next Ableton sale will be 20% off, from 14th November 2023 to 10th January 2024.
Why? From 2019 to 2021, Ableton has always offered Live in their Black Friday sale at 25% off, for 5 days, and ran a Summer Sale. In 2022, Ableton reduced the discount to 20%. We have more detailed research in our Ableton Sales guide, or you might want to read our Black Friday 2024 sale predictions.
Don't want to miss the next Ableton Live sale? Then subscribe to the musicmanta newsletter, and we will send you an email when the next Ableton sale starts.
Does Ableton offer a student discount or educational license for students and teachers?
Yes, you can get a 60% discount as a student or teacher, or a student's parent. You can save even more when you buy from an authorised retailer. We found Thomann* to be the cheapest Ableton retailer, selling the Education version of Ableton Live up to 72% cheaper than the full price.
Can I sell or transfer my Ableton license? Can I buy a used Ableton license?
Is Ableton free? How do I get Ableton Live for free?
No, the unlimited version is not free. However, you can try Ableton Live for free for up to 90 days. There are few limitations. You can even save and export all your creations.
Do you have a question not covered here, or found another way to buy FL Studio plugins at a discount? Help us help others by letting us know.
Christof Baer
Trained in classical and jazz piano, Christof has over 30 years of experience in songwriting and music production. In 2021, he founded musicmanta and is now its Editor-in-Chief. Christof has worked in marketing for 25 years in Unilever and Kimberly-Clark. He is now the Head of Performance Marketing UK for Andrex, Kleenex, and Huggies, leading a team of 10 to create award-winning marketing campaigns, writing effective content, reaching millions of people.
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