REAPER

When I originally chose to use Reaper, it was solely for the low cost of entry. However, after several years of use, and forcing myself to dig in to all it has to offer, I'm really glad it's what I chose. For my use, Reaper is just the best. Here's a few things that I like:

• Routing--the audio and MIDI routing in Reaper somehow manages to be both more flexible and easier to use than any of the competition. There's no such thing as mono/stereo/bus/MIDI tracks. Everything is just a track. Double click and you've got a track that can do any one of those, or even multiple at once if you want. Real-time resampling is also great, so if you're stupid like me and load a 44.1k file into a 48k project it just works.
• Customizability--don't like how the interface looks? Download one of the many user-created skins. Rearrange everything, save multiple screensets. Toolbars can be whatever you need and go wherever you need. Granted, it may take a bit of time to get the interface to where you want, but it's worth it.
• Actions--everything you do in Reaper is an action. There's a log of previous actions as well as a list of every action available. Now, every action can be bound to a shortcut key or toolbar button, or combined into a macro with other actions. I've only scratched the surface myself, but the system is crazy powerful and can enable some super efficient workflows.
• Lightweight and Reliable--loads in seconds, even with large projects that have a lot of plugins loaded. The interface is always super responsive. I've had it crash once on me in the years that I've been using it, and that was from an unstable VST. Obviously the next step would be to instance plugins like Bitwig does so that they can't bring down the program, but I don't believe Reaper does that yet.

Now for downsides:

• MIDI--due to Reaper's straightforward approach, MIDI can actually be pretty confusing to work with until you get used to it. So while Reaper may be more flexible, it doesn't do as much on behalf of the User to make MIDI simple to use. The piano roll is just functional, and it could use a lot of work.
• Included Content--you're not getting the same ecosystem of Instruments and Effects as you would when you buy into Ableton Live or FL Studio. There are included effects (the stock EQ and compressor are very functional), but none of them are super exciting or unique. On the upside, the low cost frees up your budget to shop for third party VSTs.

For certain people, Reaper will just click; other's will bounce right off. Like I said at the beginning, it's perfect for me, and I can't see myself ever needing to switch to another DAW.

Last year I've been sequencing in Studio One, FL Studio 21, Serato Studio, Mixcraft, Cubase 13, etc...nothing comes close to the quality of tools and sequencing that comes with Reaper version 7, a beast of a DAW, among the top 3 on the market almost on par with Pro-tools and Logic X, with the lack of quality virtual synthesizers...and put a few hours playing at the beginning and you will see how impressive is REAPER .

Greatest strength of this program:
Singular experience across 2 affordable price tiers, evaluation and 3 operating systems
(everyone has the same set of features no matter the OS or level of investment).

Performance and GUI consistency are at the forefront. It feels very much like a fully professional DAW. Combines functionality patterns from Cubase, Logic, Pro Tools, Cakewalk. Has its own feel, yet feels familiar.

It's actually worth the price, because it's not a lock-in.

My fav features and highlights:

• well thought out plug-in / processor "rack" functionality.
• digital asset management features (media explorer, plug-in explorer, etc.).
• complete functionality of piano roll (multi-functional).
• very organic and feature complete arrangement area.
• mixer and track list very well designed.
• extremely customizable mixer with customization profiles.
• unlimited routing capability.
• fine control of hardware abstraction.
• multiple ways to do everything.
• single searchable list of every action.
• full keyboard mapping.
• works out of the box.

Just a reply to user pentapower below:

No REAPER doesn't access to your contacts. It has never done anything like this in the 6+ years I've used it and I can confidently say it never will.

Unless of course you've stupidly downloaded a torrent that has been mined with a Trojan from some shady russian source, instead of the official website...

Reaper is a really great DAW, especially for a couple of thing where it is better than its competition. For recording/tracking of audio and editing of audio it is the best and extremly fast and efficient when you learn the workflow. The program also has a really small footprint, can be customised and is very flexible. The fact that all channels can be routed to everywhere and receive anything is great. Very very powerful, but might not be super easy for beginners.

Some of the stock plugs are pretty good and a lot of functionality can be added if you dig a bit deeper, but they will be pretty basic right out of the box. So beginners might find them a bit underwhelming.

I would advice all new (and old) users to learn from the videos at https://www.reaper.fm/videos.php to get a better understanding of the possibilities within Reaper.

PS: I now use Reaper mainly for tracking when I have recording-sessions with bands and artists, and when I do audio-editing. Production I now do mostly in Bitwig, but I have done a lot of production earlier in Reaper.