Buyer’s Guide: Avid Pro Tools

A person using Pro Tools at a desk in a studio, surrounded by studio monitors and outboard gear.

Originally released in 1991, Pro Tools has been the industry-standard DAW for making music, film, TV, and more for decades. Whether you’re just getting started, or an audio professional working in a world-class facility, Avid’s Pro Tools software offers everything you need to tackle even the most demanding projects, including studio-quality sound, advanced features, and a massive collection of plug-ins, instruments, and sounds.

Now available in four versions tailor-made for music creators and post-production professionals, there’s a version of Pro Tools out there for everyone. In this Buyer’s Guide, we’ll summarize what’s included in Pro Tools Intro, Pro Tools Artist, Pro Tools Studio, and Pro Tools Ultimate, as well as explain the differences between them to help you find the right software for your studio. But first, let’s take a look at what's new in the latest Pro Tools update.

Avid Pro Tools Dolby Atmos Renderer.

What’s New In Pro Tools 2025.6?

The Pro Tools 2025.6 update delivers a powerful collection of new features designed to streamline workflows for both music production and audio post. Standout features include AI-powered Speech-to-Text for lightning-fast vocal and dialogue searches, seamless Splice integration for instant sample access, and expanded ARA support for smoother vocal production. Plus, new ADR and reconform tools streamline post workflows, while MIDI Editor upgrades and an in-app Dashboard refine the creative process.

AI-Powered Speech-to-Text (Pro Tools Studio & Ultimate Only)

Pro Tools now uses AI to transcribe dialogue and lyrics directly onto clips, with searchable text in the new Transcript window for rapid navigation.

Splice Integration (All Pro Tools versions)

Access millions of royalty-free samples directly within Pro Tools thanks to native Splice integration. With Splice AI’s Search with Sound feature, you can drop in a clip and instantly find tempo- and key-matched sounds without ever leaving your session.

Cue Pro ADR Integration (Studio and Ultimate only)

Cue Pro is now tightly integrated with Pro Tools, streamlining ADR, dubbing, and Foley sessions. ADR cues overlay directly on your video output, while project data is stored within the session for easier handoffs between editors.

Matchbox 2 Reconform (Studio and Ultimate only)

The Cargo Cult Matchbox 2 brings faster, smarter reconform workflows. Smart-Conform automation moves clips and automation precisely, cleans up “conform shrapnel,” and provides side-by-side visual comparisons to speed up post-production edits.

Expanded ARA Support: Dreamtonics Synthesizer V & Waves Sync Vx (All Pro Tools versions)

With ARA support, Dreamtonics Synthesizer V lets you sketch melodies, write lyrics, and synthesize expressive vocals without round-tripping audio. Waves Sync Vx automatically locks pitch and timing across stacked vocal tracks, dramatically reducing manual editing time.

MIDI Editor Enhancements (All Pro Tools versions)

New MIDI Operations and Note Labels are now built directly into the MIDI Editor, making drum programming, instrument mapping, and MIDI editing more intuitive than ever. Rename notes and streamline your workflow right from the piano roll.

Pro Tools Intro

Designed for those new to DAWs, Pro Tools Intro is a new version of Pro Tools that comes free with Avid audio interfaces. Start creating music quickly with 8 audio tracks and 8 instrument tracks, or experiment with 36 free instrument and effects plug-ins. It’s a great way to start creating with the same tools the pros use for free.

Pro Tools Artist

Perfect for aspiring music creators, Pro Tools Artist has everything you need to make beats, write songs, record vocals and instruments, and mix studio-quality music. The annual Pro Tools Artist subscription includes Pro Tools Artist software, which supports up to 32 audio tracks, aux tracks and instrument tracks, as well as 64 MIDI tracks for recording and producing music.

Pro Tools Artist also supports up to 16 channels of simultaneous I/O—enough to track a live band or mix a multi-track session. Speaking of hardware, Pro Tools Artist supports any Core Audio or ASIO-compatible audio interface. Finally, an annual Pro Tools Artist subscription includes Avid’s Artist plug-in bundle, offering more than 100 of Avid’s top plug-ins and creative tools for recording and mixing.

Pro Tools Studio

Pro Tools Studio is designed for engineers, producers and other music professionals seeking advanced features and workflows, including increased track counts and immersive audio mixing capabilities. Pro Tools Studio software supports up to 512 audio tracks, 128 aux tracks and 512 instrument tracks. Other workflow enhancements include additional VCA and master tracks and video editing support.

Compatible with Avid’s Carbon hybrid audio interface and S6L control surface (as well as popular third-party interfaces), Pro Tools Studio offers up to 64 channels of native I/O for recording and mixing. When paired with the S6L, Pro Tools Studio offers full surround sound support, including traditional 5.1 and 7.1 systems, as well as immersive formats such as Dolby Atmos and Ambisonic.

In addition to the Complete Plug-in Bundle, featuring all of Avid’s most popular EQs, compressors, effects, and virtual instruments, Pro Tools Studio also includes Avid’s HEAT software for adding analog warmth and color to your tracks. Pro Tools Studio also introduces a number of new features like Clip FX editing, support for AAF and OMF formats, and improved bouncing options to streamline your workflow.

Pro Tools Ultimate

Tailor-made for audio post facilities and music studios, Pro Tools Ultimate is the ultimate version of Pro Tools with full track and I/O counts, Pro Tools | HDX workflows, and advanced features to tackle even the most demanding music and audio post productions.

The Pro Tools Ultimate tier includes Pro Tools Ultimate software, which offers a maximum of 2048 audio tracks, 1024 aux tracks, and 512 instrument tracks for massive post-production projects. In addition to an impressive 256 channels of native I/O, Pro Tools Ultimate offers even more workflow enhancements, including additional VCA tracks, master tracks, and video tracks.

Another perk of the Pro Tools Ultimate tier is that it comes standard with the ExpertPlus support plan, reducing case response time down to just 4 hours—a must for professional post-production houses. Additionally, those on ExpertPlus support plans receive phone support for as well as “high priority” status for critical issues.

Pro Tools Ultimate also includes many of the same perks as the Studio tier, including support for immersive audio, AAF and OMF formats, ClipFX editing, improved bouncing options, HEAT software, and the Complete Plug-in Bundle.

Much like the Studio tier, Pro Tools Ultimate also supports Avid Carbon and S6L products, along with HDX systems (as well as most popular third-party audio interfaces). Pro Tools Ultimate also includes a DigiLink license for interfacing with non-Avid DigiLink-enabled audio interfaces.

Finally, Pro Tools Ultimate includes SoundFlow Cloud Avid Edition, a specialized software that automates tedious tasks with macros and shortcuts for Pro Tools to speed up your workflow.

Pro Tools Comparison

Still not sure which version of Pro Tools is right for you? Check out our Pro Tools comparison chart below to see what each version has to offer.

Pro Tools Comparison

Now that you’ve selected which version of Pro Tools is best for you, head to our Pro Tools Finder page for help selecting the best subscription option.

If you have questions about setting up an Avid Pro Tools rig, we're here to help you! Please contact a Vintage King Audio Consultant via email or by phone at 866.644.0160.