Sonic Pi
Sonic Pi is a free, open-source tool for creating and performing music with code.
What Sonic Pi is
Sonic Pi is a free, open-source tool for creating and performing music with code. Users can compose with algorithms, live loops, synths, samples, and effects, using the same environment to explore music-making and coding. The project describes it as suitable for computing and music lessons as well as professional musicians and DJs, and says it is accessible to blind and partially sighted people. Sonic Pi has a browser version that runs on computers, tablets, and phones without installation; Chrome, Safari, Edge, and Firefox are listed. Its downloadable desktop app runs on Windows, macOS, and Linux and works offline. The app supports gamepad input, MIDI, OSC, Ableton Link and Link Audio, and low-latency audio through ASIO, Core Audio, and PipeWire. The web version provides stereo audio but lacks low-latency interface audio, OSC, and Ableton Link; MIDI input and output are unavailable in Safari. The project says it has been in development since 2012, with over 200 contributors.
Good
- Free and open source
- Browser version requires no installation
- Desktop app works offline
- Supports MIDI, OSC, and Ableton Link
- Described as accessible to blind and partially sighted people
Watch out
- Web version lacks low-latency interface audio
- Web version lacks OSC and Ableton Link
- MIDI input and output are unavailable in Safari
Who it suits
Sonic Pi suits learners exploring coding through music, including in computing or music lessons. It also serves musicians and DJs who want to compose or perform with code.
Verdict
Sonic Pi offers a free way to create music with code in a browser or offline desktop app. Choose the desktop version if you need integrations or audio features absent from the web edition.
Plans and prices
From Sonic Pi's own pricing page, checked 4 Oct 2026.
| Plan | Price | What it gives you |
|---|---|---|
| Sonic Pi | Free | Free and open source · browser version and downloadable app |
The facts
Each one read from Sonic Pi's own pages, with the date it was checked.
What it does
- Accessibility
- The site describes Sonic Pi as accessible for blind and partially sighted people.checked 4 Oct 2026
- Audience
- The site describes it as suitable for professional musicians and DJs, composition and performance, and computing and music lessons.checked 4 Oct 2026
- Integrations
- The app supports gamepad input, MIDI, OSC, Ableton Link and Link Audio, and low-latency audio through ASIO, Core Audio, and PipeWire interfaces.checked 4 Oct 2026
- Learning
- The site describes Sonic Pi as a way to learn coding and music together by making music, including for computing and music lessons.checked 4 Oct 2026
- Music and code
- It lets users compose and perform music with algorithms and code, including live loops, synths, samples, and effects.checked 4 Oct 2026
- Open source
- Sonic Pi is free and open source, made by over 200 contributors, and has been in development since 2012.checked 4 Oct 2026
- Purpose
- Sonic Pi is a code-based music creation and performance tool.checked 4 Oct 2026
- Security
- The site says Windows installers are signed MSI installers.checked 4 Oct 2026
- Support
- The site says development and maintenance are supported by individual contributions through Patreon and GitHub Sponsors.checked 4 Oct 2026
- Web limits
- The site says the web version has stereo audio, lacks low-latency interface audio, OSC, and Ableton Link, and MIDI in/out is unavailable in Safari.checked 4 Oct 2026
Where it runs
- Browser version
- The browser version runs on computers, tablets, and phones without installation; the site lists Chrome, Safari, Edge, and Firefox.checked 4 Oct 2026
- Desktop app
- The downloadable app runs on Windows, macOS, and Linux and works offline without a network connection.checked 4 Oct 2026
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