Written by Dr. Theresa Hoover – Music Educator, Author, and Music Technology Specialist
Soundtrap and BandLab are digital audio workstations (DAWs) that allow you to record and edit both audio and MIDI (software instruments). DAWs are fantastic creativity tools for the classroom and work extremely well in middle and high schools. In this blog, we’ll share tips for how you can decide which tool – Soundtrap vs BandLab for Education – is best for your school!
Online music production for students
Soundtrap and BandLab are great online music production tools for students. You and your students can record performances, create backing tracks, compose movie soundtracks, create video game themes, record story books, create podcasts, and more. Before we cover the differences between Soundtrap and BandLab, let’s clarify which versions we’re talking about because there are two options.
Both BandLab and Soundtrap have “consumer” versions and EDUCATION-specific versions.
The education versions are accessed by logging into BandLab for Education or Soundtrap for Education (not the main website of each one, which is intended for non-education users). The education versions of each are designed for school use and provide a private “walled garden” environment in which you and your students can work.
You – as a teacher – set up your Soundtrap or BandLab Education account and then invite your students to join your class. From there, you can assign projects, collect work, and provide feedback to students all within the platform. It’s that easy!
All references to Soundtrap and BandLab in this article are to the education (EDU) versions.
What are the similarities between Soundtrap and BandLab?
In many ways, Soundtrap and BandLab are very similar. They have a lot of the same features, such as:
- the layout of tracks
- a timeline/arrange area in the main part of the screen
- an on-screen virtual keyboard that you can use for note input
- ability to record and edit audio (singing, speaking or playing instruments)
- ability to record MIDI (virtual software instruments)
- ability to record guitars through virtual amps
- piano roll note entry and editing for MIDI instruments
- a built-in drum machine to create, sequence, and customize drum patterns
- pre-made loops and sound effects in a loop library, along with sample packs designed around a specific “vibe” or genre
- a copy & paste function
- the ability to transpose, change tempo, add effects
Device compatibility: What you need to know first
The basic first question is: which devices do your students use? That may influence whether you use Soundtrap or BandLab.
My students have laptops or Chromebooks:
BandLab and Soundtrap are web-based software programs where students log in through the web-browser to access their work. Both work easily on laptops and Chromebooks.
My students have iPads:
Students can access the education version of Soundtrap through an iPad app, but they cannot access the education version of BandLab through an app.
While Soundtrap and BandLab can be used through the web browser on a phone or tablet, both will work better on a laptop or Chromebook. Both tools also require an active internet connection.
Note: If your school also has Mac users, you have a third option to consider: GarageBand. You can read our previous comparison of GarageBand, Soundtrap and BandLab to see how all three compare.
[Some] Differences between BandLab and Soundtrap
So here’s the thing – when it comes to choosing between these 2 programs, there isn’t really a “best” option, but there ARE a number of differences (some of which may be “deal-breakers”) which can help you make a decision.
A full, in-depth comparison is beyond the scope of this article but let’s talk through some of the major differences. There are a few features that may be deal-breakers for you:
Cost:
BandLab (EDU) is free and Soundtrap (EDU) is available via a paid subscription. Soundtrap pricing is around $8–10 per student per year, depending on the features you choose, with a 50-student minimum. Soundtrap for Education offers a 30-day free trial.
Support:
Both BandLab and Soundtrap offer support for customers, however, my gut feeling is that support is better when you are a paying customer. If you are using BandLab – which is free – that may
mean allowing additional time for support replies, less frequent updates, and less ability to be “demanding” than someone who pays for the service (ie. if you are a Soundtrap user).
Transcription:
Soundtrap includes an interactive transcription feature for narration/voiceovers. BandLab does not have this feature.
Notepad:
BandLab has a notepad area for writing lyrics or notes but Soundtrap does not.
Collaboration:
Soundtrap and BandLab have a collaboration feature that allows students to log into the same project and contribute ideas. Soundtrap allows for simultaneous editors whereas BandLab works on a “pass the ball” collaboration setup (student 1 passes control to student 2).
iPads:
You cannot access the Education version of BandLab through the iPad app. It is possible to use Soundtrap on iPads, but the iPad version has some feature limitations – some may not be available or may function differently.
Parental Consent:
While BandLab for Education and Soundtrap for Education are both considered “walled gardens” for students, there are some things to note. Soundtrap for Education is both COPPA and FERPA compliant, protecting the privacy of student information. BandLab for Education requires parental consent prior to students under the age of 18 using the platform, and there is a parental consent form on their website. Be sure to check with your school to see which is approved for your students to use.
Integrations:
Soundtrap can integrate with learning management systems (LMS) such as Google Classroom, Canvas, and Schoology, as well as single sign-on tools (SSO) such as Clever and ClassLink, making it easy for students to access the platform. BandLab does not have this capability.
Soundtrap and BandLab Comparison Chart
Features | Soundtrap for Education | BandLab for Education |
Cost | $8–10 per student | Free |
Available through the web browser | ✔️ | ✔️ |
iPad app | ✔️ | ❌ |
Privacy compliance | Managed through school license | Must obtain written parental permission |
LMS and SSO integration | ✔️ | ❌ |
Music notation program integrations | Integrates with Noteflight and Flat | ❌ |
Student collaboration | Simultaneous | Sequential |
Create assignments | ✔️ | ✔️ |
Number of tracks | Unlimited | Limited to 16 tracks |
Recording length | Unlimited | Limited to 15 minutes |
Transcription | Available with some account tiers | ❌ |
Lyric-writing support | ❌ | Notepad |
Ultimately, both platforms provide a high-level creative canvas that can scale from simple loop-based arrangements to complex, multi-track compositions, making either one a fantastic choice for developing both foundational and advanced production skills. Soundtrap and BandLab both function as great music technology tools for middle school and high school students.
Talking to your Admin: How to "Sell" the DAW
Sometimes, the hardest part of starting a new project isn’t the lesson planning—it’s getting the “thumbs up” from your administration. If you’re asking for a budget for Soundtrap or even just approval to use BandLab’s free platform, here are a few talking points to help you speak their language:
- Safety first – speak to the “walled garden” and the student privacy features offered by each program
- Cross-curricular potential – DAWs aren’t only used in music, they are also great literacy tools that can be used for podcasts, oral histories, and digital storytelling
- 21st-Century Skills – DAWs help students learn real-world skills such as media production, digital literacy, and collaborative problem-solving
Wrapping Up: Finding the Perfect DAW for Your Music Classroom
Phew! That was a lot to take in. Choosing between Soundtrap vs BandLab really comes down to your school’s specific needs – whether that’s a zero-dollar budget (BandLab) or a need for deep LMS integration and simultaneous collaboration (Soundtrap).
Remember that no software is perfect. You might run into a bug here or a login issue there. The most important thing is that you are giving your students a space to find their voice and explore online music production.
You can read more about the features of each of these programs on their websites (links below).
Another important tip: Go and search on YouTube for tutorials and walkthrough videos for each program. You can get a sense of what they look like and how they work before you commit to a specific one.
One final thing – if you are keen to join us for the GarageBand, Soundtrap and BandLab Lesson Plans & Teacher Tips Course and you’re not sure yet what your students will be using in class, just pick one! It doesn’t really matter which one you choose and the good news is that any skills you learn on one are transferable to the other programs because they work in a similar way.
Further reading:
Interested in learning more about Soundtrap or BandLab?
In the GarageBand, Soundtrap and BandLab Lesson Plans & Teacher Tips course, we cover fundamental skills plus provide resources for 7 different units of work, including teacher information, student tutorial videos, downloadable worksheets and more.
About the author
Theresa is the author of Empowering Ensembles With Technology, co-author of Pass the Baton: Empowering All Music Students, and co-host of the Pass the Baton podcast. A recognized clinician, she has presented at regional and national conferences including the Midwest Clinic and NAfME National Conference. She holds a PhD from Arizona State University, an MM from West Chester University, and a BME from Penn State. When she isn’t teaching, Theresa enjoys reading, running, traveling to visit family and friends, and spending time with her dog, Dizzy.To learn more about Theresa, visit her website and explore Pass the Baton. Also, be sure to follow her on YouTube, Facebook, Instagram, and LinkedIn.
Want more resources for music tech teachers?
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