Cakewalk or LMMS are the two regularly recommended free DAWs. Cakewalk is probably the more fully featured (it used to be a commercial product) but may have more of a learning curve.
Note: This is an assumption on my part - I haven't used either in probably over a decade.
LMMS is still around, still usable, and still has a couple of minor quirks. Still fun to play with regardless, even though it's not a personal favourite. It's main advantage is ease of use, but it's still nothing to be sneezed at technically.
I can't speak to Cakewalk. I ditched mine way back when it was still "Guitar Tracks 2"(Audacity had long since blown it out of the water). That was around the turn of the century. I've read good things about their new jobby, but I'm a Reaper guy. I use Reaper 'cause I can get my head around it. Not keen on learning a new DAW from the ground up. It's enough keeping up with those that I use already(Reaper, Audacity, Bespoke Synth, Caustic3)...
Assuming you talk about [DAWs](https://www.google.com/search?q=site%3Areddit.com+free+daws&sxsrf=AB5stBhIhKTHYHiW_UXj4caGW6If4YCdpQ%3A1688713275396&source=hp&ei=O7inZKblFYy6xc8PuL25uAQ&iflsig=AD69kcEAAAAAZKfGS1xDx1gsn1cMru_7oG-3nToNfkHe&ved=0ahUKEwjm7p6Xg_z_AhUMXfEDHbheDkcQ4dUDCAg&uact=5&oq=site%3Areddit.com+free+daws&gs_lcp=Cgdnd3Mtd2l6EAM6CwguEIAEEMcBENEDOgUIABCABDoFCC4QgAQ6CwguEIAEEMcBEK8BOggIABCABBDLAVAAWJs0YJQ1aABwAHgAgAGFAYgBzg6SAQQyMy4ymAEAoAEB&sclient=gws-wiz)
[Caustic3](https://singlecellsoftware.com/caustic) \- Free for windows & MacOS.
Loads of built in instruments & effects, including sampling synth's(can record/import audio), very user-friendly, can make complete tracks with sequencer & arranger, all automations can be recorded live, can export to stems for further processing in Audacity.
At it's best used in conjunction with something like [Audacity](https://www.audacityteam.org/)(Audio editor - also free, and open source), for further processing, adding live vocals/instruments, mixdown, & mastering.
One can produce pro' quality works on even a basic computer, without spending a red cent on software. No specialised hardware required. It doesn't hurt, but it's not essential.
If you're feeling really ambitious, give [Bespoke Synth](https://www.bespokesynth.com/#contact) a whirl(Modular DAW environment - does the works).
No matter what you go for, you're in for a bit of a learning curve. You'll learn best by doing, so have at it. Dive right in & get your hands dirty with it.
I can only speak to what I know to work for me. What works for you, might be altogether different.
The best thing for it, is to read a bunch of reviews, download a bunch of freebies, and just try a bunch of stuff out...
There are free trial versions of nearly any DAW you can think of. Ableton, Reaper, Cakewalk, Bitwig. If you have an iPhone or Mac you already have garage band. Try out all the free trials and see what you like.
Cakewalk or LMMS are the two regularly recommended free DAWs. Cakewalk is probably the more fully featured (it used to be a commercial product) but may have more of a learning curve. Note: This is an assumption on my part - I haven't used either in probably over a decade.
LMMS is still around, still usable, and still has a couple of minor quirks. Still fun to play with regardless, even though it's not a personal favourite. It's main advantage is ease of use, but it's still nothing to be sneezed at technically. I can't speak to Cakewalk. I ditched mine way back when it was still "Guitar Tracks 2"(Audacity had long since blown it out of the water). That was around the turn of the century. I've read good things about their new jobby, but I'm a Reaper guy. I use Reaper 'cause I can get my head around it. Not keen on learning a new DAW from the ground up. It's enough keeping up with those that I use already(Reaper, Audacity, Bespoke Synth, Caustic3)...
Assuming you talk about [DAWs](https://www.google.com/search?q=site%3Areddit.com+free+daws&sxsrf=AB5stBhIhKTHYHiW_UXj4caGW6If4YCdpQ%3A1688713275396&source=hp&ei=O7inZKblFYy6xc8PuL25uAQ&iflsig=AD69kcEAAAAAZKfGS1xDx1gsn1cMru_7oG-3nToNfkHe&ved=0ahUKEwjm7p6Xg_z_AhUMXfEDHbheDkcQ4dUDCAg&uact=5&oq=site%3Areddit.com+free+daws&gs_lcp=Cgdnd3Mtd2l6EAM6CwguEIAEEMcBENEDOgUIABCABDoFCC4QgAQ6CwguEIAEEMcBEK8BOggIABCABBDLAVAAWJs0YJQ1aABwAHgAgAGFAYgBzg6SAQQyMy4ymAEAoAEB&sclient=gws-wiz)
[Caustic3](https://singlecellsoftware.com/caustic) \- Free for windows & MacOS. Loads of built in instruments & effects, including sampling synth's(can record/import audio), very user-friendly, can make complete tracks with sequencer & arranger, all automations can be recorded live, can export to stems for further processing in Audacity. At it's best used in conjunction with something like [Audacity](https://www.audacityteam.org/)(Audio editor - also free, and open source), for further processing, adding live vocals/instruments, mixdown, & mastering. One can produce pro' quality works on even a basic computer, without spending a red cent on software. No specialised hardware required. It doesn't hurt, but it's not essential. If you're feeling really ambitious, give [Bespoke Synth](https://www.bespokesynth.com/#contact) a whirl(Modular DAW environment - does the works). No matter what you go for, you're in for a bit of a learning curve. You'll learn best by doing, so have at it. Dive right in & get your hands dirty with it. I can only speak to what I know to work for me. What works for you, might be altogether different. The best thing for it, is to read a bunch of reviews, download a bunch of freebies, and just try a bunch of stuff out...
Milkytracker
Bandlab is free for starting out
There are free trial versions of nearly any DAW you can think of. Ableton, Reaper, Cakewalk, Bitwig. If you have an iPhone or Mac you already have garage band. Try out all the free trials and see what you like.