Unfortunately, even that doesn't really tell you much. Having SEO is not the same thing as popularity. If a zillion people are complaining about Pro Tools' upgrade price, that will get a lot of SEO. And of course, GarageBand "outsells" any other Mac program because it's bundled with Apple computers.
 
Also note that the internet popularity chart mixes genres. FL Studio, Ableton Live, Maschine, and to some extent GarageBand are beats-oriented programs. Audition is used more as part of Adobe's Creative Suite. Digital Performer has a strong niche market among video pros who don't want to go the Pro Tools route. 
 
The two stats I can state with absolute certainty are that Pro Tools is by far the best-selling program called Pro Tools, and Sonar is the best-selling program called Sonar. 

I'm not surprised that Reaper is #1 in a KRV poll.  Reaperites are more dedicated and evangelistic than those folks who knock on your door on Saturday morning and hand you their literature.  

I think most people are going to agree that a poll ranking will hardly guarantee you that any given product will be a good fit for you.  It all depends on your budget and what kind of recording your are going to do.

It wouldn't shock me if fl studio outsold pro tools. Hobbyists and enthusiasts outnumber dedicate pro facilities by a wide margin. Aspiring pop and EDM producers outnumber comppsers by a wide margin. I know of only one ferarri dealer in my area but there are several Honda, Toyota and Ford dealers within minutes. I would not bother comparing those cars to a Ferrari because they are different beasts designed for a different demographic.

Too many people use Reaper for free and that skews any "popularity" comparison. Free tends to bump you to the front of the line.

Online popularity according to what demographic?
FL Studio isn't a traditional DAW app... so it's comparing apples to soda.
 
You can "bend" statistics to support darn near any position.
Politicians do this on a daily basis.   

Squier guitars handily outsell Fender American Deluxe models.
What meaningful information can you extrapolate?

• Squier guitars are superior?
• More pros play Squier because they're more popular?
• American Deluxe models are over-rated?
• American Deluxe models are over-priced?

In the end, it really doesn't tell you much beyond the obvious (more folks can afford less expensive instruments).
 

Jim RoseberryOnline popularity according that what demographic?

kvr users :-) where did bitwig come? :-D

lawp

Jim RoseberryOnline popularity according that what demographic?

kvr users :-) where did bitwig come? :-D

I'm seeing visions of cats...
Cats everywhere...
Well... I am Studio Cat  

Sonar is the leading DAW as far as I am concerned and I tried reaper but sonar is sooooo much nicer and just has much more to offer. Reaper can be rewired into sonar so it has its uses but I almost never need to do that. 

The best DAW has not been invented yet. When it is, everyone will use it because it will be the best. All other DAW companies will go out of business. So, let's hope that Cakewalk invents the best DAW.

Apparently the managers of the KVR audio forum are privy to actual DAW sales-figures...
 
At an interview over at KVR with Ernst Nathorst, who is one of the head honchos over at Reason DAW land 
 
The interview starts-out with this statement... "What is the second best-selling cross platform DAW in the world (after Pro Tools)? OK, Pencils down. The answer is  Reason from Propellerhead software" 
 
So, Pro Tools, then Reason, my oh my, and apparently it has been exactly this way for the last 8 years, very interesting. Does anyone know where Sonar is on the list?