I wouldn't say ableton was the hardest to learn, it has a very intuitive lay out, many things simplified. FL used to be the easiest but now I'd say they're all quite similar. It was only the easiest as for what it offered to the beginner first turning it on, now they've added way more stuff. Easier usually means less control of complicated features that people may need. Stuff that a beginner won't need to worry about.
Who ever led you to believe Ableton was the most useful was misguiding you. There are many deep down features that things like FL and Ableton do not offer when compared to Cubase etc.
But what is better for you is entirely relative, it's subjective to you...
This might seem silly but for now go with the one you like the look of best. You will be looking at it for a long time and at this stage, it's the main difference.
+1
Started on FL 11 for about 2 months.
Decided it was really not for me.
Downloaded a lot of
DEMOS for Audacity, Reaper, Presonus Studio One and Sony Acid.
Decided those were not for me either.
Downloaded the 30 day free trial of
Ableton Live 9.
HAVE NOT LOOKED BACK SINCE !!!
Its been 6 months since I downloaded Ableton. Still using the free version.
Ableton disables saving/exporting but everything else like importing, editing, unlimited track count, all instruments/sounds/samples/presets, settings and preferences.....
ALL STILL WORKS.
Even though I can't save or export anything I do...I mainly use my free version of Ableton as a "Teacher" / "Instructor" and basically a learning tool right now. So...I don't really need to save my stuff because right now I am mainly aiming to learn the basic theories, principles and concepts of whatever it is I want/need to learn inside Ableton and get those down first. Than...when I know I am ready...I will upgrade to the standard version.
ABLETON is definitely my
MAIN DAW! Honestly...when I look at other DAWs now...I "cringe". Ableton is a
GODSEND for me and honestly....I fall in love with it more, each and every time I use it because I find something new or something that helps me understand music production/theories/concepts in a way that is easy and intuitive.
Sorry if this sounded like a sales pitch to anyone else reading that uses any other DAW besides Ableton. (I don't work for Ableton)
My 2cents.