Cubase
Digital audio workstation from Steinberg for Windows and macOS
- #4 of 10 in best digital audio workstations
- Paid
- WindowsmacOS
Ranked 4 of 10 in best digital audio workstations
A full DAW for Windows and macOS in paid editions, with a free trial. Pro costs several times Elements, and iPad work runs in separate apps, so Logic Pro is the closer fit for a single Mac and iPad workflow.
Best for Composing and mixing on Windows or macOS
About Cubase
Cubase is a digital audio workstation for recording, arranging, editing and mixing audio and MIDI. Pro 15 is Steinberg's complete edition, with Dolby Atmos support, advanced MIDI editing, a modulation system and a Pro plug-in set. Artist 15 adds VariAudio pitch correction, multitrack AudioWarp and advanced comping, and Elements 15 is the entry edition, with Chord Pads, a scale assistant and more than 20 GB of sounds and loops.
Cubase runs on Windows and macOS. The requirements page lists Windows 10 (22H2 or later) and Windows 11 (24H2 or later), and macOS 14 and later for Pro 15. Full versions are paid, with Elements the lowest-priced edition and Pro the highest, and a free trial is offered. iPad work uses separate apps, such as Cubasis, so Cubase suits composers and producers who want one full workstation on a desktop.
Key features
- Dolby Atmos support in Pro
- VariAudio pitch correction
- Chord Pads and Scale Assistant
- Over 20 GB of sounds in Elements
- Free trial
- Windows and macOS
Strengths
- Full composition, recording and mixing workflows
- Dolby Atmos support in the Pro edition
- Free trial before buying
Limits
- Pro costs several times the price of Elements
- iPad work uses separate apps, such as Cubasis
Where Cubase ranks
How Cubase compares
| Product | Score | Price | Platforms |
|---|---|---|---|
#2 Logic Pro | 92.0 | One-time purchase | macOSiPadOS |
#3 REAPER | 90.5 | Paid | WindowsLinuxmacOS |
| #4Cubase | 89.5 | Paid | WindowsmacOS |
#5 FL Studio | 89.0 | Paid | WindowsmacOS |
#6 Pro Tools | 88.0 | Free plan, paid upgrades | macOSWindows |
The full comparison table for best digital audio workstations has all 10 products.
Alternatives to Cubase
All 9 alternatives
Questions about Cubase
- Is Cubase free?
- Cubase is a paid product (paid). Paid editions from Elements to Pro; free trial.
- Is Cubase open source?
- No. Cubase is proprietary software; its source code is not public.
- Which platforms does Cubase support?
- Cubase is available on: Windows, macOS.
- What is Cubase best for?
- Composing and mixing on Windows or macOS. In our ranking of digital audio workstations it is number 4 of 10 with a score of 89.5.
- What are the best alternatives to Cubase?
- The highest-ranked alternatives on listme.name are Ableton Live, Logic Pro, REAPER, FL Studio.
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