# Cubase review, pricing and alternatives

Source: https://listme.name/software/cubase
Website: https://www.steinberg.net/cubase/

Digital audio workstation from Steinberg for Windows and macOS

Cubase is a digital audio workstation from Steinberg for recording, arranging, editing and mixing audio and MIDI. It runs on Windows and macOS and is sold in Pro, Artist and Elements editions, with a free trial.

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.

- Paid | Windows, macOS
- Price: Paid editions from Elements to Pro; free trial
- Checked: 2026-10-10

## 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

## Rankings

- #4 of 10 in [best Digital audio workstations](https://listme.name/best/digital-audio-workstations), score 89.5: 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.

## Alternatives

- [Ableton Live](https://listme.name/software/ableton-live), score 93.0
- [Logic Pro](https://listme.name/software/logic-pro), score 92.0
- [REAPER](https://listme.name/software/reaper), score 90.5
- [FL Studio](https://listme.name/software/fl-studio), score 89.0
- [Pro Tools](https://listme.name/software/pro-tools), score 88.0
- [Bitwig Studio](https://listme.name/software/bitwig-studio), score 86.5
- [Ardour](https://listme.name/software/ardour), score 80.0
- [LMMS](https://listme.name/software/lmms), score 74.0