Cubase vs Ableton Live

Cubase9.1Visit Ableton Live9.0Visit

Higher score Cubase #4 in Audio Editing Software 9.1/10 60-day trial Free trial✓ 5 of 6 features Visit Cubase

vs

Ableton Live #5 in Audio Editing Software 9.0/10 30-day trial Free trial✓ 5 of 6 features Visit Ableton Live

• Cubase fits best

  Traditional studio production on Windows or Mac

• Ableton Live fits best

  Live performers and electronic producers

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Side by side

Feature	Cubase 9.1/10 Visit ↗	Ableton Live 9.0/10 Visit ↗
At a glance
Editor score	9.1	9.0
Ranking	#4 in Audio Editing Software	#5 in Audio Editing Software
Best for	Traditional studio production on Windows or Mac	Live performers and electronic producers
Pricing model	Paid	Paid
Starting price	—	$31.21/mo
Free plan	—	—
Free trial	60 days	30 days
Free trial length	60 days	30 days
Deployment	Desktop	Desktop
Platforms	Windows, macOS	Windows, macOS
Support	Community, Docs	Tickets, Docs
Built for	Solo, Small business, Mid-market, Enterprise	Solo, Small business, Mid-market
Features Cubase 5/6 · Ableton Live 5/6
Multitrack editing	✓	✓
MIDI sequencing	✓	✓
Third-party plugins	✓	✓
Noise reduction	✓	✓
Video synchronization	✓	✓
Cloud collaboration	Not checked yet	—
Specs
Supported platforms	Windows, macOS	Windows, macOS
Our review
Pros	Combines multitrack audio, MIDI sequencing, mixing, and mastering tools Supports VST 3 plug-ins, video workflows, and remote recording via VST Connect Offers tiered editions for professional, advanced, and foundational workflows	Combines Session View clips with Arrangement View timeline editing Supports multitrack audio, MIDI, warping, video, and third-party plug-ins Suite includes Max for Live and a complete instrument and effect collection
Cons	No free plan is available Feature access varies across Pro, Artist, and Elements editions Focused on Windows and macOS desktop production	No free plan; access is limited to a 30-day trial Intro limits projects to 16 audio and MIDI tracks Runs only on macOS and Windows
Our verdict	Cubase is Steinberg’s desktop digital audio workstation for music producers, composers, recording engineers, and musicians. It brings together multitrack audio recording and editing, MIDI sequencing, mixing, mastering, virtual instruments,… Read the review →	Ableton Live is a digital audio workstation for musicians, producers, performers, and sound designers. Its defining structure pairs Session View for clip-based composition and performance with Arrangement View for timeline-based editing.… Read the review →

Strengths and trade-offs

• Cubase — where it wins

  • Combines multitrack audio, MIDI sequencing, mixing, and mastering tools
  • Supports VST 3 plug-ins, video workflows, and remote recording via VST Connect
  • Offers tiered editions for professional, advanced, and foundational workflows

  Where it doesn't

  • No free plan is available
  • Feature access varies across Pro, Artist, and Elements editions
  • Focused on Windows and macOS desktop production

• Ableton Live — where it wins

  • Combines Session View clips with Arrangement View timeline editing
  • Supports multitrack audio, MIDI, warping, video, and third-party plug-ins
  • Suite includes Max for Live and a complete instrument and effect collection

  Where it doesn't

  • No free plan; access is limited to a 30-day trial
  • Intro limits projects to 16 audio and MIDI tracks
  • Runs only on macOS and Windows

• Cubase9.1/10 · 60-day trial

  A full desktop studio for producers and composers who need audio, MIDI, mixing, and video workflows.

  Visit CubaseFull verdict →
• Ableton Live9.0/10 · 30-day trial

  A deep DAW for performers and producers who need clip-based and timeline workflows.

  Visit Ableton LiveFull verdict →