Cubase vs Audacity

Cubase9.1Visit Audacity8.2Visit

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

vs

Audacity #13 in Audio Editing Software 8.2/10 Free plan Free plan✓ 5 of 6 features Visit Audacity

• Cubase fits best

  Traditional studio production on Windows or Mac

• Audacity fits best

  Free cross-platform audio editing

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Side by side

Feature	Cubase 9.1/10 Visit ↗	Audacity 8.2/10 Visit ↗
At a glance
Editor score	9.1	8.2
Ranking	#4 in Audio Editing Software	#13 in Audio Editing Software
Best for	Traditional studio production on Windows or Mac	Free cross-platform audio editing
Pricing model	Paid	Free
Starting price	—	Free
Free plan	—	✓ (best)
Free trial	60 days	—
Deployment	Desktop	Desktop
Platforms	Windows, macOS	Windows, macOS, Linux
Support	Community, Docs	Email, Community, Docs
Built for	Solo, Small business, Mid-market, Enterprise	Solo, Small business
Features Cubase 5/6 · Audacity 5/6
Multitrack editing	✓	✓
MIDI sequencing	✓ (best)	—
Third-party plugins	✓	✓
Noise reduction	✓	✓
Video synchronization	✓	✓
Cloud collaboration	Not checked yet	✓ (best)
Specs
Supported platforms	Windows, macOS	Windows, macOS, Linux
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	Free and open source on Windows, macOS and Linux Multitrack editing, recording, mixing and built-in restoration effects Supports third-party plugins, cloud projects and local Whisper transcription
Cons	No free plan is available Feature access varies across Pro, Artist, and Elements editions Focused on Windows and macOS desktop production	No MIDI sequencing for composing or sequencing instruments No video sync for audiovisual editing workflows Audio.com cloud storage may incur separate charges
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 →	Audacity is a free, open-source desktop application for recording, editing, mixing and exporting audio. It suits podcasters, musicians, field recorders, educators and other creators who need a capable multitrack editor across Windows,… 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

• Audacity — where it wins

  • Free and open source on Windows, macOS and Linux
  • Multitrack editing, recording, mixing and built-in restoration effects
  • Supports third-party plugins, cloud projects and local Whisper transcription

  Where it doesn't

  • No MIDI sequencing for composing or sequencing instruments
  • No video sync for audiovisual editing workflows
  • Audio.com cloud storage may incur separate charges

• 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 →
• Audacity8.2/10 · Free plan

  A capable free editor for multitrack audio, recording, restoration and format conversion.

  Visit AudacityFull verdict →