Cubase vs Nuendo

Cubase9.1Visit Nuendo8.8Visit

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

vs

Nuendo #7 in Audio Editing Software 8.8/10 Paid ✓ 5 of 6 features Visit Steinberg

• Cubase fits best

  Traditional studio production on Windows or Mac

• Nuendo fits best

  Film, game, and immersive-audio professionals

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Side by side

Feature	Cubase 9.1/10 Visit ↗	Nuendo 8.8/10 Visit ↗
At a glance
Editor score	9.1	8.8
Ranking	#4 in Audio Editing Software	#7 in Audio Editing Software
Best for	Traditional studio production on Windows or Mac	Film, game, and immersive-audio professionals
Pricing model	Paid	Paid
Starting price	—	—
Free plan	—	—
Free trial	60 days	—
Deployment	Desktop	Desktop
Platforms	Windows, macOS	Windows, macOS
Support	Community, Docs	Docs
Built for	Solo, Small business, Mid-market, Enterprise	Mid-market, Enterprise
Features Cubase 5/6 · Nuendo 5/6
Multitrack editing	✓	✓
MIDI sequencing	✓	✓
Third-party plugins	✓	✓
Noise reduction	✓	✓
Video synchronization	✓	✓
Cloud collaboration	Not checked yet	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	Dialogue, ADR, Foley, and transcription workflows Dolby Atmos, surround, and Ambisonics support Video, loudness, collaboration, and game-audio tools
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 Professional feature depth may exceed simpler editing needs Built-in cloud project collaboration is not verified
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 →	Nuendo is a paid digital audio workstation for professional audio post-production, film and television sound, dialogue editing, Foley, ADR, immersive mixing, music production, and game audio. It runs on Windows and macOS and combines… 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

• Nuendo — where it wins

  • Dialogue, ADR, Foley, and transcription workflows
  • Dolby Atmos, surround, and Ambisonics support
  • Video, loudness, collaboration, and game-audio tools

  Where it doesn't

  • No free plan
  • Professional feature depth may exceed simpler editing needs
  • Built-in cloud project collaboration is not verified

• 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 →
• Nuendo8.8/10 · Paid

  A deep Windows and macOS workstation for post-production, immersive audio, and game sound.

  Visit SteinbergFull verdict →