GarageBand vs Cubasis

GarageBand9.4Visit Cubasis9.3Visit

Higher score GarageBand #1 in Audio Editing Apps for iPhone 9.4/10 Free plan Free plan✓ 1 of 4 features Visit GarageBand

vs

Cubasis #2 in Audio Editing Apps for iPhone 9.3/10 Paid ✓ 1 of 4 features Visit Steinberg

• GarageBand fits best

  Free, full-featured iPhone multitrack editing

• Cubasis fits best

  Serious mobile DAW work across iOS and Android

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Side by side

Feature	GarageBand 9.4/10 Visit ↗	Cubasis 9.3/10 Visit ↗
At a glance
Editor score	9.4	9.3
Ranking	#1 in Audio Editing Apps for iPhone	#2 in Audio Editing Apps for iPhone
Best for	Free, full-featured iPhone multitrack editing	Serious mobile DAW work across iOS and Android
Pricing model	Free	Paid
Starting price	Free	—
Free plan	✓ (best)	—
Free trial	—	—
Deployment	Desktop, Mobile	Mobile
Platforms	macOS, iOS	iOS, Android
Support	Community, Docs	Email, Phone, Community, Docs
Integrations	4 integrations	9 integrations
Built for	Solo, Small business	Solo, Small business
Features GarageBand 1/4 · Cubasis 1/4
Multitrack editing	✓	✓
Audio effects	Not checked yet	Not checked yet
MIDI support	Not checked yet	Not checked yet
Cloud sync	Not checked yet	Not checked yet
Specs
Maximum tracks	Not checked yet	Not checked yet
Export formats	Not checked yet	Not checked yet
Our review
Pros	Free access to recording, arranging, mixing, instruments, loops, and effects Multitrack projects support up to 32 tracks on iPhone and iPad MIDI editing, Audio Unit Extensions, and iCloud syncing across Apple devices	Unlimited audio and MIDI tracks for larger mobile projects Time-stretching, pitch-shifting, automation and mixer effects Exports to Cubase and connects with major mobile audio ecosystems
Cons	Available only on Apple devices: Mac, iPhone, and iPad iPhone and iPad projects support fewer tracks than Mac projects Video synchronization is not part of the feature set	Paid app with no free plan Mobile deployment does not provide a desktop workflow Plug-in support centers on Audio Unit and Inter-App Audio ecosystems
Our verdict	GarageBand is Apple’s free music creation and recording software for Mac, iPhone, and iPad. It suits solo musicians, songwriters, and small creative teams that want to record, arrange, mix, and share music within Apple’s ecosystem. On… Read the review →	Cubasis is Steinberg’s mobile digital audio workstation for musicians and producers who want to record, edit, arrange and mix on iPhone, iPad, Android smartphones, tablets or Chromebooks. Its scope reaches beyond quick voice or podcast… Read the review →

Strengths and trade-offs

• GarageBand — where it wins

  • Free access to recording, arranging, mixing, instruments, loops, and effects
  • Multitrack projects support up to 32 tracks on iPhone and iPad
  • MIDI editing, Audio Unit Extensions, and iCloud syncing across Apple devices

  Where it doesn't

  • Available only on Apple devices: Mac, iPhone, and iPad
  • iPhone and iPad projects support fewer tracks than Mac projects
  • Video synchronization is not part of the feature set

• Cubasis — where it wins

  • Unlimited audio and MIDI tracks for larger mobile projects
  • Time-stretching, pitch-shifting, automation and mixer effects
  • Exports to Cubase and connects with major mobile audio ecosystems

  Where it doesn't

  • Paid app with no free plan
  • Mobile deployment does not provide a desktop workflow
  • Plug-in support centers on Audio Unit and Inter-App Audio ecosystems

• GarageBand9.4/10 · Free plan

  A free, full-featured multitrack studio for making music on Apple devices.

  Visit GarageBandFull verdict →
• Cubasis9.3/10 · Paid

  A deep mobile DAW for serious recording, sequencing, editing and mixing.

  Visit SteinbergFull verdict →