Pro Tools vs Cubase

PTPro Tools9.4Visit Cubase9.1Visit

Higher score PT Pro Tools #1 in Audio Editing Software 9.4/10 Free plan · 30-day trial Free planFree trial✓ 6 of 6 features Visit Pro Tools

vs

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

• Pro Tools fits best

  Professional studios and advanced audio workflows

• Cubase fits best

  Traditional studio production on Windows or Mac

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Side by side

Feature	PTPro Tools 9.4/10 Visit ↗	Cubase 9.1/10 Visit ↗
At a glance
Editor score	9.4	9.1
Ranking	#1 in Audio Editing Software	#4 in Audio Editing Software
Best for	Professional studios and advanced audio workflows	Traditional studio production on Windows or Mac
Pricing model	Free plan + paid	Paid
Starting price	—	—
Free plan	✓ (best)	—
Free trial	30 days	60 days
Free trial length	30 days	60 days
Deployment	Desktop	Desktop
Platforms	Windows, macOS	Windows, macOS
Support	Community, Tickets, Phone	Community, Docs
Built for	Solo, Small business, Mid-market, Enterprise	Solo, Small business, Mid-market, Enterprise
Features Pro Tools 6/6 · Cubase 5/6
Multitrack editing	✓	✓
MIDI sequencing	✓	✓
Third-party plugins	✓	✓
Noise reduction	✓	✓
Video synchronization	✓	✓
Cloud collaboration	✓ (best)	Not checked yet
Specs
Supported platforms	Windows, macOS	Windows, macOS
Our review
Pros	Covers recording, multitrack editing, MIDI, mixing, and video sync Free Intro plan plus paid tiers from $9.99 per month Supports AAX, ARA 2, Dolby Atmos, and cloud collaboration	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
Cons	Advanced tiers reach $34.99 and $99 per month Full audio post workflows are limited to Ultimate Cloud collaboration requires current Cloud Client Services software	No free plan is available Feature access varies across Pro, Artist, and Elements editions Focused on Windows and macOS desktop production
Our verdict	Pro Tools is a digital audio workstation for musicians, producers, recording engineers, and audio post-production teams. Its scope covers audio recording, multitrack session management, clip-based editing, MIDI composition, virtual… Read the review →	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 →

Strengths and trade-offs

• Pro Tools — where it wins

  • Covers recording, multitrack editing, MIDI, mixing, and video sync
  • Free Intro plan plus paid tiers from $9.99 per month
  • Supports AAX, ARA 2, Dolby Atmos, and cloud collaboration

  Where it doesn't

  • Advanced tiers reach $34.99 and $99 per month
  • Full audio post workflows are limited to Ultimate
  • Cloud collaboration requires current Cloud Client Services software

• 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

• PTPro Tools9.4/10 · Free plan · 30-day trial

  A broad workstation for studios spanning music production, audio post, and immersive mixing.

  Visit Pro ToolsFull verdict →
• 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 →