Cubase AlternativesTop Digital Audio Workstations & Music Production Apps like Cubase

Cubase is described as 'Definitive desktop DAW (Digital Audio Workstation) for professional mixing, mastering, music production and sound design' and is a popular music production app in the audio & music category. There are more than 50 alternatives to Cubase for a variety of platforms, including Windows, Mac, Linux, Android and iPad apps. The best Cubase alternative is LMMS, which is both free and Open Source. Other great apps like Cubase are REAPER, Ardour, FL Studio and Ableton Live.

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Cubase alternatives are mainly Music Production Apps, but if you're looking for Digital Audio Workstations or Audio Editors you can filter on that. Other popular filters include Linux + Open Source. These are just examples - use the filter bar below to find more specific alternatives to Cubase.
Cubase iconCubase
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Definitive desktop DAW (Digital Audio Workstation) for professional mixing, mastering, music production and sound design.

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Cubase alternatives page was last updated Nov 13, 2024
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  1. LMMS icon

    LMMS

     612 likes
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    Cross-platform digital audio workstation supporting lossless audio and VST plugins. Features include music looping, sequencing, and MIDI support. Provides an ad-free, privacy-focused, portable experience without registration, working offline with extensibility through plugins and add-ons.

    90 LMMS alternatives

    License model

    • Free • Open Source

    Application types

    Country of Origin

    • DE flagGermany
    • European Union flagEU

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Linux
    • BSD
    • PortableApps.com
    • Haiku
    LMMS screenshot 1

    Properties

    1.  Customizable

    Features

    1.  Support for VST Plugins
    2.  Digital Audio Workstation
    3.  Piano Roll
    4.  Export to MP3
    5.  Export to MIDI
    6.  MIDI Keyboard Input
    7.  Portable
    8.  Audio Recording
    9.  Music Sequencer
    10.  Works Offline
    11.  Support for MIDI
    12.  No registration required

    LMMS VS Cubase

     
    Comments about LMMS as an Alternative to Cubase
    Top Positive Comment
    Guest
    Mar 28, 2019
    5

    It has a lot interesting functions.

    Top Negative Comment
    Guest
    Nov 12, 2015
    11

    Does not support harddisk recording - only midi or samples

    Most Recent Comment
    puikheid
    Negative Nov 13, 2024
    0

    It's not a linear DAW and barely has any feature overlap.

    Show more comments
    3 of 6 comments
    Cubase Icon
    LMMS icon

    • Most users think LMMS is a great Cubase alternative.

    • LMMS is the most popular Windows, Mac & Linux alternative to Cubase.

    • LMMS is the most popular Open Source & free alternative to Cubase.

    • LMMS is Free and Open SourceCubase is Paid and Proprietary
  2. REAPER icon

    REAPER

     246 likes
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    REAPER (Rapid Environment for Audio Production, Engineering, and Recording) is a digital audio workstation, MIDI sequencer and video editing software application created by Cockos. The current version is available for Microsoft Windows (XP and newer), macOS (10.5 and newer), and Linux.

    81 REAPER alternatives

    License model

    Application types

    Country of Origin

    • US flagUnited States

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Linux
    Default theme

    Properties

    1.  Customizable
    2.  Lightweight

    Features

    1.  Audio Recording
    2.  Digital Audio Workstation
    3.  Support for VST Plugins
    4.  Support for scripting
    5.  MultiTrack
    6.  Support for MIDI
    7.  Extensive customisability
    8.  Portable
    9.  Ad-free
    10.  Spectral editing
    11.  Multi Channel
    12.  Lossless Audio

    REAPER VS Cubase

     
    Comments about REAPER as an Alternative to Cubase
    Most Recent Comment
    Guest
    Positive Dec 20, 2017
    2

    its more like cubase than other alternatives

    Guest
    Positive Nov 15, 2018
    2

    Reaper is an extremely powerful DAW for its price.

    Senior Member
    Positive Apr 30, 2022
    0

    It has most of the features Cubase has for a fraction of the cost. Developers are constantly improving it throughout the years. Huge community base.

    Cubase Icon
    REAPER icon

    • Almost everyone thinks REAPER is a great Cubase alternative.

    • REAPER is the most popular commercial alternative to Cubase.

    • REAPER is Paid and ProprietaryCubase is also Paid and Proprietary
    • REAPER is Customizable and LightweightCubase is not according to our users
  4. Ardour icon

    Ardour

     231 likes
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    Ardour is a hard disk recorder and digital audio workstation application. Record, edit, and mix on Linux, Mac OS X, and Windows.

    90 Ardour alternatives

    License model

    Application types

    Country of Origin

    • US flagUnited States

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Linux
    • BSD
    Ardour 6

    Properties

    1.  Privacy focused

    Features

    1.  Multitrack editing
    2.  Audio Recording
    3.  Mix Music
    4.  Digital Audio Workstation
    5.  Non Destructive Editing
    6.  Support for VST Plugins
    7.  Music Sequencer
    8.  Extensible by Plugins/Extensions
    9.  Lossless Audio
    10.  Works Offline
    11.  Ad-free
    12.  Virtual Instrument

    Ardour VS Cubase

     
    Comments about Ardour as an Alternative to Cubase
    Guest
    Positive Nov 6, 2023
    0

    It's great. Complete tool!

    Guest
    Positive Dec 23, 2016
    -2

    Opensource, available on Windows, Mac, and Linux, you can import PT projects, create your own model, and use it as a completed DAW for your computer. Enjoy !

    Cubase Icon
    Ardour icon

    • Most users think Ardour is a great Cubase alternative.

    • Ardour is Paid and Open SourceCubase is Paid and Proprietary
  5. Ad
    Screenshot
    FL Studio icon
    FL Studio

    A complete digital audio workstation featuring professional music creation tools for mixing, mastering, editing, and sequencing. It includes a responsive piano roll sequencer, lifetime license updates, visualizer plugins for vide...

    https://www.image-line.com
    Learn More
  6. FL Studio icon

    FL Studio

     484 likes
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    A complete digital audio workstation featuring professional music creation tools for mixing, mastering, editing, and sequencing. It includes a responsive piano roll sequencer, lifetime license updates, visualizer plugins for video creation, and multi-touch support for advanced graphical interface navigation.

    92 FL Studio alternatives

    License model

    Application types

    Country of Origin

    • BE flagBelgium
    • European Union flagEU

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Android
    • iPhone
    • Android Tablet
    • HUAWEI AppGallery
    • iPad
    FL Studio screenshot 1

    Properties

    1.  Lightweight

    Features

    1.  Support for VST Plugins
    2.  Audio Recording
    3.  Digital Audio Workstation
    4.  Voice Recording
    5.  Piano Roll
    6.  Synth rack
    7.  MIDI Keyboard Input
    8.  Visualize Music
    9.  Drum matrix editing
    10.  Works Offline
    11.  Live Performance
    12.  Noise Reduction

    FL Studio VS Cubase

     
    Comments about FL Studio as an Alternative to Cubase
    Most Recent Comment
    Guest
    Negative Oct 14, 2015
    6

    Cubase is more for the traditional musician, whereas FL is for loop based electronic music.

    Paul Karpo
    Positive Mar 14, 2019
    -2

    It is one of the best DAW on the market. A lot of TOP producers and beatmakers use it in their work.

    Guest
    Negative Dec 20, 2017
    0

    different conceptual style

    Cubase Icon
    FL Studio icon

    • Most users think FL Studio is a great Cubase alternative.

    • FL Studio is the most popular Android, iPhone, iPad & Android Tablet alternative to Cubase.

    • FL Studio is Paid and ProprietaryCubase is also Paid and Proprietary
    • FL Studio is LightweightCubase is not according to our users
  7. Ableton Live icon

    Ableton Live

     207 likes
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    Music software facilitating idea creation, editing, and performance with Arrangement and Session Views. Enhanced interfaces, improved waveforms, and great EQs provide intuitive and detailed music-making for studio and stage experiences.

    84 Ableton Live alternatives

    License model

    Application types

    Country of Origin

    • DE flagGermany
    • European Union flagEU

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    Ableton Live screenshot 1

    Top Ableton Live Features

    1.  Digital Audio Workstation
    2.  Live Performance
    3.  Support for VST Plugins
    4.  Virtual Instrument
    5.  Audio Recording
    6.  Music Sequencer
    7.  Works Offline
    8.  Extensible by Plugins/Extensions
    9.  Ad-free
    10.  Dark Mode
    11.  Support for MIDI
    12.  Batch Editing

    Ableton Live VS Cubase

     
  8. Bitwig Studio icon

    Bitwig Studio

     91 likes
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    Bitwig Studio is a multi-platform music-creation system for production, performance and DJing, with a focus on flexible editing tools and a super-fast workflow.

    50 Bitwig Studio alternatives

    License model

    Application types

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Linux
    Bitwig Studio screenshot 1

    Top Bitwig Studio Features

    1.  Live Performance
    2.  Modular System
    3.  Multiplatform
    4.  Digital Audio Workstation
    5.  Grid layout
    6.  Support for VST Plugins
    7.  Support for MIDI
    8.  Works Offline
    9.  Music Sequencer
    10.  Music Looper
    11.  Support for scripting
    12.  Dark Mode

    Bitwig Studio VS Cubase

     
  10. GarageBand icon

    GarageBand

     264 likes
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    Experience a rich music creation suite on Mac and iOS with comprehensive sound libraries, virtual session drummers, and user-friendly tools suitable for beginners and pros. Create, edit, and share your music effortlessly through a seamless Apple integration.

    100 GarageBand alternatives

    License model

    • Free • Proprietary

    Application types

    Country of Origin

    • US flagUnited States

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • iPhone
    • iPad
    iPad Version: Tracks

    GarageBand Features

    1.  Preset beats
    2.  Virtual Instrument
    3.  Works Offline
    4.  Audio Samples
    5.  Music Sequencer
    6.  Piano Roll
    7.  Support for Keyboard Shortcuts

    GarageBand VS Cubase

     
    Comments about GarageBand as an Alternative to Cubase
    Guest
    Negative Nov 15, 2018
    1

    GarageBand is a very lightweight program compared to professional grade DAWs such as Cubase.

    Cubase Icon
    GarageBand icon

    • Some users think GarageBand is a great Cubase alternative, some don't.

    • GarageBand is Free and ProprietaryCubase is Paid and Proprietary
  11. Cakewalk icon

    Cakewalk

     70 likes
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    Cakewalk, formerly SONAR, is a comprehensive audio software for music composition, audio recording, editing, mixing and mastering. It features a full suite of high quality audio and MIDI effects and instruments and composition tools ranging from drum sequencer and piano roll...

    114 Cakewalk alternatives

    License model

    • Free Personal • Proprietary

    Application types

    Country of Origin

    • SG flagSingapore

    Platforms

    • Windows
    Cakewalk screenshot 1

    Properties

    1.  Customizable

    Features

    1.  Support for VST Plugins
    2.  Ad-free
    3.  Support for MIDI
    4.  Multitrack editing
    5.  Step Sequencer
    6.  Dark Mode
    7.  Works Offline
    8.  Virtual Instrument
    9.  Music Looper
    10.  Lossless Audio
    11.  Music Sequencer
    12.  Extensible by Plugins/Extensions

    Cakewalk VS Cubase

     
    Comments about Cakewalk as an Alternative to Cubase
    ballOOn Head
    Positive Dec 17, 2021
    0

    Best Freeware with all the professional abilities. Highest Level of Features Like all paid programs but not very stable

    Cubase Icon
    Cakewalk icon

    • Most users think Cakewalk is a great Cubase alternative.

    • Cakewalk is Free Personal and ProprietaryCubase is Paid and Proprietary
  12. Logic Pro icon

    Logic Pro

     118 likes
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    Comprehensive studio app offering advanced DAW and MIDI tools, a creative interface, powerful software instruments, plugins like Beat Breaker, full mixer capabilities, and seamless integration with Mac and iPad for professional-sounding mixes.

    78 Logic Pro alternatives

    License model

    Application types

    Country of Origin

    • US flagUnited States

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • iPad
    Logic Pro screenshot 1

    Logic Pro Features

    1.  Audio Recording
    2.  Synthesizer
    3.  Piano Roll
    4.  Mix Music
    5.  Music Sequencer
    6.  Music Recording
    7.  Support for MIDI
    8.  Support for VST Plugins
    9.  Record Tracks
    10.  Loop Library

    Logic Pro VS Cubase

     
9 of 76 Cubase alternatives