Cubase AlternativesOnly apps categorised as Digital Audio Workstations

The best Digital Audio Workstation alternative to Cubase is LMMS, which is both free and Open Source. If that doesn't suit you, our users have ranked more than 50 alternatives to Cubase and loads of them are Digital Audio Workstations so hopefully you can find a suitable replacement. Other interesting Digital Audio Workstation alternatives to Cubase are REAPER, Ardour, FL Studio and Ableton Live.

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Cubase alternatives are mainly Digital Audio Workstations, but if you're looking for Music Production Apps or Audio Editors you can filter on that. Other popular filters include Linux, Free, Open Source, Linux + Open Source and Android. These are just examples - use the filter bar below to find more specific alternatives to Cubase.
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Alternatives list

  1. LMMS icon

    LMMS

     629 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.

    91 LMMS alternatives

    Cost / License

    • Free
    • Open Source

    Application types

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Linux
    • BSD
    • Flathub
    • PortableApps.com
    • Haiku
    • Flatpak
    LMMS screenshot 1
     
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    6
    45
    Comments about LMMS as an Alternative to Cubase
    Top Positive Comment
    Guest
    5

    It has a lot interesting functions.

    Review by a new / low-activity user.
    Top Negative Comment
    Guest
    11

    Does not support harddisk recording - only midi or samples

    Review by a new / low-activity user.
    puikheid
    Negative
    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
    • LMMS is Customizable, Privacy focused and LightweightCubase is not according to our users
  2. REAPER icon

    REAPER

     252 likes
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    A digital audio workstation, MIDI sequencer and video editing software application created by Cockos. The current version is available for Microsoft Windows, macOS, and Linux.

    83 REAPER alternatives

    Cost / License

    • Pay once
    • Proprietary

    Application types

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Linux
    • Flathub
    • Flatpak
    Default theme
     
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    3
    19
    Comments about REAPER as an Alternative to Cubase
    Guest
    Positive
    2

    its more like cubase than other alternatives

    Review by a new / low-activity user.
    Guest
    Positive
    2

    Reaper is an extremely powerful DAW for its price.

    Review by a new / low-activity user.
    Senior Member
    Positive
    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.

    Review by a new / low-activity user.
    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

     239 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.

    92 Ardour alternatives

    Cost / License

    • Pay once
    • Open Source

    Application types

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Linux
    • BSD
    Ardour 6
     
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    2
    21
    Comments about Ardour as an Alternative to Cubase
    Guest
    Positive
    0

    It's great. Complete tool!

    Review by a new / low-activity user.
    Guest
    Positive
    -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 !

    Review by a new / low-activity user.
    Cubase Icon
    Ardour icon

    • Most users think Ardour is a great Cubase alternative.

    • Ardour is Paid and Open SourceCubase is Paid and Proprietary
    • Ardour is Privacy focusedCubase is not according to our users
  5. Ad
    Screenshot
    Magix ACID Pro icon
    Magix ACID Pro

    Experience transformative music production with multitrack recording, comprehensive MIDI sequencing, legendary looping, and Transparent Technology for seamless creative flow without barriers in professional audio creation and pos...

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  6. FL Studio icon

    FL Studio

     494 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.

    94 FL Studio alternatives

    Cost / License

    • Pay once
    • Proprietary

    Application types

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Android
    • iPhone
    • Android Tablet
    • HUAWEI AppGallery
    • iPad
    • Online
    FL Studio screenshot 1
     
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    3
    27
    Comments about FL Studio as an Alternative to Cubase
    Guest
    Negative
    6

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

    Review by a new / low-activity user.
    Paul Karpo
    Positive
    -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
    0

    different conceptual style

    Review by a new / low-activity user.
    Cubase Icon
    FL Studio icon

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

    • FL Studio is the most popular Web-based, 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

     211 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.

    85 Ableton Live alternatives

    Cost / License

    • Pay once
    • Proprietary

    Application types

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    Ableton Live screenshot 1
     
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    11
  8. Bitwig Studio icon

    Bitwig Studio

     94 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.

    53 Bitwig Studio alternatives

    Cost / License

    • Pay once
    • Proprietary

    Application types

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Linux
    • Flathub
    • Flatpak
    Bitwig Studio screenshot 1
     
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    8
  10. Cakewalk icon

    Cakewalk

     74 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...

    115 Cakewalk alternatives

    Cost / License

    • Free Personal
    • Proprietary

    Application types

    Platforms

    • Windows
    Cakewalk screenshot 1
     
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    1
    Comments about Cakewalk as an Alternative to Cubase
    ballOOn Head
    Positive
    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
    • Cakewalk is CustomizableCubase is not according to our users
  11. GarageBand icon

    GarageBand

     267 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.

    103 GarageBand alternatives

    Cost / License

    • Free
    • Proprietary

    Application types

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • iPhone
    • iPad
    iPad Version: Tracks
     
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    1
    7
    Comments about GarageBand as an Alternative to Cubase
    Guest
    Negative
    1

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

    Review by a new / low-activity user.
    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
  13. Logic Pro icon

    Logic Pro

     119 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.

    79 Logic Pro alternatives

    Cost / License

    • Pay once
    • Proprietary

    Application types

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • iPad
    Logic Pro screenshot 1
     
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    9
  14. Studio One icon

    Studio One

     48 likes
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    Studio One is an advanced digital audio workstation for Mac and Windows featuring a bevy of powerful composition, editing, mixing and mastering tools on top of standard multi-track DAW features. Highly praised for its intuitive chord track that lets users drag and drop both...

    54 Studio One alternatives

    Cost / License

    • Pay once or Subscription
    • Proprietary

    Application types

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Linux
    Studio One Pro 7
     
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    7
12 of 53 Cubase alternatives