Softwr

Music · head to head

Cubase vs rekordbox

Cubase logo

Cubase

Music

Steinberg workstation with the strongest score editor of any DAW, now licensed without a USB dongle

From
$99.99/one-time
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite
rekordbox logo

rekordbox

Music

Pioneer DJ’s library management and performance software, sold on annual subscription tiers gated by connected hardware

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite

The short version

  • Only rekordbox has a free tier, so it costs nothing to try first.
  • Each has a real cost: Cubase steinberg Licensing ties activations to an account across up to three machines, so an isolated or air-gapped studio computer needs the offline activation procedure rather than a carried dongle, and that procedure must be repeated whenever the hardware is rebuilt.; rekordbox functional access depends jointly on subscription tier and connected hardware, so the same plan can behave differently depending on which Pioneer controller or mixer is attached.
  • They diverge on capability: Cubase covers Score editor, rekordbox covers Track analysis and preparation.
  • Prices and features above were last checked on 1 September 2026.

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which Cubase and rekordbox actually diverge.

Attributes where Cubase and rekordbox differ
AttributeCubaserekordbox
Starting price$99.99/one-timeFree
Pricing modelOne-time purchasePer user per year
Free tierNoYes
PlatformsWindows, macOSmacOS, Windows, iOS, Android

Identical on both: user rating (Not yet rated), category (Music).

What each one covers

Drawn from each product's published feature list. An absence here means we hold no record of it - not that the product lacks it.

Only in Cubase

  • Score editor
  • Expression maps
  • VariAudio
  • Chord Track and Chord Pads
  • Logical Editor
  • Video track
  • Steinberg Licensing
  • MixConsole

Only in rekordbox

  • Track analysis and preparation
  • Performance mode
  • Cloud Library Sync
  • RMX Effects
  • Lyric and video sync
  • Device backup and Collection Auto Upload

What people use each for

The jobs each tool is most often brought in to do.

Cubase

  • Writing to picture where the deliverable includes printed parts as well as a mix, because the score comes from the same project rather than a MIDI exportnot rekordbox
  • Driving large orchestral sample libraries, where expression maps turn articulation switching into notation instead of hidden keyswitch lanesnot rekordbox
  • Studios standardised on Steinberg or Yamaha hardware, where control surface integration is already builtnot rekordbox
  • Replacing a dongle based Cubase installation, where the reason to upgrade is removing the USB key as a single point of failurenot rekordbox

rekordbox

  • A club DJ preparing USB drives with beatgridded, cue-mapped libraries for Pioneer CDJ boothsnot Cubase
  • A touring DJ who wants Cloud Library Sync on the Creative plan to keep multiple devices in stepnot Cubase
  • A professional needing automated device backup and picking the Professional plan specifically for that featurenot Cubase
  • A hobbyist using the free tier for basic library organisation before committing to a paid plannot Cubase

Where each one falls short

Documented limitations, not opinions. Every one is a constraint you would hit in normal use.

Cubase

  • Steinberg Licensing ties activations to an account across up to three machines, so an isolated or air-gapped studio computer needs the offline activation procedure rather than a carried dongle, and that procedure must be repeated whenever the hardware is rebuilt.
  • Elements and Artist withhold features most buyers eventually need, including the top VariAudio tier and full surround work, so the realistic price is the Pro edition rather than the entry figure.
  • Projects saved in a newer version cannot be opened in an older one, so studios collaborating with clients on mixed versions have to standardise, and paid upgrades arrive roughly once a year.
  • There is no Linux build and no stated plan for one, so the platform choice is Windows or macOS only and a Linux studio is excluded outright.
  • The interface carries three decades of accumulated windows and dialogs spread across the Project window, MixConsole, Key Editor and Score Editor, so the learning curve is considerably longer than Live or Logic for a new user.

rekordbox

  • Functional access depends jointly on subscription tier and connected hardware, so the same plan can behave differently depending on which Pioneer controller or mixer is attached.
  • It is a recurring annual cost rather than a one-time purchase, unlike Traktor Pro, so the lifetime cost keeps climbing for as long as a DJ keeps performing.
  • Higher plans are needed mainly for cloud sync and backup rather than core mixing capability, which can feel like paying extra for convenience features rather than musical functionality.
  • It is most useful within the Pioneer DJ hardware ecosystem; DJs on other brands of controller gain comparatively little from rekordbox over Serato or Traktor.
  • The device activation limits per plan (3, 4 or 8 devices) mean a DJ running rekordbox on a laptop, phone and backup laptop can hit the ceiling on lower tiers.

Pricing, plan by plan

Cubase

$99.99/one-time
  • Cubase Elements$99.99/one-time
    • Perpetual licence
    • Capped audio, MIDI and instrument track counts
    • Reduced editing and mixing tool set
  • Cubase Artist$329.99/one-time
    • Perpetual licence
    • Higher track limits than Elements
    • Score editor included
  • Cubase Pro$579.99/one-time
    • Perpetual licence
    • Unlimited tracks
    • Full score editor, expression maps and surround

rekordbox

Free
  • FreeFree
    • Basic library management and track preparation
    • Limited Performance mode features
  • Core$120/year
    • Full Performance mode with eligible hardware
    • Up to 3 activated devices
  • Creative$180/year
    • Cloud Library Sync, RMX Effects, video and lyric sync
    • Up to 4 activated devices
  • Professional$360/year
    • Device library backup and Collection Auto Upload
    • Up to 8 activated devices

Which should you pick?

Choose Cubase if

  • You need score editor.
  • You work on Windows, macOS.
  • You also want expression maps.
Cubase review

Choose rekordbox if

  • You need track analysis and preparation.
  • You want to start without paying.
  • You work on macOS, Windows, iOS, Android.
  • You also want performance mode.
rekordbox review

Questions people ask

Is Cubase or rekordbox better?
Neither clearly leads. Cubase starts at $99.99/one-time and rekordbox at Free, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, Cubase or rekordbox?
rekordbox has a free tier; the other does not. Paid plans start at $99.99/one-time for Cubase and Free for rekordbox.
Does Cubase or rekordbox run on more platforms?
Cubase runs on Windows, macOS. rekordbox runs on macOS, Windows, iOS, Android.
Can I use rekordbox for free?
Yes. rekordbox has a free tier, so you can try it without paying. Cubase starts at $99.99/one-time.
What is Cubase best used for?
Cubase is most often used for writing to picture where the deliverable includes printed parts as well as a mix, because the score comes from the same project rather than a midi export, driving large orchestral sample libraries, where expression maps turn articulation switching into notation instead of hidden keyswitch lanes, studios standardised on steinberg or yamaha hardware, where control surface integration is already built, replacing a dongle based cubase installation, where the reason to upgrade is removing the usb key as a single point of failure. Of those, writing to picture where the deliverable includes printed parts as well as a mix, because the score comes from the same project rather than a midi export and driving large orchestral sample libraries, where expression maps turn articulation switching into notation instead of hidden keyswitch lanes are not what rekordbox is typically brought in for.
What can Cubase do that rekordbox cannot?
Cubase covers Score editor, Expression maps, VariAudio, Chord Track and Chord Pads. rekordbox covers Track analysis and preparation, Performance mode, Cloud Library Sync, RMX Effects.

Answered from the vendors’ own pages

Cubase: Does Cubase still need a USB dongle?

No. From Cubase 12 onwards Steinberg Licensing replaced the eLicenser. Activation runs through the Steinberg Activation Manager on up to three computers.

rekordbox: Is rekordbox free to use?

A free tier exists for basic library management, but full Performance mode mixing generally requires a paid plan and eligible hardware.

Cubase: Can I run Cubase on a computer with no internet access?

Yes, but through the offline activation path in the Activation Manager rather than a normal sign in, and you repeat it if the machine is rebuilt. Test it before committing an isolated scoring rig.

rekordbox: What is the real difference between Core and Creative?

Creative adds Cloud Library Sync, RMX Effects and video and lyric sync on top of everything in Core, for $60 a year more.

Cubase: Is Cubase a subscription?

No. Editions are bought outright and keep working. Steinberg charges separately for version upgrades, which appear roughly once a year.

rekordbox: Do I need Pioneer hardware to use rekordbox for mixing?

Performance mode is built around Pioneer DJ hardware; without eligible hardware, functionality is largely limited to library preparation and export.

Cubase: Which edition do I need for scoring work?

Pro. Artist includes a score editor, but Pro is the edition with the full engraving, expression map and surround feature set that media work assumes.

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