8.8Great
Steinberg Cubase 15 is a full digital audio workstation for composition, recording, mixing, and scoring, available in Pro, Artist, and Elements editions.
Plugin comparison
Cubase 15 vs Pro Tools
Specs, price and the Dubspot Score, side by side — with our verdict on which daw to buy.
Independent score / workflow fit / buying signal
Contenders
The side-by-side
8.7Great
Pro Tools (Avid) — industry-standard DAW. Score 8.7/10, price $0–$599+/yr, formats and comparisons.
Score verdict
Which should you buy?
On the Dubspot Score, Cubase 15 comes out ahead (8.8). That said, the right pick depends on your workflow and budget — read both reviews before deciding.
Technical matrix
Specs compared
| Signal | Cubase 15 | Pro Tools |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $99–$580 | $0–$599+/yr |
| Dubspot Score | 8.8 | 8.7 |
| Formats | VST3, standalone, macOS, Windows | AAX, standalone, macOS, Windows |
| Editions | Pro, Artist, Elements (plus AI/LE OEM tiers) | — |
| License | Perpetual download license (no subscription) | — |
| Pro street price | About $579.99 USD full version | — |
| Key 15 features | Melodic Pattern Sequencer, AI-powered stem separation, Expression Maps updates, Omnivocal beta improvements | — |
| System | Windows 10 22H2+ / Windows 11 24H2+; macOS Sonoma / Sequoia / Tahoe | — |
| RAM / storage | 8 GB RAM minimum; ~84 GB free storage recommended | — |
| Plugin support | VST3 instruments and effects (plus Steinberg ecosystem) | — |
| Product type | — | industry-standard DAW |
| Developer | — | Avid |
| Typical price | — | $0–$599+/yr |
| Formats | — | AAX, standalone, macOS, Windows |
| Primary job | — | session interchange and post-production |
| Catalog status | — | Current as of 2026 |
See the full plugin database for more comparisons.