Cubase 15 vs Pro Tools
Specs, price and the Dubspot Score, side by side — with our verdict on which daw to buy.
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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.
Specs compared
| 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.