# Ardour vs Steinberg Cubase

| Attribute | Ardour | Steinberg Cubase |
|---|---|---|
| **Vioscale score** | 43.6 (8% (low)) | 40.5 (8% (low)) |
| deployment.options | `{"self_hosted":true}` | - |
| description.long | Open-source software for multitrack audio recording, mixing, MIDI composition, and video synchronization with plugin support and hardware control. | A comprehensive music production platform that enables recording, mixing, and editing with advanced MIDI tools, audio processing, and professional mixing workflows suited for composers and producers across all skill levels. |
| features.capabilities | `{"pricing_model":"free_open_source","workflow_paradigm":"traditional_linear_timeline","architecture_model":"desktop_local_application","gpl_or_permissive_oss_license":true,"video_playback_track_for_film_scoring":true,"vst3_and_audio_unit_au_hosting_support":true,"hardware_control_surface_deep_integration_midi_learn":true}` | `{"sheet_music_score_editor_view":true,"surround_sound_and_dolby_atmos_native_mixing":true,"native_pitch_correction_and_vocal_tuning_flex_pitch":true,"advanced_audio_warping_and_time_stretching_algorithms":true}` |
| integrations.count | 3 | 1 |
| integrations.list | `[{"name":"freesound.org","native":true,"category":"media_library","direction":"inbound"},{"name":"Mackie Control","native":true,"direction":"bidirectional"},{"name":"JACK","native":true,"direction":"bidirectional"}]` | `[{"name":"Yamaha CL/QL-Series","native":true,"direction":"bidirectional"}]` |
| market.availability | - | `{"hqCountry":"DE","primaryMarkets":[],"availabilityScope":"global","availableCountries":[],"notAvailableCountries":[]}` |
| platform.support | `{"mac":true,"linux":true,"windows":true}` | - |
| pricing | `{"type":"open_source","freeTier":true,"sourceUrl":"https://ardour.org/","retrievedAt":"2026-09-01T14:45:18.502Z"}` | - |
| pricing.free_tier | yes | - |
| pricing.model | open_source | - |
| pricing.price_level | free | - |

## Capabilities (Music Production Daw)

| Capability | Ardour | Steinberg Cubase |
|---|:--:|:--:|
| **Capabilities** |  |  |
| Architecture model | Desktop local application | - |
| Workflow paradigm | Traditional linear timeline | - |
| Vst3 and audio unit au hosting support | ✓ | - |
| Native pitch correction and vocal tuning flex pitch | - | ✓ |
| Advanced audio warping and time stretching algorithms | - | ✓ |
| Midi comping and take folder management | - | - |
| Sheet music score editor view | - | ✓ |
| Hardware control surface deep integration midi learn | ✓ | - |
| Video playback track for film scoring | ✓ | - |
| Surround sound and dolby atmos native mixing | - | ✓ |
| SOC2 type ii | - | - |
| Gpl or permissive oss license | ✓ | - |
| Pricing model | Free open source | - |

*Source: Vioscale. Generated 2026-09-01T17:35:55.348Z. "-" = undocumented, not absent.*