# LMMS vs Steinberg Cubase

| Attribute | LMMS | Steinberg Cubase |
|---|---|---|
| **vioscaleAI score** | 45.1 (17% (low)) | 46.3 (9% (low)) |
| activity.commits_last_30d | 10 | - |
| adoption.github_stars | 10,347 | - |
| content.faq | `[{"answer":"A desktop digital audio workstation that enables you to compose, arrange, and mix music using built-in editors like a piano roll, beat sequencer, and multi-track mixer, along with synthesizers and effects plugins. It is indexed under Music Production Daw.","source":"https://lmms.io/","question":"What is LMMS?","confidence":0.6},{"answer":"LMMS is open source, so it can be self-hosted and used at no licence cost. It is released under the GPL-2.0 licence. Pricing changes often, so verify at source before relying on it.","source":"https://lmms.io/","question":"Is LMMS free to use?","confidence":0.6},{"answer":"LMMS supports Windows, macOS and Linux. Platforms we have not confirmed are simply not listed here rather than ruled out.","source":"https://lmms.io/","question":"What platforms does LMMS support?","confidence":0.6},{"answer":"Yes. LMMS can be deployed self-hosted, so it does not have to run on the vendor's infrastructure.","source":"https://lmms.io/","question":"Can LMMS be self-hosted?","confidence":0.6},{"answer":"Yes. LMMS is published under the GPL-2.0 licence, a copyleft licence, so check its terms before embedding it in a closed-source product. Licence terms can change between releases, so verify against the repository for the version you intend to use.","source":"https://github.com/lmms/lmms","question":"Is LMMS open source?","confidence":0.95}]` | - |
| deployment.options | `{"self_hosted":true}` | - |
| description.long | A desktop digital audio workstation that enables you to compose, arrange, and mix music using built-in editors like a piano roll, beat sequencer, and multi-track mixer, along with synthesizers and effects plugins. | 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}` | `{"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 | - | 1 |
| integrations.list | - | `[{"name":"Yamaha CL/QL-Series","native":true,"direction":"bidirectional"}]` |
| language.primary | C++ | - |
| license.spdx | GPL-2.0 | - |
| market.availability | - | `{"hqCountry":"DE","primaryMarkets":[],"availabilityScope":"global","availableCountries":[],"notAvailableCountries":[]}` |
| platform.support | `{"mac":true,"linux":true,"windows":true}` | - |
| pricing | `{"type":"open_source","summary":"Free and open source","freeTier":true,"sourceUrl":"https://lmms.io/","retrievedAt":"2026-09-01T16:08:15.859Z"}` | - |
| pricing.free_tier | yes | - |
| pricing.model | open_source | - |
| pricing.price_level | free | - |
| pricing.transparent | yes | - |
| release.cadence_days | 123 | - |
| release.history | `[{"url":"https://github.com/LMMS/lmms/releases/tag/v1.3.0-alpha.2","date":"2026-09-06T00:16:35Z","type":"prerelease","version":"v1.3.0-alpha.2"},{"url":"https://github.com/LMMS/lmms/releases/tag/v1.3.0-alpha.1","date":"2020-11-09T12:47:12Z","type":"prerelease","version":"v1.3.0-alpha.1"},{"url":"https://github.com/LMMS/lmms/releases/tag/v1.2.2","date":"2020-07-04T12:35:12Z","type":"stable","version":"v1.2.2"},{"url":"https://github.com/LMMS/lmms/releases/tag/v1.2.1","date":"2019-10-21T00:31:26Z","type":"stable","version":"v1.2.1"},{"url":"https://github.com/LMMS/lmms/releases/tag/v1.2.0","date":"2019-06-09T12:17:53Z","type":"stable","version":"v1.2.0"},{"url":"https://github.com/LMMS/lmms/releases/tag/v1.2.0-rc8","date":"2019-02-19T01:57:30Z","type":"prerelease","version":"v1.2.0-rc8"},{"url":"https://github.com/LMMS/lmms/releases/tag/v1.2.0-rc7","date":"2018-09-25T07:48:37Z","type":"prerelease","version":"v1.2.0-rc7"},{"url":"https://github.com/LMMS/lmms/releases/tag/v1.2.0-rc6","date":"2018-06-01T00:05:23Z","type":"prerelease","version":"v1.2.0-rc6"},{"url":"https://github.com/LMMS/lmms/releases/tag/v1.2.0-rc5","date":"2017-12-19T17:43:15Z","type":"prerelease","version":"v1.2.0-rc5"},{"url":"https://github.com/LMMS/lmms/releases/tag/v1.2.0-rc4","date":"2017-10-01T20:13:01Z","type":"prerelease","version":"v1.2.0-rc4"},{"url":"https://github.com/LMMS/lmms/releases/tag/v1.2.0-rc3","date":"2017-05-31T14:46:37Z","type":"prerelease","version":"v1.2.0-rc3"},{"url":"https://github.com/LMMS/lmms/releases/tag/v1.2.0-rc2","date":"2017-01-06T15:08:08Z","type":"prerelease","version":"v1.2.0-rc2"},{"url":"https://github.com/LMMS/lmms/releases/tag/v1.1.90","date":"2016-02-17T05:35:53Z","type":"prerelease","version":"v1.1.90"},{"url":"https://github.com/LMMS/lmms/releases/tag/v1.1.3","date":"2015-03-08T02:52:35Z","type":"stable","version":"v1.1.3"},{"url":"https://github.com/LMMS/lmms/releases/tag/v1.1.2","date":"2015-02-10T15:44:02Z","type":"prerelease","version":"v1.1.2"},{"url":"https://github.com/LMMS/lmms/releases/tag/v1.1.0","date":"2014-12-23T17:56:41Z","type":"stable","version":"v1.1.0"},{"url":"https://github.com/LMMS/lmms/releases/tag/v1.0.100","date":"2014-12-16T20:34:03Z","type":"prerelease","version":"v1.0.100"},{"url":"https://github.com/LMMS/lmms/releases/tag/v1.0.99","date":"2014-12-01T04:05:36Z","type":"prerelease","version":"v1.0.99"},{"url":"https://github.com/LMMS/lmms/releases/tag/v1.0.98","date":"2014-11-20T05:04:40Z","type":"prerelease","version":"v1.0.98"},{"url":"https://github.com/LMMS/lmms/releases/tag/v1.0.96","date":"2014-11-07T14:10:43Z","type":"prerelease","version":"v1.0.96"}]` | - |

## Capabilities (Music Production Daw)

| Capability | LMMS | 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: vioscaleAI. Generated 2026-09-11T23:38:52.467Z. "-" = undocumented, not absent.*