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FL Studio
From first idea to final track, you've got the speed, sounds, and tools to get it done.
VST3supportedAUsupportedAAXnot supportedCLAPsupportedWINsupportedMACsupportedLNXnot supported
Checked September 2026
FL Studio vs Cubase (2026)
FL Studio is best for beat making and electronic music production; Cubase is best for composers and producers wanting a mature, MIDI-centric production suite. FL Studio starts at $99 one-time (Fruity Edition) and Cubase at $99.99 one-time (Elements).
$99once
Professional music production software for composing, recording, editing, and mixing.
VST3supportedAUnot supportedAAXsupportedCLAPnot supportedWINsupportedMACsupportedLNXnot supported
| FL Studio | Cubase | |
|---|---|---|
| Best for | beat making and electronic music production | composers and producers wanting a mature, MIDI-centric production suite |
| Starting price | $99 one-time (Fruity Edition) | $99.99 one-time (Elements) |
| Free version | No | No |
| Free trial | Yes | Yes |
| Formats | Standalone, VST3, AU, CLAP | Standalone, VST3, AAX |
| OS | Windows, macOS | Windows, macOS |
| Key features | Unlimited free trial with full export, Lifetime free updates on any paid edition, One license for Windows and macOS, Piano roll with advanced MIDI editing, Stem separation (higher editions) | VariAudio pitch correction, Chord Pads and Pattern Editor, Score editor for notation, Control Room monitoring (Pro), Dolby Atmos support (Pro) |
| Developer | Image-Line | Steinberg |
Questions people ask
FL Studio starts at $99 one-time (Fruity Edition); Cubase starts at $99.99 one-time (Elements).
Unlimited free trial with full export, Lifetime free updates on any paid edition, One license for Windows and macOS, Piano roll with advanced MIDI editing, Stem separation (higher editions).
VariAudio pitch correction, Chord Pads and Pattern Editor, Score editor for notation, Control Room monitoring (Pro), Dolby Atmos support (Pro).