Descript vs WaveLab
Descript
descript.com
WaveLab
steinberg.netSide by side
| Figure | Descript | WaveLab |
|---|---|---|
| Price from | $16/mo | Free |
| Free plan | Yes | Yes |
| Free trial | — | Yes |
| Open source | — | — |
| Web | Yes | — |
| Windows | Yes | Yes |
| macOS | Yes | Yes |
| Plans published | 5 | 3 |
| Spec score · Audio Editing Software | 8.5 (#19) | 9.1 (#4) |
| Spec score · Audio editors for voice | 8.3 (#6) | 8.4 (#5) |
| Free plan | Yes | No |
| Headquarters | San Francisco, California, United States | Hamburg, Germany |
| Integrations | Listed integrations include Google Drive, Slack, YouTube, Zoom, Adobe Premiere, Adobe Audition, Final Cut Pro, and Dropbox. | WaveLab supports third-party VST3 plug-ins, external audio editors and hardware devices, and WaveLab Pro can operate as an ARA extension in compatible applications. |
| Support | The Business plan includes priority support with an SLA, while Enterprise lists dedicated customer success management, onboarding, and priority response. | Steinberg’s imprint says technical support is available only to registered users. |
Plans
Descript
- FreeFree
- Hobbyist$16 a month
- Creator$24 a month
- Business$50 a month
- EnterprisePriced on request
WaveLab
- WaveLab LEFree
- WaveLab Elements 13$99.99, paid once
- WaveLab Pro 13$499.99, paid once
In their own words
Descript
Descript is an AI video and audio editor that lets users edit media by changing text in an automatically generated transcript. It runs on macOS, Windows, and the web, and supports screen and camera recording as well as remote 4K multitrack recording with guests in Rooms. Its Underlord AI co-editor can carry out editing tasks, and the editor includes tools for removing filler words and retakes. Studio Sound is listed for reducing background noise and enhancing voices; text-based regeneration can replace flubbed lines. Users can also make clips, captions, translations, and dubbed video from their content. Descript describes the product for creators and teams producing video podcasts, marketing, tutorials, and product demos. Listed integrations include Google Drive, Slack, YouTube, Zoom, Adobe Premiere, Adobe Audition, Final Cut Pro, and Dropbox. AI features are opt-in, and AI voices require user consent. Descript says project files, transcripts, and metadata are stored on its servers for live collaboration, version history, and access from any computer. The Free plan costs nothing. Paid plans start at $16 per user per month billed annually.
WaveLab
WaveLab is an audio mastering and editing suite for Windows and macOS. Its tools cover audio editing, audio montage, batch processing, and spectral editing, with multitrack editing, noise reduction, and video synchronization also listed. It supports VST 3 plug-ins from other manufacturers. The edition comparison lists podcasting integrations with SoundCloud, Spreaker, Podbean, Buzzsprout, and Castos, and says Pro and Elements can replace audio in video.
WaveLab Pro 13 includes Dolby Atmos mastering tools for ADM file editing, loudness control, and album assembly. It supports sample rates up to 384 kHz and more than 1,000 audio tracks; Elements 13 supports up to 96 kHz and eight tracks. Downloads are listed for Windows 10 64-bit version 22H2 or newer, Windows 11 version 24H2 or newer, and macOS 14, 15, or 26. The pricing note is From $99.99 · 60-day trial. A free WaveLab LE copy is available with qualifying hardware and a Download Access Code. The Pro trial requires signing in or creating a Steinberg ID.