Qtractor vs WaveLab
Qtractor
qtractor.org
WaveLab
steinberg.netSide by side
| Figure | Qtractor | WaveLab |
|---|---|---|
| Price from | Free | Free |
| Free plan | Yes | Yes |
| Free trial | — | Yes |
| Open source | — | — |
| Windows | — | Yes |
| macOS | — | Yes |
| Linux | Yes | — |
| Plans published | 1 | 3 |
| Spec score · Audio Editing Software | 8.4 (#24) | 9.1 (#4) |
| Spec score · Audio editors | 8.1 (#9) | 8.9 (#2) |
| Spec score · Game Audio Editors | 8.1 (#14) | 8.3 (#9) |
| Founded | 2005 | 1984 |
| Free plan | Yes | No |
| Installation | The site provides instructions to build from source with CMake and install the result. | WaveLab 12 direct installers require Steinberg Activation Manager for license management; Steinberg Download Assistant bundles that requirement. |
| Integrations | Qtractor uses JACK for audio and ALSA for MIDI, and supports JACK transport synchronization and sessions, NSM, MMC, and MIDI Clock/SPP. | 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 project directs users to its SourceForge project page for bug reports, feature requests, forums, mailing lists, and development matters. | Steinberg’s imprint says technical support is available only to registered users. |
| What it does | Qtractor is a Linux desktop audio and MIDI multi-track sequencer aimed especially at personal home studios. | WaveLab is Steinberg software for audio editing, restoration, analysis, mastering and publishing, with separate Audio Editor, Audio Montage, batch-processing and Dolby Atmos workspaces. |
Plans
WaveLab
- WaveLab LEFree
- WaveLab Elements 13$99.99, paid once
- WaveLab Pro 13$499.99, paid once
In their own words
Qtractor
Qtractor is a Linux desktop application for multitrack audio and MIDI sequencing and recording, aimed especially at personal home studios. Its non-destructive, non-linear editing supports unlimited tracks, overlapping clips, and unlimited undo and redo. Audio clips can use fades, cross-fades, gain, normalization, export, time-stretching, and pitch-shifting. MIDI work includes a piano-roll editor, Standard MIDI file formats 0 and 1, controller mapping, and SysEx setups. Qtractor supports OGG, MP3 playback, WAV, FLAC, and AIFF, as well as LADSPA, DSSI, VST2, VST3, LV2, and CLAP plugins. It uses JACK for audio and ALSA for MIDI and includes connection patchbay controls. Tracks can be mixed down, rendered, and merged; session and project descriptions are stored in XML files. Qtractor is free, open-source software under the GNU General Public License version 2 or later. The site lists version 1.6.4, released 2026-09-06, and provides binary downloads and CMake build instructions. The project says bugs remain while describing the software as production/stable.
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.