Serato Studio vs WaveLab
Serato Studio
serato.com
WaveLab
steinberg.netSide by side
| Figure | Serato Studio | WaveLab |
|---|---|---|
| Price from | $9.99/mo | Free |
| Free plan | Yes | Yes |
| Free trial | Yes | Yes |
| Open source | — | — |
| Windows | Yes | Yes |
| macOS | Yes | Yes |
| Plans published | 4 | 3 |
| Spec score · Audio Editing Software | 8.5 (#20) | 9.1 (#4) |
| Founded | 1999 | 1984 |
| Free plan | Yes | No |
| Headquarters | Auckland, New Zealand | Hamburg, Germany |
| Integrations | Studio integrates with Serato DJ crates and FX plugins and supports MIDI hardware mapping; the downloads page also lists native control for AlphaTheta SLAB. | 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. |
| Intended users | Serato describes Studio as beat-making software with a DJ-friendly workflow for producers and users making DJ edits. | Steinberg describes WaveLab LE as suited to hobby musicians, home studio owners, freelancers, and podcasters. |
| Purpose | Serato Studio is beat-making software for creating album-quality beats and custom DJ edits. | WaveLab is an audio mastering and editing suite with audio editing, audio montage, batch processing, and spectral editing tools. |
| Support | Serato lists 24/7 support with the subscription plan, and its Studio support section offers help requests and product guides. | Steinberg’s imprint says technical support is available only to registered users. |
Plans
Serato Studio
- FreeFree
- Buy$149 a month
- Subscribe$9.99 a month
- Buy$149, paid once
WaveLab
- WaveLab LEFree
- WaveLab Elements 13$99.99, paid once
- WaveLab Pro 13$499.99, paid once
In their own words
Serato Studio
Serato Studio is beat-making software for creating beats and custom DJ edits, with a workflow aimed at producers and DJ users. Its Sample Deck can sync samples to project BPM and key, chop them, separate stems, and apply time stretching, key shifting, reverse and effects. Real-time stem separation can split tracks into acapella, melody, bassline and drum parts. Studio includes a step sequencer and more than 190 instruments, including bass, keys, synths, pads, percussion, guitars and orchestral sounds. It supports VST3 and Audio Unit plugins, MIDI hardware mapping, Serato DJ crates and FX plugins. Users can export tracks, mixes, loops or individual drum pads as separate audio files. Studio runs on macOS and Windows and requires a Serato.com account. Free mode is limited to one audio track, four decks and four scenes, with automation disabled. The Subscribe plan costs $9.99/mo; the separate Buy plan is listed at $149 a month.
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.