WaveLab vs WavePad
WaveLab
steinberg.netWavePad
nch.com.auSide by side
| Figure | WaveLab | WavePad |
|---|---|---|
| Price from | Free | $3.33/mo |
| Free plan | Yes | Yes |
| Free trial | Yes | Yes |
| Open source | — | — |
| Windows | Yes | Yes |
| macOS | Yes | Yes |
| iOS | — | Yes |
| Android | — | Yes |
| Plans published | 3 | 8 |
| Spec score · Audio Editing Software | 9.1 (#4) | 9.2 (#3) |
| Spec score · Audio editors | 8.9 (#2) | 8.8 (#4) |
| Spec score · Game Audio Editors | 8.3 (#9) | 8.5 (#5) |
| Spec score · Audio editors for voice | 8.4 (#5) | 8.5 (#4) |
| API and SDK | The opened official product and help materials describe VST3 and ARA extensibility but do not present a public web API or WaveLab SDK. | The official feature and help pages document plug-ins and MixPad integration but list no public WavePad API or SDK. |
| Founded | 1984 | 1993 |
| Free plan | No | Yes |
| Headquarters | Hamburg, Germany | Canberra, Australian Capital Territory, Australia |
| Integrations | 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. | Official pages describe MixPad integration and DirectX and VST DLL plug-in support. |
| Privacy | Steinberg says personal data is used in accordance with applicable data protection rules including the GDPR and German data protection laws. | NCH's privacy policy says it does not store credit card information and uses SSL to encrypt personal information in transit on its site. |
| Purpose | WaveLab is an audio mastering and editing suite with audio editing, audio montage, batch processing, and spectral editing tools. | WavePad records and edits music, voice and other audio recordings. |
| Rating on Trustpilot | 2 out of 5 from 237 reviews for Steinberg Media Technologies GmbH. | 4.3 out of 5 from 1,593 NCH Software reviews. |
| Security and privacy | Steinberg says its German account operation follows EU GDPR and the German Data Protection Act and exchanges account and computer details for licensing and support purposes. | The EULA says limited anonymized usage statistics may be collected under NCH's privacy statement and software is supplied as-is with liability limitations. |
| Support | Steinberg’s imprint says technical support is available only to registered users. | NCH provides WavePad video tutorials, a help manual, FAQ, forum and technical support contact. |
| Supported platforms | Windows, macOS | Windows, macOS, iOS, Android |
| System requirements | The current product page lists Windows 10 22H2 or newer, Windows 11 24H2 or newer, macOS 14–26, four or more CPU cores, 8 GB RAM, 2 GB core-install space and a 1440×900 minimum display. | The product page lists Windows 7 through 11 and macOS 10.5 or later; mobile requirements are iOS 12 or later and Android 5.0 or later. |
| Third-party plugins | Yes | Yes |
| What it does | WaveLab is Steinberg software for audio editing, restoration, analysis, mastering and publishing, with separate Audio Editor, Audio Montage, batch-processing and Dolby Atmos workspaces. | WavePad records and edits music, voice and other audio files with cutting, pasting, effects and format conversion. |
Plans
WaveLab
- WaveLab LEFree
- WaveLab Elements 13$99.99, paid once
- WaveLab Pro 13$499.99, paid once
WavePad
- Master's Edition Annual Plan$99 a year
- Standard Edition Annual Plan$60 a year
- Master's Edition Quarterly Plan$16.50 a month
- Free versionFree
- WavePad Free VersionFree
- Master's Edition Quarterly Plan$21.48 a month
- Standard Edition Annual Plan$39.95 a year
- Master's Edition Annual Plan$69.95 a year
In their own words
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.
WavePad
WavePad records and edits music, voice, and other audio on Windows, macOS, iOS, and Android. Its editing tools include cut, copy, paste, trim, compression, and pitch shifting, while effects include echo, amplification, and equalization. Restoration tools reduce noise and remove clicks and pops. The software supports more than 50 formats, including MP3, WAV, FLAC, OGG, AAC, and M4A. Batch processing can apply effects or convert thousands of files in one operation. WavePad supports sample rates from 6 to 192 kHz, in stereo or mono and at 8, 16, 24, or 32 bits. It also supports DirectX and VST plugins, though the Standard Edition excludes VST support and the SFX Library. The maker lists podcast and radio editing, voiceovers, ringtone creation, and audio restoration as typical uses. The free version costs nothing, is for non-commercial use, and does not expire. It enables additional Master's Edition features for a 14-day trial after installation. Paid options include $60 a year for Standard Edition and $99 a year for Master's Edition.