WaveLab vs Zenbeats
WaveLab
steinberg.netZenbeats
roland.comSide by side
| Figure | WaveLab | Zenbeats |
|---|---|---|
| Price from | Free | $2.99/mo |
| Free plan | Yes | Yes |
| Free trial | Yes | — |
| Open source | — | — |
| Windows | Yes | Yes |
| macOS | Yes | Yes |
| iOS | — | Yes |
| Android | — | Yes |
| Plans published | 3 | 9 |
| Spec score · Audio Editing Software | 9.1 (#4) | 9.1 (#5) |
| 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. | Roland's public Zenbeats support and documentation pages describe plug-ins and file exchange but provide no public Zenbeats API or SDK. |
| Documentation | WaveLab help is available online at steinberg.help, with platform-independent documentation covering Windows and macOS workflows, setup, audio connections and editing concepts. | Roland publishes a 55-page Start Guide covering installation, MIDI, plug-ins, editing, recording, mixing, cloud transfer, stem export and MIDI export. |
| Founded | 1984 | 1972 |
| Free plan | No | Yes |
| Headquarters | Hamburg, Germany | Hamamatsu, Shizuoka, Japan |
| 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. | Projects can be transferred between devices through Google Drive or OneDrive, and stems and loops can be exported for other DAWs. |
| Multitrack editing | Yes | Yes |
| 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. | Roland's privacy statement says it works toward GDPR, UK-GDPR, CCPA and other applicable privacy-law requirements. |
| Supported platforms | Windows, macOS | Windows, macOS, iOS, Android, and compatible Chrome OS systems |
| 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. | Roland specifies a dual-core CPU, 2 GB RAM, 2 GB free storage, Windows 10/11, macOS 10.11+, iOS 11+, Android 8+ or compatible ChromeOS Android systems. |
| 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. | Zenbeats is Roland's cross-platform music-creation application for beatmaking, recording, arranging, sampling and mixing. |
Plans
WaveLab
- WaveLab LEFree
- WaveLab Elements 13$99.99, paid once
- WaveLab Pro 13$499.99, paid once
Zenbeats
- Free VersionFree
- Max Unlock$149.99 a month
- Roland Cloud Membership$2.99 a month
- Android Unlock$14.99, paid once
- iOS Unlock$14.99, paid once
- macOS Unlock$49.99, paid once
- Windows Unlock$49.99, paid once
- Platform Unlock$59.99, paid once
- Max Unlock$149.99, paid once
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.