: If you are a student or a teacher, you can get a massive discount (often up to 50% off) through the Steinberg Education program .

If Cubase is currently out of reach, these professional-grade DAWs are actually free and safe:

: You lose access to the frequent stability patches and new features Steinberg releases. You also can’t use official support if something goes wrong. Better (and Legal) Ways to Get Cubase

: While not technically free, it has a "never-ending" full evaluation period and a very affordable license for individuals.

If you want the power of Cubase without the $500+ price tag or the security risks, try these official routes:

: This is the entry-level version. It includes the same high-quality audio engine as Pro but with fewer tracks and plugins. It’s significantly cheaper and often on sale at Steinberg .