Ableton Live vs Cubase:Which is more popular in New Zealand?
In October 2026, Ableton Live had more branded searches than Cubase among digital audio workstations in New Zealand. Ableton Live had about 1,880 branded searches, while Cubase had 210. Ableton Live made up 5.9% of all digital audio workstation searches we track, and Cubase accounted for 0.65%. When we asked ChatGPT and Google AI Overviews about digital audio workstations, Ableton Live appeared in all five answers and Cubase in two. Ableton Live was mentioned before Cubase in every answer.
Who do people search for more?
Ableton Live, about 9 searches for every 1 for Cubase
Who does AI mention more?
Ableton Live, mentioned in every answer we collected
Who does AI recommend more?
Ableton Live, named ahead of Cubase in every answer
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Top digital audio workstations in ChatGPT and Google AI Overviews
In three ChatGPT questions and two Google AI Overviews, Ableton Live appeared in all five answers. Cubase was mentioned in two out of five: in two of the three ChatGPT answers, but not in either of the two Google AI Overviews. Ableton Live was listed before Cubase in every answer.
Most recommended by AI
Brands get a higher ranking if they are mentioned earlier in the answers.
Ableton Live1st
Logic Pro2nd
FL Studio3rd
Reaper4th
Pro Tools5th
GarageBand6th
Cubase7th
BandLab8th
Mentioned by AI
Each dot is one answer, filled in when that answer mentions the brand.
FL Studio5 of 5Named in 3 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 2 of 2 Google answers
GarageBand5 of 5Named in 3 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 2 of 2 Google answers
Ableton Live5 of 5Named in 3 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 2 of 2 Google answers
Logic Pro5 of 5Named in 3 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 2 of 2 Google answers
Reaper4 of 5Named in 3 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 1 of 2 Google answers
Pro Tools3 of 5Named in 1 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 2 of 2 Google answers
BandLab2 of 5Named in 0 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 2 of 2 Google answers
Cubase2 of 5Named in 2 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 0 of 2 Google answers
See every answer about digital audio workstations
5 answers
Asked ChatGPT
“Which digital audio workstation should I use in New Zealand?”
Asked ChatGPT
“What are the best digital audio workstations in New Zealand?”
Asked ChatGPT
“What's the best digital audio workstation in New Zealand for music production?”
Searched Google, AI Overview
“digital audio workstation”
Searched Google, AI Overview
“music production software”
Brands are shown in the order each answer named them. The survey took place in New Zealand on October 21, 2026.
Is Ableton Live or Cubase more popular in search?
This chart shows how often people search Google for Ableton Live and Cubase by name. Each line represents a brand's share of searches for all eight digital audio workstation brands we track, month by month, from searches in New Zealand.
Share of searches by month for Ableton Live, Cubase. The figures are in the table below the chart.
View monthly share of searches table
| Month | BandLab | FL Studio | GarageBand | Ableton Live | Logic Pro | Pro Tools | Reaper | Cubase |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nov 2025 | 61.4% | 16.2% | 7.3% | 8.6% | 3.3% | 1.4% | 0.93% | 0.93% |
| Dec 2025 | 48.9% | 21.4% | 9.1% | 11.8% | 4.5% | 1.7% | 1.4% | 1.2% |
| Jan 2026 | 42.9% | 23.8% | 7% | 14.3% | 6.4% | 2.3% | 1.9% | 1.3% |
| Feb 2026 | 58.2% | 16.8% | 7.1% | 10.1% | 4.1% | 1.7% | 1.1% | 0.74% |
| Mar 2026 | 59.3% | 17.9% | 7.1% | 8.9% | 3.7% | 1.6% | 0.9% | 0.73% |
| Apr 2026 | 57.2% | 18.8% | 6.9% | 9.6% | 4% | 1.5% | 1.1% | 0.89% |
| May 2026 | 66.3% | 13.4% | 6.5% | 7.6% | 3.2% | 1.4% | 0.82% | 0.82% |
| Jun 2026 | 68% | 12.8% | 6.5% | 7% | 3% | 1.3% | 0.79% | 0.64% |
| Jul 2026 | 59.6% | 16.8% | 7.3% | 8.4% | 4% | 2% | 1.1% | 0.89% |
| Aug 2026 | 67.4% | 12.5% | 6.8% | 7.2% | 3.2% | 1.4% | 1% | 0.54% |
| Sep 2026 | 66.5% | 12.5% | 7.8% | 6.9% | 2.9% | 1.2% | 0.98% | 1.2% |
| Oct 2026 | 67.7% | 12.8% | 7.8% | 5.9% | 2.8% | 1.6% | 0.81% | 0.65% |
How has branded search for Ableton Live and Cubase changed in New Zealand over the last 12 months?
3 findings
- Ableton Live was ahead of Cubase in every measured month of the 12 months ending October 2026.
- Across the 12 months ending October 2026, Ableton Live’s share of searches among digital audio workstations in New Zealand moved from 8.6% to 5.9%, and its estimated monthly branded searches moved from 3K to 1.9K.
- Across the 12 months ending October 2026, Cubase’s share of searches among digital audio workstations in New Zealand moved from 0.93% to 0.65%, and its estimated monthly branded searches moved from 320 to 210.
How did search popularity change for New Zealand digital audio workstations in October 2026?
2 changes

In October 2026, Ableton Live lost share of searches among digital audio workstations in New Zealand, from 6.9% to 5.9%.

In October 2026, Cubase lost share of searches among digital audio workstations in New Zealand, from 1.2% to 0.65%.
How are Ableton Live’s and Cubase’s branded searches counted?
12 search terms
Brandwave collects information about searches that people make online using Ableton Live’s and Cubase’s names. When viewed over time, estimated search volumes for these branded terms can be used to understand whether interest in the brands is growing, holding steady, or fading.
Ableton Live
11 branded search terms
- ableton
- ableton 12
- ableton intro
- ableton l
- ableton learning music
- ableton lite
- ableton live daw
- ableton live lite
- ableton live suite
- ableton music software
- ableton push
Cubase
1 branded search term
- cubase
Other head-to-heads among digital audio workstations

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