Cubase vs GarageBand:Which is more popular in New Zealand?
In October 2026, GarageBand had more branded searches than Cubase among digital audio workstations in New Zealand. GarageBand had about 2,490 branded searches, while Cubase had 210. GarageBand made up 7.8% 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, GarageBand appeared in all five answers and Cubase in two. GarageBand was mentioned before Cubase in three out of five answers.
Who do people search for more?
GarageBand, about 12 searches for every 1 for Cubase
Who does AI mention more?
GarageBand, mentioned in every answer we collected
Who does AI recommend more?
GarageBand, named ahead of Cubase in 3 of 5 answers
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Top digital audio workstations in ChatGPT and Google AI Overviews
In three ChatGPT questions and two Google AI Overviews, GarageBand 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. GarageBand was listed before Cubase in three out of five answers.
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 Cubase or GarageBand more popular in search?
This chart shows how often people search Google for Cubase and GarageBand 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 GarageBand, 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 Cubase and GarageBand changed in New Zealand over the last 12 months?
3 findings
- GarageBand was ahead of Cubase in every measured month of the 12 months ending October 2026.
- 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.
- Across the 12 months ending October 2026, GarageBand’s share of searches among digital audio workstations in New Zealand moved from 7.3% to 7.8%, and its estimated monthly branded searches held steady at 2.5K.
How did search popularity change for New Zealand digital audio workstations in October 2026?
1 change
In October 2026, Cubase lost share of searches among digital audio workstations in New Zealand, from 1.2% to 0.65%.
How are Cubase’s and GarageBand’s branded searches counted?
7 search terms
Brandwave collects information about searches that people make online using Cubase’s and GarageBand’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.
Cubase
1 branded search term
- cubase
GarageBand
6 branded search terms
- garageband
- garageband android
- garageband beats
- garageband daw
- garageband mac
- garageband music production
Other head-to-heads among digital audio workstations
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