Cubase vs Reaper:Which is more popular in New Zealand?
In October 2026, Reaper had more branded searches than Cubase among digital audio workstations in New Zealand. Reaper had about 260 branded searches, while Cubase had 210. Reaper made up 0.81% 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, Reaper appeared in four of the five answers and Cubase in two. Reaper was mentioned before Cubase in every answer that named either.
Who do people search for more?
Reaper, about 24% more searches than Cubase
Who does AI mention more?
Reaper, mentioned in 4 of 5 answers, Cubase in 2
Who does AI recommend more?
Reaper, named ahead of Cubase in 4 of 4 answers
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Top digital audio workstations in ChatGPT and Google AI Overviews
In three ChatGPT questions and two Google AI Overviews, Reaper was mentioned in four out of five: in all three ChatGPT answers and in one of the two Google AI Overviews. 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. Reaper was listed before Cubase in every answer that named either.
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.
Share of searches by month for Reaper, 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 Reaper changed in New Zealand over the last 12 months?
3 findings
- The lead changed hands 2 times in the 12 months ending October 2026: Cubase took it in September 2026, Reaper took it in 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, Reaper’s share of searches among digital audio workstations in New Zealand moved from 0.93% to 0.81%, and its estimated monthly branded searches moved from 320 to 260.
How did search popularity change for New Zealand digital audio workstations in October 2026?
2 changes
In October 2026, Cubase lost share of searches among digital audio workstations in New Zealand, from 1.2% to 0.65%.
In October 2026, Reaper rose from 8th to 7th among digital audio workstations in New Zealand.
How are Cubase’s and Reaper’s branded searches counted?
2 search terms
Brandwave collects information about searches that people make online using Cubase’s and Reaper’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.
Other head-to-heads among digital audio workstations
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