Steinberg provides free trial versions for many products, allowing users to explore the features and functionality before deciding to make a purchase.
How do I get a trial?
To get a trial license, go to the website of the product you are interested in. If a trial is available, a "Try for free" button will be displayed next to the "Buy" option, showing the trials currently offered for that product.
When you request the trial license, you will be asked to sign in to your MySteinberg account. If you don’t have an account yet, you will need to create one first.
Once you request the trial, the license is automatically added to your MySteinberg account. No Download Access Code will be sent as it is not required.
I requested the trial on the website. What’s next?
Download and install the Steinberg Download Assistant, then use it to install the product you requested.
You will find the download in the "My products" section in the Steinberg Download Assistant. Once installation is complete, you can start using the software right away.
Here you can learn more about using the Steinberg Download Assistant:
Steinberg Licensing: Steinberg Download Assistant guide
How long is the trial valid?
Trial periods vary by product. The exact duration is shown on the product’s trial page.
Please note that the trial period begins as soon as you request it on the website. It does not start when you install the software or launch it for the first time, so we recommend installing and testing it as soon as possible to make full use of the available time.
Do I need to cancel the trial if I stop using it?
No. Trials are obligation-free. There are no hidden subscriptions, renewals, or automatic purchases.
If you decide not to continue using the software, simply allow the trial to expire. Once the trial period ends, the license is automatically deactivated, and the software will no longer be usable, with no further action required on your part.
Once the trial ends, the expired license will remain in your MySteinberg account, providing a convenient way to the product page right from the Steinberg Activation Manager.
Are there any limitations in the trial software?
No, aside from the time limit. The trial version gives you full access to all features of the software without any restrictions. During the trial period, you can try out all features, settings, and workflows exactly as they are in the full version.
I purchased the product during the trial. Do I need to reinstall?
No. You can keep your existing installation, projects, and settings.
Simply redeem your Download Access Code you received after purchase to activate your perpetual license. When the trial license expires, your full license will take over automatically, and you can continue using the software without interruption.
I own an earlier version of the product I want to try. What should I consider?
We recommend creating a backup of your projects before testing a newer version. New software versions include new features, and some changes may not be fully backward compatible. To stay safe, open important projects using a copy or a backed-up version so you can always go back to the version you already own.
If you return to your older version after the trial ends, you may have installed instruments or content that require the newer license. In that case, you might see a message about a missing license when opening your older version.
If this happens, remove the content named in the message using the Steinberg Library Manager, or reinstall the instruments and content that belong to your product version using the downloads provided for that version.
I want to try a product's edition that is not available as a trial. What can I do?
For some product editions, such as Cubase Artist or WaveLab Elements, you will not find a separate trial request link on the product’s trial page.
Since licenses of higher editions are valid across editions, you can control which edition the software starts in.
Here is an example of how to try out Cubase Artist:
- Request the Cubase Pro trial from the product's trial page.
- Open the Steinberg Download Assistant to download and install Cubase Pro. The download is available in the "My products" section.
- When you start Cubase (for example, by double-clicking the desktop shortcut), press and hold the Alt/Option key immediately after clicking the icon.
- You will then see a selection dialog offering to launch Cubase in various editions. Choose "Cubase Artist" to launch Cubase in that edition.
Please note that you need to do this each time you launch Cubase, as it does not remember the previously selected edition.