Free spectral warping wavetable synth, the best-known free Serum alternative.
VST3supportedAUsupportedAAXnot supportedCLAPsupportedWINsupportedMACsupportedLNXsupported
Checked September 2026
Best Helm alternatives (2026)
The closest Helm alternatives are Vital, Surge XT, Dexed, based on overlapping categories and operating systems. Helm is best for a lightweight, no-cost open-source subtractive synth from Vital's creator and starts at Free.
Free, open-source hybrid synthesizer with extensive filters and a flexible modulation engine.
VST3supportedAUsupportedAAXnot supportedCLAPsupportedWINsupportedMACsupportedLNXsupported- FREE
Digital Suburban
Dexed
Free, open-source FM synthesizer plugin modeled closely on the Yamaha DX7.
VST3not supportedAUsupportedAAXnot supportedCLAPnot supportedWINsupportedMACsupportedLNXsupported - €179once
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Diva
Analog-modeled virtual synthesizer emulating classic oscillator and filter circuits for vintage synth sound.
VST3supportedAUsupportedAAXsupportedCLAPsupportedWINsupportedMACsupportedLNXsupported - €99once
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Zebra2
Modular wireless synth with flexible routing, now sold as part of the Zebra Legacy bundle with ZebraHZ.
VST3supportedAUsupportedAAXsupportedCLAPsupportedWINsupportedMACsupportedLNXsupported - FREE
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TyrellN6
Free virtual analog synthesizer with classic dual-oscillator architecture and a Diva-derived filter.
VST3supportedAUsupportedAAXsupportedCLAPsupportedWINsupportedMACsupportedLNXsupported - €149once
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Hive 2
Streamlined, low-CPU synth with 2 oscillators, 140 wavetables, and a 12x2 mod matrix.
VST3supportedAUsupportedAAXsupportedCLAPsupportedWINsupportedMACsupportedLNXsupported - FREE
TheWaveWarden
Odin 2
Free open-source 24-voice polyphonic synth with custom waveform drawing and analog filter models.
VST3supportedAUsupportedAAXnot supportedCLAPsupportedWINsupportedMACsupportedLNXsupported Free virtual analog synthesizer with a great sound and low CPU usage.
VST3supportedAUsupportedAAXsupportedCLAPsupportedWINsupportedMACsupportedLNXsupportedAdvanced hybrid wavetable synthesizer with flexible effects and a built-in sequencer.
VST3supportedAUsupportedAAXsupportedCLAPnot supportedWINsupportedMACsupportedLNXnot supported
Questions people ask
Vital is the closest match: it is best for producers who want Serum-style sound design for free and starts at Free (paid tiers add presets and wavetables).
Yes: Vital, Surge XT, Dexed, Diva, Zebra2, TyrellN6, Hive 2, Odin 2, TAL-NoiseMaker, Serum 2.