A free package consolidating nearly 400 Airwindows plugins into one plugin.
VST3supportedAUsupportedAAXnot supportedCLAPsupportedWINsupportedMACsupportedLNXsupported
Checked September 2026 · 11 picks
Best Free Saturation Plugins (2026)
The best free saturation plugins are Airwindows Consolidated, Chow Tape Model and ChowCentaur. Airwindows Consolidated is best for accessing the whole Airwindows library. Chow Tape Model is best for tape saturation and wow/flutter. ChowCentaur is best for transparent overdrive for guitar.
A free physical model of an analog reel-to-reel tape machine.
VST3supportedAUsupportedAAXsupportedCLAPnot supportedWINsupportedMACsupportedLNXsupportedA free digital emulation of the Klon Centaur guitar pedal with Traditional and Neural modes.
VST3supportedAUsupportedAAXsupportedCLAPnot supportedWINsupportedMACsupportedLNXsupported- FREE
#4HoRNet
HoRNet Harmonics
A free Chebyshev wave shaper with per-harmonic control.
VST3supportedAUsupportedAAXsupportedCLAPnot supportedWINsupportedMACsupportedLNXnot supported - FREE
#5HoRNet
HoRNet TapeLite
A free tape saturation plugin emulating the Otari MX80.
VST3supportedAUsupportedAAXsupportedCLAPnot supportedWINsupportedMACsupportedLNXnot supported - FREE
#6HoRNet
HoRNet Valvola
A free vacuum tube emulation plugin.
VST3supportedAUsupportedAAXsupportedCLAPnot supportedWINsupportedMACsupportedLNXnot supported A free plugin simulating vinyl dust, scratches, warp and noise.
VST3supportedAUsupportedAAXsupportedCLAPnot supportedWINsupportedMACsupportedLNXnot supportedFree modeled analog output distortion plugin for adding grit and warmth.
VST3supportedAUsupportedAAXsupportedCLAPnot supportedWINsupportedMACsupportedLNXnot supportedA free one-knob tube compressor emulation with harmonic saturation.
VST3supportedAUsupportedAAXsupportedCLAPnot supportedWINsupportedMACsupportedLNXnot supportedFree, open-source tape emulation and brightness-compression plugin.
VST3supportedAUsupportedAAXnot supportedCLAPsupportedWINsupportedMACsupportedLNXsupportedA free single-triode tube saturation plugin.
VST3supportedAUsupportedAAXsupportedCLAPnot supportedWINsupportedMACsupportedLNXnot supported
Questions people ask
Airwindows Consolidated by Airwindows. It is best for accessing the whole Airwindows library and is free to use.