Serum-style wavetable synthesis for free.
VST3supportedAUsupportedAAXnot supportedCLAPsupportedWINsupportedMACsupportedLNXsupported
Checked September 2026 · 4 picks · 18 compared
Best Free Synth Plugins (2026)
The best free synth plugins are Vital (wavetable), Surge XT (hybrid, open source), Dexed (DX7 FM) and Spitfire LABS for sampled instruments.
Huge open-source synth with MPE and microtuning.
VST3supportedAUsupportedAAXnot supportedCLAPsupportedWINsupportedMACsupportedLNXsupported- FREE
#3Digital Suburban
Dexed
Classic FM keys, basses and bells.
VST3not supportedAUsupportedAAXnot supportedCLAPnot supportedWINsupportedMACsupportedLNXsupported Sampled instruments rather than synthesis, all free.
VST3supportedAUsupportedAAXsupportedCLAPnot supportedWINsupportedMACsupportedLNXnot supported
Comparison table
| Name | Price | Formats | Runs on |
|---|---|---|---|
| VitalMatt Tytel | Free | VST3, AU, CLAP, LV2, Standalone | Windows, macOS, Linux |
| Surge XTSurge Synth Team | Free | VST3, AU, CLAP, LV2, Standalone | Windows, macOS, Linux |
| DexedDigital Suburban | Free | VST, AU, LV2, Standalone | Windows, macOS, Linux |
| Spitfire LABSSpitfire Audio | Free | VST, VST3, AU, AAX | Windows, macOS |
| Analog Lab ProArturia | Free | Standalone, VST3, AU, AAX | Windows, macOS |
| Bespoke SynthRyan Challinor | Free | VST | Windows, macOS, Linux |
| CardinalDISTRHO | Free | AU, CLAP, LV2, VST2, VST3 | Windows, macOS, Linux |
| Cherry Audio Surrealistic MG-1 PlusCherry Audio | Free | VST, VST3, AU, AAX | Windows, macOS |
| HelmMatt Tytel | Free | Standalone, VST, AU, LV2 | Windows, macOS, Linux |
| Komplete StartNative Instruments | Free | Standalone, VST3, AU, AAX | Windows, macOS |
| Odin 2TheWaveWarden | Free | Standalone, VST3, AU, LV2, CLAP | Windows, macOS, Linux |
| PigmentsArturia | Free | Standalone, VST3, AU, AAX | Windows, macOS |
| Synth1Ichiro Toda (Daichi Laboratory) | Free | VST, AU | Windows, macOS |
| TAL-NoiseMakerTAL Software GmbH | Free | Standalone, VST, VST3, AU, AAX, CLAP | Windows, macOS, Linux |
| TunefishBrain Control | Free | VST, AU | Windows, macOS, Linux |
| TyrellN6u-he | Free | VST3, AU, AAX, CLAP | Windows, macOS, Linux |
| u-he Podolskiu-he | Free | VST3, AU, AAX | Windows, macOS, Linux |
| u-he Zebraletteu-he | Free | CLAP, VST3, AU, AAX | Windows, macOS, Linux |
More options
Keyboard anthology with 2,000+ curated presets from Arturia's V Collection synths and keys.
VST3supportedAUsupportedAAXsupportedCLAPnot supportedWINsupportedMACsupportedLNXnot supported- FREE
Ryan Challinor
Bespoke Synth
A modular synth environment where separate modules are patched together.
VST3not supportedAUnot supportedAAXnot supportedCLAPnot supportedWINsupportedMACsupportedLNXsupported A free, open-source modular synthesizer plugin based on VCV Rack.
VST3supportedAUsupportedAAXnot supportedCLAPsupportedWINsupportedMACsupportedLNXsupportedFree recreation of the 1980s Radio Shack MG-1 synthesizer.
VST3supportedAUsupportedAAXsupportedCLAPnot supportedWINsupportedMACsupportedLNXnot supported- FREE
Matt Tytel
Helm
Free, open-source subtractive synth with polyphonic modulation; Matt Tytel's predecessor to Vital.
VST3not supportedAUsupportedAAXnot supportedCLAPnot supportedWINsupportedMACsupportedLNXsupported Free production bundle with Kontakt Player, Massive X Player, effects, and sound libraries.
VST3supportedAUsupportedAAXsupportedCLAPnot supportedWINsupportedMACsupportedLNXnot supported- FREE
TheWaveWarden
Odin 2
Free open-source 24-voice polyphonic synth with custom waveform drawing and analog filter models.
VST3supportedAUsupportedAAXnot supportedCLAPsupportedWINsupportedMACsupportedLNXsupported Six-engine hybrid software synthesizer with modal, granular, wavetable, sample, harmonic and virtual analog synthesis.
VST3supportedAUsupportedAAXsupportedCLAPnot supportedWINsupportedMACsupportedLNXnot supported- FREE
Ichiro Toda (Daichi Laboratory)
Synth1
Free virtual analog softsynth modeled on the Clavia Nord Lead 2, widely used since the 2000s.
VST3not supportedAUsupportedAAXnot supportedCLAPnot supportedWINsupportedMACsupportedLNXnot supported Free virtual analog synthesizer with a great sound and low CPU usage.
VST3supportedAUsupportedAAXsupportedCLAPsupportedWINsupportedMACsupportedLNXsupportedA compact virtual analog synth that delivers professional sound at a minimal file size.
VST3not supportedAUsupportedAAXnot supportedCLAPnot supportedWINsupportedMACsupportedLNXsupported- FREE
u-he
TyrellN6
Free virtual analog synthesizer with classic dual-oscillator architecture and a Diva-derived filter.
VST3supportedAUsupportedAAXsupportedCLAPsupportedWINsupportedMACsupportedLNXsupported
Questions people ask
Vital, Surge XT, Dexed, Bespoke Synth, Cardinal, Helm, Odin 2, TAL-NoiseMaker, Tunefish, TyrellN6, u-he Podolski, u-he Zebralette.