Free three-band upward/downward multiband compressor originally from Ableton's Multiband Dynamics preset.
VST3supportedAUsupportedAAXsupportedCLAPnot supportedWINsupportedMACsupportedLNXnot supported
Checked September 2026 · 27 picks · 27 compared
Best Mastering Tools (2026)
The best mastering tools are OTT, BandLab Mastering and eMastered. OTT is best for aggressive multiband upward/downward compression (Free). BandLab Mastering is best for bandlab users who want free instant AI mastering with genre-style presets (Free). eMastered is best for producers who want a free instant AI master before committing to a paid plan (price not published).
- FREE
#2BandLab Technologies
BandLab Mastering
Free AI-powered instant mastering built into the BandLab music-making platform.
VST3not supportedAUnot supportedAAXnot supportedCLAPnot supportedWINnot supportedMACnot supportedLNXnot supported+ Web · iOS · Android AI online mastering engine built by Grammy-winning engineers, with a free first master.
VST3not supportedAUnot supportedAAXnot supportedCLAPnot supportedWINnot supportedMACnot supportedLNXnot supported+ WebLoudness limiter with eight limiting algorithms and true peak limiting for mastering.
VST3supportedAUsupportedAAXsupportedCLAPsupportedWINsupportedMACsupportedLNXnot supportedAlgorithmic reverb with musical Brightness/Character/Distance controls and Decay Rate EQ.
VST3supportedAUsupportedAAXsupportedCLAPsupportedWINsupportedMACsupportedLNXnot supported- FREE
#6HoRNet
HoRNet Magnus Lite
A free limiter and clipper.
VST3supportedAUsupportedAAXsupportedCLAPnot supportedWINsupportedMACsupportedLNXnot supported A metering plugin for loudness, levels, sound field and spectrogram analysis.
VST3supportedAUsupportedAAXsupportedCLAPnot supportedWINsupportedMACsupportedLNXnot supported- FREEpaid $14.99+
#8Kits.ai
Kits AI Mastering
One-click AI mastering with genre presets and reference tracks.
VST3not supportedAUnot supportedAAXnot supportedCLAPnot supportedWINnot supportedMACnot supportedLNXnot supported+ Web AI-powered online mastering with unlimited free previews and pay-per-track or subscription pricing.
VST3not supportedAUnot supportedAAXnot supportedCLAPnot supportedWINnot supportedMACnot supportedLNXnot supported+ WebHuman-verified AI mastering service that individually masters each track without presets.
VST3not supportedAUnot supportedAAXnot supportedCLAPnot supportedWINnot supportedMACnot supportedLNXnot supported+ WebAI-assisted mastering suite with 20 modules for finishing and polishing full mixes.
VST3supportedAUsupportedAAXsupportedCLAPnot supportedWINsupportedMACsupportedLNXnot supportedAll-in-one mastering plugin with 14 pro modules and AI-powered mastering assistant.
VST3supportedAUsupportedAAXsupportedCLAPnot supportedWINsupportedMACsupportedLNXnot supportedA free stereo imaging plugin with width control and vectorscopes.
VST3supportedAUsupportedAAXsupportedCLAPnot supportedWINsupportedMACsupportedLNXnot supported- £489once
#14Softube
Softube Weiss DS1-MK3
Software port of the Weiss DS1-MK3 hardware mastering processor.
VST3supportedAUsupportedAAXsupportedCLAPnot supportedWINsupportedMACsupportedLNXnot supported - $199once
#15Softube
Softube Weiss MM-1 Mastering Maximizer
A mastering limiter based on the Weiss DS1-MK3 algorithms with style selector.
VST3supportedAUsupportedAAXsupportedCLAPnot supportedWINsupportedMACsupportedLNXnot supported - €129once
#16sonible
sonible smart:limit
An intelligent limiter that parametrizes itself and predicts the impact of changes.
VST3supportedAUsupportedAAXsupportedCLAPnot supportedWINsupportedMACsupportedLNXnot supported Free wideband mastering compressor combining high fidelity control with musical flexibility.
VST3supportedAUsupportedAAXsupportedCLAPnot supportedWINsupportedMACsupportedLNXnot supportedDynamic range processor for transparent compression, suited to stereo bus work.
VST3supportedAUsupportedAAXsupportedCLAPnot supportedWINsupportedMACsupportedLNXnot supportedA six-module dynamics toolkit for compression, clipping and loudness control.
VST3supportedAUsupportedAAXsupportedCLAPnot supportedWINsupportedMACsupportedLNXsupportedFree mixing/mastering EQ with four vintage-modeled EQ character options.
VST3supportedAUsupportedAAXsupportedCLAPnot supportedWINsupportedMACsupportedLNXnot supportedA free linear-phase 16-band graphic equalizer suited to mixing and mastering.
VST3supportedAUsupportedAAXsupportedCLAPnot supportedWINsupportedMACsupportedLNXnot supportedA free mid-side encoder/decoder utility.
VST3supportedAUsupportedAAXsupportedCLAPnot supportedWINsupportedMACsupportedLNXnot supportedA free mid/side stereo widener.
VST3supportedAUsupportedAAXsupportedCLAPnot supportedWINsupportedMACsupportedLNXnot supportedA complete mastering chain modeled on the EMI TG12410 console.
VST3supportedAUsupportedAAXsupportedCLAPnot supportedWINsupportedMACsupportedLNXnot supportedA free stereo widener that stays mono-compatible.
VST3supportedAUsupportedAAXsupportedCLAPnot supportedWINsupportedMACsupportedLNXnot supportedA free loudness metering plugin for measuring perceived loudness against TV, streaming and broadcast standards.
VST3supportedAUsupportedAAXsupportedCLAPnot supportedWINsupportedMACsupportedLNXnot supportedA loudness meter with streaming presets, dynamics graph and export.
VST3supportedAUsupportedAAXsupportedCLAPnot supportedWINsupportedMACsupportedLNXnot supported
Comparison table
| Name | Price | Formats | Runs on |
|---|---|---|---|
| OTTXfer Records | Free | VST3, AU, AAX | Windows, macOS |
| BandLab MasteringBandLab Technologies | Free | Web app, iOS app, Android app | Web, iOS, Android |
| eMasteredeMastered | Not published | Web app | Web |
| FabFilter Pro-L 2FabFilter | $199 one-time | VST3, AU, AAX, CLAP | Windows, macOS |
| FabFilter Pro-R 2FabFilter | $199 one-time | VST3, AU, AAX, CLAP | Windows, macOS |
| HoRNet Magnus LiteHoRNet | Free | AU, VST, VST3, AAX | Windows, macOS |
| iZotope Insight 2iZotope | $199 (MSRP) | VST2, VST3, AU, AAX | Windows, macOS |
| Kits AI MasteringKits.ai | Free | Web | Web |
| LANDR MasteringLANDR | $10 one-time (per track) | Web app | Web |
| MasterchannelMasterchannel AS | $15/mo (Artist, billed annually) | Web app | Web |
| Ozone 12 AdvancediZotope | $499.00 one-time | VST3, AU, AAX | Windows, macOS |
| Ozone 12 StandardiZotope (Native Instruments) | $219 one-time | VST3, AAX, AU, Standalone | macOS, Windows |
| Ozone ImageriZotope | Free | AU, AAX, VST2, VST3 | Windows, macOS |
| Softube Weiss DS1-MK3Softube | £489 one-time | VST, VST3, AU, AAX | Windows, macOS |
| Softube Weiss MM-1 Mastering MaximizerSoftube | $199 | VST, VST3, AU, AAX | Windows, macOS |
| sonible smart:limitsonible | €129 (MSRP) | VST, VST3, AU, AAX | Windows, macOS |
| TDR KotelnikovTokyo Dawn Records | Free | VST3, AU, AAX | Windows, macOS |
| TDR Kotelnikov GETokyo Dawn Records | €50 one-time | VST, VST3, AU, AAX | Windows, macOS |
| TDR Limiter 6 GETokyo Dawn Labs | €60 | VST2, VST3, AU, AAX | Windows, macOS, Linux |
| TDR VOS SlickEQTokyo Dawn Records | Free | VST3, AU, AAX | Windows, macOS |
| Voxengo Marvel GEQVoxengo | Free | VST, VST3, AU, AAX | Windows, macOS |
| Voxengo MSEDVoxengo | Free | VST, VST3, AU, AAX | Windows, macOS |
| Voxengo Stereo TouchVoxengo | Free | VST, VST3, AU, AAX | Windows, macOS |
| Waves Abbey Road TG Mastering ChainWaves | $49.99 (MSRP $149) | VST3, AU, AAX | Windows, macOS |
| WiderPolyverse Music | Free | VST2, VST3, AU, AAX | Windows, macOS |
| Youlean Loudness MeterYoulean | Free | VST2, VST3, AU, AAX | Windows, macOS |
| Youlean Loudness Meter 2 ProYoulean | Free | VST2, VST3, AU, AAX, Standalone | Windows, macOS |
Questions people ask
OTT by Xfer Records. It is best for aggressive multiband upward/downward compression and costs Free.
OTT, FabFilter Pro-L 2, FabFilter Pro-R 2, HoRNet Magnus Lite, iZotope Insight 2, Ozone 12 Advanced, Ozone 12 Standard, Ozone Imager, Softube Weiss DS1-MK3, Softube Weiss MM-1 Mastering Maximizer, sonible smart:limit, TDR Kotelnikov, TDR Kotelnikov GE, TDR Limiter 6 GE, TDR VOS SlickEQ, Voxengo Marvel GEQ, Voxengo MSED, Voxengo Stereo Touch, Waves Abbey Road TG Mastering Chain, Wider, Youlean Loudness Meter, Youlean Loudness Meter 2 Pro.
TDR Limiter 6 GE.