A free package consolidating nearly 400 Airwindows plugins into one plugin.
VST3supportedAUsupportedAAXnot supportedCLAPsupportedWINsupportedMACsupportedLNXsupported
Checked September 2026 · 21 picks · 21 compared
Best Saturation Plugins (2026)
The best saturation plugins are Airwindows Consolidated, Baby Audio Super VHS and Baby Audio TAIP. Airwindows Consolidated is best for accessing the whole Airwindows library (Free). Baby Audio Super VHS is best for retro lo-fi 80s color (price not published). Baby Audio TAIP is best for quick tape warmth on any track (price not published).
80s-inspired multi-effect with six one-knob effects: static, tape heat, bit reduction, chorus, drift and reverb.
VST3supportedAUsupportedAAXsupportedCLAPnot supportedWINsupportedMACsupportedLNXnot supportedMachine-learning tape saturator modeled on a 1970s tape machine.
VST3supportedAUsupportedAAXsupportedCLAPnot supportedWINsupportedMACsupportedLNXnot supported- $125once
#4Plugin Alliance
Black Box Analog Design HG-2
Tube processor emulation adding saturation and harmonics through multiple tube stages.
VST3supportedAUsupportedAAXsupportedCLAPnot supportedWINsupportedMACsupportedLNXnot supported 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- $199once
#7Soundtoys
Decapitator
Analog saturation modeler delivering subtle to extreme hardware-modeled distortion.
VST3supportedAUsupportedAAXsupportedCLAPnot supportedWINsupportedMACsupportedLNXnot supported Multiband distortion and saturation plug-in with 28 distortion styles and modulation.
VST3supportedAUsupportedAAXsupportedCLAPsupportedWINsupportedMACsupportedLNXnot supported- $19once
#9FORGE Multimedia Group LLC
Groove Console
Vinyl-inspired creative effect for playback tone, surface texture and tempo-aware scratch, rewind and stop gestures.
VST3supportedAUsupportedAAXnot supportedCLAPnot supportedWINsupportedMACsupportedLNXsupported - FREE
#10HoRNet
HoRNet Harmonics
A free Chebyshev wave shaper with per-harmonic control.
VST3supportedAUsupportedAAXsupportedCLAPnot supportedWINsupportedMACsupportedLNXnot supported - FREE
#11HoRNet
HoRNet TapeLite
A free tape saturation plugin emulating the Otari MX80.
VST3supportedAUsupportedAAXsupportedCLAPnot supportedWINsupportedMACsupportedLNXnot supported - FREE
#12HoRNet
HoRNet Valvola
A free vacuum tube emulation plugin.
VST3supportedAUsupportedAAXsupportedCLAPnot supportedWINsupportedMACsupportedLNXnot supported A free plugin simulating vinyl dust, scratches, warp and noise.
VST3supportedAUsupportedAAXsupportedCLAPnot supportedWINsupportedMACsupportedLNXnot supportedSaturation plugin with Tube, Digi, Fuzz and Desk modes.
VST3supportedAUsupportedAAXsupportedCLAPnot supportedWINsupportedMACsupportedLNXnot supportedFree modeled analog output distortion plugin for adding grit and warmth.
VST3supportedAUsupportedAAXsupportedCLAPnot supportedWINsupportedMACsupportedLNXnot supportedModulation and effects bundle with 11 drawable-LFO shaper modules including Drive and Crush.
VST3supportedAUsupportedAAXsupportedCLAPnot supportedWINsupportedMACsupportedLNXnot supportedModels analog tape machines to add warmth and saturation.
VST3supportedAUsupportedAAXsupportedCLAPnot supportedWINsupportedMACsupportedLNXnot supported- $99once
#18Soundtoys
Soundtoys Radiator
Tube warmth plugin modeled after the Altec 1567A mixer.
VST3supportedAUsupportedAAXsupportedCLAPnot supportedWINsupportedMACsupportedLNXnot supported A 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
Comparison table
| Name | Price | Formats | Runs on |
|---|---|---|---|
| Airwindows ConsolidatedAirwindows | Free | CLAP, VST3, AU, LV2 | Windows, macOS, Linux |
| Baby Audio Super VHSBaby Audio | Not published | VST, VST3, AU, AAX | Windows, macOS |
| Baby Audio TAIPBaby Audio | Not published | VST, VST3, AU, AAX | Windows, macOS |
| Black Box Analog Design HG-2Plugin Alliance | $125 one-time | VST, VST3, AU, AAX | Windows, macOS |
| Chow Tape ModelChowDSP | Free | VST3, AU, AAX, LV2 | Windows, macOS, Linux |
| ChowCentaurChowDSP | Free | VST3, AU, AAX | Windows, macOS, Linux |
| DecapitatorSoundtoys | $199 one-time | VST3, AU, AAX | Windows, macOS |
| FabFilter Saturn 2FabFilter | $149 one-time | VST3, AU, AAX, CLAP | Windows, macOS |
| Groove ConsoleFORGE Multimedia Group LLC | $19 one-time (per OS) | Standalone, VST3, AU | macOS, Windows, Linux |
| HoRNet HarmonicsHoRNet | Free | VST3, AAX, AU | Windows, macOS |
| HoRNet TapeLiteHoRNet | Free | VST3, AU, AAX | Windows, macOS |
| HoRNet ValvolaHoRNet | Free | AU, VST, VST3, AAX | Windows, macOS |
| iZotope VinyliZotope | Free | AU, AAX, VST3, VST2 | Windows, macOS |
| Klanghelm SDRR2Klanghelm | €23 one-time | VST, VST3, AU, AAX | Windows, macOS |
| Saturation KnobSoftube | Free | VST3, AU, AAX | Windows, macOS |
| ShaperBox 3Cableguys | Not published | VST3, AAX, AU | Windows, macOS |
| Slate Digital Virtual Tape MachinesSlate Digital | $149 one-time | VST, VST3, AU, AAX | Windows, macOS |
| Soundtoys RadiatorSoundtoys | $99 one-time | VST, VST3, AU, AAX | Windows, macOS |
| SuperchargerNative Instruments | Free | VST, VST3, AU, AAX | Windows, macOS |
| ToTape9Airwindows | Free | VST3, AU, CLAP, LV2 | Windows, macOS, Linux |
| Voxengo Tube AmpVoxengo | Free | VST, VST3, AU, AAX | Windows, macOS |
Questions people ask
Airwindows Consolidated by Airwindows. It is best for accessing the whole Airwindows library and costs Free.
Airwindows Consolidated, Chow Tape Model, ChowCentaur, Groove Console, ToTape9.