Producer Rack

Checked September 2026 · 51 picks · 51 compared

Best Synth Plugins (2026)

The best synth plugins are Vital, Surge XT and Spitfire LABS. Vital is best for producers who want Serum-style sound design for free (Free (paid tiers add presets and wavetables)). Surge XT is best for budget-conscious producers wanting a fully free, open-source synth with pro-level features (Free). Spitfire LABS is best for producers wanting free, high-quality Spitfire-recorded instruments (legacy plugin, being discontinued Oct 31 2026) (Free).

  1. #1Matt Tytel

    Vital

    FREE

    Free spectral warping wavetable synth, the best-known free Serum alternative.

    VST3supportedAUsupportedAAXnot supportedCLAPsupportedWINsupportedMACsupportedLNXsupported

  2. #2Surge Synth Team

    Surge XT

    FREE

    Free, open-source hybrid synthesizer with extensive filters and a flexible modulation engine.

    VST3supportedAUsupportedAAXnot supportedCLAPsupportedWINsupportedMACsupportedLNXsupported

  3. #3Spitfire Audio

    Spitfire LABS

    FREE

    Free Spitfire instrument plugin/library set, being sunset in favor of subscription-based Splice INSTRUMENT.

    VST3supportedAUsupportedAAXsupportedCLAPnot supportedWINsupportedMACsupportedLNXnot supported

  4. #4Digital Suburban

    Dexed

    FREE

    Free, open-source FM synthesizer plugin modeled closely on the Yamaha DX7.

    VST3not supportedAUsupportedAAXnot supportedCLAPnot supportedWINsupportedMACsupportedLNXsupported

  5. #5Xfer Records

    Serum 2

    $249once

    Advanced hybrid wavetable synthesizer with flexible effects and a built-in sequencer.

    VST3supportedAUsupportedAAXsupportedCLAPnot supportedWINsupportedMACsupportedLNXnot supported

  6. #6Arturia

    Analog Lab Pro

    FREEpaid $199+

    Keyboard anthology with 2,000+ curated presets from Arturia's V Collection synths and keys.

    VST3supportedAUsupportedAAXsupportedCLAPnot supportedWINsupportedMACsupportedLNXnot supported

  7. #7Arturia

    Arturia CS-80 V

    $149once

    Software recreation of the Yamaha CS-80 with touch response and a ribbon controller.

    VST3not supportedAUsupportedAAXsupportedCLAPnot supportedWINsupportedMACsupportedLNXnot supported

  8. #8Arturia

    Arturia DX7 V

    $149once

    Software take on the Yamaha DX7 with 6 operators, 32 algorithms and 25 waveforms per operator.

    VST3not supportedAUsupportedAAXnot supportedCLAPnot supportedWINsupportedMACsupportedLNXnot supported

  9. #9Arturia

    Arturia Jup-8 V

    €149once

    Component-level emulation of the Roland Jupiter-8 using TAE technology.

    VST3supportedAUsupportedAAXsupportedCLAPnot supportedWINsupportedMACsupportedLNXnot supported

  10. #10Arturia

    Arturia Mini V

    €149once

    Software emulation of a classic Moog modular-era monosynth with three oscillators and a ladder filter.

    VST3supportedAUsupportedAAXsupportedCLAPnot supportedWINsupportedMACsupportedLNXnot supported

  11. #11Arturia

    Arturia Prophet-5 V

    €149once

    Emulation of the Sequential Prophet-5 with Poly-Mod and modeled SSM oscillators.

    VST3supportedAUsupportedAAXsupportedCLAPnot supportedWINsupportedMACsupportedLNXnot supported

  12. #12Arturia

    Arturia V Collection 11 Pro

    $699once

    Bundle of 45 software instruments modeled on classic synths, keyboards and more, browsed through Analog Lab Pro.

    VST3supportedAUsupportedAAXsupportedCLAPnot supportedWINsupportedMACsupportedLNXnot supported

  13. #13Ryan Challinor

    Bespoke Synth

    FREE

    A modular synth environment where separate modules are patched together.

    VST3not supportedAUnot supportedAAXnot supportedCLAPnot supportedWINsupportedMACsupportedLNXsupported

  14. #14DISTRHO

    Cardinal

    FREE

    A free, open-source modular synthesizer plugin based on VCV Rack.

    VST3supportedAUsupportedAAXnot supportedCLAPsupportedWINsupportedMACsupportedLNXsupported

  15. #15Cherry Audio

    Cherry Audio DCO-106

    $29once

    Recreation of a classic 80s polysynth with modern extras.

    VST3supportedAUsupportedAAXsupportedCLAPnot supportedWINsupportedMACsupportedLNXnot supported

  16. #16Cherry Audio

    Cherry Audio GX-80

    $69once

    Flagship polysynth combining the Yamaha GX-1 and CS-80 with dual layers.

    VST3supportedAUsupportedAAXsupportedCLAPnot supportedWINsupportedMACsupportedLNXnot supported

  17. #17Cherry Audio

    Cherry Audio Miniverse

    $49once

    Emulation of the Minimoog Model D with mono and polyphonic modes.

    VST3supportedAUsupportedAAXsupportedCLAPnot supportedWINsupportedMACsupportedLNXnot supported

  18. #18Cherry Audio

    Cherry Audio Surrealistic MG-1 Plus

    FREE

    Free recreation of the 1980s Radio Shack MG-1 synthesizer.

    VST3supportedAUsupportedAAXsupportedCLAPnot supportedWINsupportedMACsupportedLNXnot supported

  19. #19u-he

    Diva

    €179once

    Analog-modeled virtual synthesizer emulating classic oscillator and filter circuits for vintage synth sound.

    VST3supportedAUsupportedAAXsupportedCLAPsupportedWINsupportedMACsupportedLNXsupported

  20. #20Matt Tytel

    Helm

    FREE

    Free, open-source subtractive synth with polyphonic modulation; Matt Tytel's predecessor to Vital.

    VST3not supportedAUsupportedAAXnot supportedCLAPnot supportedWINsupportedMACsupportedLNXsupported

  21. #21u-he

    Hive 2

    €149once

    Streamlined, low-CPU synth with 2 oscillators, 140 wavetables, and a 12x2 mod matrix.

    VST3supportedAUsupportedAAXsupportedCLAPsupportedWINsupportedMACsupportedLNXsupported

  22. #22Native Instruments

    Komplete Start

    FREE

    Free production bundle with Kontakt Player, Massive X Player, effects, and sound libraries.

    VST3supportedAUsupportedAAXsupportedCLAPnot supportedWINsupportedMACsupportedLNXnot supported

  23. #23KORG

    KORG wavestate native

    PAID

    Software version of the wavestate Wave Sequencing 2.0 synth, patch-compatible with hardware.

    VST3supportedAUsupportedAAXsupportedCLAPnot supportedWINsupportedMACsupportedLNXnot supported

  24. #24Native Instruments

    Massive X

    $199once

    Next-generation wavetable synthesizer with dual oscillators, flexible modulation, and a real-time Play page.

    VST3not supportedAUsupportedAAXsupportedCLAPnot supportedWINsupportedMACsupportedLNXnot supported

  25. #25Native Instruments

    Native Instruments FM8

    $99once

    Digital FM synthesizer compatible with classic DX and TX patches.

    VST3supportedAUsupportedAAXsupportedCLAPnot supportedWINsupportedMACsupportedLNXnot supported

  26. #26Native Instruments

    Native Instruments Massive

    $99once

    Wavetable-style virtual analog synth known for fat basses and piercing leads.

    VST3supportedAUsupportedAAXsupportedCLAPnot supportedWINsupportedMACsupportedLNXnot supported

  27. #27Native Instruments

    Native Instruments Monark

    $99once

    Monophonic synthesizer modeling a classic Minimoog-style monosynth with zero-delay-feedback filters.

    VST3not supportedAUnot supportedAAXnot supportedCLAPnot supportedWINsupportedMACsupportedLNXnot supported

  28. #28Native Instruments

    Native Instruments Reaktor 6

    $199once

    Modular environment for building synths, samplers and effects, with 70+ included instruments.

    VST3not supportedAUsupportedAAXsupportedCLAPnot supportedWINsupportedMACsupportedLNXnot supported

  29. #29TheWaveWarden

    Odin 2

    FREE

    Free open-source 24-voice polyphonic synth with custom waveform drawing and analog filter models.

    VST3supportedAUsupportedAAXnot supportedCLAPsupportedWINsupportedMACsupportedLNXsupported

  30. #30Spectrasonics

    Omnisphere 3

    $499once

    Flagship Spectrasonics synthesizer combining multiple synthesis types in one instrument.

    VST3supportedAUsupportedAAXsupportedCLAPnot supportedWINsupportedMACsupportedLNXnot supported

  31. #31Kilohearts

    Phase Plant

    $199once

    Semi-modular synthesizer with an open architecture and Snapin-based effects chain for custom synth design.

    VST3supportedAUsupportedAAXsupportedCLAPnot supportedWINsupportedMACsupportedLNXnot supported

  32. #32Arturia

    Pigments

    FREEpaid $199+

    Six-engine hybrid software synthesizer with modal, granular, wavetable, sample, harmonic and virtual analog synthesis.

    VST3supportedAUsupportedAAXsupportedCLAPnot supportedWINsupportedMACsupportedLNXnot supported

  33. #33Rob Papen

    Rob Papen Predator-3

    $149once

    Successor to the Predator synth with 7000+ presets and multi envelopes.

    VST3not supportedAUsupportedAAXsupportedCLAPnot supportedWINsupportedMACsupportedLNXnot supported

  34. #34Softube

    Softube Model 84

    $159once

    Component-modeled six-voice polysynth based on a 1984 classic, in plugin and modular form.

    VST3supportedAUsupportedAAXsupportedCLAPnot supportedWINsupportedMACsupportedLNXnot supported

  35. #35Reveal Sound

    Spire

    $189once

    Polymorphic 4-oscillator synth with step sequencer, built for EDM and hip-hop sound design.

    VST3supportedAUsupportedAAXsupportedCLAPsupportedWINsupportedMACsupportedLNXnot supported

  36. #36LennarDigital

    Sylenth1

    PAID

    Virtual analog VSTi synthesizer with 4 unison oscillators and analog-modeled filters.

    VST3supportedAUsupportedAAXsupportedCLAPnot supportedWINsupportedMACsupportedLNXnot supported

  37. #37Ichiro Toda (Daichi Laboratory)

    Synth1

    FREE

    Free virtual analog softsynth modeled on the Clavia Nord Lead 2, widely used since the 2000s.

    VST3not supportedAUsupportedAAXnot supportedCLAPnot supportedWINsupportedMACsupportedLNXnot supported

  38. #38TAL Software

    TAL-BassLine-101

    PAID

    Emulation of the Roland SH-101 monosynth.

    VST3supportedAUsupportedAAXsupportedCLAPsupportedWINsupportedMACsupportedLNXsupported

  39. #39TAL Software GmbH

    TAL-NoiseMaker

    FREE

    Free virtual analog synthesizer with a great sound and low CPU usage.

    VST3supportedAUsupportedAAXsupportedCLAPsupportedWINsupportedMACsupportedLNXsupported

  40. #40TAL Software

    TAL-Sampler

    PAID

    Sampler synth with vintage DAC emulation modes and four sample layers.

    VST3supportedAUsupportedAAXsupportedCLAPsupportedWINsupportedMACsupportedLNXsupported

  41. #41TAL Software

    TAL-U-NO-LX

    PAID

    Software emulation of a Juno 60 with a rewritten engine and GUI.

    VST3supportedAUsupportedAAXsupportedCLAPsupportedWINsupportedMACsupportedLNXsupported

  42. #42Tone2

    Tone2 Electra3

    $169once

    Multilayer synthesizer combining several synthesis methods.

    VST3supportedAUsupportedAAXnot supportedCLAPnot supportedWINsupportedMACsupportedLNXnot supported

  43. #43Brain Control

    Tunefish

    FREE

    A compact virtual analog synth that delivers professional sound at a minimal file size.

    VST3not supportedAUsupportedAAXnot supportedCLAPnot supportedWINsupportedMACsupportedLNXsupported

  44. #44u-he

    TyrellN6

    FREE

    Free virtual analog synthesizer with classic dual-oscillator architecture and a Diva-derived filter.

    VST3supportedAUsupportedAAXsupportedCLAPsupportedWINsupportedMACsupportedLNXsupported

  45. #45u-he

    u-he ACE

    €69once

    Semi-modular synth with 16 modules and any-cable-everywhere patching.

    VST3supportedAUsupportedAAXsupportedCLAPsupportedWINsupportedMACsupportedLNXsupported

  46. #46u-he

    u-he Bazille

    €129once

    Polyphonic modular synthesizer with digital oscillators, filters and a morphing sequencer.

    VST3supportedAUsupportedAAXsupportedCLAPsupportedWINsupportedMACsupportedLNXsupported

  47. #47u-he

    u-he Podolski

    FREE

    A lightweight, CPU-efficient virtual analog synth with one oscillator, multimode filter and built-in sequencer.

    VST3supportedAUsupportedAAXsupportedCLAPnot supportedWINsupportedMACsupportedLNXsupported

  48. #48u-he

    u-he Repro

    €149once

    Two component-modeled classics in one plugin: monophonic Repro-1 and polyphonic Repro-5.

    VST3supportedAUsupportedAAXsupportedCLAPsupportedWINsupportedMACsupportedLNXsupported

  49. #49u-he

    u-he Zebralette

    FREE

    A free introductory synth featuring the Zebra2 spectral oscillator.

    VST3supportedAUsupportedAAXsupportedCLAPsupportedWINsupportedMACsupportedLNXsupported

  50. #50Vengeance Sound

    Vengeance VPS Avenger 2

    €225once

    Flagship synth with VA, wavetable, spectral and granular modes plus a drum sequencer.

    VST3supportedAUsupportedAAXsupportedCLAPnot supportedWINsupportedMACsupportedLNXnot supported

  51. #51u-he

    Zebra2

    €99once

    Modular wireless synth with flexible routing, now sold as part of the Zebra Legacy bundle with ZebraHZ.

    VST3supportedAUsupportedAAXsupportedCLAPsupportedWINsupportedMACsupportedLNXsupported

Comparison table

NamePriceFormatsRuns on
VitalMatt TytelFreeVST3, AU, CLAP, LV2, StandaloneWindows, macOS, Linux
Surge XTSurge Synth TeamFreeVST3, AU, CLAP, LV2, StandaloneWindows, macOS, Linux
Spitfire LABSSpitfire AudioFreeVST, VST3, AU, AAXWindows, macOS
DexedDigital SuburbanFreeVST, AU, LV2, StandaloneWindows, macOS, Linux
Serum 2Xfer Records$249 one-timeVST3, AU, AAXWindows, macOS
Analog Lab ProArturiaFreeStandalone, VST3, AU, AAXWindows, macOS
Arturia CS-80 VArturia$149 one-timeVST, AU, AAXWindows, macOS
Arturia DX7 VArturia$149 one-timeVST, AUWindows, macOS
Arturia Jup-8 VArturia€149 one-timeVST, VST3, AU, AAXWindows, macOS
Arturia Mini VArturia€149 one-timeVST, VST3, AU, AAXWindows, macOS
Arturia Prophet-5 VArturia€149 one-timeVST, VST3, AU, AAXWindows, macOS
Arturia V Collection 11 ProArturia$699 one-timeVST, VST3, AU, AAXWindows, macOS
Bespoke SynthRyan ChallinorFreeVSTWindows, macOS, Linux
CardinalDISTRHOFreeAU, CLAP, LV2, VST2, VST3Windows, macOS, Linux
Cherry Audio DCO-106Cherry Audio$29 one-timeVST, VST3, AU, AAXWindows, macOS
Cherry Audio GX-80Cherry Audio$69 one-timeVST, VST3, AU, AAXWindows, macOS
Cherry Audio MiniverseCherry Audio$49 one-timeVST, VST3, AU, AAXWindows, macOS
Cherry Audio Surrealistic MG-1 PlusCherry AudioFreeVST, VST3, AU, AAXWindows, macOS
Divau-he€179 one-timeVST3, AU, AAX, CLAPWindows, macOS, Linux
HelmMatt TytelFreeStandalone, VST, AU, LV2Windows, macOS, Linux
Hive 2u-he€149 one-timeVST3, AU, AAX, CLAPWindows, macOS, Linux
Komplete StartNative InstrumentsFreeStandalone, VST3, AU, AAXWindows, macOS
KORG wavestate nativeKORGNot publishedVST3, AU, AAXWindows, macOS
Massive XNative Instruments$199 one-timeVST, AU, AAXWindows, macOS
Native Instruments FM8Native Instruments$99 one-timeVST, VST3, AU, AAXWindows, macOS
Native Instruments MassiveNative Instruments$99 one-timeVST, VST3, AU, AAXWindows, macOS
Native Instruments MonarkNative Instruments$99 one-timeVSTWindows, macOS
Native Instruments Reaktor 6Native Instruments$199 one-timeVST, AU, AAXWindows, macOS
Odin 2TheWaveWardenFreeStandalone, VST3, AU, LV2, CLAPWindows, macOS, Linux
Omnisphere 3Spectrasonics$499 one-timeStandalone, VST3, VST2, AU, AAXWindows, macOS
Phase PlantKilohearts$199 one-timeVST3, AU, AAXWindows, macOS
PigmentsArturiaFreeStandalone, VST3, AU, AAXWindows, macOS
Rob Papen Predator-3Rob Papen$149 one-timeVST, AU, AAXWindows, macOS
Softube Model 84Softube$159 one-timeVST, VST3, AU, AAXWindows, macOS
SpireReveal Sound$189 one-timeVST3, AU, AAX, CLAPWindows, macOS
Sylenth1LennarDigitalNot publishedVST3, AU, AAXWindows, macOS
Synth1Ichiro Toda (Daichi Laboratory)FreeVST, AUWindows, macOS
TAL-BassLine-101TAL SoftwareNot publishedVST, VST3, AU, AAX, CLAPWindows, macOS, Linux
TAL-NoiseMakerTAL Software GmbHFreeStandalone, VST, VST3, AU, AAX, CLAPWindows, macOS, Linux
TAL-SamplerTAL SoftwareNot publishedVST, VST3, AU, AAX, CLAPWindows, macOS, Linux
TAL-U-NO-LXTAL SoftwareNot publishedVST, VST3, AU, AAX, CLAPWindows, macOS, Linux
Tone2 Electra3Tone2$169 one-timeVST3, AUWindows, macOS
TunefishBrain ControlFreeVST, AUWindows, macOS, Linux
TyrellN6u-heFreeVST3, AU, AAX, CLAPWindows, macOS, Linux
u-he ACEu-he€69 one-timeVST3, AU, AAX, CLAPWindows, macOS, Linux
u-he Bazilleu-he€129 one-timeVST3, AU, AAX, CLAPWindows, macOS, Linux
u-he Podolskiu-heFreeVST3, AU, AAXWindows, macOS, Linux
u-he Reprou-he€149 one-timeVST3, AU, AAX, CLAPWindows, macOS, Linux
u-he Zebraletteu-heFreeCLAP, VST3, AU, AAXWindows, macOS, Linux
Vengeance VPS Avenger 2Vengeance Sound€225 one-timeVST, VST3, AU, AAXWindows, macOS
Zebra2u-he€99 one-timeVST3, AU, AAX, CLAPWindows, macOS, Linux

Questions people ask

Vital by Matt Tytel. It is best for producers who want Serum-style sound design for free and costs Free (paid tiers add presets and wavetables).

Vital, Surge XT, Dexed, Bespoke Synth, Cardinal, Diva, Helm, Hive 2, Odin 2, TAL-BassLine-101, TAL-NoiseMaker, TAL-Sampler, TAL-U-NO-LX, Tunefish, TyrellN6, u-he ACE, u-he Bazille, u-he Podolski, u-he Repro, u-he Zebralette, Zebra2.