Checked September 2026

David Hilowitz (Decent Samples)
Decent Sampler review
InstrumentsFree version
Free sampler plugin for playing DecentSampler-format (.dspreset/.dslibrary) sample libraries. Best for playing free and third-party sample libraries at no cost. Price: Free.

Key features
- Plays .dspreset/.dslibrary sample formats
- RAM and disk streaming modes
- SFZ import support
- Developer tools for building custom instruments
- Cross-platform including Linux and iOS
Pros
- Completely free with no paywalled tiers
- A huge ecosystem of free third-party libraries built for the format
Cons
- No built-in sound library of its own; relies on separately sourced sample sets
- Fewer advanced synthesis/effects features than paid samplers
Decent Sampler alternatives
A free, highly SFZ 2.0 compliant sample player.
VST3supportedAUsupportedAAXsupportedCLAPsupportedWINsupportedMACsupportedLNXsupportedFull sampling and virtual instrument platform with a 900+ instrument factory library.
VST3supportedAUsupportedAAXsupportedCLAPnot supportedWINsupportedMACsupportedLNXnot supportedFree streamlined player that runs Kontakt instruments and third-party Kontakt libraries.
VST3supportedAUsupportedAAXsupportedCLAPnot supportedWINsupportedMACsupportedLNXnot supported
Compared
- Decent Sampler vs Kontakt 8
- Decent Sampler vs Kontakt 8 Player
- Decent Sampler vs Komplete Start
- Decent Sampler vs BBC Symphony Orchestra Discover
- Decent Sampler vs Ample Bass P Lite
Sources: www.decentsamples.com