Producer Rack

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.

Decent Sampler by David Hilowitz (Decent Samples)

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

  • Modartt

    Pianoteq 9

    FREE

    Physically modeled virtual piano instrument, vivid, expressive, and highly customizable.

    VST3supportedAUsupportedAAXsupportedCLAPnot supportedWINsupportedMACsupportedLNXsupported+ iOS

  • Native Instruments

    Kontakt 8

    $299once

    Full sampling and virtual instrument platform with a 900+ instrument factory library.

    VST3supportedAUsupportedAAXsupportedCLAPnot supportedWINsupportedMACsupportedLNXnot supported

  • Native Instruments

    Kontakt 8 Player

    FREE

    Free streamlined player that runs Kontakt instruments and third-party Kontakt libraries.

    VST3supportedAUsupportedAAXsupportedCLAPnot supportedWINsupportedMACsupportedLNXnot supported
All Decent Sampler alternatives

Sources: www.decentsamples.com