Checked September 2026
Xfer Records
Serum 2 review
Synths
Advanced hybrid wavetable synthesizer with flexible effects and a built-in sequencer. Best for sound designers wanting deep wavetable synthesis and visual modulation. Price: $249 one-time.
Key features
- Wavetable oscillators
- Visual waveform editor
- Flexible FX routing
- Arpeggiator
- Clip sequencer
Pros
- Industry-standard wavetable engine with a large preset ecosystem
- Free lifetime updates and free upgrade from Serum 1
Cons
- Price increased from an earlier $189 point to $249
- No subscription or lower-cost tier
Serum 2 alternatives
Free spectral warping wavetable synth, the best-known free Serum alternative.
VST3supportedAUsupportedAAXnot supportedCLAPsupportedWINsupportedMACsupportedLNXsupportedFree, open-source hybrid synthesizer with extensive filters and a flexible modulation engine.
VST3supportedAUsupportedAAXnot supportedCLAPsupportedWINsupportedMACsupportedLNXsupported- FREE
Digital Suburban
Dexed
Free, open-source FM synthesizer plugin modeled closely on the Yamaha DX7.
VST3not supportedAUsupportedAAXnot supportedCLAPnot supportedWINsupportedMACsupportedLNXsupported
Compared
Sources: xferrecords.com