Best VST Plugins by Category

Find the top VST plugins by type. Every category includes top-rated picks and deep reviews.

List of the Best VST Plugins in 2025

Let’s take a closer look at each plugin, breaking them down by type – synths, reverbs, delays, EQs, and more. Discover the must-have VST plugins of 2025, starting with the first category – synths.

Best Synths

Kontakt 8

Kontakt 8 is your all-in-one sampling platform, giving you everything you need to explore, create, and transform sounds. With a massive library, creative tools like Chords & Phrases for melody inspiration, and Conflux for real-time sound shaping, it’s built for hands-on sound design.

Additionally, it seamlessly integrates with Kontrol keyboards and Maschine, allowing you to stay in the flow and bring your ideas to life. Perfect for pros and beginners alike, Kontakt 8 opens a world of sound at your fingertips.

Analog Lab Pro

Analog Lab Pro brings you instant access to the most iconic synth and keyboard sounds from Arturia’s V Collection. With over 2000 handpicked presets, it covers everything from warm analog pads to razor-sharp basses, all easily accessible through its intuitive, smart-filter browsing.

Designed for simplicity, Analog Lab Pro lets you choose between Library, Studio, and Stage views to match your workflow. Each mode offers a unique interface for browsing, shaping, and performing your sounds, while automatic parameter mapping makes it easy to customize sounds quickly, whether using Arturia controllers or other MIDI devices. Analog Lab Pro is your gateway to a world of timeless sounds in one easy-to-use plugin.

Diva

Diva brings the warmth and character of classic analog synths straight to your DAW. It’s packed with authentic recreations of vintage components, including oscillators, filters, and envelopes that can be freely combined to create hybrid sounds. Featuring zero-delay-feedback filters for incredibly realistic tones, Diva captures the essence of legendary synthesizers with an impressive level of authenticity.

With over 1,200 presets, Diva offers sounds that range from lush and warm to gritty and punchy. It also includes flexible modulation options and high-quality effects like chorus, phaser, and stereo delay.

Serum

Serum sets the standard in wavetable synthesis with an intuitive design and ultra-clean sound quality. It’s built for deep sound design, letting you create, import, and morph wavetables with ease. Serum’s advanced editor provides real-time waveform manipulation, drag-and-drop modulation, and a high-precision resampling engine that ensures artifact-free playback.

Loaded with over 450 presets and 144 wavetables, Serum also offers an extensive effects rack and multiple unison settings to layer up to 16 voices. Its modulation system is fast and flexible, allowing you to connect sources like LFOs to destinations with a simple drag-and-drop. Ideal for both beginners and experienced producers, Serum provides a powerful sound engine that brings rich, dynamic synthesis into your DAW.

Rhodes V8 Pro Virtual Instrument

Rhodes V8 Pro brings the authentic feel of the Rhodes MK8 electric piano to your digital setup, offering a hyper-realistic recreation of this classic instrument. With 30,000 samples and up to 127 velocity layers, it captures the full nuance of the MK8, including mechanical noise and multiple articulations, giving players a lifelike experience.

Designed for both studio and stage use, V8 Pro allows for detailed control with parametric EQ, per-note editing, and an array of amp simulations. Featuring an expanded FX board with tools like a VCA Compressor, Phaser, and Bucket-Brigade Chorus, this plugin is ideal for anyone who wants the depth and warmth of a true Rhodes.

Best Reverbs

SSL Native FlexVerb

SSL Native FlexVerb is a versatile reverb plugin offering high-quality, mix-ready reverb for any style. With four distinct reverb types (Room, Hall, Plate, and Chamber), FlexVerb allows you to shape both early and late reflections, creating a reverb that fits seamlessly into your mix.

The plugin includes a 6-band SSL EQ for detailed frequency shaping, a sidechain compressor to help the reverb blend naturally, and powerful reverb time multipliers for fine-tuning. FlexVerb’s intuitive interface makes it easy to dial in lush, professional reverb quickly, while the infinite reverb and reverb kill switch options provide dramatic creative effects. Perfect for anyone looking to add depth and space to their sound with ease.

Valhalla VintageVerb

Valhalla VintageVerb brings the timeless sound of vintage digital reverbs to your DAW, offering 22 reverb modes that cover everything from halls and plates to unique spaces like Chaotic Hall and Dirty Plate. Inspired by classic reverb hardware from the 1970s and 1980s, VintageVerb also offers 3 color modes – 1970s, 1980s, and Now – giving you tonal flexibility to match any production style.

With recent updates, new modes like Chamber1979 and Hall1984 enhance its versatility, while a user-friendly interface keeps things simple and efficient. If you’re looking for a warm vintage reverb or a modern spacious sound, VintageVerb provides lush, customizable reverbs that fit seamlessly into any mix.

Blackhole Immersive

The Blackhole Immersive plugin from Eventide takes spatial audio to new heights, offering a flexible and powerful reverb tool. This plugin is designed for users who need full control over expansive, surround-capable reverbs across various channels, making it perfect for music production, film post-production, or game sound design.

With Blackhole Immersive, you can create anything from gentle atmospheres to dramatic decays, crafting an experience that envelopes the listener from every direction. The intuitive interface is built for quick adjustments with controls like Gravity, Size, and Feedback that let you mold the reverb effortlessly.

The plugin offers advanced tools like Kill Dry/Wet, Freeze, and Mix Lock, enabling you to experiment without disrupting the wet/dry balance. A rich library of presets (over 150) and a Resizable GUI enhance ease of use, while the transparent signal processing keeps spatial integrity intact across formats.

Lexicon 224 Digital Reverb

Known for its tactile interface and unique reverb programs, the Lexicon 224 plugin brings the warmth and texture of classic digital reverb into your DAW.

This plugin includes all eight original reverb programs, plus a chorus program. Authentic controls like Bass/Mid Split Decay, Treble Decay, and Diffusion allow for precise reverb shaping, while additional features like System Noise Control and hidden adjustments make this emulation as true to the original as possible.

The Lexicon 224 plugin includes presets from legendary users, letting you tap into the sounds favored by artists like Prince and Peter Gabriel. With compatibility across major DAWs, the plugin runs seamlessly on UAD hardware or natively, bringing this classic reverb to both modern and vintage-inspired productions.

Crystalline

Crystalline by BABY Audio is a cutting-edge algorithmic reverb plugin built for modern music production. Inspired by the classic reverb effects of the past but crafted with today’s powerful computing resources, Crystalline brings a fresh sound to any mix, from intimate spaces to expansive, dream-like reverbs.

This plugin features BPM-synced start and decay times, making it easy to keep reflections in sync with your DAW. It also offers unique controls, such as Shimmer for an ethereal high-frequency tail, Gate for that iconic ’80s snare sound, and Ducker to keep the reverb transparent in denser mixes.

Crystalline’s Reflections, Depth, Clean-Up, and Shape sections give you extensive options to sculpt your reverb’s tone, width, and behavior, allowing for both creative and subtle adjustments.

With over 300 presets by renowned producers, Crystalline is suitable for everything. Its interface and thoughtful design make it a powerful yet user-friendly tool, adaptable to any production style or genre.

Best EQs

FabFilter Pro-Q 4

FabFilter Pro-Q 4 is the next evolution in versatile and intuitive EQ plugins, designed to meet the high standards of mixing and mastering professionals. With a sleek interface and innovative features, Pro-Q 4 takes EQ control to a new level. It allows users to create and edit up to 24 EQ bands with unparalleled precision, all within an exceptionally clear and interactive display.

Pro-Q 4 introduces cutting-edge advancements, including enhanced Dynamic EQ with even more flexibility, improved Spectrum Grab for seamless peak adjustments, and an upgraded EQ Match function for faster and more accurate EQ profile matching.

Pultec Passive EQ Collection

The Pultec Passive EQ Collection brings the warmth and character of classic analog EQs into the digital realm, making it easy to add vintage color to any mix. Known for their smooth, musical sound, these EQs have shaped the tones of countless iconic records and are prized for their ability to enhance instruments and vocals with analog richness.

This collection includes three powerful EQ models:

• EQP-1A: Known for its legendary low-end boost, the EQP-1A is perfect for adding punch to bass, drums, and synths with simple yet effective controls.
• MEQ-5: This midrange EQ adds clarity and depth to critical “power region” frequencies, ideal for vocals, guitars, and keys.
• HLF-3C: A high/low pass filter with two controls, the HLF-3C allows precise removal of unwanted frequencies, perfect for cleaning up hiss or creating lo-fi effects.

This collection is versatile and accessible for any producer looking to bring authentic analog warmth to their sound.

bx_digital V3

The bx_digital V3 from Brainworx remains a pioneering Mid/Side EQ, offering unparalleled control over stereo imaging, dynamics, and tonal balance. Designed for both mixing and mastering, bx_digital V3 provides a suite of advanced features, including 11 parametric bands, a stereo widener, and dynamic EQ to tackle everything from sibilance control to bass enhancement with precision.

Its Dynamic EQ module allows flexible, frequency-specific compression or expansion, ideal for de-essing vocals or controlling bass without affecting the rest of the mix. Proportional Q filters adapt to your EQ settings for precise tone shaping, while Bass Shift and Presence Shift tools prevent unwanted spectral energy buildup, ensuring clarity and depth. The Mono Maker function folds low frequencies to mono, preserving stereo headroom and focus in the low end.

Mäag Audio EQ4

The Mäag Audio EQ4 is a beloved EQ among top artists and engineers for its smooth, musical character and unique tonal quality. With six fixed frequency bands, including a powerful SUB Band for low-end control, this EQ offers transparent tonal shaping without sacrificing the original sound’s integrity.

The high-shelving air band provides boost options at 2.5, 5, 10, 20, or 40 kHz, allowing precise enhancement of “airy” frequencies. The EQ4’s Level Trim feature also enables easy gain adjustments, enhancing flexibility beyond the original hardware.

SSL Native X-EQ 2

The SSL Native X-EQ 2 is a powerful and versatile EQ plugin designed to provide pristine, transparent sound quality for mixing and mastering. With up to 24 fully parametric EQ bands, this plugin offers unmatched flexibility and precision, making it an ideal choice for professional audio engineers.

With 17 different EQ types and filter shapes, including bell, shelf, low pass, and high pass options, the plugin enables fine-tuned control over every aspect of your sound. Mid/Side Processing and independent left/right processing add even more versatility, while Band Soloing allows for pinpoint accuracy when targeting problem frequencies.

The plugin includes real-time visual frequency analysis and a Parallel Mode that emulates classic passive EQ circuits, providing a blend of modern precision and vintage warmth.

Best Delays

EchoBoy

EchoBoy by Soundtoys is a versatile delay plugin that captures the essence of vintage echo devices while providing modern features for today’s producers. With 30 distinct echo styles, including emulations of iconic devices like the Echoplex, Space Echo, and Memory Man, EchoBoy offers a wide range of tonal options to suit any mix.

Designed for musicians, EchoBoy allows precise timing control with options for Shuffle, Swing, and Groove adjustments, making it uniquely suited for creating musically synced delays. Its Rhythm Echo Mode provides up to 16 taps, allowing for intricate rhythmic patterns, while the Style Editor offers deep customization, including analog saturation, tape flutter, and diffusion.

H-Delay

H-Delay by Waves offers a powerful blend of vintage warmth and modern clarity, covering a wide array of delay effects, from tape echo and slapback to chorus, flanging, and even self-oscillating feedback. With delay times ranging from 1 ms to 3500 ms and sync-to-tempo options, H-Delay adapts to any creative need, making it an essential tool for both subtle and dramatic effects.

The plugin provides four Analog Character modes for a variety of tonal flavors, as well as Digital Fidelity for a pristine, clean sound. The built-in Modulation options, including tempo-synced chorusing and vibrato, allow for expressive sound design, while the Dual Mode enables detailed spectral control over the delay effect.

FabFilter Timeless 3

FabFilter Timeless 3 is a highly flexible and creative tape delay plugin, combining vintage-inspired delay with a vast array of modulation possibilities. With five distinct effects (Drive, Lo-Fi, Diffuse, Dynamics, and Pitch) and up to six analog-modeled filters, Timeless 3 allows you to shape the feedback signal for both subtle and extreme sound design.

Featuring a drag-and-drop modulation system, Timeless 3 provides easy setup for dynamic effects like ducking, wow and flutter, and rhythmic patterns with up to 16 individually modulated delay taps. With its Mid/Side processing, Ping-Pong modes, and a wide range of creative presets, this plugin is ideal for adding rhythmic depth and texture to any mix.

Built with FabFilter’s signature interface, Timeless 3 offers live modulation visualization, an intuitive layout, and CPU-efficient performance.

bx_delay 2500

The bx_delay 2500 by Brainworx is a versatile delay plugin designed to deliver everything from subtle delay effects to adventurous soundscapes. It includes Ducking, Chorus, and Distortion features to add depth and character, perfect for experimenting with unique delay textures.

The plugin’s M/S Processing capabilities enable precise stereo width adjustments, and the Mono Maker keeps low frequencies centered for a balanced mix. Transient Shaping adds control over the delay’s dynamics, allowing for even more customization.

Best Distortions & Saturations

FabFilter Saturn 2

FabFilter Saturn 2 is a powerful multiband distortion and saturation plugin designed to add warmth, depth, and color to your music. With 28 different distortion styles inspired by vintage tubes, tape, and guitar amps, Saturn 2 covers a wide spectrum of sound, from subtle warmth to aggressive, high-energy tones. It also offers five creative FX distortion styles for more experimental processing.

The plugin’s multiband processing (up to 6 bands) and extensive modulation options provide endless ways to shape your sound. You can adjust drive, feedback, dynamics, tone, and level for each band, while the easy drag-and-drop modulation system allows for creative possibilities using XLFOs, envelope followers, XY controllers, and MIDI sources.

Trash

Trash by iZotope is a powerful distortion plugin designed for creative sound design, offering extensive options to twist and transform audio. With over 300 presets and impulse responses, Trash enables users to blend up to four distortion styles and apply four impulse responses in the Convolve module for added spatial effects. Its frequency splitting allows distortion to be applied selectively across low, mid, and high bands, providing precise control over the sound spectrum.

The plugin includes a dynamic Envelope Follower and the unique Scream Filter, adding expressive movement and tonal color to sounds. Trash’s XY pad makes it easy to explore combinations and modulate settings dynamically, while its randomize feature allows users to roll the dice and create unexpected effects, inspiring new creative directions.

Best Chorus

Jura Chorus

Jura Chorus by AIR Music Technology is great for adding warmth, width, and an unmistakable vintage aura to any audio, making it an essential effect for bringing the ‘80s vibe to synths, guitars, bass, vocals, and more.

The plugin includes two modes: Chorus I for a subtle enhancement and Chorus II for a deeper, wider effect. Users can combine both modes for an ultra-rich, dimensional sound. With a mix control to adjust the effect’s intensity and a noise switch that emulates the original hardware’s subtle noise, Jura Chorus brings classic character to modern productions.

Chorus DIMENSION-D

Chorus DIMENSION-D by Arturia is a precise emulation of the legendary Roland Dimension D chorus effect, known for its rich and iconic warmth. With 4-button operation for simple modulation variations, Chorus DIMENSION-D brings an immediate, analog-inspired shimmer to any mix.

For modern flexibility, Arturia has included advanced features like 5 LFO shapes (triangle, sine, ramp, sample & hold, and sample & glide) for diverse modulation styles, a Dynamic Colour control for added saturation and attack nuances, and Stereo Width control to customize the spatial spread.

Best Flangers

ADA Flanger

The ADA Flanger by Brainworx is a detailed emulation of the iconic A/DA Flanger, known for its rich and colorful analog flanging sounds. Fully endorsed by A/DA, this plugin accurately recreates the original 1979 version and the 2009 reissue, making it a versatile tool for everything from subtle modulation to intense jet plane effects.

Equipped with controls for Threshold, Range, Speed, Enhance (resonance), and Harmonics, the ADA Flanger offers a wide range of tonal possibilities. The unique 40:1 delay ratio and switchable harmonics set it apart from other flangers, allowing for deep, textured modulation effects. Additional Brainworx-exclusive features include DAW tempo sync, dual stereo modes for wide modulation, and a Wet/Dry Mix control, making this flanger a flexible choice for creative sound design.

Instant Flanger Mk II

Ideal for adding depth and stereo width to mono tracks, this plugin can create lush, vintage flanging sounds with precision. Three flanging modes (Shallow, Deep, and Wide) offer different intensities, while the Depth and Feedback controls allow users to fine-tune the resonance and presence of the effect.

Unique to this plugin is the Bounce Control, which emulates the characteristic “hunting” behavior of a tape machine’s capstan motor. Additionally, the Envelope Follower and Manual Control provide hands-on ways to shape the modulation, while the Side Chain feature enables inter-track interactions for dynamic effects. The Instant Flanger Mk II is a versatile and powerful tool for adding vintage tape flanging with modern control and flexibility.

Best Phasers

Moogerfooger MF-103S 12-Stage Phaser

This plugin, inspired by the original design by Bob Moog, offers both 6-stage and 12-stage phasing options, along with a voltage-controlled wide-range LFO, perfect for creating deep, swirling modulation effects.

Equipped with CV interconnectivity and stereo functionality, the MF-103S allows users to modulate parameters across instances and automate every aspect for dynamic sound design. With the rich, analog warmth and musicality of the original, the MF-103S is versatile for guitars, vocals, synths, and more, bringing a touch of Moog’s legendary tone to any digital setup.

PhaseMistress

PhaseMistress by Soundtoys is a powerful phaser plugin that brings a vast range of analog-inspired phasing effects, capturing the essence of classic hardware phasers like the Bi-Phase, Phase 90, Moogerfooger, and more. With 69 different phasing styles and up to 24 stages, this plugin provides the depth and versatility to recreate vintage sounds or explore new ones.

PhaseMistress features multiple operational modes, including LFO, Rhythm, Step, Random, and Envelope. Users can draw custom LFO shapes and rhythmic patterns, or trigger phase shifts dynamically based on the audio’s amplitude.

Best Vocal Processing Plugins

VocalSynth 2

VocalSynth 2 by iZotope is a versatile vocal processor that provides a rich palette of sounds, from classic vocoder and talkbox effects to futuristic vocal manipulation. With five distinct vocal engines – Vocoder, Compuvox, Polyvox, Talkbox, and the new Biovox (modeled on the human vocal tract) – it’s ideal for adding depth, texture, and unique sonic qualities to any vocal track.

VocalSynth 2 includes stompbox-style effects such as Chorus, Ring Mod, Shred, and more, all arranged in a drag-and-drop effects chain for creative sound shaping. It offers three ways to interact (Auto, MIDI, and Sidechain modes), allowing users to customize their workflow.

Little AlterBoy

Little AlterBoy by Soundtoys is a versatile vocal manipulation tool that provides pitch shifting, formant control, and real-time MIDI control for creating a range of vocal effects. Ideal for creating robotic tones, hard-tuned vocals, or gender-bending effects, Little AlterBoy’s formant shifting can change vocal timbres, while pitch locking allows for robotic and vocoder-like sounds.

With MIDI control in your DAW, Little AlterBoy can be used to create custom harmonies or pitch-shifted melodies. The plugin also includes Soundtoys’ Decapitator tube saturation model to add warmth and character.

Best Free Plugins

Analog Lab Play

Analog Lab Play is a free virtual instrument from Arturia, featuring 100 high-quality presets including synths, keys, basses, and pads, curated from their acclaimed V Collection and Pigments instruments. The intuitive Main View lets users explore these sounds with a streamlined, accessible interface, while smart browsing allows quick filtering by instrument type or sound bank, making it easy to find inspiration.

With full MIDI integration for Arturia controllers and other MIDI devices, Analog Lab Play lets you jump right in and start making music, with parameters mapped for a smooth experience.

Ample Bass P Lite II

Ample Bass P Lite II by Ample Sound brings the Fender Precision Bass sound to your digital setup. This plugin features 443 high-quality samples and includes realistic bass techniques like sustain, hammer-on/pull-off, accent, and auto-buzzing for an authentic play experience. With its Tab Player, users can load and play guitar/bass tablature files, supporting various articulations such as slides, bends, trills, and palm mutes.

The CPC (Customized Parameters Control) allows MIDI and automation control, and Capo Logic enables intelligent play per bass rules. Poly Legato and Slide Smoother add realistic expressiveness, making this free plugin a valuable tool for crafting basslines with authentic feel and character.

Ample Guitar M Lite II

Ample Guitar M Lite II brings rich, realistic guitar tones to your projects. With features like five articulations (sustain, hammer-on/pull-off, palm mute, and popping), real strum samples with multiple play variations, and Capo Logic for realistic chord transitions, this plugin is designed to emulate real-world guitar play.

The Strummer Engine provides 14 strum notes with 28 variations per chord, and the Tab Reader supports popular tablature file formats, making it easy to load, play, and customize tabs.

Ozone Imager 2

Ozone Imager 2 is a free, powerful tool for controlling stereo width and enhancing audio imaging in your mixes. Width Control allows easy adjustment of track width, making it perfect for widening pianos, synths, and cymbals or centering bass and kick drums.

The Stereoize feature adds stereo depth to mono sources without reverb or doubling, offering two modes: Stereoize I for a classic phasing effect and Stereoize II for a more subtle touch.

Wider 2

Polyverse Wider 2 delivers seamless stereo widening without causing phase issues, making it ideal for expanding mono signals up to 200% for a rich stereo effect. Unlike traditional wideners that can distort a mix’s balance, Wider 2 maintains mono compatibility, preserving audio clarity even when summed back to mono.

Developed with Infected Mushroom, the plugin leverages a unique all-pass and comb filtering algorithm for clean, uncolored stereo imaging. Its low-frequency bypass ensures only mid-highs are affected, keeping the bass frequencies tight and centered, while its intuitive design makes it easy to achieve expansive sound without sacrificing phase accuracy.

iZotope Ozone EQ

iZotope Ozone EQ brings precision and flexibility to mastering with a bunch of advanced EQ tools. Its Transient/Sustain mode allows for distinct control over punchy transients and sustained elements, giving you the freedom to shape the impact of your mix. With a Delta button for isolating adjustments and live Gain Match, you get exact audio feedback without the “louder is better” bias.

Its Mid/Side and Left/Right modes make it versatile for correcting stereo imbalances, and the phase response adjustment per filter lets you precisely manage the tonal character.

Warmy EP1A Tube EQ V2

This one is a free analog-modeled EQ plugin based on the classic Pultec-style EQs, known for their smooth curves and warm tube character. This redesigned version includes updated DSP, a resizable GUI, and a tube emulation mix knob, providing a blend of classic warmth and modern flexibility.

TAL-Dub-II

The TAL-Dub-II is an enhanced delay plugin that provides vintage-inspired distortion and delay, ideal for classic echo and dub effects. Equipped with a new sound engine, the plugin features a 4x oversampled distortion stage, delay time syncing, and analog-sounding filters. The adjustable stereo width, LFO modulation, and MIDI mapping support offer diverse possibilities for creating rich, evolving delay textures in mixes.

VST Plugins FAQs

Got some questions about VST plugins? No worries, in this section we’ve answered some of the most common questions about VST plugins.

About the author:

Noah Murray
Noah is a talented music producer hailing from Canada. With a deep-rooted passion for music and attention to detail, Noah has made a name for himself as a versatile producer.
Specializing in electronic music, Noah’s work resonates with authenticity and emotion. When he’s not producing, Noah enjoys watching games of the maple leafs and experimenting with sound design.