Free VST Plugins are one of the most exciting things about mixing.  In the past it was impossible to imagine that so many quality tools could be available at no cost.

Today there are more great free plugins than ever before, but the freeware scene is always changing.

How can you know which free VSTs are worth installing?

We scoured the internet for the absolute best of the best free VST plugins available in 2019.




  • Best Free Synth VSTs



  • Best Free Drum VSTs



  • Best Free Guitar VSTs



  • Best Free VST Effects



  • Best Free VST Utilities

How to use this guide

There are a staggering 250 free plugins listed on this page.

To make sense of it all, we divided them into categories: Synth VSTs, Drum VSTs, Guitar VSTs, VST Effects and Utility VSTs.

Each category is listed alphabetically, but I’ll give a special shoutout to some of the absolute must-have software on this list.

Best Free Synth VSTs

2getheraudio Cheeze Machine

2getheraudio Cheeze Machine is a free VSTi inspired by vintage string synths like the ARP/Solina String Ensemble. It’s perfect for those phasey, vintage, lo-fi strings.

 

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Applied Acoustics Systems AAS Player

Applied Acoustics Systems AAS Player is a free player for AAS library instruments. It comes preloaded with some great sound banks to get you started.

Ample Sound Guitar M LITE II

Ample Sound’s Guitar M LITE II is a great realistic sounding acoustic guitar with impressive articulation and strumming options for a free plugin.

Ample Sound Ample Bass P LITE II

Ample Bass P LITE II, is another great realistic instrument from Ample Sound that brings the sound of a studio P-Bass to your DAW.

Ample Sound Cloudrum

Ample Sound Cloudrum is a digital version of the extremely sought-after melodic handpans you might have heard on a moody film soundtrack.

Audjoo Helix

Audjoo Helix is a full featured, super crisp sounding subtractive synthesizer. It’s huge collection of waveshapes and ability to use any of them in a “super saw” style makes it amazing for modern electronic sounds.

Blamsoft VK-1

Blamsoft VK-1 is a digital emulation of the sought after Moog Voyager hardware synth. All the classic flavour of the original is present in the excellent sounding VK-1.

Blaukraut Charlatan 2.0

Is a uncomplicated, super fat sounding virtual analog synth. Its easy-to use interface makes it great for dialing up great sounds fast.

Bruce Sutherland JuceOPLVSTi

Bruce Sutherland JuceOPLVSTi is a VST version of the Yamaha YMF262 FM synthesis chip used to create the soundtracks of classic video games like DOOM.

Dead Duck Deducktion

Is a 32-voice subtractive synth with powerful options beneath its simply exterior. It’s comprehensive LFO controls and modulation matrix are great for creating evolving soundscapes.

Dexed

Dexed is a fantastic utilitarian FM synth engine that’s capable of loading any of the classic patches from Yamaha’s hardware FM synths like the DX7 and TX81Z.

discoDSP OB-Xd

discoDSP OB-Xd brings the enormous sound of the Oberheim OB-X to your DAW. The OB-Xd convincingly recreates legendary pads and leads of the original.

DSK Dynamic Guitars

DSK Dynamic Guitar is another realistic guitar sample plugin with convincing articulations for strumming.

DSK Saxophones

DSK Saxophones offers modes for both alto and soprano saxophone with onboard tone shaping options like ADSR.

DSK The Grand

DSK The Grand sounds completely convincing for a free plugin. A great option for moody and dramatic grand piano sounds.

Extent of the Jam Digits 2

Extent of the Jam Digits 2 is a unique phase distortion synthesizer inspired by the Casio CZ series. Phase Distortion is a variant of FM synthesis that can produce some truly wild sounds.

Full Bucket FB-3300

Full Bucket FB-3300 is an astounding reproduction of the rare Korg PS-3300 synthesizer from the late 70s.

Full Bucket ModulAir

Full Bucket Modulair is a capable fully modular synth plugin available generously for free.

HY-Plugins HY-Mono

HY-Plugins HY-Mono is an easy-to-use fat sounding free monosynth.

Ichiro Toda Synth1

Ichiro Toda Synth1 is a well designed VST polysynth that models the Clavia Nord Lead 2.

IK Multimedia Syntronik FREE

IK Multimedia Syntronik FREE comes packed with 50 presents and 38 effects from the enormous library of the powerful paid version. There’s a huge amount of classic synth tones to choose from.

Keyzone Classic

Keyzone Classic gives you great sounding acoustic and electric pianos sounds in your DAW for free.

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