8.8Great
Spitfire BBCSO is a full orchestra library family—free Discover (~240MB), Core (~28GB, £399), and Professional (~630GB, £899)—recorded with the BBC Symphony Orchestra.
Plugin comparison
Spitfire Audio BBC Symphony Orchestra vs Spitfire LABS
Specs, price and the Dubspot Score, side by side — with our verdict on which sampler to buy.
Independent score / workflow fit / buying signal
Contenders
The side-by-side
8.9Great
Spitfire LABS is a free instrument platform of high-quality sampled sounds—pianos, strings, pads, and more—now also available via Splice INSTRUMENT as LABS' new home.
Score verdict
Which should you buy?
On the Dubspot Score, Spitfire LABS comes out ahead (8.9). That said, the right pick depends on your workflow and budget — read both reviews before deciding.
Technical matrix
Specs compared
| Signal | Spitfire Audio BBC Symphony Orchestra | Spitfire LABS |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Free+ | Free |
| Dubspot Score | 8.8 | 8.9 |
| Formats | VST, VST3, AU, AAX | VST3, AU, AAX |
| Library family | BBC Symphony Orchestra Discover / Core / Professional | — |
| Orchestra | BBC Symphony Orchestra (Maida Vale heritage recordings) | — |
| Player | Dedicated Spitfire Audio plugin (VST/VST3/AU/AAX); Spitfire Audio App required for install | — |
| Discover size | ~240MB package; ~34 instruments, ~47 techniques, 1 mix signal | — |
| Core size | ~28.2GB; ~44 instruments, ~344 techniques, curated mix signal, legatos for melodic instruments | — |
| Professional size | ~630GB class install; ~57 instruments, ~468 techniques, ~12 mics / 3 mixes, ~20 signals | — |
| Discover price | Free (Core/Pro owners also receive Discover) | — |
| Core list price | £399 (confirm regional pricing/sales) | — |
| Professional list price | £899 (confirm regional pricing/sales) | — |
| Discover extras | Now includes BBCSO Piano (per Spitfire product messaging) | — |
| Platforms | macOS & Windows 64-bit; Intel and Apple silicon supported; recommend multi-core CPU + 16GB RAM class systems | — |
| NKS | NKS ready / compatible (edition dependent) | — |
| Type | — | Free sampled instrument platform |
| Price | — | Free instruments available (optional paid LABS+/subscription content exists) |
| Formats | — | VST3, AU, AAX (plugin host dependent on current player) |
| Catalog | — | Pianos, strings, pads, choir, drums, experimental textures, and more |
| Legacy installer | — | https://legacylabs.spitfireaudio.com/download |
| New home | — | Splice INSTRUMENT hosts LABS content for many users |
See the full plugin database for more comparisons.