8.7Great
Kontakt 8 is Native Instruments' software sampler platform for hosting and building virtual instruments, available as a plugin or standalone app.
Plugin comparison
Kontakt 8 vs Native Instruments Vertikal
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
Native Instruments Vertikal: Kontakt instrument of Nils Frahm's 4.5-metre upright piano, with Pure and Felt voicings and Particles 2.0. $149 at Plugin Boutique.
Technical matrix
Specs compared
| Signal | Kontakt 8 | Native Instruments Vertikal |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $299 | $149 |
| Dubspot Score | 8.7 | — |
| Formats | Standalone, VST3, AU (macOS), AAX | Kontakt Player, Kontakt 8, Standalone, VST3, AU, AAX |
| macOS formats (64-bit) | Standalone, VST3, AU, AAX | — |
| Windows formats (64-bit) | Standalone, VST3, AAX | — |
| Factory Library 2 | 40 GB ready-to-use instrument toolset included | — |
| CPU / RAM | Intel Core i5 or equivalent / Apple Silicon; 4 GB RAM (6 GB recommended) | — |
| Disk space | 2 GB free; 52 GB for complete installation | — |
| Free Player version | Kontakt 8 Player hosts NI and third-party Kontakt instruments at no cost | — |
| Type | — | Kontakt instrument: Upright Piano and Prepared Upright Piano |
| Instruments | — | 2 NKIs: Vertikal Pure, Vertikal Felt |
| Presets | — | 150+ snapshots, 100+ Particles presets |
| Generative engine | — | Particles 2.0: Rhythm Mode, Play Mode, four effect slots, Motion modulation |
| Recorded | — | Saal 3, Funkhaus, Berlin, with vintage gear |
| Player | — | Free Kontakt Player or Kontakt 8.13.1 and higher |
| System | — | Windows 10 or 11; macOS 14 or later; Intel Core i5 or Apple Silicon; 4 GB RAM (6 GB recommended) |
| Download | — | 29 GB |
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