Ranked plugin guide
Best Compressor Plugins
The strongest compressor plugins in the Dubspot database, ranked by Dubspot Score with specs, prices, and full reviews.
Related plugins
Alternatives & comparisons
Dubspot Score
Best Compressor Plugins
- 019.1EssentialEffect
FabFilter Pro-MB
FabFilter Pro-MB is a multiband dynamics plug-in offering up to six bands of compression, expansion, limiting and gating.
DeveloperFabFilterPrice$199.00 - 029.0EssentialEffect
Softube Tube-Tech CL 1B Mk II
Softube Tube-Tech CL 1B Mk II is the definitive optical vocal compressor plugin—Mk I + Mk II in one UI with Generation Switch, sidechain HPF, and parallel mix.
DeveloperSoftube / Tube-TechPrice$199 - 039.0EssentialEffect
Tone Projects Unisum
Tone Projects Unisum is a mastering compressor with multi-band detection, Hygge warmth, Memory Effect envelopes, Mid/Side mode, and clean wideband gain reduction.
DeveloperTone ProjectsPrice$199 - 048.9GreatEffect
UAD 1176 Classic Limiter Collection
UAD 1176 Classic Limiter Collection is Universal Audio's authentic FET compressor suite with Rev A, Rev E, and 1176AE models for native and Apollo use.
DeveloperUniversal AudioPrice$49+ - 058.8GreatEffect
Cytomic The Glue
Cytomic The Glue is an SSL-style VCA bus compressor with Mix, Range, sidechain HPF, and oversampling—built for drum buses, mix glue, and transparent level control.
DeveloperCytomicPrice$99 - 068.8GreatEffect
UAD Teletronix LA-2A Leveler Collection
UAD Teletronix LA-2A Leveler Collection includes Silver, Gray, and LA-2 optical compressor models for smooth leveling on vocals, bass, and more.
DeveloperUniversal AudioPrice$49+ - 078.7GreatEffect
FabFilter Pro-C 2
FabFilter Pro-C 2 is a professional stereo compressor plug-in with eight compression styles, side-chain EQ, and mid/side processing.
DeveloperFabFilterPrice— - 088.7GreatEffect
Shadow Hills Mastering Compressor
Shadow Hills Mastering Compressor by Plugin Alliance: effect from Plugin Alliance. Price $299, Dubspot Score 8.7, specs and alternatives for 2026.
DeveloperPlugin AlliancePrice$299 - 098.7GreatEffect
SSL Native Bus Compressor 2
SSL Native Bus Compressor 2 by Solid State Logic: official SSL bus compressor plugin. Price $299, Dubspot Score 8.7, specs and alternatives for 2026.
DeveloperSolid State LogicPrice$299 - 108.7GreatEffect
UAD Fairchild Tube Limiter Collection
UAD Fairchild Tube Limiter Collection emulates the legendary Fairchild 660 mono and 670 stereo tube limiters for mix bus glue and mastering-style compression.
DeveloperUniversal AudioPrice$49+ - 118.5GreatEffect
elysia alpha compressor
elysia alpha compressor (Plugin Alliance) — effect from Plugin Alliance. Score 8.5/10, price $299, formats and comparisons.
DeveloperPlugin AlliancePrice$299 - 128.5GreatEffect
Presswerk
Presswerk (u-he) — effect from u-he. Score 8.5/10, price €129, formats and comparisons.
Developeru-hePrice€129 - 138.5GreatEffect
SSL G-Master Buss Compressor
SSL G-Master Buss Compressor (Waves) — effect from Waves. Score 8.5/10, price $35–$149, formats and comparisons.
DeveloperWavesPrice$35–$149 - 148.5GreatEffect
TDR Kotelnikov
TDR Kotelnikov is Tokyo Dawn Labs' free wideband dynamics processor for transparent mix-bus and mastering compression with separate peak and RMS release.
DeveloperTokyo Dawn LabsPriceFree - 158.5GreatEffect
TDR Molotok
TDR Molotok is a free character compressor from Tokyo Dawn Labs—a simplified Molot GE with eleven compression flavors for drums, vocals, guitars, and more.
DeveloperTokyo Dawn LabsPriceFree - 168.4GreatEffect
CLA-2A
CLA-2A (Waves) — effect from Waves. Score 8.4/10, price $35–$149, formats and comparisons.
DeveloperWavesPrice$35–$149 - 178.4GreatEffect
Sonnox Oxford Dynamics
Sonnox Oxford Dynamics (Sonnox) — effect from Sonnox. Score 8.4/10, price $300, formats and comparisons.
DeveloperSonnoxPrice$300 - 188.3GreatEffect
Analog Obsession FETish
Analog Obsession FETish is a free 1176-style FET compressor plugin for drums, vocals, and parallel smash, part of Analog Obsession's free analog suite.
DeveloperAnalog ObsessionPriceFree - 198.3GreatEffect
CLA-76
CLA-76 (Waves) — effect from Waves. Score 8.3/10, price $35–$149, formats and comparisons.
DeveloperWavesPrice$35–$149 - 208.3GreatEffect
Baby Audio IHNY-2
Baby Audio IHNY-2 by Baby Audio. Parallel compression purpose-built for modern punch—New York-style slam with surgical mid/side control.
DeveloperBaby AudioPrice$99 - 218.3GreatEffect
Softube Drawmer S73
Softube Drawmer S73 (Softube) — effect from Softube. Score 8.3/10, price $99, formats and comparisons.
DeveloperSoftubePrice$99 - 228.3GreatEffect
Goodhertz Vulf Compressor
Goodhertz Vulf Compressor (Goodhertz) — effect from Goodhertz. Score 8.3/10, price $99, formats and comparisons.
DeveloperGoodhertzPrice$99 - 238.2GreatEffect
Analog Obsession LALA
Analog Obsession LALA is a free LA-2A-style optical compressor/limiter with sidechain filters and mix control for vocals, bass, and buses.
DeveloperAnalog ObsessionPriceFree - 248.2GreatEffect
Devil-Loc Deluxe
Devil-Loc Deluxe (Soundtoys) — effect from Soundtoys. Score 8.2/10, price $99, formats and comparisons.
DeveloperSoundtoysPrice$99 - 258.2GreatDeveloperWavesPrice$35–$99
- 268.1GreatEffect
sonible smart:comp 2
sonible smart:comp 2 is a spectro-dynamic compressor plugin that uses intelligent processing and automatic parametrization across audio bands.
DevelopersoniblePrice— - 278.1GreatEffect
Native Instruments Supercharger GT
Native Instruments Supercharger GT by Native Instruments. A colorful tube-style compressor with parallel blend—fast punch for drums, bass, and vocals in the box.
DeveloperNative InstrumentsPrice€99
Browse the full plugin database.