Ranked plugin guide
Best Synth Plugins
Our ranked, scored picks — specs, prices and the Dubspot Score for every entry. Each links to a full review where we have one.
Related plugins
Alternatives & comparisons
Dubspot Score
Best Synth Plugins
- 019.4EssentialSynth / Editor's Choice
Omnisphere 3
Spectrasonics' flagship hybrid software synthesizer — 26,000+ patches, a standalone 93-processor FX Rack, and one of the deepest engines in software.
DeveloperSpectrasonicsPrice$479 full / $199 upgrade - 029.2EssentialSynth / Editor's Choice
Serum 2
Serum 2 is Xfer Records' wavetable synthesizer plugin with five oscillator engines, flexible effect routing, an arpeggiator, and a clip sequencer.
DeveloperXfer RecordsPrice$249 - 039.1EssentialSynth
u-he Diva
Diva is a virtual analogue synthesizer that models oscillators, filters and envelopes from classic hardware synths via circuit simulation.
Developeru-hePrice— - 049.1EssentialSynth
Arturia Pigments
Arturia Pigments is a software synthesizer combining six synthesis engines, drag-and-drop modulation, filters, effects, and sequencing.
DeveloperArturiaPrice$199 - 059.0EssentialSynth
Vital
Vital is a spectral warping wavetable synthesizer by Matt Tytel for Windows, macOS, and Linux.
DeveloperMatt TytelPrice$25 - 069.0EssentialSynth
u-he Zebra 3
u-he's cult-favorite synth, rebuilt from the ground up with spline-based wavetables, additive synthesis up to 1,024 partials, and an adaptive modular interface.
Developeru-hePrice€249 - 078.9GreatSynth
Pigments 6
Pigments 6 (Arturia) — multi-engine flagship soft synth. Score 8.9/10, price $199, formats and comparisons.
DeveloperArturiaPrice$199 - 088.8GreatSynth
u-he Repro-5
Repro-5 is u-he's component-level software model of a famous 1978 five-voice polyphonic analog synthesizer, sold within the Repro plugin.
Developeru-hePrice€149 - 098.7GreatSynth
Avenger 2
VPS Avenger 2 is a software synthesizer by Vengeance Sound combining multiple oscillator types, modular routing, and built-in effects.
DeveloperVengeance SoundPrice$249 - 108.7GreatSynth
GForce Sequential Prophet~5
GForce Sequential Prophet~5 is the first officially licensed Prophet-5 softsynth with Rev1/2/3 models, dual layers, X-Modifiers, and studio effects.
DeveloperGForce SoftwarePrice$119.99 - 118.7GreatSynth
u-he Hive 2
Hive 2 is a u-he subtractive/wavetable software synthesizer with two stereo oscillator pairs, dual multimode filters, and onboard effects.
Developeru-hePrice€149 - 128.7GreatSynth
Synapse Audio Legend HZ
The Legend HZ is an analog-modeled software synthesizer by Synapse Audio, developed with composer Hans Zimmer, emulating a classic vintage hardware synth.
DeveloperSynapse AudioPrice€179 - 138.7GreatSynth
Phase Plant
Phase Plant is a semi-modular software synthesizer combining wavetable, sample, and noise generators with modular modulation and built-in effects.
DeveloperKiloheartsPrice$199 - 148.7GreatSynth
Surge XT
Surge XT is a free open-source hybrid synthesizer with deep modulation, 12 oscillator algorithms, MPE, microtuning, and 2800+ factory patches.
DeveloperSurge Synth TeamPriceFree - 158.6GreatSynth
Arturia Acid V
Arturia Acid V is a TB-303-inspired acid synth with a 64-step polymetric sequencer, modulators, 17 FX, and modern workflow—built for slides, accents, and filter scream.
DeveloperArturiaPrice$149 - 168.6GreatSynth
CS-80 V
CS-80 V (Arturia) — synth from Arturia. Score 8.6/10, price $199, formats and comparisons.
DeveloperArturiaPrice$199 - 178.6GreatSynth
DUNE 3
DUNE 3 is Synapse Audio's software synthesizer combining virtual analog, wavetable and FM synthesis with a dual-oscillator-stack architecture.
DeveloperSynapse AudioPrice— - 188.6GreatSynth
Cherry Audio GX-80
Cherry Audio GX-80 by Cherry Audio. A flagship dual-layer poly synth inspired by Yamaha GX-1/CS-80 territory—huge sound at a friendly Cherry Audio price.
DeveloperCherry AudioPrice$59 - 198.6GreatSynth
Korg multi/poly native
Korg multi/poly native is the DAW software counterpart to the multi/poly hardware, with four oscillators, dual modeled filters, Motion Sequencing 2.0, and Kaoss Physics.
DeveloperKorgPrice$199 - 208.5GreatSynth
Arturia DX7 V
Arturia DX7 V by Arturia. Full DX7 FM recreation with expanded operators and modern extras—the pro commercial counterpart to free Dexed.
DeveloperArturiaPrice$149 - 218.5GreatSynth
Dawesome Novum
Dawesome Novum by Dawesome. Spectral + granular instrument building from a single sample—unique creative sampler/synth hybrid.
DeveloperDawesomePrice$179 - 228.5GreatSynth
Odin 2
Odin 2 (TheWaveWarden) — synth from TheWaveWarden. Score 8.5/10, price Free, formats and comparisons.
DeveloperTheWaveWardenPriceFree - 238.5GreatSynth
Arturia Prophet-5 V
A software emulation of the classic Prophet-5 Rev 2 polyphonic analog synthesizer, with modeled VCOs, SSM filter, Poly-Mod, and effects.
DeveloperArturiaPrice$149 - 248.5GreatSynth
UVI Rumble
UVI Rumble is a multiband bass synthesizer with Body, Character, and Air engines, nine oscillator models, deep modulation, and a large factory bass library.
DeveloperUVIPrice€199 - 258.4GreatSynth
Arturia Analog Lab V
Arturia Analog Lab is a software instrument that combines 2000+ presets from across the V Collection synths and keyboards in one plugin.
DeveloperArturiaPrice— - 268.4GreatSynth
u-he Bazille
A polyphonic modular software synthesizer with digital oscillators based on phase distortion and FM, multimode filters, and patch-cord modulation.
Developeru-hePrice— - 278.4GreatSynth
Chromaphone 3
Chromaphone 3 is a two-voice acoustic object synthesizer using physically modeled acoustic resonators by Applied Acoustics Systems.
DeveloperApplied Acoustics SystemsPrice$199 - 288.4GreatSynth
Minimal Audio Current 2
Minimal Audio Current 2 by Minimal Audio. A multi-engine synth workstation with ongoing content drops—modern alternative in the Serum/Pigments conversation.
DeveloperMinimal AudioPrice$99 - 298.4GreatSynth
FM8
FM8 is Native Instruments' digital FM synthesizer with eight operators and a modern interface, the successor to FM7.
DeveloperNative InstrumentsPrice$99.00 - 308.4GreatSynth
D16 Group LuSH-101
D16 Group LuSH-101 by D16 Group. Multi-layer SH-101 inspired synthesis—thick layered analog-style voices far beyond a single mono 101.
DeveloperD16 GroupPrice€149 - 318.4GreatSynth
Melatonin Sine Machine
Melatonin Sine Machine is a friendly additive synthesizer with 10,000+ oscillators, a zero-knob visual interface, additive reverb and filters, MPE, and MTS-ESP.
DeveloperMelatoninPricePay-what-you-want, suggested $75 - 328.4GreatSynth
Arturia MiniFreak V
Arturia MiniFreak V by Arturia. Hybrid digital engines with analog-modeled filters matching MiniFreak hardware—playful sequencing and deep sound design.
DeveloperArturiaPrice$149 - 338.4GreatSynth
OP-Xa V
OP-Xa V (Arturia) — synth from Arturia. Score 8.4/10, price $199, formats and comparisons.
DeveloperArturiaPrice$199 - 348.4GreatSynth
Reaktor 6
Reaktor 6 is Native Instruments' modular sound studio for building and playing custom synths, samplers, effects, and sequencers.
DeveloperNative InstrumentsPrice$199.00 - 358.4GreatSynth
Sylenth1
Sylenth1 is a virtual analog software synthesizer with four unison oscillators, two filter sections, and built-in effects.
DeveloperLennarDigitalPrice— - 368.4GreatSynth
TAL-BassLine-101
TAL-BassLine-101 by Togu Audio Line. A beloved SH-101 style monophonic bass synth with raw analog attitude and a modern sequencer.
DeveloperTogu Audio LinePrice$80 - 378.4GreatSynth
TAL-U-No-LX
TAL-U-No-LX (Togu Audio Line) — synth from Togu Audio Line. Score 8.4/10, price €70, formats and comparisons.
DeveloperTogu Audio LinePrice€70 - 388.3GreatSynth
Sugar Bytes Aparillo
Sugar Bytes Aparillo by Sugar Bytes. A 16-voice FM supersynth for massive pads and evolving textures—Sugar Bytes at its most atmospheric.
DeveloperSugar BytesPrice€99 - 398.3GreatSynth
Baby Audio Atoms
Baby Audio Atoms by Baby Audio. A physical-modeling synth for organic, evolving textures—Baby Audio's most experimental instrument.
DeveloperBaby AudioPrice$99 - 408.3GreatSynth
Baby Audio BA-1
Baby Audio BA-1 (Baby Audio) — synth from Baby Audio. Score 8.3/10, price $99, formats and comparisons.
DeveloperBaby AudioPrice$99 - 418.3GreatSynth
Rob Papen Blue III
Rob Papen Blue III by Rob Papen. Cross-fusion synthesis (FM, phase distortion, waveshaping, subtractive) with Rob Papen's preset-first philosophy.
DeveloperRob PapenPrice€149 - 428.3GreatSynth
Dexed
Dexed is a free open-source Yamaha DX7-style FM synthesizer and cartridge librarian for Windows, macOS, and Linux in VST, AU, and LV2 formats.
DeveloperDigital Suburban / asb2m10PriceFree - 438.3GreatSynth
Jun-6 V
Jun-6 V (Arturia) — synth from Arturia. Score 8.3/10, price $99, formats and comparisons.
DeveloperArturiaPrice$99 - 448.3GreatSynth
Arturia Jup-8 V
Software emulation of the Roland Jupiter-8 synthesizer with component-level analog modeling and added modern sound design features.
DeveloperArturiaPrice$149 - 458.3GreatSynth
Native Instruments Monark
Native Instruments Monark by Native Instruments. A focused Minimoog-style monosynth in the Komplete universe—raw mono analog attitude with NI integration.
DeveloperNative InstrumentsPrice€69 - 468.3GreatSynth
GForce Oddity3
GForce Oddity3 by GForce Software. ARP Odyssey-inspired dual-voice synth with GForce depth—classic duophonic aggression updated for modern DAWs.
DeveloperGForce SoftwarePrice£80 - 478.3GreatSynth
FabFilter Twin 3
FabFilter Twin 3 (FabFilter) — synth from FabFilter. Score 8.3/10, price $129, formats and comparisons.
DeveloperFabFilterPrice$129 - 488.3GreatSynth
Waldorf Microwave 1 Plugin
Waldorf Microwave 1 Plugin is a software recreation of the classic Microwave hybrid wavetable synth, with V2 expanding polyphony to 32 voices.
DeveloperWaldorf MusicPrice€99 - 498.2GreatSynth
OB-Xd
OB-Xd (discoDSP) — synth from discoDSP. Score 8.2/10, price Free / paid, formats and comparisons.
DeveloperdiscoDSPPriceFree / paid - 508.2GreatSynth
Cherry Audio Sines
Cherry Audio Sines by Cherry Audio. An additive/waveshaping synth with morphing power—deep harmonics without a modular headache.
DeveloperCherry AudioPrice$49
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