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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 field guides
Related plugins
Alternatives & comparisons
Dubspot Score
Best Synth Plugins
- 518.3GreatSynth
Oddment ODD-1V
Oddment ODD-1V is the plugin version of the ODD-1 hardware granular synthesizer, with two layers, four playheads each, binaural grains and a per-grain filter.
DeveloperOddment AudioPrice$149 (early access) / $199 - 528.3GreatSynth
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 - 538.2GreatSynth
Full Bucket FB3
Full Bucket FB3 is a free plugin emulation of the 1986 Kawai K3 hybrid synth, with a drawable additive user wave, an analog-style filter, 64-voice polyphony, and Kawai K3 SysEx patch import.
DeveloperFull Bucket MusicPriceFree - 548.2GreatSynth
OB-Xd
OB-Xd is a virtual analog synth plugin from discoDSP. Score 8.2/10, price Free / paid, formats and comparisons.
DeveloperdiscoDSPPriceFree / paid - 558.2GreatSynth
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 - 568.2GreatSynth
Stage-73 V
Stage-73 V is a physical modeling synth plugin from Arturia. Score 8.2/10, price $149, formats and comparisons.
DeveloperArturiaPrice$149 - 578.2GreatSynth
Twisted Electrons vMEGAfm
Twisted Electrons vMEGAfm is a software recreation of the gritty MEGAfm hardware FM synth: 12 voices, 4 operators, 8 algorithms, MPE, desktop and iPad.
DeveloperTwisted ElectronsPrice€39.99 (desktop); iPad edition sold separately - 588.1GreatSynth
Massive X
Massive X is Native Instruments' polyphonic wavetable synthesizer plug-in built around two wavetable oscillators and a modular routing engine.
DeveloperNative InstrumentsPrice— - 598.1GreatSynth
Nexus 5
NEXUS5 by reFX is a ROMpler/synthesizer plugin with eight sound-generator types, thousands of factory presets, effects, and a built-in sample editor.
DeveloperreFXPrice— - 608.1GreatSynth
Rob Papen Predator 3
Rob Papen Predator 3 by Rob Papen. A preset-heavy hybrid for dance and electronic leads/basses, with fast results when you browse more than you build.
DeveloperRob PapenPrice€149 - 618.1GreatSynth
Output Signal
Output Signal is a hybrid synth plugin. Score 8.1/10, price $149, formats and comparisons.
DeveloperOutputPrice$149 - 628.1GreatSynth
Spire
Spire by Reveal Sound is a polyphonic software synthesizer combining four multimode oscillators with a unison engine, filters, and built-in effects.
DeveloperReveal SoundPrice— - 638.1GreatSynth
SQ80 V
SQ80 V is a hybrid synth plugin from Arturia. Score 8.1/10, price $149, formats and comparisons.
DeveloperArturiaPrice$149 - 648.1GreatSynth
Syntronik 2
Syntronik 2 is IK Multimedia's virtual synthesizer collection using a hybrid sample-and-modeling engine, offered in CS, SE, full, and MAX editions.
DeveloperIK MultimediaPrice$199.99 - 658.0GreatSynth
GCS Spectral Synthesizer
Gulf Coast Synthesis Spectral is a hybrid additive synth you design by painting harmonics on a canvas, resynthesizing audio, or turning images into sound.
DeveloperGulf Coast SynthesisPrice$69 (intro $39.99) - 668.0GreatSynth
Helm
Helm is a virtual analog synth plugin from Matt Tytel. Score 8.0/10, price Free, formats and comparisons.
DeveloperMatt TytelPriceFree - 678.0GreatSynth
Phantomexposure Interphase Cartograph
Interphase Cartograph is a Casio VZ-1 style interactive phase distortion synth with Classic and Extended modes, SysEx import, and through-zero FM, at around $7.
DeveloperPhantomexposurePrice$7 - 688.0GreatSynth
Traveler
Traveler is KeySolutions' cinematic hybrid synth with three specialized oscillators, dual filters, and Control Tracks. $149 direct, with a downloadable demo.
DeveloperKeySolutions SoundsPrice$149 - 698.0GreatSynth
Massive
Native Instruments Massive is the classic wavetable synth behind a generation of electronic bass and lead sounds, still sold as a Komplete staple.
DeveloperNative InstrumentsPrice$99 - 708.0GreatSynth
SuperStarSaw
SuperStarSaw (Super*Saw) is Native Instruments' dedicated supersaw synth, co-created with A.G. Cook, with dual stacked-saw layers, an X/Y Morpher and star-shaped motion.
DeveloperNative InstrumentsPrice$99 - 717.9GoodSynth
Moog Minimoog Model D App
Moog Minimoog Model D App by Moog Music. Official Moog Model D software with authentic brand lineage, primarily Apple platforms via App Store (with DAW plugin options where available).
DeveloperMoog MusicPrice$24.99+ - 727.8GoodSynth
ANA 2
ANA 2.5 by Sonic Academy is a subtractive virtual analog software synthesizer plugin combining wavetable oscillators, multisampling, and analog-modelled filters.
DeveloperSonic AcademyPrice— - 737.8GoodSynth
Excite Audio Evolve Dark Matter
Evolve Dark Matter is Excite Audio's sample-based quad-engine synth for dark drum & bass, techno, and atmospheric low-end textures with morphing macros.
DeveloperExcite AudioPrice$39+ - 747.8GoodSynth
FabFilter One
FabFilter One is a virtual analog synth plugin. Score 7.8/10, price $59, formats and comparisons.
DeveloperFabFilterPrice$59 - 757.8GoodSynth
LOON
LOON by Jamstik is a three-layer MPE software instrument combining virtual analog oscillators, multi-sampled instruments and 4-operator FM in parallel signal paths.
DeveloperJamstikPrice$49.99 - 767.8GoodSynth
Arturia Mini V
Software emulation of the Minimoog synthesizer with three oscillators, a ladder filter, modulators, an arpeggiator, and effects.
DeveloperArturiaPrice$149 - 777.7GoodSynth
XILS-lab MemoryTone
XILS-lab MemoryTone is a software Memorymoog: 16 voices, three oscillators each, a 24 dB self-oscillating ladder filter, MPE and six onboard effects.
DeveloperXILS-labPrice€79 intro (regular €199) - 787.6GoodSynth
PolyRex
PolyRex by Safari Audio is a $39.99 Juno-106-style virtual-analog polysynth with 8 voices, a modulation matrix, an arpeggiator, and a built-in chorus, delay, and spring reverb FX engine.
DeveloperSafari AudioPrice$39.99 - 797.3GoodSynth
VinylSynth
VinylSynth is DAWJunkie's vinyl-sampled instrument with keys, pads, crackle, and onboard FX. $49, with specs and alternatives.
DeveloperDAWJunkiePrice$49 - 807.2GoodSynth
Full Bucket Matriq-Six
Matriq-Six is a free Oberheim Matrix-6R emulation from Full Bucket Music, modeling the original 6809 CPU and ROM with 6-voice polyphony and SysEx patch import.
DeveloperFull Bucket MusicPriceFree - 816.7DecentSynth
AIR Hybrid 3
Hybrid 3 is AIR Music Technology's high-definition virtual synthesizer combining analog warmth with digital manipulation across two simultaneous parts.
DeveloperAIR Music TechnologyPrice— - 82N/ASynth
AAS Player 2.0
AAS Player 2.0 is a free plugin that bundles six Applied Acoustics Systems physical-modeling engines with 650+ sounds, a rebuilt browser, Play-view macros and NKS support.
DeveloperApplied Acoustics SystemsPriceFree - 83N/ASynth
AcusMagic Sonicrama V2
Sonicrama V2 is AcusMagic's wavetable synth with per-key meta-tuning, scale-file import, and a live GPU cymatics plate. €129, sold direct.
DeveloperAcusMagicPrice€129 - 84N/ASynth
ASYX
ASYX is Isla Electronics' software recreation of the Alesis Andromeda A6, with dual ASIC-derived filters, deep modulation, 16-part multitimbral use and A6 SysEx import.
DeveloperIsla ElectronicsPrice£99 (perpetual, 3 computers) - 85N/ASynth
Audio Damage AD-202
Audio Damage's $39 one-VCO grey-box synth with a 24 dB ladder, 8-voice poly, MPE, MTS-ESP, and no DRM. Mac, Windows, Linux, iOS.
DeveloperAudio DamagePrice$39 - 86N/ASynth
Audio Modeling PolySWAM
Audio Modeling's polyphonic SWAM instrument for orchestral sketching and live ensembles. $399 from Audio Modeling, with a 15-day trial.
DeveloperAudio ModelingPrice$399 - 87N/ASynth
Audio Blast V10F
Audio Blast V10F is a monophonic virtual analog synth inspired by the Kawai 100F, with a 64-step sequencer and 512 presets. EUR 77 until 30 October 2026, then EUR 129.
DeveloperAudio BlastPriceEUR 77 until 30 October 2026, then EUR 129 - 88N/ASynth
Materia
Materia is AudioThing's additive re-synthesizer: it breaks any sample into up to 96 harmonic partials and rebuilds it as a playable, editable instrument.
DeveloperAudioThingPrice39 euros (intro, from 69) - 89N/ASynth
Blinksonic HOLODRIFT
HOLODRIFT by Blinksonic is a granular sampler and real-time spectral synth: eight grain slots, a journey that morphs between them, and WAVE resynthesis. €119 launch.
DeveloperBlinksonicPrice€119 launch with code L4UNCH until October 30, 2026 (regular €159) - 90N/ASynth
Fingerlab BloopMachine
BloopMachine is Fingerlab's free acid synth-sequencer for iOS and macOS: a wavetable voice with a resonant filter, a deep generative step sequencer, 48 patterns and AUv3 support.
DeveloperFingerlabPriceFree (full unlock via in-app purchase) - 91N/ASynth
Born Second BS-203
BS-203 MacroAcidizer is a $25 monophonic acid synth with Classic 303, Silver 202, and Bassboy modes plus a scale-locked pattern generator.
DeveloperBorn SecondPrice$25 - 92N/ASynth
Butterlamp Tilichu
Tilichu is a Mac-only wavetable synth with granular and spectral sources, a 32-slot matrix, and a sentence-to-patch generator. $99, 14-day trial, 400+ presets.
DeveloperButterlamp AudioPrice$99 - 93N/ASynth
Buzz Zone
Buzz Zone is Toybox's two-engine wavetable and sample synth. Version 3 adds six piano-roll sequencers, the Utility Strip, new modulation, Snapshots and tuning systems.
DeveloperToyboxPrice$48 (Version 3 a free update) - 94N/ASynth
Idle Foundry CA-72
Idle Foundry CA-72 is a free, open-source Minimoog Model D emulation in VST3 and CLAP, modelled from the real circuit in SPICE and ngspice.
DeveloperIdle FoundryPriceFree - 95N/ASynth
Cherry Audio Memorymode 2
Cherry Audio Memorymode 2 is a dual-layer Memorymoog-inspired analog poly: 16 voices per layer, rebuilt model, MPE, Touch Animator. $69, $39 upgrade.
DeveloperCherry AudioPrice$69 ($39 upgrade) - 96N/ASynth
Cherry Audio Pentaphonic
Cherry Audio Pentaphonic is a $59 recreation of the rare 1981 Gleeman hybrid synth, with up to 16 voices, three UI themes, and a polyphonic step sequencer.
DeveloperCherry AudioPrice$59 - 97N/ASynth
Imaginando COLAPSO
Imaginando COLAPSO is an additive synthesizer that builds sounds from the measured emission spectra of 22 chemical elements, with an uncertainty-principle Observation control.
DeveloperImaginandoPrice69 euros (intro, regular 89 euros) - 98N/ASynth
Dawesome Abyss II
Dawesome's $149 colour-engine cinematic synth with sample-to-colour palettes, 400+ presets, a 4-slot FX rack, and a 90-day trial.
DeveloperDawesomePrice$149 - 99N/ASynth
Stream Pro
Stream Pro is Delta Sound Labs' granular synthesizer with live capture, 8-voice polyphony and Steam Audio HRTF 3D spatialization, for macOS, Windows and Linux.
DeveloperDelta Sound LabsPrice99 dollars - 100N/ASynth
discoDSP Corona 7
discoDSP's virtual analog and wavetable hybrid synth, updated to v7 with MPE, a step sequencer, Synth1 and Roland JP-8000 patch import, Super 7+ unison, and Linux support.
DeveloperdiscoDSPPrice€149 (free upgrade for Corona 6 owners)
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