Plugin comparison
Specs, price and the Dubspot Score, side by side — with our verdict on which sampler to buy.
Independent score / workflow fit / buying signal
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Contenders
Steinberg HALion 7 by Steinberg. Steinberg's flagship sampler/synth workstation: deep sampling, synthesis, and sound design inside the Cubase family.
Kontakt 8 is Native Instruments' software sampler platform for hosting and building virtual instruments, available as a plugin or standalone app.
Score verdict
On the Dubspot Score, Kontakt 8 comes out ahead (8.7). That said, the right pick depends on your workflow and budget — read both reviews before deciding.
Technical matrix
| Signal | Steinberg HALion 7 | Kontakt 8 |
|---|---|---|
| Price | €349 | $299 |
| Dubspot Score | 8.3 | 8.7 |
| Formats | VST3, AU, AAX | Standalone, VST3, AU (macOS), AAX |
| Type | Sampler / synth workstation | — |
| Version | HALion 7 | — |
| Developer | Steinberg | — |
| 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 |
See the full plugin database for more comparisons.