8.1Great
iZotope Neutron 5 is an AI-assisted mixing suite of channel-strip and analysis modules for balancing and shaping individual tracks.
Plugin comparison
iZotope Neutron 5 vs FabFilter Timeless 3
Specs, price and the Dubspot Score, side by side — with our verdict on which effect to buy.
Independent score / workflow fit / buying signal
Contenders
The side-by-side
8.7Great
FabFilter Timeless 3 is a tape delay plug-in offering vintage-style echoes with extensive modulation and creative effects.
Score verdict
Which should you buy?
On the Dubspot Score, FabFilter Timeless 3 comes out ahead (8.7). That said, the right pick depends on your workflow and budget — read both reviews before deciding.
Technical matrix
Specs compared
| Signal | iZotope Neutron 5 | FabFilter Timeless 3 |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $299 | $149.00 |
| Dubspot Score | 8.1 | 8.7 |
| Formats | AU, VST3, AAX | VST, VST3, Audio Units (AU), AAX Native, AudioSuite, CLAP |
| Editions | Neutron 5 ($299) and Neutron 5 Elements ($55) | — |
| Plugins included | 11 plugins (1 mothership plus 10 component modules) | — |
| Modules | Includes Clipper, Density, Phase, Unmask, Sculptor, Transient Shaper, Exciter, Gate, Compressor, Equalizer, plus Visual Mixer and iZotope Relay | — |
| Plugin architecture | 64-bit only | — |
| Operating systems | macOS Sonoma/Sequoia/Tahoe (Intel and Apple silicon); Windows 10 and Windows 11 | — |
| Processing modes | Mid/Side and Transient/Sustain channel processing | — |
| Delay taps | — | Up to 16 delay taps |
| Modulation matrix | — | 50-slot modulation matrix with XLFOs, XY controllers, envelope generators, and envelope followers |
| Filters | — | Up to 6 filters (LP/HP/BP) or Bell/Shelving/Notch EQ types |
| Creative effects | — | 5 optional effects: Drive, Lo-Fi, Diffuse, Dynamics, Pitch |
| Processing | — | Mid/side processing support |
| macOS support | — | macOS 10.13 or higher (64-bit), Apple Silicon and Intel |
See the full plugin database for more comparisons.