All synths

Best free VST synths

Every synth here ships a VST3 build, so it loads in Ableton Live, FL Studio, Cubase, Studio One, Reaper, Bitwig and almost every other DAW. All of them are free to download and use, and every link goes to the developer.

34 synths · updated 2026-09-11

  1. Vital by Matt Tytel: plugin interface screenshot
    01

    Vital

    Matt Tytel · Wavetable · VST3, VST2, AU, LV2, Standalone · Windows, macOS, Linux

    The wavetable synth that made Serum optional. Spectral warping, drag-and-drop modulation, all of it free.

    Download from vital.audioDetails

  3. Dexed by Digital Suburban: plugin interface screenshot
    03

    Dexed

    Digital Suburban · FM · VST3, AU, CLAP, LV2, Standalone · Windows, macOS, Linux

    The DX7 in your DAW. Loads original sysex patches, so forty years of FM sound design is yours for nothing.

    Download from asb2m10.github.ioDetails

  4. Zebralette 3 by u-he: plugin interface screenshot
    04

    Zebralette 3

    u-he · Spectral · VST3, AU, CLAP, AAX · Windows, macOS, Linux

    One oscillator from u-he’s upcoming Zebra 3, and it is absurd: spline drawing, spectral effects, MSEGs and a mod matrix.

    Download from u-he.comDetails

  5. Odin 2 by TheWaveWarden: plugin interface screenshot
    05

    Odin 2

    TheWaveWarden · Virtual analog · VST3, AU, CLAP, LV2 · Windows, macOS, Linux

    A 24-voice analog-style synth with drawable waveforms and filters modelled on the Moog ladder and Korg 35.

    Download from thewavewarden.comDetails

  6. Cardinal by DISTRHO: plugin interface screenshot
    06

    Cardinal

    DISTRHO · Modular · VST3, VST2, AU, CLAP, LV2, Standalone · Windows, macOS, Linux

    VCV Rack as a plugin, with 1,382 modules baked in. Free, open source, runs in your DAW or in a browser.

    Download from cardinal.kx.studioDetails

  7. TyrellN6 by u-he: plugin interface screenshot
    07

    TyrellN6

    u-he · Virtual analog · VST3, AU, CLAP, AAX · Windows, macOS, Linux

    A Juno-flavoured dream synth designed by a magazine’s readers and built by u-he, with early Diva filters inside.

    Download from u-he.comDetails

  8. OB-Xf by Surge Synth Team: plugin interface screenshot
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    OB-Xf

    Surge Synth Team · Virtual analog · VST3, AU, CLAP, LV2, Standalone · Windows, macOS, Linux

    The Surge team’s open-source continuation of OB-Xd: Oberheim OB-X flavour, patch-compatible, GPL forever.

    Download from surge-synth-team.orgDetails

  10. RipplerX by Tilr (tiagolr): plugin interface screenshot
    10

    RipplerX

    Tilr (tiagolr) · Physical modelling · VST3, AU, LV2, Standalone · Windows, macOS, Linux

    Strings, beams, membranes, plates and tubes, coupled and struck. An open-source answer to Chromaphone.

    Download from github.comDetails

  11. Six Sines by BaconPaul: plugin interface screenshot
    11

    Six Sines

    BaconPaul · FM · VST3, AU, CLAP, Standalone · Windows, macOS, Linux

    Six sine operators that can all modulate each other at audio rate. Strange, deep and MIT-licensed.

    Download from github.comDetails

  12. Galdr by Sognevo: plugin interface screenshot
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    Galdr

    Sognevo · Virtual analog · VST3, AU, CLAP, Standalone · Windows, macOS, Linux

    2026’s new arrival: a black-metal-styled open-source synth with morphing wavetables and a granular Blizzard layer.

    Download from sognevo.comDetails

  13. Vaporizer2 by VAST Dynamics: plugin interface screenshot
    13

    Vaporizer2

    VAST Dynamics · Wavetable · VST2, VST3, AU, AAX, CLAP, LV2, Standalone · Windows, macOS, Linux

    A full commercial wavetable workstation, 220 mod destinations and all, handed to the world under GPL in 2023.

    Download from vast-dynamics.comDetails

  14. Helm by Matt Tytel: plugin interface screenshot
    14

    Helm

    Matt Tytel · Virtual analog · VST3, VST2, AU, LV2, Standalone · Windows, macOS, Linux

    Matt Tytel’s pre-Vital synth: 32 voices, formant filter, stutter effect. Archived in 2025 but still fantastic.

    Download from tytel.orgDetails

  16. Podolski by u-he: plugin interface screenshot
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    Podolski

    u-he · Virtual analog · VST3, AU, AAX · Windows, macOS, Linux

    u-he’s one-oscillator workhorse with WaveWarp morphing and a 16-step arpeggiator. Simple on purpose.

    Download from u-he.comDetails

  17. Triple Cheese by u-he: plugin interface screenshot
    17

    Triple Cheese

    u-he · Physical modelling · VST3, AU, AAX · Windows, macOS, Linux

    No oscillators at all: three comb filters make the sound. Won the 2006 KVR Developer Challenge for a reason.

    Download from u-he.comDetails

  18. Beatzille by u-he: plugin interface screenshot
    18

    Beatzille

    u-he · Modular · VST3, AU, AAX · Windows, macOS, Linux

    A pocket Bazille: two digital oscillators with FM, phase distortion and fractal resonance, patchable modulation.

    Download from u-he.comDetails

  19. OB-Xd 2 by discoDSP: plugin interface screenshot
    19

    OB-Xd 2

    discoDSP · Virtual analog · VST3, VST2, AU, LV2, AAX · Windows, macOS, Linux

    discoDSP’s long-running Oberheim OB-X emulation. Free for any use, no registration. OB-Xd 3 is a separate paid product.

    Download from discodsp.comDetails

  20. Charlatan by BlauKraut Engineering: plugin interface screenshot
    20

    Charlatan

    BlauKraut Engineering · Virtual analog · VST3, CLAP · Windows, Linux

    Bare-bones subtractive engine with drawable waveforms and three filter models. Windows and Linux, VST3 and CLAP.

    Download from blaukraut.infoDetails

  21. Nabla by Full Bucket Music: plugin interface screenshot
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    Nabla

    Full Bucket Music · Virtual analog · VST3, VST2, AU, CLAP, AAX · Windows, macOS

    The 1979 Korg Delta, a paraphonic strings machine, simulated down to its frequency-divider generators.

    Download from fullbucket.deDetails

  22. Mono/Fury by Full Bucket Music: plugin interface screenshot
    22

    Mono/Fury

    Full Bucket Music · Virtual analog · VST3, VST2, AU, CLAP, AAX · Windows, macOS

    Korg’s Mono/Poly with all four oscillators, the arpeggiator and a zero-delay-feedback filter.

    Download from fullbucket.deDetails

  23. FB-3300 by Full Bucket Music: plugin interface screenshot
    23

    FB-3300

    Full Bucket Music · Virtual analog · VST3, VST2, AU, CLAP, AAX · Windows, macOS

    A free simulation of the Korg PS-3300, the 1977 semi-modular polysynth that cost as much as a house.

    Download from fullbucket.deDetails

  31. Analog Lab Play by Arturia: plugin interface screenshot
    31

    Analog Lab Play

    Arturia · Multi-engine · VST2, VST3, AU, AAX, Standalone · Windows, macOS

    100 presets from Arturia’s V Collection and Pigments engines in a free player. A taste of the whole catalogue.

    Download from arturia.comDetails

More guides

Best free AU synths for Logic and GarageBand · Free synths with CLAP support · Best free synths for Linux · Best free synth apps for iPad and iPhone · Best open-source synthesizers · Free FM synths · Free wavetable synths · Free virtual analog synths · Free modular synths