Apps with VST plugins
7 apps
Top VST plugins apps ranked by the community
Audacity is a free, open source audio editor for recording and editing voice, music and podcasts. It provides multi-track editing, noise reduction, effects, spectral views and support for VST3, LV2 and Audio Unit plugins, and it runs on Windows, macOS and Linux. Maintained by Muse Group with community contributors, it can optionally save projects to audio.com.
10 Audacity alternativesPros
- Completely free and open source on Windows, macOS and Linux
- Handles recording, cutting, noise reduction and effects for everyday jobs
- Supports VST3, LV2 and Audio Unit plugins
Cons
- Interface feels less polished than commercial audio editors
- Limited multitrack mixing and MIDI tools for music production
Cost / LicenseFreeOpen sourceCategoriesAdobe Audition is a digital audio workstation for editing, mixing and restoring audio, aimed at podcasters, broadcasters and video editors. It combines waveform and multitrack editing with a spectral frequency display, noise reduction, loudness tools and Essential Sound presets. It integrates with Premiere Pro and is included in Creative Cloud for Windows and macOS.
9 Adobe Audition alternativesPros
- Spectral frequency display allows precise noise and click removal
- Strong restoration and loudness tools for podcasts and broadcast
- Smooth round-trips with Premiere Pro for video projects
Cons
- Only available by subscription through Creative Cloud
- Little support for MIDI or music composition compared with a full DAW
Cost / LicenseFree trialProprietaryCategoriesAbleton Live is a digital audio workstation for music production and live performance, especially common in electronic music. Its Session View lets artists launch clips and loops in real time alongside a traditional arrangement timeline, with built-in instruments, effects, MIDI tools and Max for Live in the Suite edition. It runs on Windows and macOS in Intro, Standard and Suite editions, with a free trial.
8 Ableton Live alternativesPros
- Session View makes clip launching and live improvisation natural
- Fast workflow for electronic music, sampling and warping audio
- Max for Live in Suite opens up custom instruments and devices
Cons
- Suite edition is expensive compared with many other DAWs
- Intro and Standard leave out many instruments and Max for Live
- No Linux version, only Windows and macOS
Cost / LicenseFree trialProprietaryCategoriesFL Studio is a digital audio workstation from Image-Line, known for its fast pattern-based workflow, step sequencer and piano roll, widely used by hip-hop and electronic producers. It includes many instruments and effects, supports VST plugins and runs on Windows and macOS. Every edition comes with lifetime free updates, and the trial is unlimited in time but cannot reopen saved projects.
7 FL Studio alternativesPros
- Step sequencer and piano roll make beat-making very fast
- Every edition comes with lifetime free updates
- Many instruments and effects included out of the box
Cons
- Recording and editing live instruments feels less natural than in linear DAWs
- The trial cannot reopen saved projects
Cost / LicenseFree trialProprietaryCategoriesREAPER is a digital audio workstation from Cockos for recording, editing, mixing and mastering audio and MIDI. It is known for its small installer, efficient performance, deep customization through scripts and themes, and wide plugin support. It runs on Windows, macOS and Linux and offers a fully functional 60-day evaluation before a license is required.
11 REAPER alternativesPros
- Small, efficient app that runs well on modest hardware
- Deeply customizable with scripts, actions and themes
- Fully functional evaluation before you buy a license
Cons
- Default interface looks plain and takes setup to feel comfortable
- Few bundled instruments and sounds compared with other DAWs
Cost / LicenseFree trialProprietaryCategoriesocenaudio is a free audio editor for Windows, macOS and Linux, intended for users who need more than a basic recorder without the complexity of a full studio. It previews effects in real time, lets you edit several selections at once, handles large files smoothly and supports VST plugins. It is a lightweight alternative to Audacity for quick edits and spectral analysis.
7 ocenaudio alternativesPros
- Real-time effect preview speeds up quick edits
- Lightweight and smooth even with large audio files
- Free on Windows, macOS and Linux with no ads
Cons
- No multitrack editing, so it is not suited to mixing
- Smaller community and fewer tutorials than Audacity
Cost / LicenseFreeProprietaryCategoriesFeaturesLMMS is a free, open source digital audio workstation for composing music on Windows, macOS and Linux. It provides a song editor, a beat and bassline editor, a piano roll and built-in synthesizers and samplers, and it can load VST instruments on Windows and Linux. It is a common starting point for beginners and hobbyists who want a no-cost alternative to FL Studio.
8 LMMS alternativesPros
- Free and open source on Windows, macOS and Linux
- Beat and bassline editor and piano roll suit electronic music beginners
- Built-in synthesizers and samplers to start without extra plugins
Cons
- Audio recording is very limited, as it focuses on sequencing
- VST instruments are not supported on macOS
- Interface feels dated next to commercial DAWs
Cost / LicenseFreeOpen sourceCategories
