Best Software Synthesizers in 2026
Updated
34 software synthesizers ranked on what their makers publish — plans and prices, free tiers, platforms and the facts on their own pages.
34ranked
0free plans on this page
9 Oct 2026last checked
Input list Software Synthesizers 9 channels on this page · 35 of 72 spec lines stated by the makers
Ch Tool Free planPaid fromSynthesis enginePlugin formatsStandalone appSupported platformsIncluded presetsMPE support Spec sheet Score
26 chipspeech Free planNoPaid from75 one-timeSynthesis enginenot statedPlugin formatsVST3, Audio Units, CLAP, AAXStandalone appYesSupported platformsnot statedIncluded presetsnot statedMPE supportnot stated 4/8spec lines stated 6.2
27 Battery 4 Free planNoPaid from199 one-timeSynthesis enginenot statedPlugin formatsnot statedStandalone appYesSupported platformsnot statedIncluded presetsnot statedMPE supportnot stated 3/8spec lines stated 6.0
28 SynthEdit Free planNoPaid fromnot statedSynthesis enginenot statedPlugin formatsVST3, Audio Unit (AU); experimental JUCE export enables additional formatsStandalone appnot statedSupported platformsnot statedIncluded presetsnot statedMPE supportnot stated 2/8spec lines stated 6.0
29 Kontakt 8 Free planNoPaid from299 one-timeSynthesis enginenot statedPlugin formatsvst3, au, aaxStandalone appYesSupported platformsnot statedIncluded presetsnot statedMPE supportnot stated 4/8spec lines stated 5.9
30 Sylenth1 Free planNoPaid fromnot statedSynthesis engineanalog modelingPlugin formatsVST, VST3, AU, AAXStandalone appNoSupported platformswindows macosIncluded presets2,500 presetsMPE supportnot stated 6/8spec lines stated 5.9
31 Thorn Free planNoPaid fromnot statedSynthesis enginenot statedPlugin formatsVST2, VST3, AU, AAXStandalone appNoSupported platformswindows macosIncluded presetsnot statedMPE supportnot stated 4/8spec lines stated 5.9
32 Spire Free planNoPaid from189 one-timeSynthesis enginenot statedPlugin formatsAU, AAX, CLAP, VST2/VST3Standalone appnot statedSupported platformswindows macosIncluded presets1,000 presetsMPE supportnot stated 5/8spec lines stated 5.8
33 PlasticSynth Free planYesPaid fromnot statedSynthesis enginegranularPlugin formatsnot statedStandalone appNoSupported platformsnot statedIncluded presetsnot statedMPE supportnot stated 3/8spec lines stated 5.7
34 VOCALOID3 Library kokone Free planNoPaid from77.84 one-timeSynthesis enginenot statedPlugin formatsnot statedStandalone appNoSupported platformswindowsIncluded presetsnot statedMPE supportnot stated 4/8spec lines stated 5.7
Compare all 9 in a table
| # | Tool | Score | Free plan | Free plan | Paid from | Synthesis engine | Plugin formats |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 26 | chipspeech | 6.2 | No | No | 75 one-time | — | VST3, Audio Units, CLAP, AAX |
| 27 | Battery 4 | 6.0 | No | No | 199 one-time | — | — |
| 28 | SynthEdit | 6.0 | No | No | — | — | VST3, Audio Unit (AU); experimental JUCE export enables additional formats |
| 29 | Kontakt 8 | 5.9 | No | No | 299 one-time | — | vst3, au, aax |
| 30 | Sylenth1 | 5.9 | No | No | — | analog_modeling | VST, VST3, AU, AAX |
| 31 | Thorn | 5.9 | No | No | — | — | VST2, VST3, AU, AAX |
| 32 | Spire | 5.8 | No | No | 189 one-time | — | AU, AAX, CLAP, VST2/VST3 |
| 33 | PlasticSynth | 5.7 | No | Yes | — | granular | — |
| 34 | VOCALOID3 Library kokone | 5.7 | No | No | 77.84 one-time | — | — |
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