The 9 best synth VST plugins for every budget and taste (2024)

Synth VST plugins are so good these days that they convert even the most ardent hardware purists to software enthusiasts.

I’ve tested a wide selection of plugins, including some familiar classics and some recent releases, to find the best synth VSTs available in 2024.

Synth VSTs are generally a cheaper alternative to hardware, but that doesn’t mean they don’t get pricey. As always, I’ve got some recommendations for all budgets and a couple of freebies everyone should have.

Quick recommendations

When I want to dive deep into sound design or start a project without a clear direction, I rely on Pigments or Omnisphere because they provide limitless creative options.

But, sometimes, having too many options does more harm than good because you spend more time exploring than producing. I go for synths like Repro and Polymax when I want immediate record and stage-ready sound.

If sound exploration is your thing, VCV Rack 2 has thousands of virtual Eurorack modules you can patch till you fall asleep at your computer.

Contents

Use these jump links to navigate to the desired section of the review.

• Why trust me
• How I chose and tested
• Everything I recommend

Why you should trust me

I’ve been a pianist for over 20 years, and like many, I had a fairly traditional start to my music education.

Again, like many, after transitioning from classical to jazz, I quickly became enamored of artists like Herbie Hanco*ck and Chick Corea. I wanted to learn everything about the synthesizers they used in their electric bands.

My initial fascination with those artists led me to some of my favorite keyboard players, like Joe Zawinul, Bernie Worrell, and, more recently, Shaun Martin.

Replicating the sound of my favorite keyboardists with hardware would be incredibly expensive, and, as such, I turned to early virtual instruments as a student (using Cubase at the time), but the quality was poor (that’s being kind).

I’ve been an avid synth VST user ever since, and I keep up to date with the latest advancements and releases by covering multiple synth festivals each year.

I’ve been writing about music tech for years and am as enthusiastic about synths as I was two decades ago.

How I chose the best synth VSTs

The most challenging aspect of making this list is choosing which synths to leave out because there are so many amazing plugins.

I started with the terrible task of spending countless hours playing with a varied collection of synth VSTs to create a shortlist.

Of course, there’s nothing terrible about locking yourself away with a bunch of synths in blissful ignorance of the outside world, but I had to decide at some point.

I ended up with a shortlist of synth VSTs, and from those, I chose my top picks and honorable mentions.

I made my shortlist versatile by including plugins that represent the following types of synth VSTs:

• FM synths,
• wavetable,
• analog modeling,
• classic analog/digital emulations,
• modern digital synths,
• modular.

Within the above groups, I’ve picked out synths that are the best money can buy, best in class, or best budget-friendly options.

As a bonus, I’ve included some free synth VSTs that are must-haves for any music-maker.

Some synth VSTs are expansive, while others only do one thing very well, so it’s not easy to judge them all by the same standards. But, as a broad guide, I looked for the following qualities:

• excellent sound quality,
• flexible/versatile,
• accurate sound (emulations),
• intuitive interface
• deep modulation options for sound design,
• value for money.

I have been flexible with the order of the list because every synth here could be the best in the right context; they’re all great!

Here are my top picks for the best synth VST plugins in 2024:

• Best hybrid synth VST: Arturia Pigments
• Best sample-based synth VST: Spectrasonics Omnisphere
• Best budget analog emulation: Cherry Audio Pro Soloist
• Best wavetable synth VST: Xfer Records Serum
• Best newcomer: Minimal Audio Current
• Best FM synth VST: Native Instruments FM8
• Best free synth VST: Matt Tytel Vital
• Best virtual analog synth VST: U-he Repro
• Best modular synth VST: VCV Rack 2 Pro

Best hybrid synth VST: Arturia Pigments

I’ve had Pigments since its release, and I’m ashamed to say I was a little slow to come around.

Fast forward a few years, and I consider Pigments one of the most innovative soft-synths on the market. It’s powerful and amazingly versatile, and each new version is better than the last.

Pigments (Pigments 5 at the time of writing) is a monstrous soft-synth with three engines (sound generators).

The first two engines have four available types: Analog (subtractive engine), Wavetable, Sample, and Harmonic. The third is the Utility Engine, which offers a single oscillator (virtual analog) and two noise sources (sample-based).

One of the highlights of the Utility Engine is that it now provides audio input as a sound source selection. Introducing audio means you can process external sounds from other VSTs or even another instance of Pigments.

Pigments surpasses most synths because it makes complex things seem easy, and that starts with the filters. It boasts 11 filter types and two independent filter modules, each allowing two filter types simultaneously.

The independent filter modules provide flexible routing, further enhanced by adding 18 different effects processors (you can apply up to nine to any sound simultaneously). You can route the AUX FX send pre or post the insert effects, which is new for Pigments 5.

The interface has four views: Play, Synth, FX, and Sequencer. The Synth view shows the dozens of modulation sources available, with precision controls and easy drag-and-drop functionality.

The interface also features intelligent color coding to help you keep track of any changes you make.

Besides the seemingly endless routing and modulation possibilities, one of my favorite things about Pigments (or any similar synth) is the movement you can add to your sound.

Pigments has a powerful and intuitive sequencer and arpeggiator. The sequencer makes it easy to create complex patterns with stepped modulation, and this latest update allows you to freeze sequences and apply them to any preset.

I often think I have the right sound, but after I shape my pattern, the pattern becomes the key, and being able to swap out the preset is a massive time saver.

Pigments has a lot going on, and some synths lose their potential through needlessly convoluted GUIs. So, I want to highlight the interface because Arturia has done a fantastic job of making advanced synthesis accessible to anyone.

Check price and download at: SweetwaterPlugin Boutique

Best sample-based synth VST: Spectrasonics Omnisphere

Some people think Omnisphere has had its day and it’s time to move on, but I can’t exclude it. It’s expensive but huge, and it will serve you well in whatever genre of music you create.

I also love the easy integration with Keyscape and hardware synths; it’s still a giant of the VST world.

Omnisphere is the flagship synth from Spectrasonics, and it has a reputation for being an absolute powerhouse.

The reputation is merited, and since its initial release in 2008, the flexible synth has gone from strength to strength (version 2.8 at the time of writing).

Omnisphere’s vast synth engine offers four layers and up to 20 sample or DSP-based oscillators per patch. You also get eight LFOs per patch with syncing waveforms (there are over 500 morphing waveforms to choose from).

The latest version includes new state variable filters, and Omnisphere’s dual filter architecture features dozens of filter algorithms (serial or parallel).

Next, you have 12 advanced envelopes and a ridiculously powerful modulation matrix.

When you add in extremely powerful granular synthesis, you can see why people say Omnisphere is enormous, and we haven’t even scratched the surface.

Like many users, I often rely on Omnisphere presets as starting points (or ready-to-go sounds) and don’t always make the most of the incredible synthesis engine.

In my defense, there are over 16,000 world-class sounds and a new Hardware Library with classic analog sounds.

The presets are so good that people sometimes refer to Omnisphere as a preset synth when it’s actually one of the most powerful sound design tools available.

If you can’t find what you’re looking for, which would be crazy, you can import audio files to create unique patches.

Beyond the epic synth engine are 58 integrated effects units, an innovative arpeggiator, and clever functions like polyphonic timbre shifting.

I got Omnisphere to create evolving pads and epic soundscapes, but it does everything.

Although vast, Omnisphere’s learning curve is less steep than you might think, thanks to an excellent interface and flawless integration with Keyscape, third-party software, and hardware synths for a hands-on workflow.

Using a hardware synth as a controller might seem counter-intuitive, but it’s the ideal way to merge your hardware and software for live performance. It’s simply exceptional.

Check price and buy at: SweetwaterSpectrasonics

Best budget analog emulation: Cherry Audio Pro Soloist

Cherry Audio is, in my opinion, an often undervalued developer, and Pro Soloist is a prime example of the quality on offer without breaking the bank.

It beautifully emulates the ARP Pro Soloist and is a must-have for any fusion, funk, or prog-rock soloist.

It even goes beyond the functionality of the vintage hardware synth, making it more flexible for the modern player.

Cherry Audio’s Pro Soloist emulates and brings into the 21st century the vintage ARP Pro Soloist, a synth made famous by musicians like Herbie Hanco*ck and bands like Genesis.

As a lover of the original sound, my main concern is that the VST replicates it accurately, and it does. Cherry Audio has recreated the 30 presets from the original hardware with meticulous attention to detail.

The Performance panel mirrors the hardware in the following categories: Reeds, Woodwinds, Brass, Strings, and Percussion.

Of course, like the original, you also get a Fuzz Guitar at the end. It also mimics the touch-sensitive effects that made the original so popular, like Bend, Wow, Growl, and Vibrato.

If you like vintage analog synths, I’d guess you’d be happy with this VST just as an emulation, but it goes much further.

Cherry Audio expanded the functionality of the synth by making it fully programmable and polyphonic with dual-layer architecture to combine two sounds (layered or split). Each layer provides up to 16 voices of polyphony and independent panning.

The enhanced functionality is easy to navigate with three panel views: Performance, Edit, and Arp/FX.

The Edit view gives access to the Resonator Bank, the key to the hardware’s realistic timbres. It also features a Super Wave oscillator, LFO and envelope settings, and a six-slot modulation matrix with 22 sources and 58 destinations.

You basically get a look at what is under the hood of the famous preset synth and much more.

The Arp/FX panel includes an arpeggiator, and built-in Phaser, Distortion, Flanger/Chorus, Echo, and Reverb.

I don’t take advantage of the enhanced functionality as much as I should, but Pro Soloist is never far away when working on a Vangelis-esque soundtrack.

Check price and download at: SweetwaterPlugin Boutique

Best wavetable synth VST: Xfer Records Serum

I have two contrasting opinions on Serum for potential buyers. At almost $200, I suggest spending that money elsewhere (Pigments), but Serum is the best as a pure wavetable synth.

So, it really depends on what you want from a VST; Serum is the perfect combination of advanced wavetable synthesis and an intuitive creative workflow.

Serum is an advanced wavetable synth VST with real-time wavetable manipulation. What I, and many others, like most about Serum is that it offers the ability to go deep into sound design and the option to choose production-ready sounds right out of the box.

It also features a fantastic interface that helps beginners understand wavetable synthesis with excellent visual tools and feedback.

Serum offers up to 256 wavetables per oscillator, and you can manipulate the waveform in real time using the Warp function.

You can modify the waveform in many ways, including FM/AM/RM/Oscillator Sync and a graph editor for drawing custom manipulations.

The graph editor highlights Serum’s ability to make deep editing accessible to users of all levels. You can blend waveforms in various ways, like crossfading or spectral morphing.

One of Serum’s most impressive and possibly underrated aspects is how clean the oscillators are. The ultra-clean oscillators remove the common inharmonic artifacts that many wavetable synths produce and avoid muddying your mix with unwanted frequencies.

Beyond the first two oscillators (A/B), you have a sub-generator acting as a third oscillator. The sub-generator spans multiple octaves, meaning it’s more than meets the eye, and I can say the same about most of Serum’s features.

The modulation section follows the same trend; it’s vast (32-slot matrix with user-editable curves per slot) and still user-friendly with drag-and-drop functionality. There are two Chaos modulation sources that introduce analog-like inconsistencies.

Serum also offers three AHDSR envelopes, four LFOs, and multiple filter types capable of keytracking. It even has dual-filter types that morph from one type to another.

If that’s not enough, Serum has an FX suite with 10 modules, including Distortion, Phaser, EQ, and Compression.

If you want a bigger sound than the average wavetable synth, Serum lets you stack an oscillator, using up to 16 voices for a huge unison sound. Serum is a wavetable monster!

Check price and buy at: KVR AudioXfer Records

Best newcomer: Minimal Audio Current

I’m a fan of Minimal Audio. In the relatively short time the developer has been around, I’ve added several plugins to my typical workflow.

When Minimal Audio announced Current, I had very high expectations and wasn’t disappointed. It’s not a go-to synth for everything, not for me, at least, but if you’re working on EDM or electronic soundtracks, it’s a gem.

It’s fair to say the initial release of Current didn’t go as planned, despite my high hopes and excitement. The initial release featured a subscription-only model where you’d pay a subscription fee in exchange for access to Current and future expansion packs, etc. (provided you keep paying the fees), but you’d never own the synth.

Since I was covering the release, I expected the subscription-only model to upset almost everyone, and I watched as the backlash of disapproving comments rolled in, one after another after another.

Realizing the error of their ways, Minimal Audio very quickly amended the pricing options to offer a perpetual license and a subscribe-to-own option.

I’m mentioning the initial disappointment to encourage anyone who switched off before to give Current another chance.

If you buy Current outright, you’ll get access to an extensive collection of factory content, but if you subscribe via the All-Access plan, you’ll get new sounds and expansions monthly (the All-Access plan includes all effects plugins as individual plugins outside of Current).

Every penny you spend is returned in store credit, which you can use to purchase any perpetual license.

Current is a powerful synth featuring two wavetable engines, a granular oscillator, an additive sub-oscillator, and a sampler.

While that’s interesting enough as a starting point, Current differs from most VSTs in that it’s a synth, effects suite, and content platform all in one plugin.

The effects suite provides access to all of Minimal Audio’s existing FX plugins, with Morph EQ, Rift, and Fuse Compressor being my favorites.

The Stream (cloud-based content platform) works similarly to Output’s Arcade, where you can load sounds directly inside Current.

Current also features multimode filters (series or parallel) and an extensive modulation section with an amp envelope, nine assignable slots, and six keyboard modulators.

It is incredibly user-friendly, and the built-in arpeggiator and chord generation functions are great examples. Current helps musicians of all levels create beautiful sounds, textures, and patterns quickly and easily.

Check price and download at: SweetwaterPlugin Boutique

Best FM synth VST: Native Instruments FM8

FM8 is another oldie-but-goodie in the synth VST world, and it’s been in my plugin arsenal for many years.

Despite showing some signs of age visually, FM8 is still atop most FM synth VST lists because it sounds great.

FM synthesis isn’t the easiest to navigate (evident since the first Yamaha DX7), but FM8 is more user-friendly than most.

FM8 followed Native Instruments acclaimed DX7-inspired soft-synth, FM7, and it’s been around for almost two decades.

One of the first things I tell anyone about FM8 is that it comes with almost 1000 presets. No one wants to rely on presets too much, but with FM synthesis being somewhat of a dark art, presets encourage beginners to take a chance.

Another reason I tend to include FM8 in lists like this one is that it’s often on sale (sometimes as low as $10 through third-party retailers), and if you get it at a low price, it’s an absolute steal.

FM8 centers around six operators with selectable waveforms. Although inspired by the Yamaha DX7, FM8 offers a far more diverse range of sounds with 32 different waveforms (the DX7 is limited to sine waves).

You can use any of the available operators to modulate any other or all others, and that’s where you’ll start to hear the power of FM synthesis.

The FM8 interface has various pages, including Browser, Attributes, Master, Effects, Arpeggiator, Easy/Morph, and Expert.

For those new to frequency modulation synths, the Easy page provides the most basic editors where you can adjust parameters like the LFO rate, ADSR envelopes, and effects.

You’ll find the Morph section on the same page, featuring an X/Y grid. The X/Y grid allows you to create evolving timbres by assigning different patches to each corner and crossfading between them. It’s a simple but powerful tool.

If you only have one FM synth VST, it should probably be FM8.

Check price and download at: SweetwaterPlugin Boutique

Best free synth VST: Matt Tytel Vital

Vital is the free alternative to VSTs like Serum, and it’s excellent. It’s a powerful wavetable synth that goes far deeper than you’d expect from a freebie.

There are a few paid versions, but the free Vital will be enough for most people.

Vital is an incredibly powerful spectral warping wavetable synth, and it’s absolutely free.

The synth features three oscillators and a sampler, which is more than you get with many synths, free or paid. Each fully functional oscillator has dedicated spectral warp controls, providing vast sound design potential.

I love Vital because it creates textures that you don’t get from other synths and much of this comes from the unique spectral warping modes. There are 11 unique spectral warping modes that manipulate the waveform’s harmonics in various ways.

Vital also has two filter modules you can route independently (serial or parallel) and an additional FX filter.

Every time I use Vital, I’m amazed at its depth. It’s not just the number of features that matters; it’s the choice of features that allow you to fine-tune your sound in such detail.

One such feature is the advanced key-tracking that you can set up on individual filters and LFOs. There are two LFOs, and it’s possible to have one LFO modulate the other.

Clever modulation is a constant theme with Vital, particularly with the Mod Remap feature. Mod Remap allows you to customize the modulation curve of individual modulation connections.

Another feature I like is the Transpose Snap function, which lets you lock the pitch to a scale. This simple feature makes it easy to create complex arpeggios using an LFO and a snapped oscillator.

There are a few reasonably priced paid options: Vital Plus ($25), Vital Pro ($80), and the Vital Subscription ($5 per month), which gives you access to Vital Pro plus $5 per month store credit.

Vital Pro has some advanced features that aren’t available for free, like text-to-wavetable, which is fun, but I recommend sticking with the free version for a while, at least.

Check and download at: Vital AudioKVR Audio

Best virtual analog synth VST: U-he Repro

I find it hard to believe that this fantastic synth VST isn’t recommended more often; I love it. I got Repro a few years back, and it’s been a workhorse for me ever since.

U-he is one of my favorite developers, and if you’re going for an analog emulation, why not go for the Pro-One and Prophet-5?

Repro is a set of two synths: Repro-1 and Repro-5. Repro-1 emulates the Sequential Circuits Pro-One, one of the more revered mono synths ever built. Repro 5 tackles another Dave Smith classic, the much sought-after Sequential Prophet-5.

Repro-1 came first, and U-he developed this impressive emulation through in-depth component-level modeling. This attention to detail is why I love U-he so much, and it means Repro-1 not only sounds accurate but it behaves more like the original analog hardware than any other emulation.

Repro-1 features two multi-wave oscillators (Saw/Pulse and Saw/Triangle/Pulse) and a four-pole resonant lowpass filter.

I primarily use Repro-1 for thunderous bass tones; the combination of both oscillators and a little detuning works incredibly well across multiple genres.

One of the less talked about features of Repro-1 that I like a lot is the built-in sequencer that allows you to record two patterns (up to 32 notes each).

Sequential Pro-One and Prophet-5 share a few important features. They both offer two voltage-controlled oscillators per voice and a four-pole lowpass filter.

I want to highlight U-he’s attention to detail again because, given the core similarities of the hardware synths, it would have been easy to take Repro-1 and remold it into Repro-5. But, U-he built Repro-5 via the same component-level modeling process used on Repro-1, which is incredible.

Repro-5 is a faithful emulation of the original with a few enhancements. The VST offers eight-voice polyphony, and up to eight-voice unison, rather than the five provided by the Prophet-5.

It features a polyphonic distortion unit, analog-style delay, chorus, EQ, and plate reverb. It even has a tape emulation effect that adds even more nostalgia to the iconic sound.

I’ve used Repro-5 in the studio and on stage; it boasts almost 1000 factory presets covering every classic Prophet-5 sound you can think of.

Check price and download at: SweetwaterPlugin Boutique

Best modular synth VST: VCV Rack 2 Pro

I wish the free version came as a DAW plugin like the Pro version, but it still has lots to offer.

If you want to learn about modular (Eurorack) synthesis, the free VCV Rack 2 is the best place to start. If you want to bring an impressive modular setup into your DAW, VCV Rack 2 Pro is a sound investment.

VCV Rack has been around for a long time and has undergone some significant changes over the years. Rack 2 Pro features an overhauled interface that looks much sharper and features a new Dark Room Mode.

My favorite thing about the enhanced interface is that you can still see everything clearly, even when you have lots of patch cables in play.

Modular synthesis can become a very expensive endeavor very quickly, and although we’d all love to have walls of Eurorack modules, VCV Rack 2 Pro is a reasonable compromise.

The popular modular synth VST has a library of thousands of modules from a wide range of manufacturers. Some of the modules are free, and some come with a relatively small fee (around $20 on average), given the price of hardware modules.

Not all premium brands charge for their VCV Rack modules, and if you’re an Instruō fan like me, you’ll be glad to see their entire collection is free.

Before you get into adding new modules, you’ll start with a core collection offering basic sound generation, modulation, and routing functions.

These modules include two VCOs; the first oscillator offers four analog-style waveshapes and frequency modulation options. The second oscillator generates audio from wavetable playback.

Given the number of modules available for VCV Rack, the potential is only limited by your creativity, and it encourages experimentation.

If you’re familiar with modular synthesis, you can build your dream setup with any filters, oscillators, LFOs, etc., from your favorite manufacturers.

If you’re new to modular, one of the things I like most about the updated VCV Rack 2 is that it provides help (explainers) for many module parameters.

It also features a much-improved module browser, making for a much smoother workflow.

Check price and download at: VCV

Honorable mentions

Making this list wasn’t easy; I had to leave out so many amazing synths. Here are a few that might have made it on another day.

• U-he Zebralette 3 (public Beta version). Zebralette is a household name in the freeware synth world. I’m mentioning Zebralette 3 despite being in its Beta phase because it’s one everyone should keep an eye on.
• Cherry Audio Voltage Modular. Cheer Audio is known for producing budget-friendly synth VSTs that overdeliver in quality. Voltage Modular fits that description and provides an alternative to VCV Rack 2.
• Universal Audio PolyMax. Polymax is one of the most undervalued synths, in my opinion. It delivers authentic sounds from classic synths like Roland Jupiters, Prophets, Oberheims, and more.
• U-he Diva. Diva is a legendary soft synth, delivering 50 years of analog character in one synth. If I didn’t love Repro so much, Diva would be on the list.
• Arturia Analog Lab. Analog Lab is a collection of vintage synths and keyboard instruments. A lite version comes free with Arturia keyboard controllers. Even the free version is huge, it’s professional quality, and it’s the ideal starting point for beginners.
• Dexed. I still hate the interface, but the Yamaha DX7 wasn’t known to be user-friendly either, so I guess it works. Great FM synth sounds for free.
• KV331 Synthmaster. This synth has won many awards, yet it is still overlooked. It’s often available on sale as part of third-party promotions; if you see a good offer, buy it!
• Kilohearts Phase Plant. Kilohearts is an excellent developer who continually releases quirky and innovative plugins. Phase Plant is a semi-modular synth VST with a brilliantly intuitive workflow.

Final thoughts

I love every synth on the list for one reason or another, and my top picks are VSTs that I use regularly.

If you don’t have any of the free synths mentioned above, I highly recommend downloading them now.

If you want to add a premium product to your synth arsenal, the list has something to suit every budget, and all levels. The only downside is that you’ll want them all!