Best Software Synthesizers in 2026
Updated
In short: DefleMask is ranked #1 of 32 as of 4 October 2026, ahead of SynthMaster One and Vital. The best-ranked option with a free plan is Vital. The lowest first paid tier on this page is Vital at $5/mo.
Software synthesizers offer different ways to create sounds, whether you want a standalone app or a plugin in your production setup. Compare synthesis engines and plugin formats with the tools and platforms you use. Standalone availability, supported platforms, and MPE support can help clarify how each fits your workflow; included presets offer another point of comparison. Free-plan availability and paid-from pricing add cost context. Surge XT, Vital, and Cardinal lead the ranking, with Dexed and VCV Rack also among the early entries. Consider these listed features alongside the kinds of sounds and working setup you prefer.
32 software synthesizers ranked on what their makers publish — plans and prices, free tiers, platforms and the facts on their own pages.
Recognised 40% · Phone app 26% · Documented 20% · Free plan 14% of the score
- 1 DefleMask iPhone + Android RecognisedPhone appDocumentedFree plan 7.8Free
- 2 SynthMaster One iPhone only RecognisedPhone appDocumentedFree plan 6.7 Synthesis engine: wavetablePlugin formats: VST, Audio UnitStandalone app: Yes
- 3 Vital No phone app RecognisedPhone appDocumentedFree plan 6.4$5/mo Plugin formats: vst3, au
- 4 Cardinal No phone app RecognisedPhone appDocumentedFree plan 6.3Free Synthesis engine: modularPlugin formats: AudioUnit, CLAP, LV2, VST2, VST3Standalone app: Yes
- 5 Dexed No phone app RecognisedPhone appDocumentedFree plan 6.3Free Plugin formats: vst3, au, clap, lv2Standalone app: Yes
- 6 Surge XT No phone app RecognisedPhone appDocumentedFree plan 6.3Free Plugin formats: vst3, au, clapStandalone app: Yes
- 7 Synth1 No phone app RecognisedPhone appDocumentedFree plan 6.3Free Synthesis engine: analog_modelingPlugin formats: VSTi 2.4, AU version 2Standalone app: No
- 8 VCV Rack No phone app RecognisedPhone appDocumentedFree plan 6.3Free Synthesis engine: modularPlugin formats: VST2, VST3, Audio Unit, CLAPStandalone app: Yes
- 9 Helm No phone app RecognisedPhone appDocumentedFree plan 6.2Free Plugin formats: LV2, VST, VST3, AU, AAXStandalone app: Yes
- 10 SynthMaster 3 No phone app RecognisedPhone appDocumentedFree plan 5.8 Plugin formats: VST2, VST3, AudioUnits, AAXStandalone app: Yes
- 11 Falcon No phone app RecognisedPhone appDocumentedFree plan 5.6€20/mo Synthesis engine: modularPlugin formats: Audio Unit, AAX, VST, VST3Standalone app: Yes
- 12 MASCHINE No phone app RecognisedPhone appDocumentedFree plan 5.6$39/mo Plugin formats: vst3, au, aaxStandalone app: Yes
- 13 Repro No phone app RecognisedPhone appDocumentedFree plan 5.6 Synthesis engine: analog_modelingPlugin formats: vst3, au, aax, clapStandalone app: No
- 14 Trilian No phone app RecognisedPhone appDocumentedFree plan 5.6 Plugin formats: vst3, au, aaxStandalone app: Yes
- 15 Kilohearts Ultimate No phone app RecognisedPhone appDocumentedFree plan 5.5 Synthesis engine: modularPlugin formats: VST2, VST3, AAX, Audio UnitStandalone app: No
- 16 Aalto No phone app RecognisedPhone appDocumentedFree plan 5.3 Synthesis engine: modularPlugin formats: VST, AUStandalone app: No
- 17 chipspeech No phone app RecognisedPhone appDocumentedFree plan 5.2 Plugin formats: VST3, Audio Units, CLAP, AAXStandalone app: Yes
- 18 DUNE 3 No phone app RecognisedPhone appDocumentedFree plan 5.2 Synthesis engine: analog_modelingPlugin formats: VST2, VST3, Audio Unit, AAXStandalone app: No
- 19 Efx FRAGMENTS No phone app RecognisedPhone appDocumentedFree plan 5.2 Plugin formats: vst3, au, aaxStandalone app: Yes
- 20 PlasticSynth No phone app RecognisedPhone appDocumentedFree plan 5.2 Synthesis engine: granularStandalone app: No
- 21 SynthMaster 2 No phone app RecognisedPhone appDocumentedFree plan 5.2 Synthesis engine: modularPlugin formats: VST, AAX, Audio UnitStandalone app: Yes
- 22 Abyss 2 No phone app RecognisedPhone appDocumentedFree plan 5.1 Plugin formats: AU, VST3, AAX
- 23 ANA 2 No phone app RecognisedPhone appDocumentedFree plan 5.1 Synthesis engine: wavetablePlugin formats: VST, VST3, AU, AAXStandalone app: No
- 24 Novum No phone app RecognisedPhone appDocumentedFree plan 5.1 Synthesis engine: granularPlugin formats: AU, VST3, AAX
- 25 RAPID No phone app RecognisedPhone appDocumentedFree plan 5.1 Synthesis engine: wavetablePlugin formats: VST 2, VST 3, Audio UnitStandalone app: No
Is your app on this list?
Numbered spots on this list can be sponsored. They are labelled, and the editorial order and scores never change for payment.
Questions about this list
Which software synthesizer is ranked first on Samsung Mobile US Press?
DefleMask is ranked #1 of 32 with a score of 7.8. SynthMaster One is second and Vital third.
How many of these have a free plan?
8 of the 25 on this page publish a free plan on their own pricing pages.
Which is the cheapest paid option?
On this page, Vital has the lowest first paid tier we found: $5/mo.
How is this list ranked?
Ranked mobile-first: a phone app alongside the web or desktop product, a free tier and the depth of its documentation. Paid placements never change a rank.