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
7 Oct 2026last checked
Recognised 40% · Phone app 26% · Documented 20% · Free plan 14% of the score
- 26 Kontakt 8 No phone app RecognisedPhone appDocumentedFree plan 5.1 Plugin formats: vst3, au, aaxStandalone app: Yes
- 27 Novum No phone app RecognisedPhone appDocumentedFree plan 5.1 Synthesis engine: granularPlugin formats: AU, VST3, AAX
- 28 RAPID No phone app RecognisedPhone appDocumentedFree plan 5.1 Synthesis engine: wavetablePlugin formats: VST 2, VST 3, Audio UnitStandalone app: No
- 29 Spire No phone app RecognisedPhone appDocumentedFree plan 5.1 Plugin formats: AU, AAX, CLAP, VST2/VST3
- 30 Sylenth1 No phone app RecognisedPhone appDocumentedFree plan 5.1 Synthesis engine: analog_modelingPlugin formats: VST, VST3, AU, AAXStandalone app: No
- 31 SynthEdit No phone app RecognisedPhone appDocumentedFree plan 5.1 Plugin formats: VST3, Audio Unit (AU); experimental JUCE export enables additional formats
- 32 Thorn No phone app RecognisedPhone appDocumentedFree plan 5.1 Plugin formats: VST2, VST3, AU, AAXStandalone app: No
- 33 VOCALOID3 Library kokone No phone app RecognisedPhone appDocumentedFree plan 5.1 Standalone app: No
- 34 VPS Avenger 2 No phone app RecognisedPhone appDocumentedFree plan 5.1 Synthesis engine: wavetablePlugin formats: VST2, VST3, AU, AAXStandalone app: No
Compare all 9 in a table
| # | App | Score | Free plan | Free plan | Paid from | Synthesis engine | Plugin formats |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 26 | Kontakt 8 | 5.1 | No | No | 299 one-time | — | vst3, au, aax |
| 27 | Novum | 5.1 | No | No | 179 one-time | granular | AU, VST3, AAX |
| 28 | RAPID | 5.1 | No | No | — | wavetable | VST 2, VST 3, Audio Unit |
| 29 | Spire | 5.1 | No | No | 189 one-time | — | AU, AAX, CLAP, VST2/VST3 |
| 30 | Sylenth1 | 5.1 | No | No | — | analog_modeling | VST, VST3, AU, AAX |
| 31 | SynthEdit | 5.1 | No | No | — | — | VST3, Audio Unit (AU); experimental JUCE export enables additional formats |
| 32 | Thorn | 5.1 | No | No | — | — | VST2, VST3, AU, AAX |
| 33 | VOCALOID3 Library kokone | 5.1 | No | No | 77.84 one-time | — | — |
| 34 | VPS Avenger 2 | 5.1 | No | No | — | wavetable | VST2, VST3, AU, AAX |
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