The Best VST Plugins To Buy in 2025
Where would music be without plugins? Probably in a much worse and less creative place. Producers everywhere have discovered the inspiring and educational uses they get from running third-party VSTs in their DAW of choice, and both they and their fans have never looked back.
In this article, we’ll list the best VST plugins available to buy in the world right now, in our considered, expert opinion. Each of these entries is a paid-for plugin – if you’ve got a smaller budget, swivel over to our Best Free Plugins Round-up for a no-price-tag take on the best downloads for your plugin folder. Or try our Best Free Plugins for Beginners Round-up.
Also, instead of ranking one of each of these top VST plugins by category (like best delay, best synth, etc), we’re going absolute here. Regardless of category, this list represents our best of the best!
FabFilter Pro-Q 4
The best all-round EQ plugin, going strong for over a decade
FabFilter Pro-Q 4 is the next evolution of the world’s most acclaimed equaliser plugin. Designed for clean tone correction and creative shaping, its visual interface and real-time spectrum display make complex tasks feel effortless. Producers and engineers across virtually every genre rely on Pro-Q for its meticulously transparent sound and highly flexible nodes.
Pro-Q 4’s intuitive GUI and zero-latency mode make it the go-to best EQ plugin for new and experienced engineers alike. The dynamic EQ behaviour and intelligent frequency suggestions are smoother and more responsive than ever. FabFilter also offers a premium library of FX like Pro-L 2, Pro-C 2, Saturn 2, Timeless 3, and more—available individually or inside discounted bundles if you're expanding your production arsenal.
Platforms: Windows and Mac
Type: Equaliser
Formats: AAX, Audio Units, VST, VST3
Where to buy Pro-Q 4: Shop FabFilter Pro-Q 4 at Plugin Boutique
UAD Essentials Edition
The best FX bundle to overhaul all your essentials, certified by Universal Audio
UAD Essentials Edition delivers Universal Audio’s iconic analogue-modelled processors in a single plugin collection. This one bundle brings you compressors, EQs, reverbs, and channel strips that mirror legendary hardware’s depth and character. These aren't just effects; they're studio legends reborn inside your DAW. This makes them perfect for decking out your toolkit with pro-grade units in one effortless sweep.
UAD plugins have industry prestige nailed. Their modelling accuracy gives mixes the warmth and punch associated with high-end boutique gear. Essentials Edition provides incredible value, giving newcomers a taste of the UA universe without the premium hardware buy-in. It’s rare to see sonic pedigree packaged so affordably—and it's why engineers worldwide rave about UAD as a long-term investment.
Platforms: Windows and Mac
Type: FX Bundle
Formats: AAX, Audio Units, VST, VST3
Where to buy UAD Essentials Edition: Get the bundle from its dedicated store page
Scaler 3
The best music theory plugin for beginners and pros alike
Scaler 3 is a groundbreaking composition assistant that analyses audio and MIDI to recommend chords, progressions, voicings, scales, and performance expressions. It removes the barrier of music theory anxiety, helping producers write melodies and harmonic frameworks that sound intentional and emotionally cohesive—even without formal training.
Scaler 3 turns creative guesswork into confident writing. Its chord detection, genre presets, and performance modes eliminate tedious trial and error, making it invaluable for beginners and a workflow accelerator for pros. With fast auditioning and MIDI export, Scaler 3 becomes a central songwriting tool.
Platforms: Windows and Mac
Type: Music theory assistant
Formats: AAX, Audio Units, VST, VST3
Where to buy Scaler 3: Available exclusively on Plugin Boutique
Arturia Analog Lab Pro
Deck out your synth collection with MANY iconic instruments, contained in a single plugin
Arturia Analog Lab Pro is a curated platform hosting thousands of sounds sourced from the legendary V Collection, including Moog, Prophet, Jupiter, CS-80, and DX-style patches. Rather than learning dozens of synths, Analog Lab Pro distils vintage and contemporary tones into an accessible interface, allowing instant inspiration for pads, leads, basses, keys, textures, and performance-ready presets.
If you're after timeless analogue character without sound-design fatigue, Analog Lab is unbeatable. It harnesses Arturia’s award-winning modelling tech while offering deep browsing, macro controls, and live performance integration. Producers who later want the full instruments can upgrade to V Collection, which houses these synths and more at exceptional bundle pricing.
Platforms: Windows and Mac
Type: Synth workstation
Formats: AAX, Audio Units, VST, VST3
Where to buy Arturia Analog Lab: Buy Arturia Analog Lab on Plugin Boutique
Soundtoys Effect Rack
Take your FX processing even further with this collection of versatile and creative units
Effect Rack combines 14 iconic Soundtoys processors, including Decapitator, EchoBoy, MicroShift, PrimalTap, and more, into a single modular effects environment. Instead of chaining multiple plugins, Effect Rack lets you design and save custom multi-FX chains within one interface.
Soundtoys products are loved for their character, creativity, and musicality. Effect Rack turns these individual plugins into a limitless sound-design playground. If you want even more, the Soundtoys 5.5 Bundle includes every effect in the catalogue and offers remarkable value for producers ready to expand beyond the rack.
Platforms: Windows and Mac
Type: Multi-effect plugin
Formats: AAX, Audio Units, VST, VST3
Where to buy Soundtoys Effect Rack: Purchase Soundtoys Effect Rack on Plugin Boutique
U-he Diva
The best analogue-style synth for warmth, realism and a diverse range of presets
Diva replicates iconic analogue synthesisers using u-he’s class-leading circuit modelling. Unlike many digital emulations, Diva captures the unstable behaviour, warmth, grit, and harmonic richness of hardware synths, from ladder filters to super-saw oscillators. This makes it a staple for cinematic sound design, EDM, techno, and ambient production
Producers choose Diva when they want analogue tone without analogue maintenance. Its filters, envelopes, and oscillators sound alive, and the CPU-intensive “Divine” mode offers jaw-dropping authenticity. Pair Diva with u-he’s other instruments like Hive 2 or Bazille for a more expansive sound palette. There are also a few bundles available, offering preset expansions that come built into the individual synths from the get-go.
Platforms: Windows and Mac
Type: Synth
Formats: AAX, Audio Units, VST, VST3
Where to buy U-he Diva: Grab Diva on Plugin Boutique
AutoTune 2026
The best vocal pitch-correction plugin, and the most popular for many years
AutoTune 2026 continues the legacy of the world’s most recognisable vocal processor. From subtle correction to the instantly identifiable tuned pop sound, AutoTune provides pitch control, formant shifting, and real-time performance features that have shaped modern vocals for decades.
Almost every engineer needs a pitch-correction plugin at some point, and AutoTune remains the definitive standard. Its low-latency live mode, flexible retune speeds, and improved tracking produce flawless results with minimal effort. Whether you're mixing hip-hop, R\&B, EDM, or pop, AutoTune 2026 delivers polished vocals fast.
Platforms: Windows and Mac
Type: Pitch correction
Formats: AAX, Audio Units, VST, VST3
Where to buy AutoTune 2026: Visit its dedicated store page on Plugin Boutique
Cableguys ShaperBox 3
The best modulation and rhythmic FX suite, heaps of value in one plugin
ShaperBox 3 is a modular effects workstation combining time, volume, filter, noise, stereo, distortion, and pitch shapers into customisable rhythmic processors. It transforms static loops into dynamic productions using drag-based LFO curves and envelope sequencing.
ShaperBox delivers enormous value by bundling multiple creative modules into one plugin. Its visual workflow makes complex motion effects intuitive, giving tracks groove, movement, and edge. Whether sidechaining, gating, filtering, or glitching, ShaperBox 3 places endless rhythmic sculpting tools directly under your cursor.
Platforms: Windows and Mac
Type: Multi-FX rhythm processor
Formats: AAX, Audio Units, VST, VST3
Where to buy Cableguys ShaperBox 3: ShaperBox 3 is available on Plugin Boutique
Native Instruments Kontakt 8
The most versatile sampler, with more add-ons than you can imagine
Kontakt 8 is the industry-leading sampler powering thousands of virtual instruments, from cinematic orchestras to niche sound libraries. Its intuitive interface allows you to sculpt samples, build instruments, and browse a universe of sonic content without ever leaving the plugin. Few samplers offer this breadth, community support, and longevity.
Kontakt 8 remains essential because it unlocks entire ecosystems of sounds. If you want even greater depth, Kontakt is included in Komplete 15, a monumental production bundle featuring synths, drums, orchestral tools, and effects—one of the best-value software collections available anywhere. And, Kontakt 8 synergises expertly with all NI software and hardware.
Platforms: Windows and Mac
Type: Sampler
Formats: AAX, Audio Units, VST, VST3
Where to buy Kontakt 8: Get Kontakt 8 at Plugin Boutique
iZotope Ozone 12
Singlehandedly, the best mastering solution for producers of all shapes and sizes
Ozone 12 is iZotope’s flagship all-in-one mastering suite. Its modular mastering chain combines EQ, compression, limiting, imaging, transient shaping, and AI-powered tonal balancing tools into a cohesive, beginner-friendly workflow. Whether you’re polishing demos, prepping release-ready singles, or levelling mixes for streaming platforms, Ozone 12 offers professional results without requiring years of mastering knowledge—optimal for DIY musicians.
Ozone 12 remains the top pick for producers who want a professional master fast. Its Master Assistant intelligently analyses audio and applies genre-appropriate processing, while advanced modules like Maximizer and Impact give your mix commercial loudness without distortion. If you'd prefer greater value, Ozone is also included in select iZotope bundles alongside Neutron, Nectar, RX, VocalSynth, and more, making them elite options for those upgrading their studio toolkit.
Platforms: Windows and Mac
Type: Mastering suite
Formats: AAX, Audio Units, VST, VST3
Where to buy Ozone 12: Check out Ozone 12 now on Plugin Boutique
