Freedom251 › Virtual Instruments
Pianoteq
What Pianoteq is
Pianoteq is a virtual piano and instrument suite that generates notes in real time through physical modelling rather than built-in samples. The maker describes it as about 50 MB. Its selection includes more than 20 instrument packs, including electric pianos, plucked strings, and historical keyboards. Physical parameters and sympathetic resonances let users shape an instrument's tone. Pianoteq 9 can position and mix up to eight microphones for stereo or multichannel output. Desktop software runs standalone or in VST3, Audio Units, and AAX hosts; NKS compatibility is also listed. Pianoteq is available for iOS, Linux, macOS, and Windows. There is no free plan, but an evaluation version is available with eight silent notes and a restart every 20 minutes. One-time prices are 139.00 USD for Stage, 269.00 USD for Standard, 399.00 USD for PRO, and 929.00 USD for the Studio Bundle. Editions vary in included instrument packs and capabilities.
Who it suits
Pianoteq suits musicians and composers seeking a modelled piano or instrument suite, with Stage described as an entry product for budget-minded musicians and PRO aimed at creative composers and demanding studio engineers.
What it does well
- Generates notes in real time without samples.
- Offers more than 20 instrument packs.
- Can mix up to eight microphones.
- Runs standalone and supports VST3, Audio Units, and AAX.
- Available for iOS, Linux, macOS, and Windows.
What to know first
- No free plan is available.
- Evaluation has eight silent notes.
- Evaluation requires a restart every 20 minutes.
- Stage and Standard support up to 48 kHz.
Limits
The evaluation version silences eight notes and must be restarted every 20 minutes. Stage includes two packs and supports up to 48 kHz; Standard includes three packs and also supports up to 48 kHz. Other instrument packs run in demo mode until purchased.
Plans
| Plan | Billed and limits | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Pianoteq 9 Stage | 2 instrument packs · up to 48 kHz · limited preset loading | $139, paid once |
| Pianoteq 9 Standard | 3 instrument packs · up to 48 kHz · piano model editing, advanced tuning, microphone placement, morphing and layering | $269, paid once |
| Pianoteq 9 PRO | 4 instrument packs · up to 192 kHz · per-note physical parameter editing · editable overtones | $399, paid once |
| Pianoteq Studio Bundle | Pianoteq PRO · all current instrument packs | $929, paid once |
As modartt.com lists them, read 2 Oct 2026. The maker's own page has the final word.
Getting started
- Visit the Pianoteq website.
- Choose an edition: Stage, Standard, PRO or Studio Bundle.
- Install it on iOS, Linux, macOS or Windows.
- Activate it on first launch; manual activation is available for computers without internet access.
- For low latency on Windows, use ASIO-compatible audio drivers.
Verdict
Pianoteq offers real-time physical modelling, multiple instrument packs, and desktop host integrations. Its evaluation has limits, and one-time editions differ in pack counts and capabilities.
Questions
Is Pianoteq free?
There is no free plan. A full-featured evaluation version is available, with eight silent notes and a restart required every 20 minutes.
How much does Pianoteq cost?
Pianoteq 9 Stage is $139, paid once, Standard is $269, paid once, PRO is $399, paid once, and the Studio Bundle is $929, paid once.
Which platforms does it support?
Pianoteq is available for iOS, Linux, macOS and Windows.
Can it run as a standalone app or with audio hosts?
Yes. Desktop software supports standalone use and VST3, Audio Units and AAX hosts; NKS compatibility is also listed.
Does Pianoteq use samples?
No. It generates notes in real time through physical modelling without built-in samples.
Who makes Pianoteq?
The maker is Modartt. The company was founded in 2006.
Facts from Pianoteq's own pages
- Activation
- Activation is required on first launch, with manual activation available for computers without an internet connection. · modartt.com, 2 Oct 2026
- Audio rate limit
- PRO supports an internal sample rate up to 192 kHz, while Stage and Standard support up to 48 kHz. · modartt.com, 2 Oct 2026
- Customization
- The software models sympathetic resonances and provides physical parameters to customize the instrument tone. · modartt.com, 2 Oct 2026
- Founded
- 2006 · modartt.com, 28 Sept 2026
- Instrument-pack limits
- Stage, Standard and PRO include two, three and four selectable instrument packs respectively; other packs run in demo mode until purchased. · modartt.com, 2 Oct 2026
- Instrument selection
- The product offers more than 20 instrument packs, including electric pianos, plucked strings and historical keyboards. · modartt.com, 2 Oct 2026
- Integrations
- The desktop software supports standalone use and VST3, Audio Units and AAX hosts; the manual also lists NKS compatibility. · modartt.com, 2 Oct 2026
- Intended users
- The maker describes Stage as an entry product for budget-minded musicians and PRO as suited to creative composers and demanding studio engineers. · modartt.com, 2 Oct 2026
- iOS
- Pianoteq is available for iOS devices as well as Windows, macOS and Linux. · modartt.com, 2 Oct 2026
- Microphones
- Pianoteq 9 can mix up to eight microphones to stereo or multichannel output and move them around the instrument. · modartt.com, 2 Oct 2026
- Product
- Pianoteq is a virtual piano and instrument suite that generates sound through physical modelling. · modartt.com, 2 Oct 2026
- Security and compliance
- The maker's legal footer links to a GDPR page, but the pages reviewed do not state a security certification or compliance program. · modartt.com, 2 Oct 2026
- Sound generation
- Notes are generated in real time without samples, and the maker describes the software as lightweight at about 50 MB. · modartt.com, 2 Oct 2026
- Support
- The maker says contact messages will receive a reply within 24 hours and provides user manuals and a support page. · modartt.com, 2 Oct 2026
- System requirements
- The manual lists 512 MB RAM, a recent CPU, Windows 10 or later, macOS 10.13 or later, or Linux x86/ARM; Windows users need ASIO-compatible audio drivers for low latency. · modartt.com, 2 Oct 2026
- Trial limits
- The Pianoteq 9.2.5 evaluation version is full-featured, but eight notes are silent and it must be restarted every 20 minutes. · modartt.com, 2 Oct 2026
Where Pianoteq stands on Freedom251
- Virtual Instruments#11 of 33