Best Audio Plugins in 2026
Updated
In short: Airwindows Consolidated is ranked #1 of 39 as of 4 October 2026, ahead of Buddi and LUNA. The best-ranked option with a free plan is Buddi. The lowest first paid tier on this page is LUNA at $12.42/mo.
Audio plugins can add processing and effects to recording and mixing workflows, but their scope and technical fit vary. Compare effect types and product scope, then check plugin formats, oversampling, and surround support against your setup. External sidechain support may matter for particular routing needs; free plans, license models, and paid-from pricing help you understand access and cost. Airwindows Consolidated, Buddi, and LUNA are among the entries to consider. Use the listed details to compare the tools and terms that suit the work you want to do.
39 audio plugins ranked on what their makers publish — plans and prices, free tiers, platforms and the facts on their own pages.
4 of the 25 here have a free tier you can use, 0 have open-source code on record, and 0 have full bars: free, open, on most of your devices and documented.
| # | App | Signal | Free tier | Open code | Devices | From | Score |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Airwindows ConsolidatedWindows · Mac · Linux | Three bars | — | 3 of 6 | Free | 6.5 | |
| 2 | BuddiWindows · Mac · Linux | Three bars | — | 3 of 6 | Free | 6.5 | |
| 3 | LUNAWindows · Mac | Two bars | — | 2 of 6 | $12.42/mo | 6.5 | |
| 4 | Guitar RigWindows · Mac | Two bars | — | 2 of 6 | Free | 6.3 | |
| 5 | x42-pluginsWindows · Mac · Linux | Two bars | — | — | 3 of 6 | — | 5.6 |
| 6 | Blue Cat's FreqAnalystWindows · Mac | No signal | — | — | 2 of 6 | — | 5.3 |
| 7 | Valhalla DSP Plugin CollectionWindows · Mac | No signal | — | — | 2 of 6 | — | 5.3 |
| 8 | GNUitarWindows · Linux | No signal | — | — | 2 of 6 | — | 5.2 |
| 9 | Magenta StudioWindows · Mac | No signal | — | — | 2 of 6 | — | 5.2 |
| 10 | ToneBytes PedalsWindows | No signal | — | — | 1 of 6 | — | 5.2 |
| 11 | AcousticaWindows · Mac | One bar | — | — | 2 of 6 | $149/mo | 5.1 |
| 12 | FabFilter Total BundleWindows · Mac | One bar | — | — | 2 of 6 | — | 5.1 |
| 13 | ixiQuarksNo platforms listed | No signal | — | — | 0 of 6 | — | 5.1 |
| 14 | iZotope RXWindows · Mac | One bar | — | — | 2 of 6 | $99/mo | 5.1 |
| 15 | Kilohearts UltimateWindows · Mac | One bar | — | — | 2 of 6 | — | 5.1 |
| 16 | McDSP Everything PackWindows · Mac | One bar | — | — | 2 of 6 | $12.50/mo | 5.1 |
| 17 | sonible smart:bundleWindows · Mac | One bar | — | — | 2 of 6 | — | 5.1 |
| 18 | Soundtoys 5Windows · Mac | One bar | — | — | 2 of 6 | — | 5.1 |
| 19 | TDR Production BundleWindows · Mac | One bar | — | — | 2 of 6 | — | 5.1 |
| 20 | Waves UltimateWindows · Mac | One bar | — | — | 2 of 6 | $20.83/mo | 5.1 |
| 21 | Kazrog KClip 3Windows · Mac · Linux | One bar | — | — | 3 of 6 | — | 5.0 |
| 22 | SynthEditWindows · Mac · Linux | Two bars | — | — | 3 of 6 | — | 5.0 |
| 23 | Accentize Restoration BundleWindows · Mac | No signal | — | — | 2 of 6 | — | 4.9 |
| 24 | D16 Group Decimort 2Windows · Mac | No signal | — | — | 2 of 6 | — | 4.9 |
| 25 | Devious Machines Infiltrator 2Windows · Mac | No signal | — | — | 2 of 6 | — | 4.9 |
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 audio plugin is ranked first on Freedom251?
Airwindows Consolidated is ranked #1 of 39 with a score of 6.5. Buddi is second and LUNA third.
How many of these have a free plan?
4 of the 25 on this page publish a free plan on their own pricing pages.
Which is the cheapest paid option?
On this page, LUNA has the lowest first paid tier we found: $12.42/mo.
How is this list ranked?
Ranked free-and-open first: a usable free tier and open-source code, then the platforms it runs on and its documentation. Paid placements never change a rank.