Side by side
Dexed vs Vital
Both stand on virtual instruments. Which one you can start free with, which one lets you read the code, and what each costs once you pay.
Free plan Open source iPhoneLinuxMac+1
Dexed pairs a DX7-modeled synth with librarian functions and a broad set of automatable parameters. It is free under GPL v3, though documentation is limited and the project cautions against expecting a perfect clone.
Visit Dexed
Free plan Open source LinuxMacSelf-hosted+1
Vital offers wavetable creation, modulation and sound-shaping tools across three desktop operating systems. The free plan includes full synth features, though text-based wavetable requests have a daily limit unless unlocked by a plan.
Visit VitalThe facts
| Dexed | Vital | |
|---|---|---|
| Free plan | Yes | Yes |
| Open source | Yes | Yes |
| Runs on | iPhone, Linux, Mac, Windows | Linux, Mac, Self-hosted, Windows |
| Lowest paid plan | Free or on request | Subscription: $5 a month |
| Plans published | 2 | 4 |
| Maker | Not published | Not published |
| Website | asb2m10.github.io | vital.audio |
| On virtual instruments | #1 of 33 | #3 of 33 |
Dexed: what it does well
- Free software under GPL v3.
- Available as plugin and standalone app.
- Supports VST, AU, and LV2 formats.
- Exposes 144 DAW-automatable parameters.
- Loads and saves DX7/TX7 SysEx programs.
What to know first
- Documentation is minimal.
- It is not expected to be a perfect DX7 clone.
Vital: what it does well
- Free Basic plan includes full synth features.
- Supports sample conversion, wavetable editing and text generation.
- Includes two routable filters and eight routable effects.
- Supports MPE and microtonal tuning files.
- Available for Linux, macOS and Windows.
What to know first
- Text-to-wavetable is limited to five daily requests without an unlocking plan.
- Requires 64-bit operation and OpenGL 3 or higher.
- Listed system requirements specify newer Windows, macOS and Ubuntu versions.