Side by side

Soundtoys 5 vs Waves Ultimate

Both stand on audio plugins. Which one you can start free with, which one lets you read the code, and what each costs once you pay.

Soundtoys 5

Free trial MacWindows

Soundtoys 5 combines 23 effects with a rack for custom chains and supports several formats and hosts. Its one-time listed cost is 599.00 USD, and Windows users should note the ARM-machine exclusion.

Visit Soundtoys 5

Waves Ultimate provides a large, format-flexible plugin collection with StudioVerse and recurring mastering credits. Its subscription pricing and system requirements should be weighed against the included tools and supported hosts.

Visit Waves Ultimate

The facts

	Soundtoys 5	Waves Ultimate
Free plan	A free trial	A free trial
Open source	Not published	Not published
Runs on	Mac, Windows	Mac, Windows
Lowest paid plan	Soundtoys 5: $599, paid once	Waves Ultimate – Annual Subscription: $249.99 a year
Plans published	1	2
Maker	Not published	Not published
Website	soundtoys.com	waves.com
On audio plugins	#28 of 40	#32 of 40

Soundtoys 5: what it does well

Bundles 23 audio effects.
Effect Rack builds custom chains controlled as one plug-in.
Supports five listed plug-in formats.
Includes a free 30-day trial.

What to know first

Costs $599, paid once.
Trial can be activated only once.
ARM-based Windows machines are not compatible.
Internet connection is required at activation.

Waves Ultimate: what it does well

More than 240 plugins across many effect types
VST3, AU, and AAX format support
StudioVerse presets included inside a DAW
Plugin updates included at no extra cost
Online Mastering credits with active subscriptions

What to know first

No free plan after the seven-day trial
Subscription access ends when the period ends
Unused mastering credits removed after lapse
Requires 16 GB RAM and 30 GB free space

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