These are the best free Nexus VST plugin alternatives to use with FL Studio, Ableton Live, and other programs if you are on a budget. These are great free alternatives to the popular Nexus VST plugin by reFX Audio.
The Nexus VST plugin has become a popular synth plugin for music producers, musicians, and sound designers. However, the Nexus VST plugin can be too expensive for some music creators since it is currently $249.
I have some great free Nexus plugin alternatives that offer similar synth sounds, and hundreds of audio presets for you if you do not have the money to spare on the Nexus plugin.
Best Free Nexus VST Plugin Alternatives
- TyrellN6
- Dexed
- Tunefish V4
- Mono Fury
- Free Alpha
- TAL-NoiseMaker
- Helm
- Vital
- Odin 2
- Surge XT
- Synth1
- OB-Xd
- Zebralette
- Superwave P8
- Sonigen Modular
- Lokomotiv
What Are The Best Free Nexus Alternatives?
The top 5 best free Nexus alternatives are “TyrellN6” by U-He, “Surge XT” by the Surge Synthesizer Team, “Vital” by Matt Tytel, “Free Alpha” by Linplug, and “Tunefish V4” by Brain Control. These are the best free Nexus alternatives for Windows, Mac, and Linux.
I’ve explored and tested a wide selection of free VST plugins, and these are some of the best free Nexus VST Plugin alternatives.
Instructions: Click the links below to visit each free Nexus alternative. Look around each website for the download link or button. Do not install any suspicious software.
Related: Free Roland Juno 106 Emulator Plugins
1. TyrellN6
TyrellN6 is a compact synth with a classic sound coming from class 2 oscillators and 2 LFOs, which can help you make all the melodies that inspire anything from film scores to dance music.
The skinnable UI makes it easy for beginners to give their synthesis some personality without deep knowledge of synthesis or programming.
This versatile instrument also has an analog-type ADSR envelope, loopable LFOs, and 580 factory presets to get you started.
It will become one of your go-to synths for free Nexus VST plugin alternatives. It’s a great free alternative to the paid Xpand 2 plugin.
Features:
- Classic sound with 2 oscillators and 2 LFOs
- Skinnable UI
- 580 factory presets included
- Analog-type ADSR envelope, loopable LFOs
- Free and available for multiple platforms
Pros:
- Quick, better-sounding results for beginners
- A versatile instrument, suitable for many genres
Cons:
- Limited to virtual analog sounds
- Small modulation matrix
- Limited hardware control options
TyrellN6 | PC & Mac / Linux
2. Dexed
Dexed is a Nexus 3 VST alternative that closely models the Yamaha DX7. This makes it an ideal choice for musicians looking for the same sounds as the DX7.
The plugin comes with a built-in arpeggiator, effects, and a sequencer. It also supports MIDI input, allowing you to control the synth from a keyboard or other MIDI controller.
Features
- Compatible with VST, AU, LV2 formats
- Modeled after Yamaha DX7 synthesizer
- 144 DAW automatable DX7 parameters
- Realtime VU meter for each operator
Dexed | PC & Mac
3. Tunefish V4
Tunefish V4 is a powerful additive synthesis-based wavetable generator that can produce any noise frequency with any bandwidth.
It also has 2 ADSRs and 2 LFOs that can be linked to pretty much any important knob using a modulation matrix, making it an excellent Nexus VST plugin alternative for those looking for more control over their sound.
Features
- Additive synthesis-based wavetable generator
- Easy-to-use interface
- 2 ADSRs and 2 LFOs with modulation matrix
- Noise generator with adjustable frequency and bandwidth
- Lowpass, Highpass, Bandpass, Notch filters
Tunefish V4 | PC / Mac / Linux
4. Mono Fury
Mono Fury is a software instrument simulating the classic KORG Mono Poly analog synthesizer of the early 1980s.
It comes with four band-limited oscillators to create those warm analog sounds.
Mono and quadrophonic keyboard action give you that lovely tight feel, while the arpeggiator with sync-to-host option is great for adding movement to your sounds.
The additional tweak section also provides added sound-shaping possibilities.
Mono Fury | PC & Mac
5. Free Alpha
This is a powerful, subtractive-style synth with two oscillators, a filter, and two envelopes.
It includes three LFOs, a chorus effect, and a modulation matrix, perfect for creating classic synth sounds.
Free Alpha | PC & Mac
6. TAL-NoiseMaker
TAL-NoiseMaker is a virtual analog synthesizer with great sound and minimal CPU usage.
The 128 factory preset songs that are included help this plugin be one of the best free Nexus VST alternatives.
If you are looking for a synthesizer that sounds great and doesn’t take up a lot of your computer’s resources, TAL-NoiseMaker is one of the best free Nexus VST alternatives available.
TAL-NoiseMaker | PC & Mac / Linux
7. Helm
Helm is a free plugin that emulates the sounds of classic hardware synthesizers. It has a simple, intuitive interface that makes it easy to create rich, analog-style sounds.
Helm | PC / Mac / AU / Linux
8. Vital
If you’re looking for Nexus plugin alternatives, Vital is a great option. It features stunning animations that give you a visual representation of what’s happening with your audio.
It comes with animated control, filter response, waveforms, smooth LFOs, oscilloscopes, spectrograms, and more.
Vital | PC & Mac
9. Odin 2
If you’re looking for an impressive Nexus VST plugin alternative, look no further than Odin 2. This powerful polyphonic beast is capable of earth-shattering basses, exquisite leads, and mad FX.
You can use the classic sound of analog waveforms or draw your own. Its high-quality emulations of legendary analog filters like the Moog-ladder or the Korg-35 further shape your signal.
With 24 voices, Odin 2 is an excellent choice for those searching for Nexus VST plugin alternatives. It is sure to bring some serious power to your productions.
Odin 2 | PC & Mac / Linux
10. Surge XT Nexus VST Plugin Alternative
Surge XT is a sound designer’s dream. It features many synthesis techniques, a great selection of filters, a flexible modulation engine, various effects, and modern features like MPE and micro tuning.
Surge XT is definitely worth checking out if you’re looking for a free Nexus alternative. It is sure to inspire your creativity and help you create unique sounds. This is one of my favorites on the list.
Surge XT | PC & Mac / Linux
11. Synth1
Synth1 is a software synthesizer that functionally models the Clavia Nord Lead 2 Red Synth. It has two oscillators: FM modulation, ring modulation, and modulation envelope.
It has two LFOs, an arpeggiator, a tempo delay, and a stereo chorus. There is also legato mode and portamento that can be used. There are also four types of filters, including distortion.
Synth1 | PC & Mac
12. OB-Xd
OB-Xd is a faithful recreation of the Oberheim OB-X, one of the most iconic synthesizers ever made. It features micro random detuning for that classic Oberheim OB-X sound.
If you’re looking for a Nexus plugin alternative that can give you that classic Oberheim OB-X sound, OB-Xd is definitely worth checking out.
It is sure to inspire you and help you create some amazing music.
OB-Xd | PC & Mac / Linux
13. Zebralette
Zebralette is an introduction to the powerful oscillators of Zebra2. It helps you learn how to use them and also functions as a great-sounding synth on its own.
With unison options, 16 voice polyphony, and two different envelopes, it offers you everything needed to create some marvelously complex sounds.
Zebralette | PC & Mac / Linux
14. Superwave P8
If you’re looking for Nexus alternatives, look no further than SuperWave P8. This synth offers excellent leads, pads, and strings that will help you create tracks that sound professional.
SuperWave P8 is one of the best free Nexus VST plugin alternatives if you’re looking for unique sounds. It is sure to help you create tracks that sound great.
Superwave P8 | PC
15. Sonigen Modular
Sonigen Modular is a plugin that provides synthesizers, effects, and an intuitive interface, all created to minimize CPU usage.
This program could be beneficial for those who want to experiment with modular synthesis.
The program features clean integration for both modular voice and output effects, making it an excellent choice for music producers looking for a more hands-on experience.
It will help you minimize CPU usage and get more out of your synthesizers.
Sonigen Modular | PC
16. Lokomotiv
Lokomotiv is a software synthesizer designed to make your sounds more powerful and create a wide range of sounds way easier.
Lokomotiv | PC & Mac
17. Zampler
Zampler is a free sampler keyboard developed by Synapse Audio. It has all the essential features for sampling and manipulating sounds. It includes a modulation matrix, arpeggiator, and step sequencer.
Zampler | PC & Mac
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Nexus Software Free?
No. Nexus is a paid software synthesizer VST plugin that costs $249. However, many Nexus VST plugin alternatives are free to use. These Nexus VST plugin alternatives can help you create unique sounds and improve your music production.
Which Is Better, Serum Or Nexus?
There are a lot of factors to consider when trying to decide which is better – Serum or Nexus. One crucial factor is what your specific needs and goals are. Do you need something with more firepower? Or are you looking for something with more features?
Serum is designed to be an all-in-one solution. Nexus is designed to be more of a supportive option. It comes with many features that Nexus doesn’t have – like samplers, granular effects, and a powerful arpeggiator.
However, Nexus also has some great features, like an onboard step sequencer and a vast sound library. Ultimately, the best decision is to try out Nexus, Serum, and Omnisphere to see which one works better for you.
In conclusion, these free Nexus VST plugin alternatives are excellent choices for producers who want to produce high-quality music without breaking the bank.
With a wide range of free software available for download, you can experiment with different sounds and contemporary music styles, including hip-hop and drum sounds.
The free presets and expansion packs provided by most of these plugins are of the highest quality, giving you access to sophisticated modulation matrix options and powerful and flexible architecture.
I hope you found this list of free Nexus VST alternatives helpful.
You May Also Like:
- 17 Best Free Serum VST Alternatives
- Free Nexus Presets – Best free presets for Nexus.
