Here are the best free synth VST plugins for Windows & Mac. These synth VSTs can be used with FL Studio, Reason, Ableton Live, and other VST-supported music apps.
In this collection of free synth plugins, I’ve included details of each plugin’s features, screenshots, and videos to showcase how they operate.
I’ve downloaded and todested hundreds of free VST plugins, and these stand out as some of the best free synth VST plugins available.
Best Synth VST Plugins
- Tunefish4
- Tyrell N6
- Dexed
- Helm
- Surge XT
- Yonu60
- OB-XD
- Sonigen Modular
- ODsay
- SubDuer
- LinPlug Alpha 3
- TAL-U-No-62
- Rez 3.0
- June-21
- OS-251
- Synth1
- Juno 6
- Poly 2106
- Phutura
- Osiris 6
Tutorial: How to Install VST Plugins
Instructions: Click the links below to visit each synth plugin. Look around each website for the download link or button. Do not install any suspicious software.
Tunefish4
Tunefish4 is a very tiny virtual analog synthesizer.
It is developed to fit into about 10kb of compressed machine code while still producing an audio quality that can compete with commercial synthesizers. This is a great free alternative to Serum by Xfer Records.
Features:
- Additive synthesis with wavetable generator
- Noise generator with adjustable frequency and bandwidth
- Filters: Lowpass, Highpass, Bandpass, Notch filter
- 2 ADSRs and 2 LFOs for modulation
- Supported effects: Flanger, Chorus, Distortion, Delay, Reverb, EQ
- Stack up to 10 effects in any order
Pros:
- Multi-platform compatibility (Windows, Linux, Mac)
- User-friendly UI with modulations visualization
- Versatile synthesis and noise generation capabilities
- Diverse filter options for sound shaping
- Flexible modulation matrix for creative control
- Offers a range of effects for sound enhancement
Cons:
- Limited preset management
- It may require some learning curve for beginners
Tunefish4 | PC & Mac
Tyrell N6 Synth VST
The Tyrell N6 is a longstanding freeware software synth that many producers still use today. You can create a wide range of sounds with this synth. It’s great for adding color to your tracks.
It’s worth checking out the Tyrell N6 if you want an easy-to-use, great-sounding synth plugin. I particularly like this synth VST plugin for its straightforward interface and robust selection of features.
Tyrell N6 | PC & Mac
Dexed
Dexed is a plugin synth that works on multiple platforms and supports various formats close to the Yamaha DX7.
Features
- Includes Factory Presets
- Exciting Sounds
Dexed | PC / Mac / AU Plugin
Related: Free Online Synths
Helm
Helm is a powerful synth VST plugin that is cross-platform. It offers 32-voice polyphony and an interactive visual interface. It is a cross-platform production software and a great alternative to Serum Xfer.
Helm | PC / Mac / Linux
Surge XT
Surge XT is a free, open-source hybrid synth VST plugin. Features many synthesis techniques, a wide range of filters, an advanced modulation engine, a wealth of effects, and modern features such as MPE and micro tuning.
This plugin is an excellent alternative to the Nexus VST plugin and Atmosphere plugin.
Surge XT | PC / AU Plugin Formats / Linux
Yonu60
The Yonu60 Roland Juno emulation plugin is a fantastic Roland synth emulator.
Roland’s classic synth is faithfully recreated in this plugin, including everything from LFO rate and delay time to ADSR envelopes and unison mode.
Yonu60 is a helpful plugin whether you’re familiar with Roland or just getting started. It offers great synth bass sounds.
Yonu60 | PC
OB-XD
OB-Xd is based on classic Oberheim’s OB-X. It recreates the OB-X’s sound and behavior, but several things were added to the original design to extend its capabilities.
The OB-Xd was designed to sound just as good and rich as the original. It uses micro random detuning, which gives it a unique analog sound.
The quality is on the same level as some of the synth instruments by Native Instruments.
OB-XD | PC / Mac / Linux
Sonigen Modular
Sonigen Modular is a modular software synth that combines the freedom and flexibility of classic modular synthesis with the benefits of modern software implementation.
Features
- Fully modular with customizable patches
- Polyphonic voice with static effects processing
Sonigen Modular | PC
ODsay
The ODsay synth is an excellent emulation of ARP’s Odissey, one of the first analog synths. This synth has two oscillators and is duophonic, which means you can play two notes at once. This is a great free alternative to the Analog Lab VST plugin.
ODsay | Windows
SubDuer
SubDuer is a triple oscillator subtractive synth aimed at versatility but has low CPU usage. It can do basic unison, ring-mod, and FM sounds and has built-in distortion, chorus/flanger, and delay.
SubDuer | PC
LinPlug Alpha 3
Alpha 3 is the small brother of Alpha but shares the same engine and has fewer features.
Free Alpha | PC & Mac
TAL-U-No-62
The TAL-U-NO-62 offers six voices that can be created simultaneously in this plugin, which is polyphonic. This plugin comes with band-limited oscillators, giving it a different and exciting sound from other plugins. There is also a synchronized LFO with five different waveforms, adding further variation to your sounds.
There is a low-pass filter with self-oscillation and a non-resonant high-pass filter. These two filters can be beneficial if you want to tailor the sound to your liking.
TAL-U-No-62 | PC & Mac
Rez 3.0
Rez: A basic synth, but it is capable of an extensive range of sounds, so as a result, it inspires creativity.
It’s made from multiple chained filters that act as a single powerful filter, and it’s highly resonant, providing Rez with its distinctive character.
Rez | PC
June-21
June-21 emulates the classic sounds of a Roland synthesizer. It includes the same great features as the Roland Juno keyboard, plus several improvements that open up even more creative possibilities.
This emulator is still a work in progress, so it has its share of glitches. But it is an excellent plugin with great sounds.
June-21 | PC, Mac, Linux
OS-251
The OS-251 emulator has up to 24 polyphonic voices. It consists of three oscillators (Sin, Square, Saw), a square sub-oscillator, and a noise oscillator.
In addition to controlling LPF and amplitude, the LFO can also control Shape parameters. LFO synchronization is also supported.
OS-251 | PC / Mac / Linux
Synth1
Synth1 is a software synthesizer. Functionally, it is modeled on the Clavia Nord Lead 2 Red Synth.
Important: The website is in a different language. But this plugin has a lot of synth sounds. Video: Synth1 VST – Over 25,000+ Sound Presets
- 2 Oscillators
- FM modulation
- Ring modulation
- Modulation envelope
- Four types of filters
- 2 LFOs
- Arpeggiator
- Tempo delay
- Stereo chorus/flanger
- Legato mode
- 16 notes polyphony
- 128 presets
- Automation
Synth1 | PC
Juno 6
This plugin is an analog synthesizer that emulates the sound of the original Roland Juno synthesizer via VST technology. It accurately recreates Roland’s vintage keyboard oscillators, filters, and envelopes.
Juno 6 | PC
Poly 2106
The Poly 2106 initially started as a recreation of an actual object of desire from the fashionable ’80s that was once part of music studios.
But that was just the initial kick that propelled a seemingly more enthusiastic project, which culminated into a knob-infested creation with a solid vintage backbone.
Poly 2106 | PC
Phutura
A Roland keyboard emulator, Phutura is equipped with eight voices and three oscillators. An ADSR envelope and LFO are included, as well as a modulation wheel, pitch bender, and ADSR envelope.
Phuture | PC
Osiris 6
Six voices polyphonic synthesizer.
Osiris 6 | PC
Panzertank PM 4
Panzertank PM4 is a virtual phase modulation synth like the famous FM synthesizers.
Panzertank PM 4 | PC
Superwave P8
Superware is a virtual analog synth emulation for VST hosts.
Superwave P8 | PC
Fortune Cookie VST
Fortune Cookie 2012 is a unique ‘VA’ synth (VSTi plugin) for various types of solo and more or less typical polysynth and strange FX sounds.
It gains special uniqueness from its different sync modes and X-Torsion.
You can find the download link under the “Download Options” section.
Fortune Cookie | PC
Analog Warfare VST
Hybrid analog-style synthesizer with groove and CV sequencer, arpeggiator, FX, and a heap of routing options.
Analog Warfare | PC
Podolski VST
Podolski is a simple, CPU-efficient virtual analog synthesizer. It is a cut-down version of FilterscapeVA with just one oscillator, filter, envelope, and two LFOs.
It also features a Zebra-style arpeggiator/sequencer plus chorus and delay effects.
Podolsk | PC / Mac / Lunix
Wavedraw VST
Wavetable Synth that allows you to draw your own waves.
Wavedraw | PC
Kamioooka
Kamioooka is a polyphonic Full-Modular synth with a patch cable system.
Ten module slots and seven types of modules are available. Freely combine modules and make patches.
Kamioooka | PC
PG-8X
PG-8X is a virtual analog synth with the standard 2-DCO – 24dB/oct filter design.
- Up to 12 voice polyphony
- Two DCO’s with Saw, Square, Pulse, Noise
- Hard Sync and Ring Modulation
- Two exponential envelope generators
- 24 dB resonant LP filter
- HP filter (3 stages)
- Stereo Chorus
- Import and Export of JX-8P Sysex data
PG-8X | PC
Lokomotiv
Lokomotiv is a software synth for both Windows and Mac. It is designed to make your sounds more powerful and create a wide range of sounds easier.
- Mathematically generated high-definition Oscillator
- Detuned Sawtooth Wave
- Pulse Wave with Self PWM
- Wavetable Synthesis Module
- Shape morphing sub-oscillator
Lokomotiv | PC & Mac
Helix ( Trial )
Helix is a unique synth plugin, but with a sonic clarity beyond the competition, producing soaring leads, solid basses, and glimmering pads.
The main oscillators of Helix allow you to pick from hundreds of included waveforms or load your own
Helix | PC & Mac
Sinnah
Sinnah is a synth based on a single complex oscillator that includes five waveshapes.
The harmonics level for all waveshapes, noise level, and a delay matrix with an increasingly spectral complexity.
It also features a subtractive stereo filter to carve the sound spectrum, similar to an equalizer.
The band rejects filter also features gain and bandwidth controls. It has three filters: high pass, low pass, and band-reject (notch).
Sinnah | PC & Mac
Digits
Digits is a phase distortion synth inspired by Casio’s CZ series but also takes that form of synthesis to the limit. Create warm pads, glitchy sounds, dirty basses, and anything in between.
The interface is minimal and designed to enable the user to create sounds from scratch in record time. It comes with over 70 presets that run the gamut from pads to stabs, leads, and basses.
Digits | PC & Mac
RMPx
RMPx is a hybrid physical modeling and ensemble synth. It has excellent sound and is very inspiring.
RMPx | PC
ASynth
This free synthesizer mimics the style of a classic Roland synth.
This plugin offers six voices of virtual analog synth sounds. Each voice comes with a circuit-modeled filter as well as two oscillators.
ASynth | PC
OP-X Free Synth VST
The OP-X Free has the same basic engine and sound as the full OP-X, while the available presets are limited to a few chosen ones, and the GUI only gives access to a few parameters.
OP-X | PC
Minisynth Series VST
The Minisynth series collection consists of FRET, GRIT, and PEAK. As an overall concept, Acrobatics simplified controls and packed implementations to the highest grade to stimulate users’ creativity and give the three polyphonic synthesizers a steady look and maximum usability.
Plugin | PC & Mac
SIXPACK
This bundle of over 300 presets for six awesome free synthesizer plugins: Zebralette, Tyrell N6 v2, Synth1, Tal Noisemaker, TAL elek7ro, and TAL u-no 62.
SIXPACK | PC
FB-3300
The FB-3300 is a plugin that simulates a KORG PS-3300 polyphonic synthesizer. It’s easy to use and has excellent sound quality.
FB-3300 | PC & Mac
Anubis 2
The Anubis 2 plugin is a hybrid synthesizer that includes sound synthesis methods such as subtractive, FM, and additive.
- 32 voices polyphonic
- Unison up to 8 voices
- Same waveforms as Dionysos with sync & FM
- 3 layers multimode filter
- 2 LFO
- 1 Mod Envelope up to 32 stages
- Drifting effect
- Chorus
- Delay
- 9×7 Digital Mod-Matrix
- MIDI learn
Anubis 2 | PC
Artemis VST
Artemis is a VST synth that offers two unison oscillators, a ring modulator, and two mod envelopes.
- Two unison oscillators
- Oscillators sync and cross-modulation
- White/brown noise generator
- 2 HP/LP filters 12/24 DB in serial and parallels
- 2 DADSR mod-envelopes
- 2 LFO in free-run / Host BPM sync
- LFO 1 can modulate LFO 2
- Ring modulator
- Delay
- Resonator
- Chorus
- 6 x 13 digital modulation matrix
- Audio routing
- MIDI learn
Artemis | PC
Gnat
Gnat is a VST plugin for keyboards that utilizes analog and digital synthesis to produce a range of sounds, from light pads and strings to darker textures.
The ADSR envelope and velocity filter allows for an even more customized sound.
The plugin includes 50 presets to get you started.
Gnat | PC & Mac
Athmonova 2
Virtual Analog Synthesizer Module.
- 1 OSC
- 1 Noise OSC
- 1 Filter with LP/HP/BP/Formant
- 1 Lfo with different Routings and Delay/Depth
- 3x ADS/r Filter/Mod/Envelope
- 1 Overdrive/Distortion
- 1 Pingpong Delay
- 1 Stereo Wider
Athmonova 2 | PC & Mac
What Is A Synth Plugin?
A Synth is an electric musical instrument that produces sound by generating audio signals. Synthesizers generate waveforms using subtractive, additive, oscillators, and frequency modulation.
A Synth VST plugin is a virtual version of a synthesizer that you can use with any VST-supported software. There are three primary categories of synths: analog, Digital, and Hybrid.
I hope you enjoy these free synth VST plugins to use with your favorite digital audio workstation. These plugins are great for music producers, sound designers, and beat makers.
Whether you are making Hip Hop, Electronic Music, Trap, or any other type of music, you will find great synth plugins with incredible sound quality for music production.
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