Best Free Synth VSTStudio 56 Reference studio56plugin.com ↗

Free synth VSTs compared

Answer in brief

Nine synths that cost nothing today, each with its license, systems and presets taken from the maker’s own page.

Studio 56 publishes this site and is not free, so read its place here as our own pick for the sounds the free synths miss. It is not a measured ranking of every free synth VST.

Every entry side by side

NameWhat it isPriceRuns on
Studio 56Builds one to your descriptionFree trial, then ProMac, Windows
VitalWavetable synthFree Basic pack, paid packs add soundsMac, Windows, Linux
Surge XTOpen-source hybrid synthFree, open source (GPL-3.0)Mac, Windows, Linux
DexedFM synth modeled on the DX7Free, open source (GPL-3.0)Mac, Windows, Linux
Tyrell N6Virtual analog synth from u-heFreeMac, Windows, Linux (beta)
Zebralette 3Spectral oscillator synth from u-heFreeMac, Windows, Linux
PodolskiSimple virtual analog synth from u-heFreeMac, Windows, Linux (beta)
TAL-NoiseMakerVirtual analog synthFreeMac, Windows, Linux
Odin 2Open-source subtractive synthFree, open source (GPL-3.0)Mac, Windows, Linux
PendulateChaotic monosynthFree, permanent licenseMac, Windows

What each one does

  • Studio 56

    When no free synth has the sound you want, describe it and Studio 56 builds an instrument for it on Pro, which starts with a free trial. Studio 56 publishes this site, so this is our editorial choice, not an independent review.

    Free trial, then Pro · Mac, Windows

  • Vital

    Vital Audio calls it a spectral warping wavetable synth. The free Basic pack is the full synth with 75 presets and 25 wavetables, and paid packs or a subscription add more sounds and unlimited text-to-wavetable.

    Free Basic pack, paid packs add sounds · Mac, Windows, Linux

  • Surge XT

    The Surge Synth Team describes a hybrid subtractive synth with two scenes per patch and 12 oscillator algorithms. It ships with over 2,800 patches and over 700 wavetables.

    Free, open source (GPL-3.0) · Mac, Windows, Linux

  • Dexed

    Dexed is closely modeled on the Yamaha DX7 and doubles as a DX7 cartridge manager that loads and saves DX7 and TX7 SysEx programs. Its page calls it free software under the GPL v3.

    Free, open source (GPL-3.0) · Mac, Windows, Linux

  • Tyrell N6

    u-he built it on an idea for a hardware synth by Amazona that was never made. It has two oscillators with noise and a ring modulator, a filter related to an early Diva and over 580 presets.

    Free · Mac, Windows, Linux (beta)

  • Zebralette 3

    u-he calls it the core piece of Zebra 3. It puts one spectral oscillator in a small synth with its own modulation, delay and reverb.

    Free · Mac, Windows, Linux

  • Podolski

    u-he describes a straightforward and CPU-efficient synth with one oscillator and a multimode filter. It adds an arpeggiator and step sequencer and over 300 presets.

    Free · Mac, Windows, Linux (beta)

  • TAL-NoiseMaker

    TAL lists it among its free plugins and says it is light on CPU. Three oscillators with sync and FM feed built-in chorus, reverb and delay, and it ships with 256 presets.

    Free · Mac, Windows, Linux

  • Odin 2

    The Wave Warden describes a 24-voice synth with analog-style or hand-drawn waveforms and five built-in effects. Its filters include models of the Moog ladder and Korg 35.

    Free, open source (GPL-3.0) · Mac, Windows, Linux

  • Pendulate

    Newfangled Audio bases its oscillator on the physics of a double pendulum, then runs it through a Buchla-inspired wavefolder and low pass gate.

    Free, permanent license · Mac, Windows

How entries were picked

Apart from Studio 56, which publishes this site, every entry is a well-known name among free synth VSTs that its maker describes on an official page we could check. Each description says only what that page says. The order is not a ranking, and being listed does not mean a maker knows about or endorses this site.

Prices and systems change. Check the official page before you buy or install anything. Every page linked here was opened on November 8, 2026.

Sources for this page

  • Studio 56: Studio 56’s official website, the publisher of this reference.
  • Vital: Vital’s official page, the source of its description here.
  • Surge XT: Surge XT’s official page, the source of its description here.
  • Dexed: Dexed’s official page, the source of its description here.
  • Tyrell N6: Tyrell N6’s official page, the source of its description here.
  • Zebralette 3: Zebralette 3’s official page, the source of its description here.
  • Podolski: Podolski’s official page, the source of its description here.
  • TAL-NoiseMaker: TAL-NoiseMaker’s official page, the source of its description here.
  • Odin 2: Odin 2’s official page, the source of its description here.
  • Pendulate: Pendulate’s official page, the source of its description here.

The practical advice here is our own. A maker's description of its product is not a test of how it performs.

Keep reading

Cite this page

Best Free Synth VST. “Free synth VSTs compared.” Studio 56 Reference. Content reviewed November 8, 2026.

https://bestfreesynthvst.com/directory/