Top Underrated Free VST Plugins

Best free VSTs you’ve never heard of

There are tons of excellent free VST plugins, sample libraries, and virtual instruments all over the internet. But today, we’re highlighting some of the most complete, impressive, and underrated ones that most music producers haven’t even heard of: hidden gem free VSTs for music producers. Some of them used to be paid, but are now completely free for commercial use.

IMPORTANT: This post only covers VSTs and virtual instruments. If you’re looking for free loops and samples, click here: 480 Free Packs of Loops and Samples.

Post-Apocalyptic Guitar

When it was first released in 2012, this guitar VST from 8Dio was priced at $128 — today, you can download it completely free. This is a post-rock guitar sound library with a touch of grunge, inspired by bands like Mogwai, Sigur Rós, and Explosions in the Sky.
It includes a variety of tones and rhythmic textures, as well as several pre-recorded, tempo-synced phrases.
It’s easy to use and delivers a good, original sound, though it is relatively resource-intensive (at least in Cubase).

Key Features

      •   Includes Master Yin and Master Yan: Yin offers softer sounds, while Yan delivers more powerful tones.
      •   5 layered phrases.
      •   Real guitar phrases, harmonics, and multi-chords.
      •   Various built-in effects (delay, reverb, distortion, phaser, flanger...)
      •   Over 400 samples.
      •   More than 1 GB of content.

System Requirements

      •   Full version of Kontakt 5.5 or later required.
      •   At least 1 GB of free disk space.
      •   Windows XP (32-bit) or Windows Vista (32/64-bit) or later, with 4 GB of RAM.
      •   Mac OS X 10.4–10.5, G5 2.0 GHz or Intel Core Duo 2.00 GHz, with 4 GB of RAM.

You can get this guitar VST here: Post-Apocalyptic Guitar

Free Angels

Another outstanding sound library from 8Dio that originally sold for over $100 — now available for free on their website.
This is a VST packed with angelic atmospheres and ethereal sounds: exquisite, soft pads, magical voices, forest creatures, and heavenly textures.
It’s perfect for meditation music, ambient compositions, or yoga video soundtracks.

More than 100 sound designers collaborated to create this instrument (!!)
The library features a unique and unconventional design, both curious and creative. The sound is professional and finely crafted. It’s divided into three distinct sections — A, B, and C — each containing its own set of sounds.

Key Features

      •   Over 680 angelic sounds, including risers, ambiences, creatures, vocals, and percussion.
      •   1.4 GB of free content.
      •   Modwheel-controlled dynamics and modulation.
      •   Built-in effects section featuring delay, screamer, crusher, distortion, and rotator.
      •   More than 600 individual samples.

System Requirements

      •   Full version of Kontakt 5.5 or later required.
      •   1.4 GB of available disk space.
      •   Windows XP (32-bit) or Windows Vista (32/64-bit) or later, with 2 GB of RAM.
      •   Mac OS X 10.4–10.5, G5 2.0 GHz or Intel Core Duo 2.00 GHz, with 2 GB of RAM.

Get this ethereal ambient VST here: Free Angels

Shreddage 3 Precision Free

Shreddage 3 Precision Free by Impact Soundworks is the free, stripped-down version of Shreddage 3 Precision — a powerful 5-string electric bass VST.
The sound quality is excellent, identical to the full version, though with fewer features. Highly customizable and editable, it allows you to craft realistic, professional basslines with ease. The interface is clean and user-friendly, making it ideal for a wide range of genres like pop, rock, metal, and hybrid styles.

With solid playability and two octaves of range, this virtual instrument includes sustained fingerstyle notes, pops, and authentic string/bass noises that add realism to your productions.

Key Features

      •   American 5-string bass with a powerful, high-quality tone.
      •   Two-octave range available.
      •   Sustains, pops, and authentic performance noises.
      •   Mixing Console with 30 different effects — EQ, modulation, compressors, amps, reverbs, pedals, and more.
      •   1 GB of free content.

System Requirements

      •   Full version of Kontakt 5.7 or later required.
      •   1 GB of available disk space.
      •   4 GB of RAM.

Get this electric bass VST here: Shreddage 3 Precision Free

Signal Pulse Engine

Signal Pulse Engine by Output is an impressive collection of analog synths and real instruments blended together, offering 2 GB of completely free content and 25 unique presets. This is the lite version of Signal — the full version contains up to 40 GB of content and over 500 presets.

With a sleek, modern, and innovative interface, this instrument is fully customizable and packed with features that help you create a powerful, cutting-edge sound without spending a dime.

Key Features

      •   Includes 4 distinct sound sources.
      •   Over 2 GB of premium content.
      •   25 pulse-based instruments.
      •   Wide range of built-in effects, plus arpeggiator and looper.

System Requirements

      •   Full version of Kontakt required (will only work for 15 minutes in the free version).
      •   4 GB of available disk space.
      •   4 GB of RAM (8 GB recommended).
      •   Windows 7 or later; Mac OS X 10.8 or later.

Get this virtual instrument here: Signal Free

Komplete Start

While this library is already well-known among many producers, it absolutely deserves a spot on this list thanks to the sheer amount of high-value content it offers — and the outstanding quality of that content.
Komplete Start is the free, streamlined version of Native Instruments’ flagship Komplete bundle. It includes over 2,000 professional-quality sounds at no cost, along with a wide selection of synths, samples, and effects. This massive collection covers virtually every type of production: drums, basses, pads, percussion, vintage sounds, and more.
In total, you get 21 downloadable instruments (plus effects and players) from the Native Instruments website. Of course, if you compare it to the full versions of Komplete or Komplete Ultimate, which are far more extensive, you'll notice it lacks things like pianos, strings, or world instruments. Still, this free bundle is truly impressive.

Key Features

      •   Over 2,000 included sounds with excellent sound quality.
      •   7 powerful synthesizers, including Mikro Prism and Carbon 2.
      •   9 sampled instruments, including some world instruments and the Expansions Selection.
      •   2 effects: Supercharger and Guitar Rig 6 Player.
      •   Also includes Komplete Kontrol, Kontakt 6 Player, and Reaktor 6 Player.

System Requirements

      •   At least 2 GB of free disk space (7 GB for full installation).
      •   Graphics card compatible with OpenGL 2.1 or later.
      •   Windows 7 or later; macOS 10.12, 10.13, 10.14, or 10.15.

Download this free sound library bundle here: Komplete Start

Arcane

Part virtual instrument, part audio toy, Arcane by Embertone is a highly original VST packed with free content, perfect for creative or thematic projects.
Through a mysterious spirit board interface, you unlock access to different “realms” including Desolation, Specter, Hell, Offering, and Reward — the last one reveals a hidden bonus instrument.
Each level contains a unique set of eerie and eclectic sounds: haunting voices, chimes, creepy drones, growls, unsettling ambiences, squeaky textures, creaks, and slamming doors.
If you're working on a Halloween-themed project, this library is a perfect fit. And yes — it's completely free.
Tip: Use it with an internet connection to unlock its full interactive experience — it's way more fun that way.

Key Features

      •   Unique and imaginative interface you won’t find in any other VST.
      •   Over 2,500 free samples.
      •   2 GB of exclusive content.
      •   6 distinct scenes, each with a different set of sounds.

System Requirements

      •   Compatible with the free Kontakt 5 Player 5.4.1 or later.
      •   Windows 7 or later, Intel Core 2 Duo or AMD Athlon™ 64 X2.
      •   macOS 10.8 or 10.9.
      •   Minimum 8 GB of RAM.

Download this free ambient VST here: Arcane

Free Radicals

Another excellent ambient VST from 8Dio that was once sold for $128 — now available completely free.
This virtual instrument, created in collaboration with over 100 sound designers, features dark and rhythmic ambiences, distorted hybrid sounds, tonal effects, hits, and risers.
This is not your typical library — some of the samples take on a chaotic, apocalyptic tone and may not fit in just any musical context.
8Dio themselves describe it as “the darkest library we’ve ever created.” It’s ideal for sound designers and those who love experimental, non-traditional textures.

Key Features

      •   Over 1,000 unique sounds, including tonal ambiences, rhythmic ambiences, hits, risers, and microwaves.
      •   Modwheel control for expressive performance.
      •   More than 1,000 samples of high-quality content.
      •   A wide variety of built-in effects, including delay, rotator, convolution, and lo-fi processing.

System Requirements

      •   Full version of Kontakt 5.5 or later required.
      •   At least 2 GB of free disk space.
      •   macOS X 10.4 or 10.5, G5 2.0 GHz or Intel Core Duo 2.00 GHz.
      •   Windows XP (32-bit) or Windows Vista (32/64-bit), Pentium or Athlon XP 2.0 GHz.
      •   Minimum 2 GB of RAM.

Get this virtual instrument here: Free Radicals

Free Ethnic Flute Phrases

Sonuscore offers a free, scaled-down version of their Ethnic Flute Phrases instrument. You can download this beautifully recorded flute library featuring 100 real ethnic flute phrases, performed with expressive nuance and a rich, warm tone in a free, lyrical style. The lines are creative, professional, and transport the listener to remote corners of Asia.

This VST is extremely easy to use, offering phrases and melodies in major, minor, Dorian, and Lydian scales. You can also adjust the tempo of each phrase — though it’s best used sparingly, as excessive changes may affect the instrument’s natural vibrato.

Key Features

      •   Over 100 authentic ethnic flute phrases.
      •   A variety of keys and multiple scales, including major, minor, Lydian, and Dorian modes.
      •   Adjustable phrase tempo.
      •   Includes an effects section for EQ, reverb, and delay.

System Requirements

      •   Full version of Kontakt 5.8.1 or later required.
      •   170 MB of free disk space.
      •   4 GB of RAM.
      •   Windows 7 or later; macOS 10.11 or later.
      •   Intel Core 2 Duo processor or higher recommended.

Download this free sound library here: Free Ethnic Flute Phrases

Cinematic Synthetic Drums

Impact Soundworks offers a fantastic cinematic percussion library and premium-quality sounds — completely free.
Designed primarily for video games and trailers, this percussion VST includes a wide range of powerful instruments such as hits, kicks, cymbals, sub-booms, textures, drones, and much more. It blends both acoustic and electronic elements for maximum versatility.
As expected from this developer, the sound quality is outstanding — it doesn’t feel like a free instrument at all.
The user interface is simple, clean, and intuitive.

Key Features

      •   Fully original synthetic content.
      •   Over 50 individual percussion sounds.
      •   More than 10 velocity layers per sound.
      •   Includes drones, textures, and bonus content.
      •   5 built-in effects to choose from, including distortion, amp simulation, phasing, and more.

System Requirements

      •   Full version of Kontakt 4 or later required.
      •   At least 300 MB of free disk space.

Get this cinematic percussion VST here: Cinematic Synthetic Drums

Sonatina Symphonic Orchestra

Sonatina Symphonic Orchestra is a completely free orchestral VST, developed by Mattias Westlund and Big Cat Instruments, released under the Creative Commons Sampling Plus 1.0 license.
For a free library, it’s quite impressive — it includes a full collection of orchestral instruments covering strings, woodwinds, brass, choir, piano, and percussion. While it may not match the depth and realism of high-end orchestral libraries, it’s an excellent choice if you’re just starting out in music production or want to add some acoustic orchestral elements to your tracks.

Key Features

      •   Over 20 different instruments and 50 articulations.
      •   Full string section: violins, violas, cellos, basses, plus solo violin and solo cello.
      •   Brass section: trumpets, horns, trombones, and tuba — both ensemble and solo.
      •   Woodwinds: flutes, clarinets, oboes, bassoons, and piccolo — ensemble and solo.
      •   Grand piano and male/female choir.
      •   Various mallet instruments like timpani and xylophone.
      •   Complete percussion section: cymbals, congas, triangle, castanets, shakers, tam-tam, and more.
      •   Includes sustains, pizzicatos, staccatos, rolls, and other articulations.

System Requirements

      •   Comes with its own standalone player — no additional software required.
      •   At least 1 GB of free disk space.

Get this free orchestral VST here: Sonatina Symphonic Orchestra

Free You

Another fantastic VST from 8Dio that was once sold for $148 — now completely free. Over 200 different sound designers contributed to this library, which includes more than 4.5 GB of content and 300 unique presets.
Inside, you’ll find tonal textures, pulses, rhythmic textures and pads, countless articulations, and exclusive material with a distinctive, unconventional character.
The overall sound is top-tier and unlike most other VSTs on the market. The user interface is also extremely intuitive and easy to navigate.

Key Features

      •   300 presets, each built with three sound layers.
      •   26 sound banks, each with 12 unique patches.
      •   Modwheel control for expressive manipulation.
      •   A wide variety of rhythmic patterns and pulses.
      •   Advanced texture composition engine.
      •   Sound sources from 200+ professional designers.
      •   Tons of innovative effects, including Chaos, Textural Convolution, delay, screamer, crusher, fuzz distortion, and more.
      •   Includes sustains, pizzicatos, staccatos, rolls, and articulations.

System Requirements

      •   Requires the full version of Kontakt 5.5 or later.
      •   4.6 GB of free disk space.
      •   8 GB of RAM.
      •   Windows XP (32-bit) or Vista (32/64-bit), Pentium or Athlon XP 2.0 GHz.
      •   macOS X 10.4 or 10.5, G5 2.4 GHz or Intel Core Duo 2.00 GHz.

Get this texture-based VST here: Free You

Shortnoise

An amazing electronic music VST developed by Prodyon, featuring a massive 6 GB of content and over 300 different instruments. Best of all — it used to sell for $199, and now it’s completely free to download!
Highly customizable, this library is packed with synths, sound effects, arpeggiators, basses, keyboards, pads, ambiences, hybrid instruments, percussion patterns, and much more.
The sound is great, with endless options for crafting a modern, polished, and distinctive tone. Perfect for electronic music production and hybrid scoring.

Key Features

      •   Over 6 GB of exclusive content and 11,000 WAV files (seriously impressive).
      •   300+ instruments and 150 multis.
      •   Includes basses, keys, sound FX, arps, pads, and synths.
      •   All kinds of effects and filters to shape your sound: LFOs, distortion, attack, resonance, and more.

System Requirements

      •   Requires the full version of Kontakt 4 or later (not compatible with the free Kontakt Player).
      •   6 GB of free disk space.

Download this electronic VST here: Shortnoise

Shreddage 3 Stratus Free

Powerful free electric guitar VST from Impact Soundworks. Just like their free electric bass, this virtual instrument is a stripped-down version of Shreddage 3 Stratus, which normally retails for $149.
Featuring an incredibly realistic and professional sound, this nearly 1 GB library includes both sustained and palm-muted samples across a three-octave range, along with a newly implemented strumming engine. Some features available only in the full paid version include tremolos, staccatos, and slides.

Key Features

      •   Three-octave playable range.
      •   Up to 24 round-robin samples per note.
      •   Includes sustains, palm mutes, and chokes.
      •   Authentic guitar noises and articulations.
      •   Over 30 custom guitar cabinets.

System Requirements

      •   Full version of Kontakt 5.7 or later required (not compatible with Kontakt Player)
      •   1 GB of free hard drive space.
      •   4 GB of RAM.

Download this free electric guitar VST here: Shreddage 3 Stratus FREE

Free ASMR

Another high-quality free VST courtesy of 8Dio, packed with exclusive content and previously sold commercially.
Much like Free Angels, Free Radicals, and Free You, this library was created with the collaboration of a large team of sound designers.
This instrument delivers over 7 GB of unique, free content including instrument loops, living creatures, organic textures, ambient sounds, and tonal elements.
The sound quality is truly impressive, and the samples are both creative and unusual—offering something far beyond what most free synths typically provide. A one-of-a-kind library, perfect for unconventional or experimental projects.

Key Features

      •   Loops of various instruments, creature sounds, natural ambiances, everyday materials, and sound shots.
      •   8 GB of exclusive, high-quality content.
      •   Advanced interface with built-in FX engine.
      •   Custom-designed special effects.
      •   Integrated sequencer, modulator, and intuitive effects controls.

System Requirements

      •   Full version of Kontakt 5.8 or later required (not compatible with Kontakt Player)
      •   7.22 GB of free hard drive space.
      •   Intel Core i5 or equivalent processor.
      •   8 GB of RAM.

Download this sound library here: Free ASMR

MonasteryGrand

If you're a music producer, chances are you're already familiar with some of MeldaProduction’s free effects—but today we're not talking about an effect plugin. This time, it’s all about an acoustic piano VST.
Largely undiscovered, MonasteryGrand is a hidden gem: a beautifully recorded grand piano captured in a concert hall with stunning acoustics.
Thanks to its rich tonal quality and subtle nuances, it’s especially well-suited for rock and pop genres, though it can certainly yield interesting results in classical compositions too.
Recorded with 16 different microphones, this library contains over 50 GB of raw data, with a downloadable package totaling around 3 GB.

Key Features

      •   Over 3 GB of free content.
      •   Recorded in a concert hall with premium acoustics.
      •   Adjustable tonal settings such as body, warmth, color, and bass.
      •   Built-in FX section with delay, reverb, compression, and enhancer.
      •   Includes MonasteryGrandCreative, a loop-based version of the original samples.

System Requirements

      •   Requires installation of MSoundFactory (also free).
      •   4 GB of free hard drive space.

Download the piano library here: MonasteryGrand

Songwriting Guitar

To wrap up this list, we’ve selected another fantastic instrument from 8Dio: Songwriting Guitar—featuring acoustic and electric guitar strumming patterns. Previously a paid product, it’s now available completely free.

It offers over 650 unique strums and more than 1 GB of content, including adaptable rhythmic patterns and harmonic/melodic progressions inspired by over 40 well-known pop and rock songs.
With its modern, realistic, and polished sound, this VST is an excellent choice for pop and indie tracks—and remarkably solid for a free instrument.
If you haven’t downloaded it yet, don’t wait. It includes everything you need—both harmonically and rhythmically—to start building your next song.

Key Features

      •   650 unique strums.
      •   1.4 GB of exclusive content.
      •   Three guitar types: acoustic, clean electric, and distorted electric.
      •   Guitars auto-sync to your track’s BPM.
      •   Major and minor chords in all 12 keys.
      •   Modwheel control.
      •   Wide range of effects: flanger, lo-fi, rotator, delay, convolution reverb, distortion, phaser, and more.

System Requirements

      •   Requires full version of Kontakt 5.5 or later (not compatible with Kontakt Player)
      •   1.4 GB of free hard drive space.
      •   macOS X 10.4/10.5, G5 2.0 GHz or Intel Core Duo 2.00 GHz.
      •   Windows XP (32-bit) or Vista (32/64-bit), Pentium or Athlon XP 2.0 GHz.
      •   Minimum 2 GB RAM

Download this guitar VST here: Songwriting Guitar

We hope you’ve enjoyed this collection of some of the best-kept secrets in the world of free VSTs—hidden gems that sound genuinely impressive.