The Best Free Synth VST Plugins You Can Download Right Now
Finding a great synth VST without spending a dime feels like discovering hidden treasure. Whether you’re after deep bass, shimmering pads, or full-blown modular madness, there are some insanely powerful free synths out there that rival paid plugins. From open-source powerhouses to stripped-down versions of legendary instruments, these synths offer pro-quality sounds with zero cost. And in 2025, free synths are better than ever—more versatile, more polished, and sometimes even indistinguishable from their premium counterparts. In this list, we’re breaking down the absolute best free synth VSTs you can download right now. Some focus on classic analog warmth, others dive into FM and wavetable magic, and a few bring unique, experimental twists. Whether you're just starting out or looking to expand your plugin collection, these synths will add serious firepower to your setup—without touching your wallet. Let’s get into it.
The Best Free Synth VST Plugins You Can Download Right Now
Surge XT Team – Surge XT
Vital
Ujam – Usynth DRIVE
Arturia – Analog Lab Play
Cherry Audio – Synthesizer Expander Module
Klevgrand – SyndtSphere v2
Cradle – State Machine Bitflip
u-he – Tyrell N6
u-he – Zebralette
DiscoDSP – OB-Xd
Full Bucket Music – Various Synths
Behringer – Vintage
Spitfire Audio – LABS Classic Synths
Kilohearts – kHs ONE
Meat Beats – Micro Keys
TAL Software – TAL-NoiseMaker
Digital Suburban – Dexed
Surge XT Team – Surge XT
Once a paid synth, Surge XT is now one of the most powerful open-source synthesizers available—for free. It features a hybrid synthesis engine, combining wavetable, FM, subtractive, and additive synthesis, giving you an insane range of sonic possibilities. With three oscillators per voice, over 2,000 presets, MPE support, and an intuitive modulation system, Surge XT is both a playground for sound design and a go-to synth for instant inspiration. It also has a flexible dual-filter system, extensive LFO and envelope options, and customizable effects that rival many premium synths. Whether you want classic analog sounds, futuristic digital textures, or deep evolving atmospheres, Surge XT can do it all—and it’s constantly updated by an active community of developers.
Download here
Vital
If you’re looking for a free wavetable synth that competes with industry giants, Vital is the one. Its visually-driven interface makes sound design incredibly intuitive, letting you see exactly how waveforms, filters, and modulations interact in real time. With three powerful oscillators, drag-and-drop modulation, and spectral warping, you can sculpt sounds with precise control. The built-in advanced effects (like phaser, delay, and reverb) add polish, while the MPE support and unison capabilities make it a dream for expressive playing. Even the free version comes with plenty of wavetables and presets, though upgrading unlocks more. Whether you’re crafting lush pads, gritty basses, or glitchy textures, Vital is one of the best free synths ever released.
Download here
Ujam – Usynth DRIVE
Usynth DRIVE is a free synth from Ujam built for fat, punchy basslines and aggressive analog-style leads. It keeps things simple, using macro-based controls to shape sounds fast without deep tweaking. The built-in sequencer and effects help create movement and energy, making it great for electronic, cinematic, and synthwave styles. While it lacks the deep programmability of full-fledged synths, it delivers instant inspiration with its high-quality sound engine. If you want hard-hitting bass, edgy leads, and a fast workflow, this one’s worth adding to your collection.
Download here
Arturia – Analog Lab Play
Analog Lab Play is a free version of Arturia’s powerful Analog Lab software, giving you 100 high-quality presets from their legendary V Collection. It features carefully curated sounds from vintage synths, electric pianos, and modern hybrid instruments, all with easy-to-use macro controls for quick tweaking. While it lacks the deep editing of the full version, it offers a huge range of pro-level sounds that sit perfectly in any mix. Whether you need cinematic pads, lush keys, or fat basses, Analog Lab Play delivers instant inspiration without the price tag. If you want authentic analog tones with a sleek, modern interface, this is a fantastic freebie from Arturia.
Download here
Cherry Audio – Synthesizer Expander Module
A free emulation of the classic Oberheim Synthesizer Expander Module, this Cherry Audio plugin brings a legendary 1974 monosynth into the modern era. Originally designed to be paired with one of the first digital sequencers, it played a key role in early polyphonic synthesis. With ultra-accurate dual oscillators and a multi-mode state-variable filter, it delivers rich, analog-style leads, basses, and sequences. The massive unison mode adds extra depth, while the built-in Phasor effect recreates a vintage Oberheim stompbox for even more character. Featuring 100+ presets and full MIDI automation, it’s a killer synth for retro and modern sounds alike.
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Cradle – State Machine Bitflip
For those who love gritty, glitchy digital textures, Bitflip is a dream. As part of Cradle’s State Machine series, this free synth specializes in lo-fi digital distortion, aliasing, and extreme sound mangling. It’s built for producers who love raw, unpredictable tones, with modulation options that make every patch feel alive. While it’s not a traditional synth for smooth leads or warm pads, it’s perfect for cyberpunk sound design, glitchy beats, and experimental electronic music. If you want harsh, broken digital goodness, this one’s a no-brainer.
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u-he – Tyrell N6
A hidden gem in the free synth world, Tyrell N6 was originally designed as a hardware concept, but u-he turned it into a full-fledged virtual analog synth. Inspired by the classic Roland Juno series, it delivers thick, warm basses, lush pads, and punchy leads with a super intuitive interface. The dual oscillators, snappy envelopes, and built-in unison mode give it a massive, vintage sound that fits right into synthwave, techno, and house production. If you love classic 80s analog tones, Tyrell N6 is one of the best free options out there.
Download here
Klevgrand – SyndtSphere v2
SyndtSphere v2 is not your typical subtractive synth—instead of tweaking knobs, you morph between sounds by moving through a futuristic 3D sphere interface. Packed with 70+ presets, it delivers everything from smooth, evolving pads to gritty leads and quirky experimental sounds. The design makes it super beginner-friendly, while still offering depth for sound designers who love unconventional approaches to synthesis. If you want a fun, visual way to explore sound design without getting lost in menus, SyndtSphere is a must-try.
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u-he – Zebralette
Zebralette is not just a freebie—it’s actually a powerful wavetable synth that introduces you to u-he’s Zebra engine. Despite having only one oscillator, it’s packed with spectral morphing, deep modulation, and lush, evolving textures. The sound is highly animated, making it perfect for atmospheric pads, sci-fi leads, and cinematic soundscapes. If you’re curious about Zebra2’s legendary engine but don’t want to spend money yet, Zebralette gives you a taste of its deep, evolving synthesis for free.
Download here
DiscoDSP – OB-Xd
Inspired by the legendary Oberheim OB-X, OB-Xd delivers thick, lush analog synth sounds with a modern twist. It nails the vintage warmth that made the OB-X famous while adding improvements like adjustable voice variance for authentic detuning. The fat polyphonic pads, soaring leads, and rich basses make it perfect for synthwave, house, and classic rock. Unlike many free synths, OB-Xd competes with premium analog emulations, making it a must-have for fans of vintage Oberheim tones.
Download here
Full Bucket Music – Various Synths
Full Bucket Music is known for painstakingly accurate emulations of vintage synths, all completely free. From the FB-3300 (a Korg PS-3300 emulation) to the Mono/Fury (a Korg Mono/Poly clone), these synths sound authentic, are lightweight on CPU, and offer hands-on control. Whether you need big analog basses, spacey pads, or classic mono leads, there’s a Full Bucket synth for you. If you love vintage hardware sounds without the price tag, these are some of the best free synths around.
Download here
Behringer – Vintage
Behringer’s VINTAGE is a free virtual analog synthesizer that models the warmth and character of classic synths from the ‘70s and ‘80s. Featuring two oscillators with hard sync, a dual-filter section, and a noise generator, it delivers lush, retro sounds with modern flexibility. The 100 built-in presets cover iconic tones from legendary synths, making it perfect for instant inspiration. It also includes dual LFOs, filter drive, and flexible routing, giving you plenty of room for sound design. Behringer is giving it away for free while supporting music education initiatives.
Download here
Spitfire Audio – LABS Classic Synths
Unlike the other synths here, LABS Classic Synths isn’t a synthesizer—it’s a high-quality sample-based instrument capturing the essence of vintage analog synths. Created by Spitfire Audio, it features lush pads, fat basses, and rich leads, all carefully recorded from classic hardware. The simple interface makes it easy to use, while the studio-quality sound ensures it sits well in any mix. If you love analog synth sounds but prefer ready-to-go patches, this is a fantastic freebie.
Download here
Kilohearts – kHs ONE
Originally a paid synth, kHs ONE is now completely free, offering a thick, warm analog sound with modern flexibility. It features two oscillators, built-in unison, and smooth filters, making it great for deep basses, warm pads, and rich leads. While it’s not the most complex synth, it excels at simple, fat sounds that sit well in a mix. If you want an easy-to-use virtual analog synth with a pro-quality sound, kHs ONE is worth a download.
Download here
TAL Software – TAL-NoiseMaker
A true gem in the free synth world, TAL-NoiseMaker is a versatile virtual analog synth that delivers warm, rich tones with a streamlined interface. It features two oscillators, a sub-oscillator, and a flexible multimode filter, making it great for deep basses, lush pads, and classic leads. The built-in arpeggiator, modulation options, and onboard effects give it a polished, ready-to-use sound. Unlike many free synths, NoiseMaker offers a solid mix of simplicity and depth, making it a great tool for both beginners and seasoned producers. If you want a lightweight but powerful synth with a classic analog feel, this one is a must-have.
Download here
Digital Suburban – Dexed
Love Yamaha DX7 sounds? Dexed is the ultimate free FM synth, faithfully emulating the DX7’s legendary glassy bells, deep basses, and rich keys. It even loads original DX7 patches, making it perfect for 80s nostalgia, house music, and cinematic sound design. FM synthesis can be tricky, but Dexed makes it accessible and powerful—without the price tag.
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Meat Beats – Micro Keys
A quirky free ROMpler, Micro Keys brings back the cheesy but lovable sounds of 90s synths. Packed with plucky leads, retro pads, and digital keys, it’s great for lo-fi, vaporwave, or nostalgic throwback tracks. While it lacks deep editing, the sounds are instantly usable and add a vintage charm to any production. If you love quirky, nostalgic synth tones, this one’s a fun addition.
Download here
Cover credit: Ghebby
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