How Much is Arcade by Output: Is the Subscription Worth the Price in 2025?
Music production tools are essential for modern-day creators, whether you’re a beginner or an experienced professional. One name that has become synonymous with innovative sample-based production is Output Arcade. With a sleek interface, a massive library of sounds, and tools designed for creativity, it’s no wonder that many beatmakers are interested in this sampler plugin. In this article, we’ll break down everything you need to know about Output Arcade’s pricing, the value it offers, and how it compares to other services like Splice and Loopcloud.
Updated March 2025: This article has been refreshed with the latest pricing details and additional alternatives, including an updated comparison with Splice and Loopcloud, and the newest instruments in the Excite Audio Bloom Bundle.
How Much Does Output Arcade Cost?
Let’s start with the question on everyone’s mind: How much is Output Arcade?
Arcade operates on a subscription-based pricing model. As of March 2025, Arcade offers two main subscription options:
Both plans grant you unlimited access to everything Arcade has to offer. Importantly, they also offer a 7-day free trial, which allows you to try everything before committing. This means you can explore its vast library and functionality with no upfront costs, making it a risk-free option to test whether it fits your creative needs.
The best part? Even after you cancel your subscription, Arcade will still play any MIDI data sent to it, and your sessions will sound exactly as they did when you made them (although you won’t be able to access the interface or make any new tweaks inside the VST.)
While other services like Splice operate on a credit-based system (e.g., $7.99 for 100 credits), Arcade’s flat subscription pricing ensures that you always have unlimited access to their growing library of loops and samples. This is a significant advantage for producers needing a steady supply of sounds without worrying about credit budgeting.
Additionally, the yearly plan provides substantial savings for those who know they’ll be using Arcade long-term, offering nearly half off the price compared to the monthly plan. If you plan to make Arcade a permanent fixture in your toolkit, the annual subscription is clearly the more cost-effective option.
What Do You Get for $12.99 a Month?
If you’re considering trying Arcade by Output, you’ve probably seen the plugin in action in a social media ad or a YouTube tutorial. You probably know that Arcade is a powerful tool—but maybe you'd like to learn more about what it can actually do..
Here are its best features in my opinion.
A Massive and Constantly Expanding Library
Arcade’s strength lies in its library of over 50,000 loops and samples, which are organized into curated collections called Sample Lines. These collections span every genre you can think of, from hip-hop to electronic music, ambient to pop, cinematic to experimental. This makes it incredibly versatile for producers of any style.
The library is constantly growing, with new content added daily. This means you never run out of fresh sounds to inspire you, and you don’t need to worry about buying new sample packs or spending credits for specific loops as you do with Splice or Loopcloud. Everything is accessible for the flat $12.99 per month.
Customizable Kits and Sounds
In addition to loops, Arcade offers Tonal Kits and Drum Kits. These aren’t just static loops but playable instruments that give you the flexibility to create melodies, beats, and textures that are entirely your own. Arcade’s playable kits allow you to manipulate these sounds in real-time, ensuring that you can tailor them to fit your project’s exact needs.
One of the standout features is that you can also upload your own samples into Arcade to replace any sound in a kit. Once uploaded, these sounds can be manipulated using Arcade’s extensive array of effects, filters, and custom tools, making it a hybrid between a sample service and a fully customizable virtual instrument.
Seamless Integration
Arcade isn’t just about having access to a vast library of samples; it’s also about giving producers the tools they need to manipulate those sounds effortlessly. The Arcade plugin works as a VST, meaning you can load it directly into your DAW, and just like any other virtual instrument, it can be easily mapped to your favorite MIDI controller. This seamless integration allows you to work with Arcade in your projects without constantly jumping between external software and your DAW.
Arcade’s interface is one of its greatest strengths. Despite the sheer amount of content available, the layout is clean and intuitive. Even beginners can easily find what they need, whether it’s a sound pack or a sample-based instrument. Everything is organized into clear categories, and the search function makes it easy to locate sounds by genre, instrument, or mood.
Real-Time Customization
Each sound in Arcade is completely customizable in real-time. Once you load a module, you can use Arcade’s built-in effects, modulation, pitch-shifting, as well as its comprehensive sample-editing page to make it your own. This ability to customize in real-time is what sets Arcade apart from more traditional sample libraries where loops are often static and require external editing.
The macro controls also make it easy to tweak several parameters at once, allowing for smooth and dynamic sound changes. This level of control makes Arcade more than just a sample library—the possibilities are endless.
What's New in Arcade for 2025?
If you're already familiar with Arcade or returning after some time away, you'll be happy to know that Output has kept things fresh in 2025 with both content and feature updates. These 2025 updates are what makes Arcade so compelling—not only do you get abundance of sounds, but the constant attention to quality, creativity, and improvement is also there!
New Sample Lines Across Genres
Arcade continues to expand its massive sound library, and 2025 has already seen the release of several standout Sample Lines. New genre-focused packs like UK Garage, Latin Drill, and Hyperpop Essentials bring fresh textures and rhythmic energy into the mix. Whether you're working on club tracks, cinematic scoring, or left-field pop, these new lines are designed to keep up with current music trends while staying true to Arcade’s creative ethos.
Expanded Kits Within Popular Lines
Output hasn’t just been launching new content—they’ve also added depth to existing Sample Lines. Popular categories like Hooked (vocal lines), Modular Circuitry, and Aura (ambient textures) have received new Tonal Kits and Drum Kits in 2025. These additions keep the sounds evolving and ensure that even long-time users find something fresh every time they log in.
Feature Updates and Workflow Improvements
On the tech side, Arcade has introduced subtle but impactful improvements to the plugin. The AI Kit Generator is now more responsive and accurate, especially when building kits from user-uploaded samples. The keyboard interface and tweak page have also been visually refreshed for a smoother editing experience. It’s not a full redesign, but longtime users will notice better performance and faster navigation across the plugin.
Comparison: Arcade vs. Splice and Loopcloud
Now that we've explored what Arcade offers, let's compare it to two other popular sample services in the market: Splice and Loopcloud. Both platforms operate on subscription-based models but differ in their approaches to accessing samples and sound libraries.
Splice offers several subscription plans
Sounds+ Plan: $12.99 per month for 100 credits.
Creator Plan: $19.99 per month for 200 credits.
Creator+ Plan: $39.99 per month for 500 credits.
Each credit allows you to download one sample, and unused credits roll over to the next month. This system offers flexibility, enabling users to pay only for the samples they need.
Loopcloud provides three main subscription tiers
Artist Plan: $7.99 per month for 100 points and 5 GB of cloud storage.
Studio Plan: $11.99 per month for 300 points and 50 GB of cloud storage.
Professional Plan: $21.99 per month for 600 points and 250 GB of cloud storage.
Points can be exchanged for samples, with the number of points per sample varying based on complexity and rarity. Loopcloud also offers a 14-day free trial with 100 points to spend on samples and presets.
Output Arcade continues to operate on a flat-rate subscription model, offering unlimited access to its entire library for $12.99 per month (or 8.33$ with the annual plan). This approach is advantageous for producers who require a constant influx of new sounds without worrying about credits or additional costs.
In summary, each platform offers unique benefits:
Splice provides flexibility with its credit-based system, allowing users to pay only for the samples they need.
Loopcloud offers a vast library and additional features like cloud storage and plugin integration, catering to producers seeking a comprehensive solution.Loopcloud+1Loopcloud+1
Output Arcade stands out with its unlimited access model, making it ideal for those who prefer a flat-rate subscription without worrying about credits.
Ultimately, the choice between these platforms depends on individual preferences and production needs. Some producers may even find value in using multiple services in tandem to fully harness the strengths of each.
Another Alternative: Excite Audio Bloom Bundle
A unique alternative to Arcade is the Excite Audio Bloom Bundle, a growing series of playable instruments designed around loops, one-shots, and phrases. Each Bloom plugin is like a curated sampler engine — think of it as a creative toolkit that combines sampling, sequencing, and expressive effects into one streamlined interface.
Instruments Included in the Bundle
Vocal Aether and Vocal Edit – for cinematic and pop-ready vocal chops and textures
Drum Breaks and Drum Machine – focused on vintage hardware-inspired rhythm sections
Bass Impulse and Bass Groove – playable electric and synth basses with sequencing
Synth Atmosphere – a lush ambient synth engine
Palette Object – foley-inspired textures for experimental layering
What’s New in 2025
Recent updates (as of version 1.2) now allow user sample import, so you can load your own loops and one-shots into the engines and process them with Bloom’s effects and macros. This puts it more in line with what Arcade offers—only without the subscription.
Once you purchase any Bloom plugin, it’s yours forever—no subscription required. And each one includes 250+ presets and intuitive performance features like macro effects, sequence modifiers, and key-locked phrase triggering.
While it may not have the ever-expanding library Arcade offers, Bloom shines as a powerful, one-time-purchase toolkit that’s perfect for sparking ideas and layering unexpected textures into your music.
Is Output Arcade Worth It?
After breaking down the pricing, functionality, and versatility, let’s get to the heart of the matter: Is Output Arcade worth the price?
In short, yes—Arcade offers an incredible amount of value for just $12.99 per month. With its unlimited access to thousands of sounds, frequent updates, customizable kits, and real-time editing features, it’s a powerful tool for any producer.
Especially for beginners who feel intimidated by all the expensive VST plugins on the market right now in 2025, this is a great value. You could make an almost infinite amount professional beats using only Arcade.
Compared to Splice’s credit system and Loopcloud’s hybrid model, Arcade’s flat-rate subscription is often a better deal for producers who need a constant supply of sounds without worrying about credits. While Splice and Loopcloud are great services in their own right, Arcade’s blend of simplicity, versatility, and cost-effectiveness gives it a competitive edge.
The yearly plan sweetens the deal by offering a large discount, making it an even better investment if you’re committed to using Arcade long-term.
Hey, Just Try (For Free) and See!
In the fast-paced world of music production, there’s no better time to dive in and start creating. Whether you’re an experienced producer or just getting started, the tools available today allow you to craft incredible tracks without spending a fortune.
Take advantage of that free 7-day trial, experiment with its vast library of sounds, and see just how much music you can make in a short period. Even if you choose to cancel afterward, the experience and music you create will be yours forever. But be warned: you just might fall in love with the ease and creativity that Arcade unlocks!
Common Questions About Output Arcade
How much is Arcade by Output?
Arcade currently costs $12.99 per month, or you can opt for the yearly plan at $99.99, which comes out to about $8.33 per month. Both plans offer unlimited access to all features.
Is there a free trial?
Yes, Arcade offers a 7-day free trial, giving you full access to all sounds and features so you can test it out before deciding to subscribe. You can cancel your subscription at any time. Once canceled, you will continue to have access until the end of your current billing cycle.
And in case you’re wondering… If you cancel during the free trial, you won’t be charged anything!
Are the samples in Arcade copyright-free and royalty-free?
Yes — all samples in Arcade by Output are 100% royalty-free for commercial use. Once you download and use a sample in your track, you’re free to release, distribute, and monetize your music without needing to pay additional royalties or worry about copyright claims.
This includes both the loops and the kits available in Arcade. You’re also free to manipulate, edit, and combine them however you like to make your productions unique.
Can I cancel my subscription anytime?
Yes, you can cancel your subscription at any time. Once canceled, you will continue to have access until the end of your current billing cycle.
Will my projects using Arcade still open after I cancel my subscription?
Arcade will still play any MIDI data sent to it, and your sessions will sound exactly as they did when you made them
How often is new content added?
New content is added to Arcade every month, so there’s always something fresh to explore, whether you're looking for loops, kits, or full sample lines.
Is Output Arcade worth it?
In my opinion, yes. For $12.99 a month, the unlimited access to a constantly growing library of sounds and the versatility it offers make it a great value, especially compared to other platforms where you pay per sample.
At the VERY least, the free trial is a no-brainer.
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Prices mentioned are approximate and provided as a general reference. For exact pricing, please verify with the retailer directly.
Internet Tattoo is not sponsored by Output.