Best Virtual Instruments in 2026
Updated
Software instruments let you add playable sounds to a production or performance setup, with different instrument focuses and ways to work. Compared on built-in samples, included presets, plugin formats, and standalone app availability, the entries can help you find options that fit your sound and workflow. MPE support may matter if your performance setup uses expressive controllers; free plans and paid-from pricing give cost context. IK Multimedia ReSing, BBC Symphony Orchestra, and Dexed are among the names to explore, along with Surge XT and Vital. Consider which sound sources, formats, and operating modes suit the way you compose, arrange, or play.
Virtual Instruments, one module each.
- 01 IK Multimedia ReSing FREE yesDOCS 6.0Free
- 02 Virtual Drummer FREE yesDOCS 6.0Free
- 03 BBC Symphony Orchestra FREE yesDOCS 5.9Free
- 04 PREMIER SOUND FACTORY FREE yesDOCS 5.9Free
- 05 Vital FREE yesDOCS 5.9$5/mo
- 06 Voltage Modular FREE yesDOCS 5.9Free
- 07 Dexed FREE yesDOCS 5.8Free
- 08 Surge XT FREE yesDOCS 5.8Free
- 09 EZmix 3 FREE noDOCS 5.4
- 10 MASCHINE FREE noDOCS 5.4$39/mo
- 11 Repro FREE noDOCS 5.4
- 12 Trilian FREE noDOCS 5.4
- 13 EastWest ComposerCloud+ FREE noDOCS 5.3$5.75/mo
- 14 Efx FRAGMENTS FREE noDOCS 5.3
- 15 Garritan Abbey Road Studios CFX Concert Grand FREE noDOCS 5.3
- 16 KORG Collection FREE noDOCS 5.3$15.99/mo
- 17 NotePerformer FREE noDOCS 5.3$10.75/mo
- 18 Pianoteq FREE noDOCS 5.3
- 19 Virtual Guitarist FREE noDOCS 5.3
- 20 Virtual Pianist FREE noDOCS 5.3
- 21 XO FREE noDOCS 5.3
- 22 OB-E FREE noDOCS 5.2
- 23 Magnus Choir FREE noDOCS 5.0
- 24 Kontakt 8 FREE noDOCS 4.9
- 25 VOCALOID3 Library kokone FREE noDOCS 4.9
Compare all 25 in a table
| # | Platform | Score | Free plan | Free plan | Paid from | Plugin formats | Standalone app |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | IK Multimedia ReSing | 6.0 | Free plan | Yes | 149.99 one-time | Yes | |
| 2 | Virtual Drummer | 6.0 | Free plan | No | 119 one-time | Yes | |
| 3 | BBC Symphony Orchestra | 5.9 | Free plan | Yes | 449 one-time | No | |
| 4 | PREMIER SOUND FACTORY | 5.9 | Free plan | Yes | 81 one-time | Yes | |
| 5 | Vital | 5.9 | Free plan | Yes | 25 one-time | ||
| 6 | Voltage Modular | 5.9 | Free plan | Yes | Yes | ||
| 7 | Dexed | 5.8 | Free plan | Yes | Yes | ||
| 8 | Surge XT | 5.8 | Free plan | Yes | Yes | ||
| 9 | EZmix 3 | 5.4 | No | No | 399 one-time | Yes | |
| 10 | MASCHINE | 5.4 | No | No | 299 one-time | Yes | |
| 11 | Repro | 5.4 | No | No | No | ||
| 12 | Trilian | 5.4 | No | No | 499 one-time | vst3 | Yes |
| 13 | EastWest ComposerCloud+ | 5.3 | No | No | Yes | ||
| 14 | Efx FRAGMENTS | 5.3 | No | No | 199 one-time | Yes | |
| 15 | Garritan Abbey Road Studios CFX Concert Grand | 5.3 | No | No | 199.95 one-time | Yes | |
| 16 | KORG Collection | 5.3 | No | No | vst3 | Yes | |
| 17 | NotePerformer | 5.3 | No | No | 129 one-time | au | No |
| 18 | Pianoteq | 5.3 | No | No | Yes | ||
| 19 | Virtual Guitarist | 5.3 | No | No | 129 one-time | No | |
| 20 | Virtual Pianist | 5.3 | No | No | No | ||
| 21 | XO | 5.3 | No | No | Yes | ||
| 22 | OB-E | 5.2 | No | No | Yes | ||
| 23 | Magnus Choir | 5.0 | No | No | 54.9 one-time | No | |
| 24 | Kontakt 8 | 4.9 | No | No | 299 one-time | Yes | |
| 25 | VOCALOID3 Library kokone | 4.9 | No | No | 77.84 one-time | No |
Is your platform on this list?
Numbered spots on this list can be sponsored, and a sponsored row is labelled as paid.