Free alternatives
For each paid plugin worth wanting, the free tools that get closest, what they give up in the trade, and the honest case for just buying the original when nothing free covers it.
Free Alternatives to Melodyne
The free pitch-correction plugins that cover Melodyne's everyday jobs, Graillon 3 and MAutoPitch, plus an honest take on what only Melodyne can do.
Updated July 2026
Free Alternatives to Serum
Vital and Surge XT get you most of Serum's wavetable power for free, what each covers, what you give up, and when Serum 2 is still worth buying.
Updated July 2026
Free Alternatives to ShaperBox
Free routes to ShaperBox-style movement: Kilohearts Essentials for modular motion effects and OTT for multiband energy, plus when ShaperBox 3 earns its price.
Updated July 2026
Free Alternatives to Omnisphere
Surge XT, Vital and Dexed as the free route to Omnisphere-style pads and textures, and an honest account of what the $499 library actually buys.
Updated July 2026
Free Alternatives to Soothe 2
TDR Nova as the free route to Soothe-style resonance control: what a dynamic EQ can and can't replicate, and when Soothe 2 justifies its price.
Updated July 2026
Free Alternatives to RC-20
iZotope Vinyl and CHOW Tape Model cover RC-20's lo-fi jobs for free, noise, wobble and tape character, plus when RC-20 is still the better buy.
Updated July 2026
Free Alternatives to Auto-Tune
Graillon 3 and MAutoPitch deliver the tuned-vocal sound for free, how close they get to Auto-Tune Pro, and when the original is worth paying for.
Updated July 2026