Best Virtual Instruments in 2026
Updated
In short: IK Multimedia ReSing is ranked #1 of 24 as of 4 October 2026, ahead of Vital and BBC Symphony Orchestra. The best-ranked option with a free plan is Vital. The lowest first paid tier on this page is Vital at $5/mo.
Virtual instruments provide software-based instruments for music making, with options spanning different instrument focuses and performance features. Compare built-in samples and included presets, then check plugin formats and whether a standalone app is available. MPE support may also matter for your playing setup. Free-plan availability and paid-from pricing add cost details to consider. The ranking starts with IK Multimedia ReSing, Vital, and BBC Symphony Orchestra, followed by Dexed and Surge XT. Use the listed features to compare the kinds of sounds and playing options each offers, and consider which formats, presets, and standalone capabilities fit your music sessions.
24 virtual instruments ranked on what their makers publish — plans and prices, free tiers, platforms and the facts on their own pages.
#1 IK Multimedia ReSing Top pick · 7.1 Free plan · Free
#2 Vital Runner-up · 7.1 Free plan · $5/mo
#3 BBC Symphony Orchestra Also great · 7.0 Free plan · Free
- Free plan macOSWindows
- Free plan
- Yes
- Paid from
- 149.99 one-time
- Standalone app
- Yes
- Instrument focus
- drums
- Built-in samples
- No
RecognisedDocumentedFree planPlatforms - Free plan LinuxmacOSWindows
- Free plan
- Yes
- Paid from
- 25 one-time
- Instrument focus
- synth
RecognisedDocumentedFree planPlatforms$5/mofirst paid tier About VitalVisit site - Free plan macOSWindows
- Free plan
- Yes
- Paid from
- 449 one-time
- Standalone app
- No
- Instrument focus
- orchestral
- Built-in samples
- Yes
RecognisedDocumentedFree planPlatforms - Free plan LinuxmacOSWindows
- Free plan
- Yes
- Standalone app
- Yes
- Instrument focus
- synth
RecognisedDocumentedFree planPlatforms - Free plan LinuxmacOSWindows
- Free plan
- Yes
- Standalone app
- Yes
- Instrument focus
- synth
RecognisedDocumentedFree planPlatforms - Free trial iOSLinuxmacOSWindows
- Free plan
- No
- Standalone app
- Yes
- Instrument focus
- keys
- Built-in samples
- No
RecognisedDocumentedFree planPlatforms - Free trial LinuxmacOSWindows
- Free plan
- No
- Standalone app
- No
- Instrument focus
- synth
RecognisedDocumentedFree planPlatforms - macOSWindows
- Free plan
- No
- Paid from
- 499 one-time
- Plugin formats
- vst3
- Standalone app
- Yes
- Instrument focus
- synth
- Built-in samples
- Yes
RecognisedDocumentedFree planPlatforms - Free trial macOSWindows
- Free plan
- No
- Paid from
- 399 one-time
- Standalone app
- Yes
- Instrument focus
- drums
- Built-in samples
- Yes
RecognisedDocumentedFree planPlatforms - macOSWindows
- Free plan
- No
- Paid from
- 299 one-time
- Standalone app
- Yes
- Built-in samples
- Yes
RecognisedDocumentedFree planPlatforms$39/mofirst paid tier About MASCHINEVisit site - Free trial macOSWindows
- Free plan
- No
- Standalone app
- Yes
- Instrument focus
- drums
- Built-in samples
- Yes
RecognisedDocumentedFree planPlatforms - WindowsmacOS
- Free plan
- Yes
- Paid from
- 81 one-time
- Standalone app
- Yes
- Built-in samples
- Yes
RecognisedDocumentedFree planPlatforms - WindowsmacOS
- Free plan
- No
- Paid from
- 199 one-time
- Standalone app
- Yes
- Instrument focus
- synth
- Built-in samples
- Yes
RecognisedDocumentedFree planPlatforms - macOSWindows
- Free plan
- No
- Paid from
- 54.9 one-time
- Standalone app
- No
RecognisedDocumentedFree planPlatforms - WindowsmacOS
- Free plan
- No
- Paid from
- 129 one-time
- Standalone app
- No
- Instrument focus
- guitar
- Built-in samples
- Yes
RecognisedDocumentedFree planPlatforms - WindowsmacOS
- Free plan
- Yes
- Standalone app
- Yes
- Instrument focus
- synth
RecognisedDocumentedFree planPlatforms - WindowsmacOS
- Free plan
- No
- Paid from
- 199.95 one-time
- Standalone app
- Yes
- Instrument focus
- keys
- Built-in samples
- Yes
RecognisedDocumentedFree planPlatforms - macOSWindows
- Free plan
- No
- Plugin formats
- vst3
- Standalone app
- Yes
- Instrument focus
- synth
- Built-in samples
- Yes
RecognisedDocumentedFree planPlatforms - WindowsmacOS
- Free plan
- No
- Paid from
- 129 one-time
- Plugin formats
- au
- Standalone app
- No
- Instrument focus
- orchestral
RecognisedDocumentedFree planPlatforms - WindowsmacOS
- Free plan
- No
- Paid from
- 119 one-time
- Standalone app
- Yes
- Instrument focus
- drums
- Built-in samples
- Yes
RecognisedDocumentedFree planPlatforms - WindowsmacOS
- Free plan
- No
- Standalone app
- Yes
- Built-in samples
- Yes
RecognisedDocumentedFree planPlatforms - macOSWindows
- Free plan
- No
- Standalone app
- Yes
- Instrument focus
- synth
RecognisedDocumentedFree planPlatforms - WindowsmacOS
- Free plan
- No
- Standalone app
- No
- Instrument focus
- keys
- Built-in samples
- Yes
RecognisedDocumentedFree planPlatforms - Windows
- Free plan
- No
- Paid from
- 77.84 one-time
- Standalone app
- No
RecognisedDocumentedFree planPlatforms
Is your app on this list?
Numbered spots on this list can be sponsored. They are labelled, and the editorial order and scores never change for payment.
Questions about this list
Which virtual instrument is ranked first on Everything Xiaomi?
IK Multimedia ReSing is ranked #1 of 24 with a score of 7.1. Vital is second and BBC Symphony Orchestra third.
How many of these have a free plan?
5 of the 24 on this page publish a free plan on their own pricing pages.
Which is the cheapest paid option?
On this page, Vital has the lowest first paid tier we found: $5/mo.
How is this list ranked?
Ranked on what each maker publishes: documentation depth, a free tier and the platforms it runs on. Paid placements never change a rank.