This page is about free VST hosts (software apps). If you’re looking for plugins, check the free instruments and free effects directories.
Although we can come up with a huge and intimidating list of free VST host applications, we will limit to a few only, the most feature-rich, so you can easily host your favorite VST plugins and take advance of them in your productions.
If you need free VST samplers, visit this section.
- Waveform Free | Windows (64-bit), macOS, Linux (64-bit)
- Cantabile Lite | Windows (32-bit or 64-bit)
- DarkWave Studio | Windows (32-bit or 64-bit)
- LMMS | Windows (64-bit), macOS, Linux (64-bit)
- NanoHost | Windows (32-bit or 64-bit), Linux with Wine
Waveform Free
Waveform Free is unlike any other so-called free DAW – it has more capabilities than most enthusiast producers will ever need. There are no restrictions whatsoever – unlimited track count, add popular plugins and enjoy the deeply capable feature set.
Cantabile Lite
Cantabile Lite is a powerful and free VST host with an intuitive UI. It includes the high-performance audio engine from its big brothers Cantabile Solo and Performer. Cantabile Lite is perfect if you just want to play a couple of instruments, add some effects, or design and audition new sound presets.
DarkWave Studio
DarkWave Studio is a free digital audio workstation (DAW) for Windows. It has a modular design with virtual studio, pattern editor, sequence editor, and multitrack hard disk recorder. You can load VST/VSTi instrument and effect plugins.
LMMS
LMMS is a free digital audio workstation for Linux, macOS, and Windows. With it, you can sequence, compose, mix and automate songs in one simple interface, connect MIDI controllers, import MIDI files, plus a lot of other tasks. LMMS has built-in 64-bit VST instrument support, also loads 32-bit VST plugins via bridge.
NanoHost
NanoHost is a free VST host for Windows that can load synths, plus can act as a wrapper that converts VST synthesizers into standalone applications. It is a tiny tool and works best for live performance, sound design, jam sessions, and testing.
Updated on June 28th, 2021.