What is it? VST (Virtual Studio Technology) is the most widely used plugin format on Windows. Created by Steinberg in 1996, it is supported by virtually every DAW: FL Studio, Ableton Live, Reaper, Cubase, Studio One, Bitwig, and many others. VST plugins come in two types — instruments (VSTi) that generate sound, and effects (VSTfx) that process audio.
VST vs VST3 — what's the difference? VST3 is the modernised version introduced in 2008. It uses less CPU when the plugin is silent, has better MIDI handling, and supports features like note expression. If both versions are available, always choose VST3. The only practical difference for installation is the folder location.
32-bit vs 64-bit — what does it mean? All modern DAWs (FL Studio, Ableton, Reaper, etc.) are 64-bit applications. A 64-bit DAW can only load 64-bit plugins directly. Plugins marked Win64 on this site are 64-bit and will load without any issue. Plugins marked Win32 are 32-bit — they were built for older systems and cannot be loaded directly into a 64-bit DAW. To use them, you need a bridging tool, which runs the 32-bit plugin in a separate process and passes audio and MIDI between it and your DAW. The most widely used bridge is jBridge (paid, ~€15) — it works reliably with most 32-bit VST plugins. Some DAWs like Reaper also have built-in bridging. Note that bridged plugins may use slightly more CPU and RAM, and crash isolation is not guaranteed.
How to install:
Download the plugin. It will come as a .zip archive, a .dll file, or an .exe installer.
If it's a .zip, extract the contents first.
If it's a .dll file: copy it to your VST plugins folder. Common locations include C:\Program Files\VSTPlugins\, C:\Program Files\Steinberg\VSTPlugins\, or a custom folder you've set in your DAW preferences.
If it's a .exe installer: double-click and follow the steps. It places the plugin in the correct folder automatically.
VST3 plugins (.vst3 files or folders) go to C:\Program Files\Common Files\VST3\.
Open your DAW, go to Preferences → Plugins, and run a scan. The new plugin will appear in your instruments or effects list.
Tip: Create a single dedicated folder like C:\My VST Plugins\ and point all your DAWs to it. This keeps things organised as your collection grows.
AAX — For Pro Tools Users
What is it? AAX (Avid Audio eXtension) is the plugin format used exclusively by Pro Tools, the industry-standard DAW used in professional recording studios worldwide. AAX replaced the older RTAS format starting with Pro Tools 11. If you don't use Pro Tools, you don't need AAX plugins.
AAX Native vs AAX DSP: Most plugins come as AAX Native, which runs on your computer's CPU — this is what home studio users need. AAX DSP requires an Avid HDX hardware card found only in high-end studio setups, and offloads processing to dedicated chips.
How to install:
Download the AAX installer (.exe).
Completely close Pro Tools before installing.
Run the installer — it automatically places the plugin in C:\Program Files\Common Files\Avid\Audio\Plug-Ins\.
Launch Pro Tools — it scans and detects new plugins automatically on startup.
Requirements: Pro Tools 10.3.7 or later for AAX Native. Pro Tools 11 or later is strongly recommended for the best compatibility with current plugins.
RTAS — Legacy Format
What is it? RTAS (Real Time AudioSuite) was Pro Tools' plugin format before AAX. It was discontinued with Pro Tools 11 in 2013. If you're using Pro Tools 11 or newer — which is almost certainly the case — RTAS plugins will not load. Use AAX instead.
When is it still relevant? RTAS plugins are listed on this site for users maintaining older Pro Tools setups (version 10 or earlier) for compatibility with legacy sessions. If you're starting fresh, ignore RTAS entirely.
How to install (Pro Tools 10 or earlier only):
Download the RTAS installer.
Close Pro Tools.
Run the installer — it places the plugin in C:\Program Files\Common Files\Digidesign\DAE\Plug-Ins\.
Restart Pro Tools.
Which DAW should I use on Windows?
A DAW (Digital Audio Workstation) is the software that loads and runs your plugins. Here are the best options at every price point:
What is it? AU (Audio Units) is Apple's own plugin standard, built directly into macOS. It works natively with GarageBand, Logic Pro, MainStage, and Final Cut Pro. Because AU is deeply integrated with the operating system, these plugins are generally very stable and efficient on Mac. If you primarily use Logic or GarageBand, AU is your best choice.
Apple Silicon compatibility (M1/M2/M3): Modern Macs with Apple Silicon chips run software natively at high efficiency. Make sure your AU plugin offers a Universal Binary or native ARM build. Older Intel-only plugins may still work via Rosetta 2 — right-click your DAW → Get Info → check "Open using Rosetta". Performance remains good in most cases.
How to install:
Download the plugin. It comes as a .pkg installer or a .component bundle inside a .zip.
If it's a .pkg: double-click and follow the on-screen instructions.
If it's a .component file: move it to /Library/Audio/Plug-Ins/Components/ for all users, or ~/Library/Audio/Plug-Ins/Components/ for your account only. To access the Library folder, open Finder, hold Option and click the Go menu — "Library" will appear.
Restart your DAW. GarageBand and Logic Pro detect AU plugins automatically on launch — no manual scan required.
Tip: If Logic Pro shows a plugin as "not validated", click "Use Anyway". Apple runs a stability check on plugins, but most free plugins pass fine.
VST / VST3 — Cross-Platform Format
What is it? VST also works on macOS and is supported by Ableton Live, Reaper, Cubase, FL Studio for Mac, Bitwig Studio, and others. If you use the same plugins across Windows and Mac, or if your DAW doesn't support AU, VST is the right choice.
AU or VST on Mac? If you're on Logic Pro or GarageBand, always use AU — it's the native format and will be more stable. For Ableton, Reaper, or Bitwig, VST3 is a great choice. Many plugins ship both formats — install the one matching your DAW.
How to install:
Download the plugin — usually a .pkg installer or a .vst / .vst3 bundle.
If it's a .pkg: run the installer and follow the steps.
If it's a .vst bundle: move it to /Library/Audio/Plug-Ins/VST/ or ~/Library/Audio/Plug-Ins/VST/.
VST3 bundles go to /Library/Audio/Plug-Ins/VST3/ or ~/Library/Audio/Plug-Ins/VST3/.
Open your DAW, go to Preferences → Plugins, and run a scan.
AAX — For Pro Tools Users
What is it? AAX is the only plugin format supported by Pro Tools 11 and later on macOS. It works identically to the Windows version — the same plugin is often available for both platforms. If you don't use Pro Tools, you don't need AAX plugins.
How to install:
Download the AAX installer (.pkg).
Completely close Pro Tools before starting.
Run the installer — it places the plugin in /Library/Application Support/Avid/Audio/Plug-Ins/ automatically.
Launch Pro Tools — new plugins are scanned and detected on startup.
Note: On Apple Silicon Macs, verify that the AAX plugin supports ARM natively or that it has been updated for Pro Tools on M-series chips, as some older AAX plugins may not be compatible.
Which DAW should I use on macOS?
GarageBand — Free and pre-installed on every Mac. Surprisingly capable, supports AU plugins, and is the perfect starting point for complete beginners. You can import GarageBand projects directly into Logic Pro later.
Logic Pro — Apple's professional DAW. One-time purchase ($199.99 / £199.99), supports AU and VST3, and comes with an enormous library of built-in sounds, instruments, and effects. The natural upgrade from GarageBand.
Reaper — Affordable ($60 discounted license) and cross-platform. Supports VST/VST3/AU. Excellent for recording, mixing, and sound design. Runs natively on Apple Silicon.
Ableton Live Lite — Free limited version, often bundled with audio hardware. Great for electronic music and live performance. Supports VST/VST3/AU.
Bitwig Studio — Modern and innovative, supports VST3/AU/CLAP. Excellent Linux support too if you work across platforms.
What is it? A growing number of VST plugins are compiled natively for Linux. DAWs like Reaper, Ardour, Bitwig Studio, and LMMS can load them directly. The selection is smaller than on Windows or Mac, but the quality of available plugins is high — and the number is growing each year.
How to install a native Linux VST:
Download the plugin. It comes as a .so file (shared object), a .vst3 bundle, or a .tar.gz archive.
If it's a .tar.gz: extract it first with tar -xzf plugin.tar.gz.
Copy the .so file to ~/.vst/ (user) or /usr/lib/vst/ (system-wide).
VST3 bundles go to ~/.vst3/ or /usr/lib/vst3/.
Open your DAW and run a plugin rescan. Most DAWs detect the new plugin automatically.
Tip: Some DAWs like Reaper allow you to set custom scan folders. Point them to ~/.vst/ and ~/.vst3/ to keep user-installed plugins separate from system ones.
LV2 / LADSPA — The Linux Native Standards
What is LV2? LV2 is the open-source, Linux-native plugin standard and the recommended format for Linux audio. It is supported by Ardour, Carla, Qtractor, Mixbus, and many other Linux DAWs. LV2 plugins are not VST — they are a separate ecosystem — but the quality and variety is excellent. Many professional-grade plugins are available as LV2, including synthesisers, reverbs, compressors, and EQs.
What is LADSPA? LADSPA (Linux Audio Developer's Simple Plugin API) is an older format largely superseded by LV2. Some vintage Linux tools still use it. If your DAW supports LV2, prefer that — it's more powerful and better maintained. LADSPA remains useful for legacy setups and simple utility plugins.
How to install LV2 plugins:
The easiest method is via your package manager — most distributions include large collections:
# Ubuntu, Debian, Linux Mint
sudo apt install lv2-plugins calf-plugins
# Fedora
sudo dnf install lv2-plugins
# Arch Linux
sudo pacman -S lv2
To install manually: copy the .lv2 bundle (a folder containing a .so and a .ttl file) to ~/.lv2/ or /usr/lib/lv2/.
Restart your DAW — LV2 plugins are detected automatically.
Running Windows VST Plugins on Linux via Wine
What is Wine? Wine is a compatibility layer that allows Windows applications — including VST plugins — to run on Linux. This opens up the vast Windows plugin ecosystem to Linux users, including thousands of plugins that have no native Linux version.
yabridge — the recommended solution:yabridge is by far the best tool for running Windows VST2, VST3, and CLAP plugins on Linux. It creates seamless bridges so your Linux DAW loads the Windows plugin as if it were native. Performance is excellent for most plugins, with very low overhead compared to older solutions.
How to set up yabridge:
Install Wine — use a recent version (Wine 8+ recommended). On Ubuntu/Debian: sudo apt install wine. On Arch: sudo pacman -S wine.
Download yabridge from the releases page and extract it to ~/.local/share/yabridge/.
Add yabridge to your PATH: add export PATH="$HOME/.local/share/yabridge:$PATH" to your ~/.bashrc or ~/.profile, then reload with source ~/.bashrc.
Install your Windows VST plugins using Wine — either by running the .exe installer with wine plugin-installer.exe, or by copying the .dll to a Wine VST folder such as ~/.wine/drive_c/Program Files/VstPlugins/.
Register the plugins with yabridge: yabridgectl add ~/.wine/drive_c/Program\ Files/VstPlugins/ then yabridgectl sync.
Open your Linux DAW and scan for new plugins — the bridged plugins will appear as native Linux VST2 or VST3 entries.
Compatibility: The vast majority of Windows VST plugins work well with yabridge. A few plugins that rely on DRM or unusual system calls may have issues. Check the yabridge known issues page for a detailed compatibility list.
Alternative — LinVst: An older bridging tool that works similarly to yabridge but is less actively maintained. If yabridge doesn't work for a specific plugin, LinVst is worth trying as a fallback.
Which DAW should I use on Linux?
Ardour — The most professional open-source DAW. Supports VST2/VST3/LV2/LADSPA. Donation-based or subscription model. Excellent for recording, editing, and mixing.
Bitwig Studio — Has the best native Linux support of any commercial DAW. Supports VST3/LV2/CLAP. Modern workflow, great modulation system. A favourite among Linux musicians.
Reaper — Runs natively on Linux (x86_64 and ARM). $60 discounted license. Excellent VST/LV2 support. Very customisable.
LMMS — Completely free and beginner-friendly. Good for beat-making and electronic music. Supports VST plugins via a built-in bridge.
Carla — Not a DAW but a powerful plugin host and patchbay. Loads VST/LV2/LADSPA plugins and routes audio between them. Free and invaluable for experimentation.
Audio system tip: For low-latency audio on Linux, consider using PipeWire (available on Ubuntu 22.04+, Fedora 34+, and most modern distros). PipeWire is compatible with both JACK and PulseAudio, making DAW setup far simpler than the old JACK-only approach.