The 13 Best Mastering Plugins (Free & Paid)

From authentic recreations of priceless hardware to instant AI-powered mastering, perfect finished audio is within reach in your DAW.

So what are the best mastering plugins available for producers? With so much out there, it’s not easy to tell which mastering solution is best for you.

That’s why we analyzed and tested all of the major plugins available right now at a variety of price points, from totally free to budget and premium.

We’ll start with our top picks for each price point and share a bit of background about the process of mastering and the plugins it involves.

But if you’re looking for a specific plugin in our list, feel free to skip to it right now!

TL;DR Our top picks from each category

Best AI mastering plugin: LANDR Mastering Plugin Pro

LANDR Mastering Plugin Pro is the only complete AI mastering plugin on the market.

It combines LANDR’s legendary AI-powered online mastering workflow with exceptional EQ, stereo field, dynamics and presence controls that give producers more ways to dial their masters than ever.

Read more.

Best professional mastering plugins: Softube Weiss Complete Collection

Softube’s Weiss Complete Collection is a top-tier suite of plugins specifically focused on the traditional mastering signal chain.

The high-end software suite includes eight gold-standard EQs, compressors, limiters, de-essers, exciters and gain staging plugins.

Read more.

Best free mastering plugin: Brainworx bx_mastering studio

If you’re looking for the best free mastering plugin, start with Brainworx bx_mastering studio. 

The standalone mastering suite offers a basic traditional mastering signal chain with a handful of presets, making it a great starting point for learning how to master music manually.

Read more.

1. LANDR Mastering Plugin Pro (paid, trial available)

Best for serious producers who want fast, affordable, pro-sounding masters.

Hear LANDR Mastering at work:

Curious how LANDR Mastering plugin works? Start here.

LANDR Mastering is the only mastering plugin fully powered by AI. It builds on LANDR’s legendary online mastering workflow, putting it directly into the DAW.

It’s a smart, all-in-one plugin with a complete mastering signal chain that listens to your track and dials in EQs, compressors, de-essers, stereo field settings, and gain staging for you.

The plugin edition of LANDR Mastering is also more flexible than its online counterparts with real-time controls that govern essential aspects of your master like balance, loudness, dynamics, saturation and more.

But unlike other all-in-one mastering plugins, LANDR Mastering Plugin takes all of the guesswork out of the mastering process by using AI. You won’t need technical knowledge to get great results.

It’s ideal for anyone who needs a quick, easy-to-learn, high-quality mastering solution.

Pros:

• Simple to setup in the DAW
• Easy workflow that anyone can learn quickly
• Offers solid controls for added customization
• Only requires the use of one plugin for mastering

Cons:

• Less customization options than a traditional mastering chain

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2. FabFilter Mastering Bundle (paid)

A great all-around mastering plugin bundle with go-to mixing plugins.

FabFilter’s high-tech plugins have been an industry standard for years in music production circles.

While they’re frequently used for mixing, many tools in the FabFilter catalog are widely respected for mastering purposes.

Its bundled Pro-Q 4 is an incredibly versatile and precise EQ, while its included compressors in Pro-C 2, Pro-MB and Pro-L 2 offer transparent compression and limiting functionality.

While the Mastering Bundle doesn’t include the company’s excellent Pro-DS de-esser, you’ll find most of the essential elements of a typical mastering chain.

You’ll still need to know how to master a song from scratch in order to use them, but the value for $514 USD is excellent.

Pros:

• Industry-standard, high-tech plugins
• Widely respected for mastering purposes
• Conveniently packaged bundle
• Excellent value for the price ($514 USD)

Cons:

• Does not include the Pro-DS de-esser
• Requires knowledge of how to master a song
• It is a bundle of multiple plugins, not a single all-in-one suite

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3. Softube Weiss Complete Collection 2 (paid)

Best for professional mastering engineers.

Softube Weiss stands out as one of the best mastering plugin suites for professional engineers because it delivers true mastering-grade precision with virtually no sonic compromise.

Rather than modeled approximations, the Weiss plugins are based on the original Weiss digital algorithms, resulting in exceptional transparency, control, and reliability.

Tools like the DS1-MK3 compressor and EQ1 allow engineers to shape dynamics and tone with surgical accuracy while preserving the integrity of the mix.

Purpose-built for mastering studios, Softube’s Weiss EQ and dynamics plugins come with a steep learning curve if you’re not familiar with how mastering works.

Not only that, the Weiss bundle’s quality and authenticity come at a higher price point—$999 USD.

But if you’re a professional mastering engineer, that’s still a great deal for a suite of top-quality mastering tools!

Pros:

• Gold standard plugins, trusted by the professionals
• Includes every part of a real mastering signal chain
• Produces great, highly customizable masters

Cons:

• Tough learning curve
• Higher price point

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4. Brainworx bx_mastering studio (free)

The best free mastering chain.

Brainworx’s bx_mastering studio isn’t like any other plugin on this list, because it isn’t technically a plugin.

Instead, it’s a standalone desktop app with a built-in mastering signal chain, inspired by Brainworx’s more advanced plugins like the bx_master desk series.

While it won’t work directly with audio in your DAW, it’s a great solution for producers working out of free and beginner DAWs like GarageBand and FL Studio.

Here's everything you need to know about mastering.

The workflow is simple: you bounce your audio and load it into bx_mastering studio, where you can dial the mastering chain’s settings and controls.

You can choose from multiple distinct mastering styles to instantly polish mixes and then refine them with tone shaping and dynamics controls that include EQ bands, compressor, de-esser and limiter.

Its main limitation is that any changes to your mix after mastering made in your DAW will require you to bounce a new version and load it into the standalone app.

Because it runs as a standalone app and is available for free, it’s ideal for quick mastering tasks, content creators and anyone who wants clean, streaming-ready masters with minimal setup.

Pros:

• Free
• Simple workflow

Cons:

• Limited to its built-in signal chain
• Requires mastering knowledge and skills
• Standalone, won’t interface with your DAW like a plugin

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5. iZotope Ozone 12 Advanced (paid)

The original all-in-one professional mastering suite

iZotope Ozone 12 remains one of the most widely used mastering suites because it balances professional depth with intelligent assistance.

Ozone’s modules act like plugins inside of a plugin that can be stacked up into custom mastering chains.

Its Stabilizer, Impact, Dynamic EQ and Maximizer modules, for example, provide precise control over tone, punch and loudness while maintaining clarity.

But it’s more complex tools like upward compression, multiband microdynamics and spectral shaping aren’t for the faint of heart. You’ll need mastering skills and knowledge to get the most out of these aspects of the plugin.

However, Ozone 12 does include a Master Assistant feature that can analyze a track and build a transparent, genre-aware signal chain that engineers can either trust outright or refine in detail. 

Ozone 12 Advanced offers all of the latest technology in digital mastering at a slightly higher price point.

Though for the budget-conscious, it does offer pared-down Ozone Elements and Ozone Standard editions that include its AI-powered Master Assistant and a reduced set of modules.

Pros:

• Industry-standard, pro-grade mastering software
• A complete all-in-one suite with every tool needed

Cons:

• Lower editions are limited to Master Assistant features only

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6. Youlean Loudness Meter (free)

The best free loudness meter.

Loudness metering is an important part of any mastering process, considering that the final goal of any master is to produce a clean, clear and loud signal.

That makes Youlean’s Loudness Meter a must-have for any mastering engineer, especially because it’s completely free to download and use.

The loudness meter features a snappy interface that clearly shows LUFS peaks and ranges as well as a stereo loudness meter that can help identify louder areas of a track’s frequency spectrum.

If you’re struggling and create a clear and loud master, this tools is go-to for identifying problem areas to bring your track to the right LUFS levels.

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7. Metric Halo Sontec MES-432D9D (paid)

A must-have Parametric EQ plugin for pro mastering engineers.

Metric Halo’s Sontec MES-432D9D offers producers an accessible take on one of the most legendary mastering equalizers ever built.

Its strength lies in broad, smooth curves that allow for significant tonal shaping without sounding processed or aggressive. 

The plugin excels at adding clarity, depth, and balance with minimal moves, making it ideal for final tonal decisions rather than corrective work.

With original units selling for tens of thousands, the Sontec MES-432 was designed by the co-creator of the original parametric EQ—talk about a legacy!

Perfect for subtle or extreme tonal shifts, the MES-432D9D is one of the best new mastering EQ plugins to come out in recent memory.

Pros:

• Authentic re-creation of the legendary Sontec MES-432
• Excellent option to add to a mastering plugin toolset
• Recommended for professional engineers

Cons:

• Tough learning curve
• Only one plugin

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8. UAD Shadow Hills Mastering Compressor (paid, trial available)

The best mastering compression plugin at a reasonable price

UAD is known for its authentic recreations of vintage mixing hardware that are purpose-built for its excellent Apollo audio interfaces.

But they’ve also turned their modeling approach to modern classics like the Shadow Hills Mastering Compressor.

A 5U behemoth with two separate stages of compression and three selectable transformers, the Shadow Hills Mastering Compressor is versatile enough to tackle any dynamics task in mastering.

Its dual-stage design allows engineers to manage dynamics transparently with the optical section before adding weight and cohesion with the discrete VCA stage. 

The selectable output transformers make it easy to tailor tone and density, from clean and modern to rich and authoritative.

It brings an addictive analog character to any mix while staying transparent, muscular and musical.

Pros:

• An authentic recreation of a powerful mastering compressor
• Optimized for processing on UAD’s Apollo interface
• More affordable compared to other pro-grade plugins

Cons:

• Only compatible with UAD-powered interfaces
• One of many plugins needed for mastering
• Learning curve required for effective mastering

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9. Analog Obsession N492 (free)

Best free mastering EQ plugin.

It’s no secret that we’re fans of Analog Obsession’s many free plugins, we’ve mentioned them time and time again in other free plugin articles.

But N492 makes for a no-brainer addition to any mastering engineer’s plugin folder, especially considering that the plugin comes in at the low, low cost of free.

This recreation of a classic Neumann mastering EQ features four bands of stereo and mid/side processing alongside a hi-pass filter.

It’s the perfect tool for adding light touches of vintage-inspired EQ to any desired area of your master’s stereo field with a great degree of control.

The plugin is free for everyone, but if you can, consider leaving a small donation on the Analog Obsession Patreon as a thank you for the developer’s hard work.

Pros:

• An excellent stereo mastering EQ
• Modelled after vintage Neumann rack hardware
• Free

Cons:

• One of many plugins needed for mastering
• Learning curve required for effective mastering

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10. Kush Audio Clariphonic MK3 (paid)

A powerful, pro-grade mastering EQ plugin.

Kush Audio Clariphonic MK3 is prized in mastering because it adds openness and presence without the harshness often associated with high-frequency EQ. 

The EQ is based on the concept of parallel equalization. This technique blends the boosted frequencies in with the dry signal to maintain transparency.

Rather than boosting traditional top end, it uses parallel high-frequency shaping to enhance air, clarity, and detail in a smooth, musical way. 

Especially effective for high frequencies, the Clariphonic is built to give the most pleasing, musical high-end possible without any harshness.

This makes it effective for lifting vocals, cymbals, and overall brightness while preserving balance and depth.

The new and improved Clariphonic plugin is excellent for adding the elusive silky top end that’s essential in a great master.

Pros:

• A pro-grade parallel EQ
• Great for top-end EQ tasks

Cons:

• One of many plugins needed for mastering
• Learning curve required for effective mastering

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11. Waves L2 Ultramaximizer (paid)

An industry standard, affordable brickwall limiter.

Waves L2 Ultramaximizer was one of the original plugin mastering tools to gain popularity.

L2 is a look-ahead limiter with simple controls. It’s known for its ability to squeeze more level out of a mix that already seems as loud as possible.

Its straightforward interface allows engineers to achieve competitive loudness quickly while maintaining control over peak limiting and dithering.

While some engineers consider it a contributor to the so-called loudness wars, it’s been used on so many popular releases that it’s become a classic in its own right.

In a reversal of the typical pattern, L2 was popular enough for Waves to create a hardware version in the early 2000s.

Pros:

• An excellent pro-grade limiter plugin
• Affordable for a pro-grade plugin

Cons:

• One of many plugins needed for mastering
• Learning curve required for effective mastering
• Dated UI

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12. TDR Limiter 6 GE (free)

The best free limiter plugin for mastering.

Tokyo Dawn Record’s collection of free plugins represents some of the best free plugins on the market. It’s Limiter 6 GE plugin is no exception.

Its modular design allows each stage, including compression, peak limiting, high frequency limiting, clipping, and protection, to be dialed in precisely or bypassed as needed. 

This level of flexibility makes it well-suited for complex material where clean loudness and dynamic integrity are critical.

TDR’s Limiter 6 GE is a simple but effective option for adding dynamic limiting to your track.

It won’t fill out your entire mastering signal chain, but if your track needs touches of limiting, this a decent option that won’t cost you dime.

Pros:

• Free to download and use
• Simple but effective option for dynamic limiting

Cons:

• One of many plugins needed for mastering
• Won’t fill out the entire mastering signal chain

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13. Brainworx bx_masterdesk (paid, trial available)

Another excellent all-in-one mastering plugin.

Brainworx bx_masterdesk is another great all-around mastering plugin that offers all of the tools needed inside of a proper mastering chain.

It combines EQ, compression, saturation and limiting in a streamlined interface that encourages confident decision-making. 

Its tone controls are broad and forgiving, making it easy to enhance balance, punch and loudness while avoiding overprocessing. 

That’s why bx_masterdesk is especially effective for quick masters, revisions and mix bus work where speed, consistency and musicality matter most.

It’s a great tool for upstart mastering engineers looking for an all-in-one plugin that covers every part of a mastering signal chain from EQ to compressors, filters, de-essing, loudness metering and beyond.

If you want to start learning how to master music on your own, this is a great starting point.

Pros:

• Excellent all-in-one mastering plugin
• Covers every part of a mastering signal chain
• Great starting point for upstart mastering engineers

Cons:

• An all-in-one solution offers less deep customization

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LANDR Mastering Plugin

AI mastering, in your DAW

LANDR Mastering is now available as a plugin in your DAW. Get complete control over LANDR's best-in-class AI mastering tool and start producing professional sounding masters.

Try it Free

Buyer’s guide: choosing the best type of mastering plugin for you

To select the right tools for your mastering process, you can break any of these plugins into three categories.

AI-powered solutions for speed and simplicity

Here's the different types of plugin used in a mastering chain. Read: Mastering Chain: 7 Stages That Shape Your Master.

If you need fast, high-quality results without requiring deep technical knowledge, an AI-powered mastering solution is the ideal choice.

These tools are often available as a single plugin, automatically handling the entire signal chain to deliver a polished master with minimal user input.

They are perfect for producers who prioritize speed and efficiency.

Comprehensive suites for engineers

All-in-one mastering suites package all essential tools, such as EQ, compression, limiting, and metering into a single plugin interface.

These are excellent for engineers seeking a powerful, integrated solution that streamlines the traditional signal chain while still offering deep creative control over all aspects of the master.

Pro bundles and custom chains for experts

For the most control and ultimate fidelity, professionals often opt for dedicated bundles or individual plugins to construct a custom signal chain.

This approach uses specialized tools (like a dedicated compressor, a high-end EQ, and a separate limiter) that allow for precise adjustments and the most authentic recreations of classic hardware sounds.

However, building a custom signal chain requires a solid understanding of mastering principles but offers the greatest customization.

LANDR Mastering Plugin

AI mastering, in your DAW

LANDR Mastering is now available as a plugin in your DAW. Get complete control over LANDR's best-in-class AI mastering tool and start producing professional sounding masters.

Try it Free

Mastering plugins ranked

Mastering with plugins isn’t only possible in 2025, it’s a strong option that many producers should consider.

But with so many mastering plugins on the market, it’s important to understand which one is right for you.

Whether you need a straightforward solution or a marvel of modern technology, there’s something on this list to get you started with mastering.

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Alex Lavoie is a drummer, music producer, songwriter and marketing professional living in Montreal, Quebec. He works as a staff writer at LANDR by day and writes indie post-punk tunes in his band UTILS while moonlighting as drummer for folk-rock outfit The Painters. Connect with Alex Lavoie on LANDR Network!

@Alex Lavoie

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