The 8 Best VST Hosts for Live Performance (2025)
VSTs revolutionized mixing music.
Instruments and effects that used to cost thousands became accessible to every musician with a computer.
If you produce music in a DAW, VSTs are probably a key part of your workflow.
But sometimes you want to use your plugins without launching a full-fledged DAW. Maybe you just want your jam with your virtual synths, or play live with a VST rig on stage.
To run VSTs without the extra functionality of a DAW you’ll need a VST host.
In this article I’ll go through the 8 best VST host apps available today.
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What is a VST host?
A VST host is a software program that can load VST instruments or effects plugins. A VST host can be a DAW or a dedicated software program just for running VSTs.
While a traditional DAW can be used for live performance, many musicians prefer the stability and ease of use that comes with dedicated VST hosts.
While a traditional DAW can be used for live performance, many musicians prefer the stability and ease of use that comes with dedicated VST hosts.
These purpose-built software programs don’t need the extra features and functionality of full recording apps.
That makes them simpler and more efficient for your computer to run.
Even if you’re just playing through a handful of instruments or effects, a VST host can help when a standalone version of the plugin doesn’t exist.
The 10 best VST hosts
With the basics out of the way, here are the 10 best VST hosts available today.
1. Apple Mainstage
Apple’s Mainstage is one of the most well-known VST hosts for live performance and is still updated and available in 2025. Retailing for 39.99 USD from the Apple store.
It includes many of the respected plugins, presets and effects from Apple’s flagship DAW app Logic Pro X.
Built specifically with live shows in mind, Mainstage has many impressive features for performers.
Guitarists will love the virtual pedalboards and amp rigs that come complete with tuner, tap tempo and spillover features.
And keyboardists can take advantage of the excellent built-in emulations of classics the Hammond B3, Fender Rhodes, Hohner Pianet and more.
Unfortunately, like all Apple software, Mainstage is only available on Mac OS X. But if you’re a Mac user looking to play VSTs live, Mainstage is probably your first option to try.
Key features include:
Extensive Plug-ins and Sounds: Access a vast collection of instruments and effects, including vintage keyboards, synthesizers, and a 70GB Sound Library.
Hardware Integration: Seamlessly connect USB and MIDI-equipped controllers like keyboards, foot pedals, and drum pads for tactile control.
Customizable Interface: Design personalized layouts with screen controls that adapt to each patch, ensuring an optimized performance view.
Advanced Effects: Utilize sophisticated plug-ins like ChromaVerb for rich reverb and Remix FX for DJ-style effects and transitions.
Seamless Patch Switching: Change patches without interrupting sound output or cutting off held notes, maintaining fluidity during live performances.
MainStage offers a comprehensive solution for musicians seeking studio-quality sound and flexibility on stage.
2. Topten Cantabile Performer
Topten Cantabile Performer is a high performance VST host that’s tailor-made for live playing.
With robust MIDI routing and impressive real-time features, Cantabile is an excellent choice for using VSTs on stage.
Cantabile was purpose-built for the stage, so it’s among the most stable and efficient hosts you can find.
If you’re a keyboard player looking to ditch a heavy hardware rig for simple laptop setup, Cantabile could be your best choice.
It comes in three editions, including a free tier with Cantabile Lite.
Unfortunately, Cantabile is Windows-only, so you’ll have to choose another option if you want to turn your MacBook into the ultimate plug-in based synthesizer.
3. Your DAW
Any application that can run VSTs is a VST host.
That means your DAW is a perfectly good option for playing VSTs live.
Any application that can run VSTs is a VST host. That means your DAW is a perfectly good option for playing VSTs live.
DAWs are more complex than basic VST hosts, so your system will naturally have to do a bit more to keep the gig running.
But there are some upsides to using a DAW as a live VST host. You won’t have to learn a new program to be able to build your stage setup.
And you can easily translate your projects from tracking and mixing to live performance.
Some DAWs are lightweight enough that they’re well suited for live performance. For example, Ableton Live is often used as a performance DAW.
4. Audiostrom LiveProfessor 2025
Audiostrom LiveProfessor 2025 is another feature-rich option for live VST use.
It features impressive preset capabilities, performance-oriented cue lists, flexible signal chains and impressive hardware control.
LiveProfessor 2025 was launched in March 2025 and was developed in collaboration with industry professionals to create an app rugged enough for live use.
It’s popular among front-of-house engineers for mixing live sets with VST plugins.
LiveProfessor enables users to create flexible and portable effect racks using VST or AU plugins, catering to live sound environments, theaters, and broadcast applications.
Key Features of LiveProfessor:
Signal Chains: Organize plugins into series-connected chains, simplifying the management of complex effect setups.
Snapshot Automation: Seamlessly switch between snapshots that save individual plugin settings or the entire project state, facilitating smooth transitions during performances.audiostrom.com
Hardware Controller Integration: Extensive support for hardware controllers allows for intuitive control over plugin parameters and program functions.
Responsive User Interface: A customizable, dark-themed interface with easily recallable window layouts enhances user experience.
Cue Lists: Program cues to recall snapshots, change audio routing, send MIDI messages, and adjust project tempo during live performances.
MIDI Modifiers: Features like transpose, key-zone, and filter are particularly beneficial for keyboard players.
5. Niall Moody Pedalboard 2 (Not updated since 2021)
Niall Moody Pedalboard 2 is a simple and effective VST host that’s designed to work just like a guitarist’s pedalboard.
Set your I/O, load your VSTs and patch between them to create a pedalboard-style signal flow.
The best part? Pedalboard 2 is free, lightweight and easy to use.
If you’re looking to chain together a few virtual stompboxes and amp simulators in a digital guitar rig, Pedalboard 2 is a great choice, however, it has not been updated since 2021, and users have reported difficulty in getting it to work.
6. Hermann Seib VSTHost (No longer supported by modern operating systems)
VSTHost is a simple but effective hosting app created by independent developer Hermann Seib.
The project started as a plugin testing platform but became popular among keyboardists for playing live in the early days of VSTs.
VSTHost lets you load plugins, edit them, send MIDI and save your setups to recall later.
It’s still a great choice for a simple and effective VST host for a retro setup, but we can no longer recommend it for a serious performer in 2025.
7. Kushview Element (Open source modular audio software)
Kushview Element is a modular plugin host that can run VST and AU instruments in flexible configuration.
Its unique matrix style patchbay and graphical editor lets you draw in complex effects racks and signal chains with ease.
If you’ve ever tried to use your plugins in a live performance, you’ll know the challenges that can arise.
Element features easy integration with hardware controllers and easy external sync to MIDI clock sources.
It’s also free and open-source for you to experiment with and shape to your needs. Kushview element is still updated and supported in 2025.
8. Tone2 NanoHost
Tone2 NanoHost is the most lightweight VST host on this list—in fact it’s barely a host at all.
NanoHost acts as a wrapper to turn a VST plugin into a standalone application.
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If your favourite VST instrument doesn’t come bundled with a standalone app, NanoHost will do the job—for Windows and Linux users only.
It’s perfect for those who just want to boot up a single VST without the hassle of a complicated program. Tone2 Nanohost is still supported and updated in 2025
Play VSTs live
VST hosts may seem like an extremely specific type of software, but they fulfill an important purpose.
If you’ve ever tried to use your plugins in a live performance, you’ll know the challenges that can arise.
VST hosts can help, and if you’ve made it through this article you’ll have a handle on some of the best options available today.
Michael Hahn is an engineer and producer at Autoland and member of the swirling indie rock trio Slight.
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