The 15 Best Free Reverb VST Plugins in 2024

Music Gear
best free reverb vst plugins

Whether you want realism or otherworldly effects, there are plenty of free reverb plugins to choose from these days.

We decided to do a fresh round of testing on the free reverb plugins available today, and we had a great time doing it.

Our list of favorites has a handful of well-known classics, but also some more recent or underrated gems that deserve more attention.

Without further ado, let’s space out on some ‘verbs.

The best free reverb plugins available today

1. Variety of Sound epic reverbs

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Overview of Variety of Sound Reverbs

Type:Ambient & plate
Operating System:Windows
Format:VST

Variety of Sound is known for a number of high-quality plugins, both free and paid. Their epicVerb plugin in particular has appeared on many free reverb plugin lists over the years.

After many requests for a follow-up version, the developer revealed that they’ve created not just one, but a series of new free reverb plugins — the “epic reverb family.”

As of May 2024, this family consists of a plate reverb called epicPLATE and a more recent ambient reverb called epicCLOUDS

A room reverb called epicROOMS is still on the way, so we’ll update this list when it’s released. In the meantime, we highly recommend you download the first two if you’re a Windows user.

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2. Spectral Plugins Spacer

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Overview of Spacer

Type:Reverb/delay multi-effects
Operating System:macOS, Windows
Format:VST, AU, AAX

In April of 2024, Spectral Plugins decided to shut down their operations and kindly release all three of their plugins for free.

One of those plugins is Spacer, a unique multi-effects plugin that was previously sold for $119.

It includes algorithmic, convolution, and granular reverbs, in addition to both conventional and granular delays. All of these can be used simultaneously in a highly-configurable signal chain.

The plugin also gives you an end-of-chain module for chorus, saturation, high-frequency enhancement, and more.

This one goes beyond just being a free reverb plugin, and it sounded fantastic in all of our sessions. It’s a very inspiring set of tools at a killer value, so we think everyone should try it out.

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3. Airwindows reverbs

🧠 Hot tip

Chris at Airwindows has released more than 350 plugins. That's a lot to sift through, so we highly recommend installing this free device that consolidates all Airwindows devices into a single multi-effects plugin. It's fully categorized and very easy to use.
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Overview of Airwindows Reverbs

Type:Various
Operating System:macOS, Windows, Linux
Format:VST, AU

Airwindows is known for producing a massive library of fantastic free effects plugins, from simulations of classic mixer preamps to delays and beyond.

However, we’ve found that producers often overlook his free reverb plugins, of which there are many to choose from.

They range from the conventional to the weird, and we had a great time revisiting all of them during our testing.

Our favorites were Galactic2 (a great option for gorgeous ambient reverb tails) and MatrixVerb (a less conventional but highly versatile option that rewards experimentation).

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4. Adam Szabo Solaris

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Overview of Solaris

Type:Shimmer/ambient
Operating System:Windows
Format:VST

Another free reverb plugin that’s fairly fresh on the scene as of 2024, Adam Szabo Solaris is a source of some really stunning sounds.

It specializes in shimmer-type effects and large washes of ambient reverberation, making it ideal for hypnotic soundscapes and experimentation.

During testing, we especially enjoyed how it handled guitar signals, making it quite easy to dial in dreamy shimmering drones and melodies.

If you’re a Windows user and this sounds like your cup of tea, don’t hesitate to give this one a try.

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5. igorsky FogPad

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Overview of FogPad

Type:Shimmer/ambient
Operating System:macOS, Windows
Format:VST, AU

While we’re still on an ambient tip, let’s take a look at igorsky’s FogPad, a free reverb plugin we feel is as underrated as it is strange.

If you’re someone who wants tried-and-true parameters that are familiar at first sight, you may not get along well with FogPad.

Instead of aiming to simulate large spaces like a conventional reverb, it specializes in creating surreal and sometimes unpredictable smears and diffusions of the incoming sound.

It also has a decidedly lo-fi quality to it, almost like a late-80s rack reverb that happens to be malfunctioning. This one definitely rewards curiosity. 

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6. Melda Production reverbs

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Overview of Melda Production Reverbs

Type:Algorithmic & convolution
Operating System:macOS, Windows
Format:VST, AAX, AU

We’re listing these as a pair — MCharmVerb takes a classic algorithmic approach and MConvolutionEZ specializes in convolution.

MCharmVerb is a boiled-down implementation of the engine that powers the massive (and expensive) MTurboReverb suite.

MConvolutionEZ, meanwhile, offers a great library of impulse responses for various spaces, guitar cabs, and even non-reverb effects.

We appreciated their simplicity, easy of operation, and overall sound quality. If you want a couple of no-nonsense ‘verbs that cover all basic duties, these are great options.

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7. Shift Line SkyNet

🧠 Hot tip

We used a lot of samples from our own library to test out these reverbs. If you want some excellent free sounds, we highly recommend digging through the ones at LANDR Samples.
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Overview of SkyNet

Type:Ambient
Operating System:macOS, Windows
Format:VST, AU

Okay we couldn’t help it — we’re back in ambient mode again.

A relatively recent addition to the free reverb plugin market, SkyNet is a plugin adaptation of two algorithms on the developer’s Astronaut reverb pedal.

The pedal costs about $300 and sounds fantastic, so it’s nice to be able to access a pair of high-quality ambient-oriented algos for free. 

The interface is dead-simple, giving you very immediate access to massive, spaced-out effects. 

After our round of testing, we can confidently say that throwing synth pads, vocals, and slow guitar riffs into SkyNet will get you in dreamy territory in no time.

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8. ANWIDA Soft SPATIO Light

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Overview of SPATIO Light

Type:General-purpose algorithmic
Operating System:macOS, Windows
Format:VST, AU

Not unlike Variety of Sound’s epic reverb family, SPATIO Light is the successor to an often-recommended free reverb plugin.

ANWIDA Soft originally came out with the free DX Reverb Light well over a decade ago, and it quickly accumulated many fans.

They’ve more recently put out SPATIO Light as a follow-up, and we found in our tests that it has the same great quality as its predecessor.

While this may be simply a reskin of the original, we very much appreciate the improved interface. If you want a simple and immediate convolution reverb, give this one a try.

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9. Wave Arts Convology XT

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Overview of Convology XT

Type:Convolution
Operating System:macOS, Windows
Format:VST, AU, AAX

As a free reverb plugin devoted to convolution, Convology XT offers an excellent range of impulse responses to simulate a variety of spaces.

In combination with this, it gives you both a simple range of controls and some surprising flexibility.

During our tests, we especially appreciated the ability to fine-tune the character of the reverb tail with its dedicated graphic EQ.

The plugin still requires registration to work — you can have a serial number sent to your email via the registration dialogue found in the plugin’s settings menu, and register with that.

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10. Voxengo OldSkoolVerb

🧠 Hot tip

If you're looking for a high-quality emulation of a classic real-world plate reverb, Arturia Rev PLATE-140 recreates the EMT-140 unit in impressive detail.
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Overview of OldSkoolVerb

Type:Room & plate
Operating System:macOS, Windows
Format:VST, AU, AAX

Is it really a list of free plugins without a Voxengo plugin? Probably not. 

We have to admit that we slept on OldSkoolVerb for a while, and when we finally gave it a try during testing for this article, we were not disappointed.

There’s something very satisfying about a plugin that really captures an old-school plate sound. This one nails it, especially for vocal and melodic sound sources.

However, despite the website saying it’s not as well-suited for percussive sounds, we actually found it fantastic for dialing in a classic 80s snare reverb.

As is often the case with Voxengo, you won’t regret trying this one.

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11. Valhalla Supermassive

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Overview of Supermassive

Type:Shimmer reverb/delay
Operating System:macOS, Windows
Format:VST, AU, AAX

Supermassive is known for its ability to immerse you in the spectrum that exists between delay and reverb, from clean repeats to endlessly stretched-out and diffused drones. 

Like all Valhalla plugins, its interface is immediate and intuitive, its sound quality is top-tier, and you will most likely end up using it all the time.

While testing out its capabilities once again for this article, we explored the full list of modes a bit deeper than we previously had, and boy did it deliver.

There are very few things that don’t sound good when sent through Supermassive, so as far as we’re concerned, everyone should have it.

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12. Denis Tihanov OrilRiver

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Overview of OrilRiver

Type:General-purpose algorithmic
Operating System:macOS, Windows
Format:VST, AU

For many years, producers needing a high-quality workhorse algorithmic reverb have reached for OrilRiver.

While further development and support for this free reverb plugin is currently suspended, it still maintains compatibility with most systems and it’s well worth a shot.

It has everything that an all-rounder needs (control over damping, modulation, EQ, etc.) — while also offering some unique touches like variations on the early reflections for extra nuance.

Its focus on flexibility and quality is balanced by a very straightforward interface, making it a top contender for beginners and advanced producers alike.

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13. Michael Willis Dragonfly Reverb

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Overview of Dragonfly

Type:Various
Operating System:macOS, Windows, Linux
Format:VST

Dragonfly comes in four specialized variants — Plate, Room, Hall, and Early Reflections.

This collection was originally based on Hibiki, an algorithm that was part of an older freeware reverb library called Freeverb3 (which you’ll find in our extended list at the bottom).

During our tests, we were pretty stunned by how rich and natural all of these sounded. It was surprisingly easy to dial in addictively-good tails that sit very well in a mix.

We did experience some stability issues with Early Reflections on our M2 MacBook Pro running macOS Sonoma. But since the GitHub is still very much active, it should be easy to report any issues that come up on your system.

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14. TAL-Reverb-4

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Overview of TAL-Reverb-4

Type:Vintage plate
Operating System:macOS, Windows, Linux
Format:VST, AU, AAX, CLAP

Like many TAL devices, TAL-Reverb-4 is a stone-cold classic.

It’s now on its fourth iteration, and every version has been well-loved by producers of all experience levels.

Like Voxengo OldSkoolVerb, this one specializes in classic plate reverb effects.

We often prefer this one over the Voxengo, however, because of its ability to degrade the reverb tail for lo-fi effects. It also sounded better in our tests when used on percussive instruments.

Take it for a spin on synths, drums, vocals, and anything else you want. It pretty much always sounds great.

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15. Stone Voices DReverb

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Overview of DReverb

Type:General-purpose algorithmic
Operating System:macOS, Windows
Format:VST

Stone Voices is another developer who has a sterling reputation for high-quality, easy-to-use free plugins.

Their free reverb plugin, DReverb, is often recommended due to the quality of its algorithm and its impressive decay time range — up to 100 seconds!

During our tests, we appreciated having both a built-in pre-reverb filter and crossover settings for tailoring the lower frequencies in your reverb tail.

If you want a variation of this reverb that offers a simpler set of controls but still boasts the same great sound, you can also try DReverb Lite.

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Even more free reverb plugins

In case the above top contenders don’t quite cut it for you, we’ll throw in an extended list of free reverb plugins by category. We haven’t confirmed all of their current compatibility and support statuses, but they’re worth trying out to see what works for you.

Free algorithmic reverb plugins

Free convolution reverb plugins

Free ambient/shimmer reverb plugins

Free experimental reverb plugins

Enjoy!

Devon Hansen

Devon Hansen is a producer, DJ, and writer with 20 years of experience in electronic music production. Having worked under various names and in a wide range of styles, Devon has performed several editions of MUTEK Montreal and has released music with labels in North America, the UK, and Japan. When not working on creative projects or playing tunes on Montreal’s n10.as radio, Devon can be found watching movies, cooking, and reading too much about gear.

@Devon Hansen

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